Deer hunter sues stand maker after fall

A hunter is suing the manufacturer and seller of a ratchet strap he says broke and caused him to fall out of a deer stand.

The lawsuit filed by Douglas Hyatt against Ameristep Corporation and B&B Outdoors Inc. says the incident happened in October 2008 while Hyatt was hunting in Caseyville.

Hyatt says he was using a deer stand supported by a ratchet strap. Hyatt says the ratchet strap gear unexpectedly failed and the deer stand fell forward, causing Hyatt to fall and severely cut his leg.

In the complaint filed Oct. 20 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Hyatt argues both defendants are responsible for making and selling a defective product.

Hyatt is asking for more than $75,000 from each defendant to compensate for his injury, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and mental anguish.

Attorney Bruce N. Cook of Belleville is representing Hyatt.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 10-L-551