Home Depot Ladder Collapse Lawsuit Alleges Malfunction Caused Spinal Injuries

Lawsuit claims the 15-foot ladder suffered a structural failure, causing the side rails to break and send the plaintiff falling to the ground.

A Massachusetts man has filed a product liability lawsuit alleging a 15-foot ladder sold by Home Depot and manufactured by Louisville Ladder collapsed, causing serious spinal injuries and nerve damage.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Anthony Trupiano in the Superior Court of Massachusetts on February 12, and removed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts on April 3. The lawsuit names Home Depot USA Inc. and Louisville Ladder Inc. as defendants.

Trupiano alleges that the ladder was defectively designed and manufactured, making it prone to collapse during normal use. He claims the structural failure of the ladder directly caused his own fall and resulting injuries, which have required medical treatment and may have long-term consequences.

Ladder Collapse Lawsuits

A number of ladder collapse lawsuits have been filed in recent years, each raising similar allegations that manufacturing or design defects caused falls, with devastating consequences.

In September 2025, Joseph Wasik III brought a Little Giant Ladder lawsuit against the manufacturer of that other product, as well as Home Depot. Little Giant Ladder products rely on locking pin mechanisms to hold adjustable sections in place. However, if the pins malfunction, the structure may collapse and create a serious fall risk.

According to Wasik’s complaint, the Little Giant Ladder he was using had a known defect that caused the internal springs to fail to lock the bolts into the frame. This defect led to his fall and injuries, which included a left temporal fracture, intracranial hemorrhaging and additional trauma.

Home Depot Ladder Lawsuit

In this new complaint, Trupiano indicates that a ladder manufactured by Louisville Ladder and sold by Home Depot collapsed in 2023 when the side rails buckled under normal use, due to a structural failure of the product. This malfunction allegedly caused Trupiano to lose balance and fall violently to the ground.

As a result of the fall, Trupiano claims he suffered severe bodily injuries, including spinal trauma, disc herniation, nerve compression, and damage to his right leg and left arm.

The lawsuit alleges Louisville Ladder was negligent in designing and manufacturing a defective and dangerous 15-foot ladder that directly contributed to Trupiano’s serious injuries. Additionally, the complaint suggests the company knew or should have known the ladder posed a risk of injury to users under normal use.

“The ladder was defectively designed, defectively manufactured, and/or inadequately tested, making it unreasonably dangerous for its intended and foreseeable use.”

– Anthony Trupiano v. Louisville Ladder Inc. et al

The complaint raises allegations of negligence, breach of implied warranty of fitness for a particular use and merchantability, and strict liability. Trupiano is seeking compensation for the harm he suffered, past and future medical expenses, interest and compensation for attorney’s fees.

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