C&S Global Imports Treestand Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

A Mississippi wrongful-death lawsuit involves a treestand and fall-arrest system made by C&S Global Imports, Inc. The parents of hunter Timothy Hinton allege that a defective tree strap in his fall-arrest system snapped in 2012. This is an individual claim under the Mississippi Products Liability Act. The maker defaulted and is “apparently not a source of recovery,” the court said. In 2019 the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled for the maker’s insurer and for the seller. A claim against the Treestand Manufacturer’s Association, a trade group that tests and certifies tree stands, was still open when the court ruled.

Latest C&S Global Imports Treestand Lawsuit Updates

November 14, 2019: Mississippi Supreme Court Affirms Retailer’s Win

The Mississippi Supreme Court affirmed summary judgment for retailer Sportsman’s Guide in Hinton v. Sportsman’s Guide, No. 2018-CA-00043-SCT [1]. It held the retailer was an innocent seller under Miss. Code Ann. 11-1-63(h). The Hintons showed no statutory exception to that protection, so the court held Sportsman’s Guide was entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The Treestand Manufacturer’s Association remained a defendant.

February 21, 2019: Mississippi Supreme Court Affirms Insurer’s Win

The Mississippi Supreme Court upheld the grant of summary judgment to Pekin Insurance Company, the insurer of C&S Global Imports, in Hinton v. Pekin Insurance Co., No. 2018-CA-00383-SCT [2]. Timothy Hinton’s parents had sued C&S Global Imports and Pekin in a wrongful-death suit over the tree stand. The court held that a policy exclusion for tree stands excused the insurer’s duty to defend its manufacturer insured.

What Is a Treestand Fall-Arrest System?

The Mississippi Supreme Court described the system Timothy Hinton used as “a harness that he wore that was tethered to a strap tied to a tree.” CPSC‘s Hunting Treestands and Harnesses publication says a full-body harness “has straps around the waist, legs and shoulders” [3]. It adds that “most treestand-related incidents can be prevented with proper use of a full-body harness.”

Who May Be Affected?

A hunter hurt when a treestand, tree strap or fall-arrest system failed fits this page, as does the family of a hunter who died. CPSC notes that many incidents occur while hunters are stepping onto or from the platform. Under Mississippi’s innocent-seller rule, a seller other than the manufacturer is not liable unless it:

• had substantial control over the design, testing, manufacture, packaging or labeling that caused the harm
• altered or modified the product in a way that was a substantial factor in the harm
• had actual or constructive knowledge of the defective condition when it supplied the product

The court said Mississippi’s provision “is one of the few that protects sellers even when the product’s manufacturer cannot be served with process, is insolvent, or is otherwise judgment-proof.” Whether you qualify depends on an individual legal review of your facts. Another page covers the Hunter Safety System lawsuit.

Reported Injuries or Damages

The Hintons allege that the strap in their son’s fall-arrest system snapped and that the product was defective. Timothy Hinton fell 18 feet and later died from his injuries. These are allegations, not court findings. CPSC’s Hunting Treestands and Harnesses publication says 41 treestand-related deaths were reported to CPSC from 2005 through 2007. CPSC staff estimate about 19,000 treestand-related injuries during the same period. These figures cover all treestands across the country, and a report to CPSC does not prove that a product caused a fall.

Evidence to Preserve

These items can show what failed, who sold the gear and what happened to the hunter afterward, so keep them safe:

• The tree stand, tree strap, harness and tether, kept as they are after the fall, unrepaired and uncleaned.
• Photographs of the gear, the tree and the scene of the fall.
• The receipt, order confirmation or packaging showing the brand, model and purchase date.
• The instruction manual and any labels or warnings that came with the gear.
• Medical, emergency-response and autopsy records connected to the fall, the injury or the death.
• Names of hunting partners or other witnesses to the fall or the hunt.
• Messages with the seller, manufacturer or an insurer about the gear or the claim.

Filing Deadlines

Filing deadlines for injury and wrongful-death claims come from state law. They depend on where you live and when the fall, injury or death happened. Some states count the time from a different date, not from the day of the fall or the injury itself. Missing a deadline can end a claim even when the facts are strong, so ask a lawyer promptly which deadline applies to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Did the Retailer Respond in the C&S Global Imports Treestand Lawsuit?

The retailer responded in the C&S Global Imports treestand lawsuit by filing a motion for summary judgment on June 8, 2017. The trial court found no evidence of active negligence by the seller.

Can You Sue the Retailer for a Defective Treestand?

Whether you can sue the retailer for a defective treestand depends on state law. The Hintons argued that, under Minnesota law, innocent sellers may be liable when a maker is judgment proof. The court held they pleaded Mississippi law and could not ask for Minnesota’s approach.

Has a Recall Been Announced for C&S Global Imports Treestands?

Recall status for C&S Global Imports treestands, as of the court’s 2019 opinion: the court noted that the 2009 fall-arrest system “has never been recalled.” The system passed testing on May 1, 2009. The Hintons admit it was not the same as the harnesses Hunter’s View recalled earlier.

Is C&S Global Imports Connected to Hunter’s View?

C&S Global Imports is connected to Hunter’s View because the 2009 stand carried the Hunter’s View brand. The court records that Hunter’s View went into bankruptcy shortly before C&S Global was formed in 2008. The Hintons allege C&S Global was “just a reboot of Hunter’s View.”

What Does the Research Say About Treestand Falls?

Research on treestand falls includes a CPSC safety publication from December 2008, which says hunters are killed or seriously injured every hunting season in falls related to treestands. Its figures cover treestands of every brand.

References

1. https://courts.ms.gov/Images/Opinions/CO141379.pdf
2. https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/4592617/marsha-r-hinton-v-pekin-insurance-company/
3. https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/pdfs/blk_pdf_5200.pdf