Blog Post

Tree Stand Manufacturer to Pay Civil Penalty


January 11, 2008
Topic: Recalled Products

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that Ardisam Inc, a Wisconsin based tree stand manufacturer, has agree to pay the government a civil penalty of $420,000. The penalty relates to a lawsuit that alleges that the company, which manufactures tree stands used by hunters, failed to inform the CPSC of serious defects in its Big Foot and Lite Foot brand tree stands. These defects were serious enough to cause the stand to detach itself from the tree leading to the occupant falling to the ground.

The lawsuit claimed that reports of stands detaching from trees were being received as early as 2000. Many hunters had reported receiving grievous injuries as a result of these indents, including broken bones and other injuries. Ardisam failed to report these incidents that were caused by its defective stands to the CPSC. When Ardisam finally contacted the CPSC about the defective stands it was May of 2004.

Federal law is very clear in this respect. Companies who notice that their products may include defects that could cause injuries are required to report these to the CPSC immediately so that the agency can initiate recalls of these products. The longer a company waits to report such defective products, the greater the danger of injuries from the product, which is unacceptable.

In its response to the lawsuit, the company denied that it had been tardy in reporting defects in its hunting tree stands.

If you have been hurt by a recalled or dangerous product, contact an experienced California personal injury attorney at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.


The California personal injury attorneys at The Reeves Law Group represent victims of accidents, injuries and wrongful death throughout California from our offices in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County, Fresno County, Kern County, Sacramento County, San Fernando Valley, Long Beach, Antelope Valley, Torrance, Glendale, Bakersfield, Santa Ana, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Ontario, and Victorville.