Tree Stand Injury Lawsuit

Deer hunting from a tree stand provides hunters with a significant advantage, but it also poses a serious risk of injuries and deaths due to defective equipment.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting tree stand induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by a defective tree stand, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

UPDATE: 50,000 Rhino Tree Stands Recalled for Faulty Safety Harnesses

In December 2023, FeraDyne Outdoors recalled about 50,000 Rhino Tree Stands because the safety harnesses can rip. The recall involves tree stand Safety Harness with model numbers RTH-2000S and RTH-2001S.

The Captain Tree Stand Lawsuit Filed in Maryland

In June 2023, a hunter from West Virginia filed a lawsuit against Dick’s Sporting Goods and other companies after he was seriously injured by a defective “The Captain” tree stand that broke on its very first use. Click here to read more.

2,555 Summit Treestands Recalled For Fall Hazard

In December 2022, Summit Treestands recalled about 2,555 Viper® Level PRO SD tree stands because hunters can fall and suffer serious injuries. The problem is that the tree cable can dislodge from the cable assembly. No injuries were reported. The recalled tree stands were sold from January 2022 through October 2022. Click here to read the recall notice.

Hunter Files Lawsuit After Falling Out of Field & Stream Tree Stand

In July 2022, a tree stand lawsuit was filed by a hunter from South Carolina who severely broke both of his ankles after falling out of a Field & Stream Tree Stand. The man, James R., claims that he was injured by a defective Stream Stealth Climber Tree Stand (HEH01293) in October 2021.

According to the lawsuit, his foot hit a quick pin that released a cable-locking mechanism, which caused the foot platform to fall. He was wearing his safety harness, but a strap “failed under load allowing him to fall to the ground.”

“Due to both the cable locking mechanism and safety harness failing, Mr. Rowedder fell from a height of or about twenty-four feet, resulting in his severely breaking both of his ankles.”

The lawsuit was filed against the tree stand’s manufacturer, Primal Vantage, and Dick’s Sporting Goods (which sold the tree stand at a Field & Stream store in North Charleston, South Carolina).

The Field & Stream Tree Stand Lawsuit was filed on July 22, 2022 in the Court of Common Pleas for the State of South Carolina (Berkeley County) — Case Number 2:22-cv-02371.

Big Game Treestands Recalls 2021 “The Captain” Hang-On Tree Stand After 10 Hunters Fall

In December 2021, Big Game Treestands recalled about 1,030 of their “2021 The Captain Hang-on Treestand” (Model: BGM-FP0050) after 10 reports of the treestand cables releasing and causing hunters to fall. Two injuries were reported.

The problem is that the crimps of the plastic-coated cables can slip during use and cause the standing platform to release, posing fall and injury hazards to users. They were sold from August 2021 through October 2021 for $60 to $80.

X-Stand Recalls Tree Stands After 2 Hunters Fall, Suffer Broken Bones

In November 2020, X-Stand Treestands recalled 3,400 Silent Adrenaline and Apache Climbing Tree Stands due to a fall hazard. There were 5 reports of the cable assemblies breaking due to corrosion, including 2 hunters who fell and suffered broken bones.

Hunter Wins $18.5 Million Verdict in Tree Stand Injury Lawsuit

In August 2017, a jury awarded $18.5 million to Kevin O’Bryan, a hunter who was paralyzed when a tree stand fell to the ground when the straps broke. The lawsuit accused Primal Vantage of failing to warn about the risk of using polypropylene straps to secure the tree stand, which had been in the tree for 5 years before O’Bryan’s accident occurred.

Field & Stream Timberline Tree Stand Recall

In April 2019, Dicks Sporting Goods recalled about 2,600 Field & Stream Timberline Hang On Tree Stands because the weld on the seats can break, causing the seat and a hunter to fall out of the tree. There were 3 reports of the tree stand seats breaking, but no injuries. They were sold at DICK’S Sporting Goods and Field & Stream stores nationwide and online from September 2017 to January 2019.

