Injured hunter claims tree step was defective

TEXARKANA, Texas � Although he was equipped with a personal fall-arrest system while climbing into a deer stand, a Texarkana resident claims his arm was caught and injured because a tree step was defective.

Dustin Stringer filed a product liability lawsuit against Ameristep Corp. on May 21 in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas.

Stringer states that on Sept 28, 2008, while climbing into his deer stand that he caught his right arm on a Grizzly Tree Step causing "serious and permanent injuries."

The complaint alleges the tree step was in a defective condition, which "rendered it unreasonably dangerous even though it was being used for its intended purpose."

Stringer alleges the defendant is liable for "designing and manufacturing a step that created a safety hazard and/or danger and a failure and/or to provide adequate warnings regarding use of the step."

The plaintiff argues that the tree step manufacture should have known that the design created a safety hazard and danger.

Further, the plaintiff argues that Ameristep is negligent in failing to warn or provide adequate warnings regarding the use of the step.

The Texarkana resident is seeking damages for past and future medical expenses, disfigurement, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and pecuniary injuries including job loss, past and future lost wages and loss of earning capacity.

Texarkana attorney Robert W. Schroeder III of the law firm Patton, Tidwell and Schroeder LLP is representing the plaintiff.

U.S. District Judge T. John Ward will preside over the litigation.

Case No 2:09cv00071