Hunting season is upon us, and while most Michigan hunters will return home safely with tales of pursuing and successfully taking game, some will unfortunately be seriously injured. Contrary to popular belief, shooting accidents are not the primary cause of hunting injuries. Many hunting injuries are caused by defective products, including defective tree stands, safety harnesses, and other safety gear.

When consumers purchase a product, they rightfully expect it to be safe, function as designed, and comply with all relevant safety and regulatory standards. When a product fails to meet these criteria and someone is injured as a result, the product defect attorneys at Muth Law, P.C., are prepared to fight for victims and hold manufacturers accountable for the harm they caused.

Falls from Tree Stands Are A Common Cause of Injury While Hunting

Every year, hunters are seriously injured by defective hunting gear. One of the most common causes of hunting injuries is falling from an elevated tree stand. These devices were first popularized in the 1970s as a way to gain a better vantage point for viewing a target. Many hunters use tree stands today, climbing to heights of more than 30 feet to improve visibility. However, a fall from this height can cause serious injuries, including broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, or even death.

For example, in 2023, a hunter found himself alone and trapped in the woods for more than 11 hours after falling 30 feet from a tree stand and suffering a broken back. Other tree stand accidents result in injuries to the extremities, such as a broken leg or ankle.

What Is a Common Cause of Falls from Elevated Tree Stands?

Sometimes, falling from a tree stand is caused by equipment failure. Defective straps, bolts, cables, or welds can fail under pressure and cause the hunter to fall. These accidents can cause severe injuries, including broken bones, damage to the spinal cord, paralysis, or wrongful death. While human error is a factor in some hunting tree stand accidents, many are caused by manufacturing defects, design flaws, or inadequate safety warnings.

When Do Most Accidents Involving Treestands Occur?

Falls from tree stands seem to be influenced by time of day. More than one-third of falls from tree stands occur around dusk, when lighting is minimal and a hunter is more likely to miss a step or a handhold.

Proving Liability for Hunting Injuries Caused by a Defective Product

There are three theories of liability for defective products: defective design, defective manufacturing, and defective marketing.

• A design defect refers to a flaw in the way a product was designed that can cause injury if the equipment did not function as intended. A negligently designed tree stand that allowed a hunter’s foot to become trapped between the footrest and the bottom of the platform is an example of a design defect.
• Defective manufacturing occurs when a flaw in the manufacturing process makes the product dangerous, unsafe, or unfit for use because of the way it was constructed or manufactured. A tree stand that breaks when a hunter puts their full weight on it could be an example of a manufacturing defect.
• Defective marketing refers to a manufacturer’s failure to adequately warn consumers of a product’s inherent dangers, such as failing to include safety warnings or instructions that explain how a tree stand should and should not be used.

Muth Law, P.C., Can Investigate the Cause of Your Hunting Injury

Proving liability for hunting injuries caused by defective equipment can be a challenging process. The hunting injury lawyers at Muth Law, P.C. can analyze your situation, provide legal advice and guidance as you evaluate your options, and help you and your family recover the compensation they deserve.

Contact Muth Law Today

If you experienced a hunting injury caused by a defective product, the hunting injury attorneys at Muth Law can help. Our law office is based in Ann Arbor, and we represent injured people in Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and throughout Michigan. Please contact us to schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your hunting accident injury matter.

Call 734-481-8800 or contact us via e-mail. We look forward to serving your family.