Electrician's Career Destroyed by Faulty Amazon Ladder That Snapped Mid-Use
A former electrician has revealed how his career was abruptly ended after a supposedly safe telescopic ladder purchased through Amazon Marketplace suddenly snapped in half while he was working at height. Joffrey Bogemans was approximately 15 feet up the ladder while repairing a fire alarm at a commercial property in April 2023 when the equipment catastrophically failed.
Life-Altering Injuries and Business Collapse
The immediate fall onto concrete resulted in multiple broken ribs along with significant damage to his pelvis, wrist, and ankle. Bogemans also sustained a deep cut to his foot during the incident. He was completely unable to work for eight weeks and could only return gradually afterward. However, the combined physical and financial toll ultimately forced him to shut down his electrical business entirely.
"The fall happened in seconds," Bogemans told investigators. "One moment I was working normally, and the next the ladder had collapsed beneath me and I was on the ground in serious pain. I was lucky to survive, but the injuries were severe and they've had a lasting impact on my life."
He now works full-time as a safety campaigner, advocating for stronger product regulation after discovering that similar potentially dangerous ladders remain widely available through online platforms.
Widespread Safety Failures Across Online Marketplaces
An investigation by consumer group Which? has identified this incident as part of a much broader pattern. Dozens of potentially deadly ladder versions continue to be sold on major platforms including Amazon, eBay, Shein, and Temu despite safety concerns.
Bogemans expressed particular concern about this ongoing availability: "What has been hardest to accept is realising that the same types of ladders are still being sold online. That's frightening, because it means someone else could be using one right now, believing it's safe."
Regulatory Gaps and Platform Accountability
The case highlights significant gaps in how online marketplaces monitor third-party sellers. Bogemans noted that he initially felt confident purchasing the ladder because the seller claimed it met safety standards, yet neither the seller nor Amazon has accepted liability for the accident.
Compounding the problem, the seller lacked liability insurance, meaning even if Bogemans wins his legal case, there's no guarantee of financial compensation. Although the specific listing has been removed, the seller remains active on Amazon with similar ladder products available.
Independent Testing Reveals Alarming Results
Further testing by the Ladder Association uncovered disturbing patterns. When researchers purchased 14 ladders from third-party sellers across various online platforms, every single one failed basic safety tests. Alarmingly, 86% of these failing ladders were fraudulently marked or marketed as conforming to relevant safety standards.
By contrast, all four ladders purchased directly from B&Q (rather than third-party sellers on their marketplace) passed the same safety tests, suggesting the problem lies specifically with marketplace oversight rather than retail generally.
Industry and Government Response
Sue Davies, Which? Head of Consumer Protection Policy, emphasized the urgency: "Cases like this reveal the life-altering consequences of dangerous products that Amazon and other online marketplaces can and should prevent from ever reaching consumers. Lives will be at risk until online marketplaces are truly held accountable."
Which? is now calling on the government to prioritize secondary legislation under the Product Regulation and Metrology Act to strengthen enforcement against those violating safety standards.
Platform Responses to Safety Concerns
Amazon stated that they require all marketplace products to comply with applicable laws and proactively monitor for safety alerts, though they declined to comment specifically on Bogemans' case. They noted that most products highlighted in Which?'s research didn't fall under existing safety alerts, but have removed two flagged items.
Other platforms responded similarly:
- B&Q emphasized proactive checking to ensure recalled products aren't sold
- eBay reported removing identified unsafe listings and employing multiple monitoring systems
- Shein described robust pre-listing controls and partnerships with testing agencies
- Temu stated they monitor regulatory alerts and have integrated recall information into seller training
Despite these assurances, Bogemans' experience and broader testing suggest dangerous products continue slipping through safety nets, with potentially devastating consequences for unsuspecting consumers.
