Amazon Faces Lawsuit Claiming Defective Telescopic Ladder Caused Severe Injuries

Similar Amazon ladder lawsuits have been filed in recent months, each attempting to hold the on-line retailer responsible for injuries linked to defective ladders sold in recent years.

A New York man has filed a product liability lawsuit against Amazon, alleging he suffered severe and permanent injuries after falling from a defective Rikade telescoping ladder sold on the platform.

The complaint (PDF) was originally brought by Mordechai Fogel in Kings County Supreme Court of New York in April 2025, naming Amazon.com Inc., Amazon Marketplace, Rikade-XQ and Youngchun Xu as defendants. However, the case was just removed to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on July 20.

The Amazon lawsuit involves a Rikade 20.3-Foot Aluminum Telescoping Ladder with Non-Slip Feet, which is a portable extension ladder marketed for indoor and outdoor use. It collapses to 42 inches for storage and transport and can telescope to a maximum height of approximately 20 feet.

According to the lawsuit, Fogel fell while using the ladder and suffered permanent injuries. He alleges the product was defectively designed and was not reasonably safe when used as intended.

Amazon Telescoping Ladder Allegations

The lawsuit states Fogel was using the telescoping ladder on May 16, 2023, when the device suddenly collapsed without warning, resulting in a fall that caused severe injuries.

Following the accident, Fogel has required medical attention and ongoing medical care. He claims his injuries are permanent and he continues to suffer pain and inconvenience as a result of the incident.

The complaint alleges the Amazon telescoping ladder was defective and not reasonably safe or fit for its intended purpose. Fogel indicates that Amazon, Rikade and Youngchun are all liable for the product’s defective design and manufacturing, as well as for not offering sufficient instructions or warnings.

Moreover, the filing argues the companies are negligent for allowing the defective product to go to market and remain available to consumers.

“The plaintiff was using the Telescopic Ladder for the purpose and in the manner normally intended or for reasonably foreseeable purposes, uses and operations and could not, by the exercise of reasonable care, have averted the accident and his injuries.”

— Mordechai Fogel v. Amazon Inc. et al.

The complaint raises allegations of negligence, strict product liability, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty for particular purpose and breach of implied warranty of merchantability. It is seeking compensation for damages, past and future medical care, and pain and suffering.

Ladder Collapse Lawsuits

A number of similar ladder collapse lawsuits have been filed in recent years, attempting to hold retailers and manufacturers respondible for severe injuries linked to defects in products sold through their platform.

A Home Depot ladder lawsuits was complaint was filed earlier this year, after a Massachusetts man fell from a 15-foot ladder and suffered severe spinal and nerve injuries in a ladder collapse.

Werner Co. faces product defect allegations as well, following a case where a Missouri man claims he underwent serious injuries after a Werner ladder collapsed while he was working on his home.

A similar lawsuit was brought against Little Giant Ladder by a Connecticut man after one of that company’s adjustable ladders collapsed during regular use as well.

Amazon also faces separate product defect allegations after a LEVELEVE ladder sold on the platform collapsed while a New York man was using it at a height of more than 18 feet, resulting in him suffering permanent injuries.

Sign up for more legal news that could affect you or your family.