Painter falls from borrowed ladder, sues manufacturer and homeowner

A Madison County man has filed suit against Louisville Ladder Group and a Granite City couple, alleging he was injured while using a ladder the company manufactured when the ladder broke.

Daniel M. Krekovich was using the step ladder on Nov. 17, 2006, to paint and remodel at David L. and Shirley L. Clark's house when the ladder collapsed as he climbed it, "causing Plaintiff to fall violently to the ground," the suit filed Nov. 14 in Madison County Circuit Court states.

The ladder belonged to David, and he let Krekovich borrow it, according to the complaint.

Because of the fall, Krekovich injured his leg, incurred substantial medical costs, lost wages and became disabled, the suit states.

He also experienced pain and suffering, his quality of life has been diminished and he has experienced the loss of a normal life, he claims.

Louisville Ladder Group was negligent because the ladder was designed and manufactured with insufficient strength, stability and durability and it had no warnings of its limitations of strength, stability and durability, according to the complaint.

The Clarks were negligent because they failed to determine that the step ladder was defective, failed to determine whether the ladder was suitable for its intended use and failed to advise Krekovich the ladder was unstable, the suit states.

In the three-count suit, Krekovich is seeking a sum in excess of $150,000, plus costs.

He is represented by John T. Papa of Callis, Papa, Hale, Szewczyk and Danzinger in Granite City.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 08-L-1089.