Injured by a Defective Ladder? Know Your Rights

Key Takeaways

• Design flaws, weak materials, and faulty parts cause unexpected collapses, leading to falls, broken bones, and head trauma.
• DIY homeowners, trade workers, and construction employees are among the most affected, with thousands injured annually.

• Companies that design, build, or distribute unsafe ladders may face product liability claims; victims can seek compensation with legal help.

   

Whether you’re hanging up a chandelier, cleaning gutters, painting the side of your home, or climbing several stories high at a construction site, ladders are a useful tool. Millions of people rely on them every day to safely reach high spaces. 

Unfortunately, when a ladder is poorly designed, improperly manufactured, or sold with defective parts, it can quickly turn into a dangerous hazard. Falls from defective ladders often lead to serious, life-altering injuries and, in some cases, even death.

When manufacturers or retailers fail to keep consumers safe, injured victims have the right to seek accountability. 

If you or a loved one were hurt by a defective ladder, you may be entitled to compensation. 

At Morgan & Morgan, we’ve spent more than 35 years fighting for victims of product defects, helping them recover the compensation they need to move forward with their lives.

To learn more about your legal options, contact us today for a free case evaluation.

What to Do After a Defective Ladder Accident

If you’ve been hurt by a defective ladder, taking the right steps immediately can help protect your health and legal rights:

1. Seek medical attention – Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
2. Preserve the ladder – Do not throw it away; it’s crucial evidence.
3. Document everything – Take photos of the ladder, the accident scene, and your injuries.
4. Report the accident – Notify your employer if it happened at work.
5. Collect information – Save receipts, warranty information, and purchase records.
6. Contact Morgan & Morgan – Speak with an experienced product liability lawyer as soon as possible.

These steps can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

Why Defective Ladders Are So Dangerous

A ladder seems like a simple tool, but it must be carefully engineered to support weight, maintain balance, and resist wear and tear. Even a small flaw, such as a weak hinge, loose rung, or unstable base, can cause it to fail unexpectedly. Because ladders are used at heights, even short falls can result in catastrophic injuries.

For example, falling from just 6–10 feet can cause fractures, head injuries, and spinal trauma. On worksites, where ladders are often extended much higher, the risks increase dramatically. Consumers expect ladders to be stable and safe. When manufacturers cut corners on materials, skip quality control, or fail to issue warnings, they put lives at risk.

Common Injuries from Defective Ladders

The injuries caused by ladder failures can vary depending on the height of the fall, the surface below, and the nature of the defect. Some of the most common include:

• Broken bones – Arm, leg, wrist, and ankle fractures are common after sudden falls.
• Facial injuries – Impact with the ground or nearby objects can cause broken noses, jaw fractures, and dental damage.
• Internal injuries – Blunt force trauma can harm internal organs, leading to life-threatening complications.
• Lacerations and bruises – Cuts from sharp edges or surfaces often accompany falls.
• Neck and shoulder injuries – Whiplash, torn ligaments, and dislocated shoulders are common.
• Soft tissue damage – Sprains, strains, and torn tendons may require long recovery times.
• Spinal cord injuries – These may result in partial or total paralysis.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – Falls often involve head trauma, which can lead to concussions, cognitive impairment, or permanent disability.

Even injuries that seem minor at first can worsen over time. That’s why it’s important to seek medical attention immediately after a ladder accident and speak with a lawyer about your legal options.

Who Is Most at Risk?

While anyone using a defective ladder is at risk, certain groups face higher dangers:

1. Construction and Trade Workers

Construction workers rely heavily on ladders and scaffolding. According to OSHA, falls from ladders cause nearly 25,000 injuries and 36 fatalities every year on construction sites. Because workers often operate at greater heights, injuries can be especially severe.

2. Homeowners and DIY Enthusiasts

People performing home improvement projects may use ladders without realizing a defect exists until it fails. These consumers often lack safety gear like harnesses, making falls more dangerous.

3. Retail and Warehouse Workers

Employees who stock shelves or retrieve items from height often depend on step ladders. A defective unit can collapse suddenly, causing serious workplace injuries.

4. Elderly Users

Older adults are at heightened risk because even small falls can result in hip fractures or head injuries, leading to permanent mobility issues or fatal complications.

