Froede v. Holland Ladder & Manufacturing Co.

In this products liability action, defendants appeal as of right from the order of the Oakland Circuit Court effectuating the jury’s verdict of $1.5 million in favor of plaintiffs. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

Plaintiff William Froede was injured in a fall from a ladder at a construction site where he was working for Great Lakes Construction Company. Plaintiff Liberty Mutual Insurance Company is Great Lakes’ worker’s compensation insurer. Defendant Holland Ladder & Manufacturing Company manufactured the ladder. Defendant National Ladder & Scaffold Company sold the ladder.

Defendants…