Abstract: At approximately 2:45 p.m. on August 16, 2013, Employee #1, an avocado harvester, was harvesting avocados from trees located on a hillside. The employee was standing approximately 16 ft on an extension ladder. Employee #1 placed his 28 ft extension ladder in the "V" sections of two branches and climbed to start picking at the top of the tree. The employee was approximately 16 ft above the ground when two branches broke, causing Employee #1 to fall and his body struck a branch on the way to the ground. The employee continued rolling down the hillside. Emergency Medical Service was called, and the employee was transported by ambulance to the top of the hills, where he was airlifted to Ventura County Medical Center. The employee was treated for compression fractures of T11, T12 and fractures involving the spinuous processes of T9 and T10. Employee #1 remained hospitalized.