Many retail establishments, department stores and wholesale outlets in Rhode island and Providence Plantations store merchandise and equipment above eye level on the sales floor. This provides less expensive and more efficient storage than housing the goods and equipment off-site at a facility. Unfortunately, precariously stacking merchandise high above the floor can cause personal injuries when it falls on customers, guests and employees.

Falling Merchandise causing injury

These business choices often produce highly efficient, less costly solutions for generating greater profits that are often to the detriment of unsuspecting victims. Falling merchandise, equipment, toys, tools, packages and other goods are very dangerous to passing customers.

Hazardous Environment

Typical workforce mistakes include placing heavy goods on high shelves in a dangerously unstable position, especially when heavy boxes are placed atop lighter boxes. Some businesses require the use of physical restraints and other safety devices including safety ties and security bars to protect the employee when working in high areas. However, not much is done by Rhode Island department stores and big box establishments to curb the danger and protect customers around stacked merchandise high in the air. Stores have made a corporate decision to put maximum profit over customer safety and as a result do not post a warning signs or temporary fencing to ward unsuspecting victims of the potential serious risk.

Injuries from falling objects and falling merchandise and goods

Many individuals suffer serious injuries or death every year from falling merchandise. Sadly, some of these accidents could be avoided if the employee continuously monitored and surveyed various areas inside the store. Their efforts could prevent most safety risks created by workers and other customers moving products, equipment and merchandise throughout the workday.

Shelf collapse at store

In some cases the shelf itself may collapse, fall down, keel -over or cave in causing serious personal injuries and even fatalities to innocent customers below. Merchandise, goods, boxes,tools, electronics or equipment plunging down, collapsing, crashing or descending towards unsuspecting customers or employees could cause concussions or serious head / brain injury (tbi). Traumatic brain injury requires immediate medical diagnosis and medical treatment

Dangerous store policy

Common Store Practices in Rhode Island (RI) including Warwick, Cranston, East Greenwich and Seekonk Massachusetts (MA) Many common dangerous store practices are often viewed as a sign of neglect, carelessness and recklessness of the business owner, property owner, managers, supervisors and employees. These negligent practices some of which are the regular course of business for such entities as Wall Mart, Target, Sears, Home Depot , Lowes, Sams Club etc. include:

• High Stacking – An instant recipe for catastrophe can occur in an instant if a Wall Mart or Home Depot employee stacks merchandise high above a shelf at a height that often reaches upwards of 15 feet from the ground floor. This often creates an unstable condition where employees or customers are required to stretch, climb, use a ladder or reach far above their head to retrieve merchandise.

• Inadequate Warnings – Merchants should be required by law to provide adequate danger warnings of any potential risks of high stacked merchandise, equipment and goods. The company, property owner and management can be held liable if a dangerous shopping aisle is not cordoned off as merchandise, equipment or heavy goods are stocked or removed on high shelves.

• Unsecured Goods – Any good, product or heavy item can become a lethal weapon when stacked high and unsecured. Employees and supervisors should utilize safety ties, fencing, shelf extenders and security bars to provide a safer environment for everyone visiting or working in the establishment.

• Lack of Employee Supervision and Training – The workforce must be properly trained and supervised to ensure that all goods in the store are placed on the shelf, or stored or displayed in a proper manner. Any lack of training can be seen as a sign of neglect of the management staff, which could create a liability problem for the company.

• Dangerous Surrounding Event – Often times merchandise will fall after becoming unstable when other goods or equipment is being moved often adjoining shelf or aisle. Vibrations caused by movement of other merchandise can also cause surrounding items to dislodge and plummet to the ground.

Filing a Negligence Claim for Compensation

If you have suffered a serious injury in Rhode island or Massachusetts by falling merchandise in a commercial establishment, it is essential to seek proper legal advice. A skilled RI personal injury attorney or Providence Premises liability lawyers can determine whether you have a winnable case for compensation against all parties at fault for your injuries. A reputable Rhode Island personal injury attorney who handles premises liability cases in RI can establish how the business owners, managers and employees failed in their legal duty to provide you safety while visiting their store.

A seasoned East Providence personal injury law firm will ensure that you receive adequate compensation to pay for your hospital in medical bills, therapy and physical rehabilitation and lost time away from work along with pain and suffering. These types of cases are usually handled on contingency. This means you will not need to pay any upfront fees for your legal services. Your Warwick, Cranston Or East Greenwich attorney / lawyer will be paid through your out-of-court settlement or jury award at the conclusion of your successful Rhode Island lawsuit trial.