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When Your Back Is Against The Wall

North Carolina Falling Object Injury Lawyers

Holding Retail Stores Accountable for Negligence That Injures Customers

Under premises liability laws, retailers have a duty to ensure their stores are reasonably safe for the public. However, many outlets cram so much merchandise on the shelves that they create hazards for their customers. If you’ve been injured by falling merchandise in a retail store or supermarket, you may be eligible for compensation.

Since 1997, Lanier Law Group, P.A. has fought aggressively for injured clients throughout North Carolina. From our offices in Raleigh, Wilmington, Durham, Piedmont Triad, Asheville, Burlington, Fayetteville, Greenville, and Charlotte, we investigate retail accidents throughout the state. If someone's negligence created unnecessary danger, we strive to hold businesses accountable.

Speak to a North Carolina falling object injury lawyer at our firm about your case during a free consultation: (855) 757-4204.

Retailers’ Duty of Reasonable Care in North Carolina

Businesses that serve the public have a duty to discover hidden hazards and correct them. If there is a spill in an aisle, a store must take prompt action to alert customers of the danger and then clean it up. Otherwise, they may face liability for any foreseeable harm that results. If the spill is not addressed within a reasonable time and a customer slips and falls, the store may have to compensate the customer for any injuries.

Now consider the poorly stocked shelf: boxes are piled high, one upon another. The stacks are unstable. When a customer touches one box, the entire pile moves. If a customer touches one pile, another pile moves. These high shelves are above eye level, so most customers cannot get a clear view of the danger in touching one object or the other. Now, has the store created a hazard or is it the customer’s fault when his handling of the merchandise causes it to fall?

There have been many cases litigated across the country giving courts guidance on how to judge certain facts. Some examples include:

  • In a case against Walmart, the court held that the way objects were stacked could cause them to fall.
  • In a case against Giant Supermarkets, the court held that because cans fell from a shelf without the plaintiff or any other customer touching them, the shelf presented an unreasonable risk.
  • In a case against Kmart, the court ruled that there was a serious question of whether a reasonably prudent merchant would have stacked cans on a shelf above eye level without securing them.
  • In a case against the A&P, the court ruled that a jury could find that stacking jars on a shelf above eye level presented an unwarranted risk of harm.

Stores often argue that when other customers move merchandise, this creates an intervening cause that absolves the store from liability—but courts routinely reject that argument.

Injury cases involving falling merchandise are very fact-specific and generally rely on the condition of the shelf in question. Our firm has dedicated North Carolina falling object attorneys who know how to investigate and assemble the evidence to make a persuasive case. With a heavyweight like us in your corner, you may greatly improve your chances of winning the compensation you deserve.

Contact Our Firm for Help with Your Premises Liability Case

Lanier Law Group fights to hold retailers accountable when their negligence results in harm to innocent customers. To discuss your retail store accident with an experienced personal injury lawyer at our firm, schedule a free consultation. We offer legal services in both English and Spanish, and there are no fees unless/until we recover compensation for you.

Call us at (855) 757-4204 or contact us online to get started today.

We Fight for Our Clients

*Featured Case Results, Settlements, & Trial Wins From Our Attorneys
  • $750,000 Apartment Complex Maintenance Negligence
  • $300,000 Premises Liability

    Personal Injury premises liability settlement for a client standing on a ladder painting a closed garage door when the door was inadvertently opened causing him to fall 7 feet onto concrete.

  • $207,500 Premises Liability

    A client suffered a puncture wound and severe nerve damage when he stepped on a nail in the threshold of a door.

  • $125,000 Premises Liability: Trip and Fall on Apartment Stairway
  • $70,000 Premises Liability Claim/Homeowner’s Insurance Claim
  • $50,000 Premises Liability Slip and Fall

We Never Back Down From a Fight

Featured Reviews, Testimonials & Results
    "20 out of 10 stars."
    There are times in your life you are so hurt and feel life has a grudge against you. Nothing in your life is going right. I lost the most important person in my life to death, of which I knew mistakes were made because I witnessed it with my own eyes. When you contact a law group you most of the time get all business and a matter of fact conversation. I want all to know that from the first phone call they listened to my lengthy story, sobbing most of the time with so much compassion. They never made any promises but offered assurances that no stone would be unturned. They fulfilled every word they said. They restored faith that I had lost. Until you are in a position like mine you can never know how invaluable Lanier Law Group is. They were wonderful while maintaining their professionalism. They treated me like a family member. They really do care about their clients. But most of all they are the best at what they do. I worked in the court system for years so I knew how attorneys and law firms basically operated. Understanding the law and it's interpretation is the ultimate key to winning any case. Also know that if an attorney/attorneys study and review your case and know that you don't have a chance in a court of law and are big enough to tell you that instead of giving you false hope, you then my friend have a group with valuable shared values. I have so much respect for everyone in this Law Group. I recommend Lanier Law Group, P.A. to anyone who needs representation, they are in your corner. 20 out of 10 stars.
    - Diane W.
    "Lanier Law Group will always be the choice for me and all my family members"
    I started working with Lanier Law Group in 2020 on my Social Security Disability case. They from start to finish were awesome. My case manager Janet Hanks and attorney, Ashley Sappenfield were always available to answer all my questions. I did not have to do much but sit back and let them handle whatever was needed. My case took too long (2 years) and if I did not have Janet and Ashley My case would still not be approved. I would recommend Lanier to anyone to get the job done and approved. Do not go to another firm with your case, who promise the world and do not see it to completion and do not think another firms would have worked as hard as they did on my case. Lanier Law Group will always be the choice for me and all my family members to handle any cases of this type and other legal services they provide. They went above and beyond!
    - Phillip J.
    "So thankful for your expertise and professionalism"
    Mrs. Gonzalez did an awesome job of explaining everything in detail and keeping me informed on the status of my case. Despite poor customer service with the insurance company, Mrs. Gonzalez was able to fix what they could not. Mrs. Gonzalez was very helpful with helping me understand things that I was not aware of when dealing with insurance claims. I am so thankful for her expertise and professionalism.
    - Mario H.
    "Always ready to answer any questions I may have"
    The staff kept me well informed in a more than timely manner and was always ready to answer any questions I may have.
    - Timothy M.
    "The Lanier Law Group provided excellent customer service!"
    The Lanier Law Group provided excellent customer service! My main contact was Denise.
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    "Great experience"
    Great experience. Tish was very helpful as my case progressed and explained all of the steps to me, leaving me with very few questions. Shea was also very helpful during the negotiation process.
    - Nyesha B.

Don't Hire Just Any Firm

Take Control of Your Case Today With the Help of Lanier Law Group
  • We Never Back Down
    Our attorneys are confident taking cases to trial and will always seek to maximize your compensation.
  • We're Here For You 24/7
    Regardless of when you contact our firm, we're here to make sure that you get the answers you need. We also offer weekend appointments and consultations.
  • We Come Prepared

    After an injury, every second counts. We are available to meet with you in person, virtually, or at your location to provide the highest quality legal counsel.

  • We're In Your Corner
    Every case we take on has a team of dedicated professionals assigned to make sure that we're delivering the best possible service and results.