According to The Madison St. Clair Record, a Montgomery County man is suing Louisville Ladder and R.P. Lumber after he says he fell off the ladder and fractured both ankles. William and Celene Harrelson filed a lawsuit April 15 in Madison County Circuit Court against the two companies.
Harrelson says he had worked at the U.S. Minerals plant and used an extension ladder manufactured by Louisville Ladder when the fall occurred. The side rails of the upper section of the ladder failed, causing Harrelson to fall approximately 15 feet, fracturing both of his ankles. Harrelson developed arthritis in his ankles and incurred medical costs due to the fall, as well as lost wages and emotional pain, suffering, mental distress and disability.
The Harrelsons blame Louisville Ladder for a defective product that caused his fall, saying it negligently improperly constructed the ladder, and manufactured the defective product using materials that did not meet design specifications and improperly designed the latter. R.P. Lumber is named as a defendant in the suit because they sold the ladder even though it had a damaged side rail and missing bolts and screws, says the complaint. The couple, with the help of their personal injury lawyer, seek a judgment of more than $400,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.