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LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION

Versa Products and G&L Products

On Father's Day 2001, retired Army colonel, Frank Socky climbed a Versaladder to replace rusty screws on a floodlight at his Spring Valley home. The folding scaffold ladder collapsed and Socky fell, headfirst and backward onto the concrete walkway below. Frank's wife Madge Socky filed a lawsuit against the companies alleging the product was defective and responsible for the death of her husband. The ladder's distributor, Versa Products, and its subsidiary, G&L Products, who assembled the ladder, admitted no wrongdoing but agreed to pay Madge a $700,000 endorsement. (Aug-07-05) [THE STATE]


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Published on Aug-22-05


READER COMMENTS

Posted by

on
I have owned the 12' versaladder, billed as "the cadillac of ladders" for almost 25 years and have found it to be an amazingly versatile and sturdy product. It is admittedly tricky to adjust the latches initially and I could see how some inattentive users got it wrong and caused a dangerous situation. This still doesnt amount to an unsafe product by the manufacturer. Used properly I feel safer using this ladder than any other on the market.

Posted by

on
While using my Versaladder, with one of the extensions still folded under, because I only require a ladder to reach 9 feet. The ladder slid down the side of the wall sending me falling backwards some 7 feet onto a concrete floor.

I ended up with a crushed vertebrae and a fractured rib. I had to experience some of the most painful moments of my life.

I required spinal surgery. I required 2 metal rods and 4 screws drilled into my spine. The cost of the surgery, hospital stay, and weeks in rehab center cost $230,000.

So far I have not been able to work the last 3 months. I may never be able to return to my vocation as a handyman. Now I can't work nor make any money. I'm hoping I don't have to lose my home as well.

I inspected the ladders warning labels and found none that warned not to use the ladder with an extension still folded under.

Posted by

on
The only reason I saw this post was, I was seeing if VersaLadder still existed. The reason is that 2 days ago I used my ladder purchased by my wife and young boys this Christmas it will be 30 years ago.

I congratulated my wife again on such a wonderful gift given the Christmas after I had left the active duty military myself after 10+ years. So when I saw this lawsuit it surprised me. My VersaLadder is one of the few items that has made on all 7 our interstate moves in the last almost 30 years.

The durability of my VersaLadder has surpassed my expectations to say the least.

Posted by

on
I have owned a Versaladder for several decades. I have a MS degree in Health, Safety, and Environmental Management. I always inspect my Versaladder before using it and when I change it's setup, to make sure that it will function fully as designed. This is proper ladder safety. I have never had a safety issue with my Versaladder, and it has served me reliably. Safety of design is one thing, but safety of operation depends on the operator. Operator error leads to unsafe conditions. When an operator neglects written cautions, safety instructions found in published literature, etc. they will perform unsafe acts. Equipment failure normally occurs when the operator assumes that they have no risk in using the equipment. An assumption is a conclusion without any supporting evidence.

Posted by

on
I own a Versa Ladder which did fail on me while try to cut some branches. I did take a fall but fortunately the ground broke my fall.
Rivets appear to have broken on one section where it folds.

Posted by

on
Hi I do not know if there is a recall or law suit against the makers
of VERSA LADDER BUT I HAVE ONE ,
WORST LADDER I EVER OWNED / folded wile up almost lost
a finger /very little use of ladder/

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