Rivers Edge Treestand Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

No class action, MDL or settlement has been found for Rivers Edge treestands. Three individual suits appear in federal dockets, and all are closed. CPSC announced two recalls of Rivers Edge stands, in 2004 and 2012. The hazards were a loose strap bracket in 2004 and snap-hook assemblies that can fail in 2012. Both can cause a fall. CPSC’s 2012 notice names Rivers Edge Tree Stands Inc. of Cumberland, Wis., as the importer of the recalled stands. Owners of a recalled stand can ask the company named in the notice for the free replacement part.

Latest Rivers Edge Treestand Lawsuit Updates

November 11, 2019: Schema Case Moves to Federal Court

Two defendants, Ardisam, Inc. and Rivers Edge Treestands, Inc., removed a Hennepin County, Minnesota personal-injury case to federal court in the District of Minnesota. That opened the Schema case (D. Minn. 0:19-cv-02876) [1]. The docket shows the case closed on November 30, 2020. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation Pending MDL Dockets by MDL Number report of September 1, 2026 lists no treestand docket [2].

May 22, 2013: Leger Case Moves to Federal Court

Rivers Edge Treestands, Inc. moved a Jefferson County, Texas case to the Eastern District of Texas. That opened Leger v. Rivers Edge Treestands, Inc. (E.D. Tex. 1:13-cv-00326) [3]. The docket shows it closed on March 8, 2016.

November 27, 2012: Homoki Case Opens in Ohio Federal Court

Homoki v. Rivers Edge Tree Stands, Inc. (N.D. Ohio 1:12-cv-02926) was docketed in federal court in Ohio on November 27, 2012 as a “Diversity-Product Liability” case [4]. On December 19, 2012, Judge James S. Gwin denied the plaintiffs’ motion to remand the case to state court. The docket shows the case closed on January 30, 2013.

October 24, 2012: CPSC Announces Recall 13-018

CPSC announced the October 24, 2012 recall (13-018) of about 14,000 Rivers Edge tree stands [5]. The Big Foot, Lite Foot and Baby Big Foot stands have snap-hook assemblies that can fail. The remedy was a free replacement snap-hook assembly. CPSC told consumers to stop using the recalled stands right away and contact Rivers Edge Tree Stands Inc. to get the part.

July 6, 2004: CPSC Announces Recall 04-173

CPSC and Rivers Edge/Ardisam, Inc. announced the July 6, 2004 recall (04-173) of about 78,000 hunting tree stands [6]. The Big Foot Series and Lite Foot Series stands have a strap mounting bracket that can loosen or rotate. The remedy was free replacement hardware for self-installation. The notice names Rivers Edge/Ardisam, Inc. of Cumberland, Wis., as the maker of the stands.

Who May Be Affected?

You may be affected if you own a Big Foot, Lite Foot or Baby Big Foot stand from Rivers Edge named in a CPSC recall. The 2012 recall covers models RE500, RE501, RE503, RE504, RE506, RE507, RE510 and RE511. Those stands carry the date “2012” on the round ID tag under the seat. They lack an orange dot and an “X” stamped on the snap-hook. The 2004 recall covers hang-on stands in the Big Foot and Lite Foot Series with a gold-colored strap hook bracket. You may also be affected if you fell when a snap-hook assembly or strap hook released. Whether a fall supports a legal claim depends on the facts, so qualification requires an individual legal review.

Reported Injuries or Damages

In 2004, Rivers Edge/Ardisam, Inc. received three reports of consumers falling when their stands detached. Two consumers reportedly suffered serious injuries, including broken bones. In 2012, Rivers Edge received three reports of snap-hook assemblies failing. One included minor injuries of bumps, bruises and soreness. One included a broken toe and lacerated hand. These are company reports to CPSC, not court findings, and they do not prove that a stand caused each injury. CPSC Pub. #5200, Hunting Treestands and Harnesses, covers all treestand brands. It says hunters are killed or seriously injured in treestand falls every hunting season. It reports 41 related deaths from 2005 through 2007 [7]. The same publication says CPSC staff estimate about 19,000 treestand-related injuries in those years. A 2004 CPSC staff briefing on Petition CP 02-3 estimated 6,000 tree stand injuries treated in emergency rooms in 2001 [8].

