January 14, 2026 – A Franklin-brand 17-foot Multi-Task Ladder, sold by Harbor Freight, is at the center of a severe incident where a 31-year-old man sustained a traumatic brain injury and shattered wrist after the ladder’s legs allegedly spread apart unexpectedly. The incident highlights critical concerns regarding ladder safety and proper lock engagement.
Product Details
Incident Overview
The incident occurred on January 15, 2025, involving a Franklin-brand 17-foot Multi-Task Ladder purchased in May 2024 from a Harbor Freight store in Huntsville, AL. The client, a healthy 31-year-old, was reportedly using the ladder in its A-frame configuration, a setup he had utilized numerous times previously, to install an air hose reel system in his garage rafters.
According to the report, the client heard the locks click and visually ensured the ladder was stable before ascending. He stood on the fourth or fifth rung to perform his work. A few minutes later, as he prepared to descend, the ladder’s legs allegedly spread apart suddenly and without warning. This caused him to fall, leading to a severe impact. The client suffered a shattered left wrist, requiring surgical repair, and a traumatic brain injury (TBI), for which he is still receiving neurological care.
Following the incident, the client was able to recreate the ladder’s alleged failure to lock correctly on video. His legal firm also engaged an ladder-failure engineering expert, who reportedly reproduced the failure on video using both the client’s ladder and a new ladder of the same model.
Safety Concerns
This incident raises several serious safety concerns for consumers using multi-task ladders:
- Sudden Structural Failure: The primary concern is the alleged sudden and unexpected spreading of the ladder legs, leading to a complete loss of stability. This suggests a potential issue with the locking mechanism’s reliability or the clarity of its engagement.
- Falls from Height: Falls from ladders are a leading cause of injuries, and a sudden collapse significantly increases the risk of severe trauma due due to uncontrolled descent.
- Severe Injuries: The reported injuries—a shattered wrist requiring surgery and a traumatic brain injury—underscore the immediate and long-term risks associated with such falls. A TBI can have lasting effects on cognitive function, motor skills, and overall quality of life.
- Misinterpretation of Safety Indicators: The user reported hearing “locks click” and confirming stability, yet the ladder allegedly failed. This highlights a critical safety concern if audible cues are misleading or if users are not adequately informed on how to visually verify proper lock engagement.
- Who Might Be Affected: Anyone using this specific model of multi-task ladder, particularly those who rely on auditory cues or a quick check rather than a thorough visual inspection of locking mechanisms, could be at risk. This includes DIY enthusiasts, contractors, and anyone performing tasks at height.
- Property Damage Potential: While not the focus of this report, an uncontrolled fall from a ladder can also result in damage to property, tools, and materials in the vicinity.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own a Franklin 17-foot Multi-Task Ladder or a similar multi-position ladder, it is crucial to take the following steps:
- Immediately Review Safety Instructions: Before any future use, thoroughly read and understand all safety warnings and operating instructions provided with your ladder, both on the product labels and in the packaging manual.
- Visually Verify All Locks: Do not rely solely on audible clicks or a feeling of stability. As recommended by the manufacturer, visually inspect *all* hinge locks and side locks to ensure they are fully engaged and in a locked position for your chosen configuration. Look for visual indicators (e.g., green/red markers, fully seated pins, alignment as depicted in diagrams).
- Check for Product Identification: Locate the brand name “Franklin” and “17-foot Multi-Task Ladder” on your product.
- Practice Safe Ladder Usage: Always place the ladder on a firm, level surface. Maintain three points of contact while ascending or descending. Do not overreach.
- Report Incidents: If you experience any malfunction or incident involving your ladder, stop using it immediately and report it to the manufacturer and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.SaferProducts.gov.
Manufacturer’s Response
Harbor Freight Tools acknowledged receipt of the incident report on January 16, 2026, and stated they have investigated the concerns.
They clarified that the Franklin-branded 17-foot Multi-Task Ladder is a multi-position ladder with two hinge locks that enable various configurations (A-frame, extension, etc.). They state that instructions on operating and ensuring full engagement of these hinge locks are included in packaging and on-product labels. These materials also warn users to ensure all locks are engaged prior to use.
Based on their review of the provided photographs, video, and incident description, Harbor Freight suggests that the hinge locks “may not have been fully engaged” prior to the customer stepping onto the ladder. They emphasize that their product instructions and warning labels clearly direct users to “verify all hinges…are in locked position” prior to use and include detailed pictures demonstrating “locked” and “unlocked” hinges. They explicitly state that the product instructions do not reference relying on audible “clicks” prior to usage and caution that an audible click is not an indicator that the ladder is locked. Users should instead visually verify all hinges and side locks are in locked positions.
Harbor Freight affirms that their products, including the Franklin 17-foot Multi-Task Ladders, are tested to and comply with all mandatory and voluntary standards, including ANSI / ASC A14.2. They also noted that they will continue to investigate the issue if the subject ladder is made available for their inspection.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.