Finding into death of Renato Ettore Poletti
Deceased
Renato Ettore Poletti
Demographics
72y, male
Date of death
2021-05-02
Finding date
2023-11-02
Cause of death
Upper cervical spine injury sustained in a fall from a ladder
AI-generated summary
A 72-year-old man suffered a fall from a 3-metre ladder during home garden maintenance, sustaining a severe upper cervical spine injury (C2 fracture with high spinal cord haemorrhage) that was deemed non-survivable. He died 2 days later in ICU after palliative care. The coroner noted this was an unwitnessed fall and emphasised that ladder-related injuries remain a significant preventable cause of death, particularly in older men. Key preventive measures highlighted include maintaining three points of contact, working within physical limits, having a second person present to hold/stabilise the ladder, and recognising the heightened risk in the 75-79 age group. The coroner commended ongoing public health campaigns promoting ladder safety but noted that deaths from domestic ladder falls continue to occur and require sustained prevention efforts.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- unwitnessed fall from height of approximately 3 metres
- fall from ladder during home garden maintenance
- severe high spinal cord injury with haemorrhage
- complex fracture of C2 vertebra
- likely lack of second person to stabilise ladder or provide immediate assistance
- apparent absence of fall prevention measures
Coroner's recommendations
- Continue promotion of Ladder Safety Matters campaign
- Review effectiveness of Ladder Safety Matters campaign
- Continue to extend implementation of ladder safety campaigns
- Promote ladder safety messaging across summer and Easter holiday periods
- Increase reach of consumer messaging through Consumer Education Network
- Engage key stakeholders including Victorian Men's Shed Association, Consumer Affairs Victoria, and Council of the Ageing Victoria
- Monitor safety data in respect of deaths from ladder falls and make further recommendations as required
Full text
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