Lopinot resets trial date in case against Big Dog Treestands

St. Clair County Circuit Judge Vincent Lopinot set a March 25 trial date in a man’s lawsuit against the maker and seller of a hunting tree stand.

The case was scheduled to go to trial Nov. 27 but was continued shortly after a jury was selected.

Michael Burns and his wife, Diane, filed a lawsuit March 24, 2011, against Big Dog Treestand and Swansea Rural King, Inc.

According to the complaint, Diane Burns bought a ladder stand from Rural King in October 2010. Michael Burns says he was hunting later that month with the Big Dog-built stand supported by a ratchet strap assembly.

While he was on the ladder, the ratchet strap assembly failed, causing the strap to detach resulting in his fall to the ground, the suit claims.

Big Dog Tree Stands denies it caused injuries, denies negligence or that the product was defectively designed or manufactured. The company also denies the product contained insufficient warnings.

Michael J. Garavilia of MG Law firm in Belleville and Gregory Shevlin of Cook, Ysursa and Bartholomew represent the plaintiff.

Brian Plegge and Justin Hardin represent Big Dog Treestands.

Michael P. McDonald represents Rural King.

St. Clair County case number 11-L-150.