No matter your age or occupation, defective ladders pose a serious threat. If you’ve been injured, you deserve answers and compensation.

Common Ladder Defects

Some defects occur during design, others during the manufacturing process, and some arise from poor maintenance instructions or lack of warnings. Common defects include:

• Defective no-slip feet – Bases that fail to grip the ground properly can cause sliding.
• Frame weakness – Thin or poor-quality metal or fiberglass can bend or break under normal use.
• Hinges that fail to lock – If hinges don’t lock securely, folding ladders may collapse unexpectedly.
• Loose steps or rungs – Poorly attached rungs can detach, causing a sudden fall.
• Rotted wooden rungs – In older ladders, untreated or improperly finished wood can weaken and snap.
• Improper weight ratings – Some ladders are marketed with weight capacities they cannot safely hold.

In many cases, these defects could have been prevented if companies had prioritized consumer safety over profit.

What Compensation Can I Recover?

If you’ve been injured by a defective ladder, you may face steep medical bills, lost income, and emotional stress. A successful product liability claim can help you recover compensation for both economic damages (tangible costs) and noneconomic damages (intangible harm).

Examples include:

• Medical expenses – Past, present, and future costs for surgeries, hospital stays, medications, rehabilitation, and more.
• Lost wages – Income lost while you recover from your injuries.
• Loss of earning capacity – If you are permanently unable to work in your field.
• Pain and suffering – Compensation for physical pain and emotional trauma.
• Emotional distress – Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and reduced quality of life.
• Loss of consortium – Damages for the impact on your relationship with a spouse or partner.
• Wrongful death – If a loved one died from a ladder-related injury, surviving family members may recover funeral costs, loss of financial support, and emotional damages.

Every case is unique, but an experienced attorney can assess the full value of your claim.

Filing a Product Liability Claim

Product liability laws hold manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accountable when defective products harm consumers. You may have a valid claim if:

• The ladder had a design defect (the product was unsafe from the start).
• The ladder had a manufacturing defect (an error occurred during production).
• The ladder came with inadequate warnings or instructions (failure to warn about proper use or risks).
   

Proving liability requires evidence, including the defective ladder itself, purchase records, accident reports, medical records, and expert testimony. A skilled attorney can help build a strong case against those responsible.

Who May Be Liable?

In a defective ladder case, multiple parties along the supply chain may be held responsible, such as:

• The manufacturer – for design flaws, defective parts, or poor quality control.
• The wholesaler or distributor – if they knowingly passed on a defective product.
• The retailer – if they sold a dangerous ladder to consumers.
• Employers – if a defective ladder was provided in the workplace without proper inspection or safety measures.

Determining liability often requires an in-depth investigation. At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys work with safety experts and engineers to uncover exactly what went wrong and who should be held accountable.

Why You Should Act Quickly

Waiting too long to seek legal help can harm your case. Statutes of limitations restrict the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit, and evidence such as the ladder itself, witness statements, and accident details can be lost or destroyed over time.

By contacting an attorney as soon as possible, you increase your chances of recovering the maximum compensation available.

How Much Will a Lawyer Cost?

At Morgan & Morgan, we understand that injured victims are often overwhelmed with financial stress. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case. That’s right—the Fee Is Free®, meaning you never risk paying out of pocket, only a portion of a settlement if you win.

This ensures that everyone, regardless of financial situation, has access to justice.

Why Choose Morgan & Morgan?

With more than 35 years of experience and a nationwide team of over 1,000 attorneys, Morgan & Morgan is the largest personal injury law firm in America. We’ve recovered over $25 billion for our clients and have a proven track record in product liability cases.

We don’t back down from powerful companies, and we fight tirelessly for everyday people like you.

When Should I Call a Lawyer?

The short answer: immediately after your injury. The sooner you contact Morgan & Morgan, the faster we can begin investigating, preserving evidence, and protecting your rights.

Remember, large corporations and insurance companies often have teams of lawyers working to minimize payouts. You deserve a team that fights just as hard for you.

Get the Help You Deserve

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective ladder, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Morgan & Morgan, we’ve helped millions of clients get justice against negligent companies, and we’re ready to fight for you, too.

Don’t wait. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. With our contingency fee structure, you risk nothing by reaching out and have everything to gain.