Rina Rai & Teague Lashnits obtained a defense verdict in a product liability/personal injury case in Federal District Court. Plaintiff alleged that he was utilizing his telescoping ladder, designed, manufactured and distributed by Defendants, when the ladder suddenly and unexpectedly collapsed underneath him causing him to fall and suffer serious injuries. Plaintiff suffered a pilon fracture with his exposed tibia imbedding itself into the ground causing a bone infection, which would require nearly two-dozen surgeries. Plaintiff argued that he would need a below-the-knee amputation because of the injury in the near future. Plaintiff alleged that the collapse was the result of a defect in the ladder’s design, manufacture and/or warnings. The Defendants argued that the ladder was not defective and that Plaintiff’s fall was the result of his own negligent misuse of the ladder and other yard-care equipment. Plaintiff claimed $6.3 million in past and future medical special damages, pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. After a 7-day trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Defendants.