$2,617,000 Verdict

Case Overview

Our client, a warehouse picker at a high-volume distribution center, sustained serious head and neck injuries after being struck by a box that fell from a top shelf. The incident occurred while the client was simply walking down an aisle—she was not handling the box, nor working in the area where it fell.

Incident Details

The box, estimated to weigh between 10–15 pounds, fell from an approximately eight-foot-high shelf and struck the client on the head. At 5’4”, the client was vulnerable to overhead hazards in a facility where upper shelves were frequently overstocked with heavy items.

About an hour after the incident, the client developed a severe headache and neck pain. She reported the injury to both a protection assistant and an operations manager. A written report was created only after she mentioned her symptoms. No witnesses observed the incident, and it is unknown whether surveillance footage was preserved.

Medical Treatment and Employer Interference

The client was initially sent to a company-approved physician, who ordered a CT scan and referred her to physical therapy. After six sessions, the physical therapist noted that the client still lacked full range of motion in her neck and continued to suffer from severe headaches.

Despite this, after a follow-up visit on February 27, 2020, the treating physician informed the client that a supervisor had ordered her release back to full-duty work—overriding his initial plan for continued therapy. The client continued to experience occasional radicular pain when turning her head to the left.

Hazardous Work Conditions

The warehouse had a known history of storing heavy boxes on top shelves and failing to ensure that items were properly secured. These conditions created a foreseeable and preventable hazard that directly contributed to the client’s injury.

Our Legal Strategy

Our team conducted a thorough investigation into the facility’s storage practices and challenged the employer’s handling of the incident and medical treatment. We focused on:

• The dangerous pattern of overstocking and poor shelf safety;
• The delay in proper documentation and potential lack of video preservation;
• The employer’s interference with the client’s medical care;
• The long-term impact on the client’s physical health and work capacity.

Result

Through aggressive litigation and detailed case development, we secured a $2,600,000 settlement on behalf of the client. This outcome reflects the seriousness of the employer’s negligence and ensures the client has the resources necessary for ongoing treatment and future stability.