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Florida Ladder Accident Lawyers for Defective and Recalled Ladder Injuries
Florida ladder accident lawyers help people hurt when a ladder collapses, retracts, tips or breaks because of a design defect, manufacturing flaw or missing warning. Injured users, and families of people killed in ladder falls, may be able to file claims against manufacturers, retailers, property owners or contractors for medical bills, lost income and pain.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a ladder fall, call the Law Offices of Jason Turchin at 800-337-7755 to talk through what happened and what options may be available.
Ladder Injury Claims at a Glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Who can be responsible for a ladder injury? | Depending on the facts, a manufacturer, retailer, online seller, property owner, contractor or employer may share responsibility. |
| Does my ladder have to be recalled to file a claim? | No. A recall can help show a defect, but a ladder that was never recalled may still be defective. |
| Can I sue the store that sold the ladder? | In many cases, sellers in the chain of distribution, including large retailers and online marketplaces, may be included in a product liability claim. |
| What if I was partly at fault? | Florida uses modified comparative fault, so your recovery may be reduced, and barred if you are found more than 50 percent at fault. |
| How do I choose a lawyer for a defective ladder claim? | Look for experience with ladder and product cases, peer and client ratings, and a willingness to preserve and test the ladder. |
| Can you help outside Florida? | The firm handles cases in Florida, New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., and works with co-counsel elsewhere in the U.S. |
Why Ladder Falls Cause Such Serious Injuries
Even a short ladder fall can lead to head trauma, spinal injuries and broken bones, because the person usually has no time to react. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, falls contributed to more than 70 percent of all product-related deaths or an estimated 41,960 deaths in 2023.
When a ladder fails without warning, the injured person is often blamed for “misusing” it. In practice, many failures trace back to locking mechanisms that do not fully engage, rails or rungs that buckle, hinges that give way, or instructions that do not explain a hidden hazard.
Recent Ladder Recalls That May Affect Your Claim
A recall from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) can be important evidence that a product had a safety problem. These recent recalls involve ladders and step stools sold widely across Florida and the rest of the country.
| Recall | Hazard named by CPSC |
|---|---|
| Little Giant ladders with Rapid Locks | Risk of serious injury from fall hazard |
| Louisville Ladder attic stairway ladders (over one million units) | Risk of serious injury or death from fall hazard |
| Werner 20′ and 24′ Multi-Max Pro Multi-Purpose Ladders | Fall hazard |
| Dorel Home Furnishings Cosco 2-Step Kitchen Steppers | Fall and injury hazards |
The Little Giant recall involves ladders with Rapid Locks, which insert into the ladder rungs to adjust height. The affected models are Adjustable Fortress 2.0, Conquest 2.0, Dark Horse 2.0, Epic, King Kombo XT, Leveler, MegaLite, MegaLite+, Multi, Quantum, and Vector. Only ladders without an orange rectangular “QC” sticker on the rail above one of the Rapid Locks are included. According to the recall, Little Giant received 25 reports of the ladders retracting, including 19 reports of injuries, and 39 reports of Rapid Locks not working properly. The ladders were sold at Lowe’s, Costco, and other stores nationwide and online at Lowes.com, Amazon.com, Costco.com, LittleGiantLadders.com, and other websites from December 2015 through October 2026. You can read more in our post on Little Giant Rapid Lock injury claims.
If you were hurt on a Werner Multi-Max Pro, our guide to the Werner Multi-Max Pro ladder lawsuit explains that recall in more detail. Werner ladder claims are also covered on our Werner ladder injury lawyers page.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Ladder Accident?
