John R. Yannaccone, P.E., Senior Mechanical Engineer

Case Synopsis: While working on a commercial building, the plaintiff fell while descending a ladder from a first-floor roof. According to the plaintiff, he setup the ladder on a sidewalk outside of the rear door to the building the morning of the incident. The plaintiff reported the ladder was placed at the proper angle and was secured by several bundles of shingles at the base. While working alone atop the roof, he needed to obtain additional supplies, requiring him to climb down the ladder. As he started to descend the ladder, the base of the ladder began to slide, causing him to fall and sustain injury a knee injury. The plaintiff claimed that, after his fall, he realized the shingles he placed to stabilize the ladder had been moved. He alleged this was done by an employee of the building owner.

The roofing company supervisor arrived at the site after the incident and testified he saw the top section of an extension ladder laying on the ground in the area of the fall. He further testified the injured employee had been told earlier not to use the upper section of extension ladders during the project. The roofing employee’s attorney also presented an engineer’s report indicating the way the roofer testified he set the ladder would result in a stable ladder, but the removal of the shingles from the base would allow the base to slide out, as the plaintiff alleged.