Big Game Tree Stand Recall

In October 2015, about 12,200 Big Game climbing tree stands were recalled because the cable assembly can release, posing a fall hazard to hunters. One hunter suffered injuries to their knee, wrist and hip after the cable assembly released. The recalled tree stands were sold at Bass Pro Shop, Cabela’s, Menards, Rogers Sporting Goods and Sportsman’s Guide stores nationwide and online from June 2014 to June 2015.

Millennium Outdoors Tree Stand Recall

In September 2015, Millennium Outdoors recalled about 1,400 M-60 Millennium Outdoors Fixed Position Tree Stands because the seat on the tree stand can bend in a downward angle, posing a fall hazard. They were sold at B&H Farm Supply, Farris Brothers, Gander Mountain, Midway USA and Sportsman’s Warehouse from May 2015 through August 2015 for about $220.

Primal Vantage Tree Stand Recall

In January 2015, Primal Vantage recalled about 1,000 Ameristep Hyde Cliff Hanger Tree Stands and Sky Walker Tree Stands because the plaform can break and a hunter can fall. Primal Vantage said it received 6 reports of the tree stand’s aluminum platform breaking. No injuries were reported. They were sold at Bass Pro Shops and other sporting goods stores nationwide from July 2014 through November 2014 for $220-$250.

Summit Tree Stands Recall

In October 2012, Summit Treestands recalled about 2,900 Crush® Perch, Stoop, and Ledge Tree Stands because the strap assembly can fail or dislodge from the tree, posing a fall hazard. No injuries were reported. They were sold at hunting stores and in catalogs such as Bass Pro Shops and other stores nationwide from July 2012 through August 2012 for between $70 to $100.

Rivers Edge Tree Stand Recall

In October 2012, Rivers Edge recalled about 14,000 Rivers Edge® Big Foot, Lite Foot and Baby Big Foot Tree Stands due to a fall hazard.

Rivers Edge said it received 3 reports of snap-hook assemblies failing. One hunter suffered minor injuries of bumps, bruises and soreness. Another hunter suffered a broken toe and lacerated hand.

They were sold at Blain’s Farm and Fleet, Gander Mountain, Mills Fleet Farm, Orscheln – Farm & Home, Rogers Sporting Goods, Scheels All Sports, and other sporting goods stores nationwide from May 1, 2012 to September 1, 2012 for between $39 and $120.

List of Tree Stand Manufacturers

Ameristep
API Outdoors
BBK Hunting Systems, Ltd.
BGHA-Big Game Treestands
Big Dog Treestands, Inc.
Breaux Manufacturing
C & S Global Imports
Cougar Claw Treestands
Direct Outdoor Products
E.T.’s
Family Tradition Treestands
GORILLA, Inc.
Hunter Safety System
Integrated Safety
Lewis Products, Inc.
Locon Treestands LLC
Lone Wolf
Millennium Treestands
Hunting Solutions
Mountaineer Sports LLC
Muddy Outdoors, LLC
Ningbo Innopower
Ol’Man Treestands
Primal Vantage Co.
Rivers Edge
Scout Inc.
Summit Treestands
Swivelimb
T.N. International, Inc.
Tahsin Industrial Corp USA
Tree Lounge LLC
Trophyline
True Quiet Tree Stand
Worldwide Industrial Corp.
X-Stand Treestands, LLC
XOP, Inc.(Extreme Outdoor Products)

Indiana Jury Awards $157 Million in Treestand Death Lawsuit

In 2009, a jury in Indiana awarded $157 million to the wife of a 42-year-old man who was found dead, hanging from a treestand made by Ol’ Man Tree Stands.

In 2007, TSR Inc. recalled about 9,000 Ol’ Man Tree Stands and about 500 replacement pin sets due to a fall hazard. The problem was that the locking pins could fall out, resulting in a hunter falling out of the tree.

Do I have a Tree Stand Injury Lawsuit?

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