More than one party may be responsible for a ladder injury, and the right defendants depend on why the ladder failed and where you were when it happened. The table below shows how these claims often differ.
| Type of claim | Who may be involved | What it often focuses on |
|---|---|---|
| Product liability (defect) | Manufacturer, distributor, retailer, online seller | Design flaws, manufacturing errors, missing or unclear warnings |
| Premises liability | Property owner, landlord, business | Unsafe ladders provided on site, poor maintenance, hazardous conditions |
| Work-related injury | Employer, general contractor, third parties | Workers’ compensation benefits plus possible claims against outside companies |
Retailers and marketplaces such as Lowe’s, Costco, Home Depot and Amazon may be part of a claim when they sold a defective ladder. Our article on the Amazon telescopic ladder lawsuit looks at claims involving ladders sold online. For workplace falls, Florida Statute §440.11 generally limits lawsuits against your own employer, but a claim against the ladder manufacturer or another company may still be possible.
Examples of Ladder Accident Cases We Review
The scenarios below are illustrations of common ladder claims, not descriptions of specific clients or outcomes.
- Telescoping ladder retraction: A homeowner climbs an adjustable ladder to clean gutters, and a lock releases, dropping the ladder several feet and causing a fracture.
- Attic ladder collapse: A parent climbing a folding attic stairway has a hinge or step give way, leading to a back injury and surgery.
- Step stool failure: An older adult standing on a kitchen stepper has the platform buckle, resulting in a broken hip.
- Job site fall: A painter on a multi-position ladder supplied by a contractor falls when the hinge lock fails, leading to workers’ compensation and a third-party product claim.
What Should I Do After a Ladder Fall?
The most important steps are getting medical care and keeping the ladder exactly as it is. The ladder itself is often the strongest evidence in a defect case.
- Get medical treatment and follow your doctor’s instructions.
- Do not repair, return, discard or send the ladder back to the manufacturer.
- Photograph the ladder, the locks or hinges, labels and the scene.
- Check whether your model appears in a CPSC recall, and look for any “QC” sticker on Little Giant ladders.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to a manufacturer or insurer before getting legal advice.
- Speak with a lawyer who handles ladder injury cases.
Helpful items to gather include:
- Your receipt, order confirmation or credit card statement
- The model and serial number labels
- Medical records and bills
- Names of witnesses
- Any recall notices or emails you received
How Long Do I Have to File a Ladder Injury Claim in Florida?
Florida deadlines can be short, and some injury claims must be filed within two years under Florida Statute §95.11. Product cases may also be affected by repose limits in Florida Statute §95.031, so it can help to act early.
Under Florida Statute §768.81, a recovery may be reduced by your share of fault, and you may be barred from recovering if you are found more than 50 percent responsible. New York and New Jersey have their own deadlines and fault rules, which is why the location of the fall matters.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Jason Turchin
Attorney Jason Turchin and the firm have handled many claims involving Werner and Little Giant ladders, as well as claims against retailers that sold defective ladders. The firm is based in South Florida and handles personal injury cases in Florida, New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., and throughout the U.S. with a network of co-counsels and local counsels.
Jason Turchin has been named to the Super Lawyers list from 2020 through 2026 and is AV Preeminent Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence by Martindale-Hubbell in 2026. He holds an Avvo 10.0 Superb Rating, and the firm has earned an A+ BBB rating annually from 2014 through 2026. Learn more about Attorney Jason Turchin.
Cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, with fees and costs waived if there is no recovery.
Ladder Accident FAQs
What if I threw the ladder away?
A claim may still be possible using photos, receipts, witness accounts and identical models, though the case can be harder. Tell your lawyer right away.
Can I file a claim if the ladder was not recalled?
Yes, a claim may be possible. Many defective products are never recalled, and a defect can be shown through testing, engineering review and other evidence.
Can a family file a claim after a fatal ladder fall?
Certain family members or the estate may be able to bring a wrongful death claim, depending on the state where the death occurred.
Do I need a lawyer if the manufacturer offers to replace my ladder?
A replacement is not compensation for an injury. Before accepting anything or returning the ladder, it may help to speak with a lawyer.
Talk With a Ladder Accident Lawyer Today
If a ladder, attic stairway or step stool failed and you were hurt, the Law Offices of Jason Turchin can review what happened and explain your options in Florida, New York, New Jersey or elsewhere. Call 800-337-7755 or contact us online to get started.
