In the age of superstores and mega warehouse retailers, a hidden danger lurks for consumers that enter these stores: the threat of suffering serious injuries and even death due to falling merchandise. Every year in the U.S., thousands of consumers are hurt and even killed due to falling merchandise. Retailers such as Home Depot, Wal-Mart, BJ's, Costco, Sam's Club, Loews, Target and many others have come under scrutiny for thousands of preventable injuries and fatalities caused by stacking and stocking of store merchandise on high shelves. For instance, Wal-Mart admitted that during a five year period over 17,000 falling merchandise complaints were filed against the company. Home Depot also reported that in one year three consumers were killed in three distinct incidents when high stacked merchandise fell striking the consumers.
Consumer lobbying groups are fighting to require retailers to install safety nets and guardrail systems to help prevent falling merchandise from injuring or killing unsuspecting consumers.
Common causes of injuries or fatalities due to falling store merchandise can include:
- Negligent store employees dropping merchandise off shelves;
- Incorrect stacking of merchandise;
- Inventory on high shelves;
- Customers retrieving or putting back merchandise on shelves.
You can reach Personal Injury Lawyer J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo by dialing his direct number at (786) 272-5841, calling the main office at (305) 461-1095, or Toll Free at 1 (866) 71-CLAIM or email Attorney Gonzalez-Sirgo directly at [email protected].
