Back in September we wrote about the hazards of wearing the popular “Croc” clogs on escalators, a combination that may have produced more than a few injuries all around the world. We heard about at least one case where the child’s toes were ripped off when the shoe was sucked down into the escalator.
Now a family from Westchester has filed a lawsuit that claims that their child was “severely and permanently” injured in November 2007, when her Croc got caught in a escalator at JFK airport.
From the NY Daily News:
“The skin was peeled off her toe,” lawyer Andrew Laskin said. “It’s a pretty horrifying injury. And it’s also horrible for a parent to witness your child injured in this way and suffering.”
Crocs has so far chosen not to put a warning label on the shoes. Here’s what they told one foreign news agency that did a report about Crocs:
“Crocs shoes are completely safe. The popularity of our shoes has helped draw attention to a long-existing issue that we think is very important–escalator safety”
Today, little has changed. Croc’s says they’re taking escalator safety seriously:
“Escalator safety is an issue we take very seriously, and we are looking into this report.”
The Daily News asked the CPSC how many of Croc-related foot manglings they were aware of, but that agency “could not immediately say” how many reports it had.
Suit: Crocs shoe led to 3-year-old girl’s toe accident on JFK escalator [Daily News]
Can Crocs Be Dangerous To Your Child? [City News]
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Honestly I if people want to wear such fugly shoes they SHOULD lose a foot.
Now if we can only get something done about people who wear socks and sandals…
I checked this on Snopes which calls these stories true and wrote the following to them:
I think you have fallen for what, apparently, is STILL an urban legend, despite your efforts, about Crocs and escalator accidents. Though you do point out that accidents on escalators happen in different kinds of shoes, you do nothing to alert readers to the anecdotal nature of the stories in your report. In many of them, Crocs have not even been identified as the shoe involved.
If you have ever handled a Croc, it would be apparent to you that there is nothing remotely “soft”, “extremely flexible” or “spongy” about them. They have little give, and are regarded as comfortable only because they compress slightly when worn and do not pinch. If anything, they are leagues safer on escalators than shoes with laces.
Crocs have always been controversial because, first, they offend the fashion- conscious, and second, they are very popular among kids where one would expect it, and even among adults, with some fanatics numbered among them.
They have many imitators who, far as I know, use the same material, so I doubt this fear mongering is coming from them, since their shoes are as safe as Crocs. I would suspect, for instance, Merrill and like manufacturers who have watched in dismay as Crocs have eaten their lunch at a third of the price of their own creations.
I believe at least you should give a more ambiguous grade to this story. Based on what I know about Crocs, (I have no relationship with the company – just a satisfied customer), they deserve only as much blame as can be laid directly at their feet, which appears to be far less than this article would imply.
Thanks for your attention, and for your excellent and valuable work.
Casey with ten toes
This is a case for the myth busters!
Does anyone know where the “taking this seriously” came into PR jargon? Is it something they teach in marketing school?
oh mythbusters! we should contact them!
I am confused how a person can get a shoe (even a cheap piece of crap) stuck in an elevator. How do you do that? The only way I can think is stick the toe part right directly into the edge of the stair as it comes back together toward the top. Wouldn’t that happen with other shoes too?
I agree that Crocs as ugly as hell and totally stupid, but what is that company supposed to say in response? I am sure tons of people get hurt on elevators wearing their shoes and not wearing their shoes. And I’m sure most people can handle wearing Crocs on the elevator. I don’t know what they are expected to do, given the negligence of the wearer–create steel-toed Crocs? They already seem sturdier that foam flip-flops. I also think if they were to apologize to the family, it could be misconstrued as an admission of guilt and make them laible for the damages I don’t think they are responsible for. Maybe it’s just me.
I’ve known people who got shoelaces caught in escalators, yet you don’t see people suing shoelace manufacturers…
@FearlessUser:
I feel for you. The same thing once happened to me while climbing up
some granite stairs.
In the spirit of this story, we should get together and file a class
action suit against coats with pockets.