Whether an Ohio resident owns a home or a small business, a ladder may come in handy. Most people take care when climbing ladders since they are cognizant of the fact that if they fall, it could result in serious injuries, and this is when the ladder functions as intended. When a defective ladder causes serious injuries, it could turn into a product liability claim.
Such claims may be a concern for a ladder-making company here in the United States called Werner. The company recently voluntarily recalled thousands of ladders due to the possibility that they could break and send climbers tumbling to the ground. Considering the fact that the ladders subject to this recall range from 13 to 26 feet, that could be a significant fall.
The company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urge consumers to immediately stop using the ladders in question. The ladders were sold at Lowe’s and Home Depot locations across the country, and consumers may return them to the store from which they were purchased for a full refund. As for injuries, one consumer already reported injuries to his or her elbow and left side. It is not yet known whether any other injuries occurred, but for those who do not yet know about the recall, the risk of injury due to the defect remains high.
For Ohio residents who purchased one of Werner’s ladders and suffered an injury because it broke, it may be possible to pursue restitution for damages caused by the ladder, including medical bills and lost income, among others. More than likely, the company has braced itself for the potential of product liability lawsuits, and it’s ready to minimize the financial impact. For this reason, it may be a good idea to consult with an attorney right away if a consumer believes a defective ladder is responsible for serious injuries.