Recall and Regulatory Background

No later CPSC recall of Rivers Edge treestands was found after October 24, 2012. A recall does not by itself establish liability for any injury.

Evidence to Preserve

Evidence from a treestand fall can include these items:

• The stand, its snap-hook or strap hook, straps and any parts that failed, kept as they are and not repaired or discarded.
• The harness and tether, if one was worn, kept together with the stand and its parts.
• Photographs of the stand on the tree, the failure point and the scene of the fall.
• The model number, the ID tag, the packaging and the purchase receipt, order confirmation or retailer record.
• Medical records, medical bills and photographs of the injuries from the fall.
• Names and contact details of any witnesses and hunting partners.
• Any recall or company notices and your messages with the seller or maker.

Filing Deadlines

A claim for a treestand injury has a filing deadline, and state law sets it. The deadline can depend on where the hunter lives, when the fall happened and, in some states, when the injury was found. A late filing can bar a treestand claim, however strong the facts. A hunter hurt in a fall should check with a lawyer promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Do I Contact About a Recalled Rivers Edge Treestand?

To contact someone about a recalled Rivers Edge treestand, CPSC’s October 2012 notice lists Rivers Edge toll-free at (866) 527-9690, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, or www.riversedgesafetyrecall.com. The July 2004 notice lists (800) 204-7435 and www.ardisam.com.

How Do I Find the Model Number on My Rivers Edge Treestand?

The model number on a Rivers Edge treestand from the 2012 recall is on a black sticker on the seat post just below the seat. It is also on the packaging. Names pair with numbers, such as Big Foot XL Lounger RE511 and Big Foot with Footrest RE506.

How Can I Tell If My Big Foot or Lite Foot Stand Is from the 2004 Recall?

A Big Foot or Lite Foot stand from the 2004 recall has a yellow warning label reading “Rivers Edge Hunting Products”. It also has dual post seat uprights and the gold-colored strap hook bracket.

When Were the Recalled Rivers Edge Treestands Sold?

The recalled Rivers Edge treestands in the 2012 recall were sold at sporting goods stores nationwide. They sold from May 1, 2012 to September 1, 2012 for between $39 and $120. Stands in the 2004 recall were sold at hunting stores from January 1998 for between $60 and $120.

What Does the Research Say About Treestand Falls?

The research on treestand falls includes CPSC staff’s June 14, 2004 briefing on Petition CP 02-3. CPSC Pub. #5200 adds that many incidents occur while hunters are stepping onto or from the treestand’s platform.

Should I Wear a Full-Body Harness in a Treestand?

Yes, CPSC advises hunters to use a full-body harness approved by the Treestand Manufacturers’ Association (TMA) and follow the maker’s instructions. A single-strap or waist-type harness can cause strangulation in a fall. CPSC also says to wear the harness during ascent and descent.

References

1. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16456415/schema-v-rivers-edge-tree-stands-inc/
2. https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_MDL_Number-September-1-2026.pdf
3. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5268122/leger-v-rivers-edge-treestands-inc/
4. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5693739/homoki-v-rivers-edge-tree-stands-inc/
5. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2013/Rivers-Edge-Recalls-Hunters-Tree-Stands-due-to-Fall-Hazard
6. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2004/CPSC-Rivers-EdgeArdisam-Inc-Announce-Recall-of-Tree-Stands-
7. https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/pdfs/blk_pdf_5200.pdf
8. https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/Briefing_Package-Petition_CP_02-3;_Hunting_Tree_Stand_Petition-06.14.2004.pdf