Though not as well-known for their role in big-box accidents as their main rival, Home Depot, Lowe’s Home Improvement stores can be dangerous places.

“Big Box” stores are physically large retail locations where merchandise is usually stacked higher than arm’s reach, sometimes even several stories overhead. This business model essentially combines warehousing and retail spaces into one, lowering storage costs and visually implying wholesale value for customers. However, it also tends to raise customers’ risks of serious accidents, especially when these retailers do not establish and enforce rigorous safety protocols.

Anyone who has been inside a Lowe’s Home Improvement store will recognize it as a clear example of a big box retailer. Customers at Lowe’s have fallen victim to many of the same kinds of accidents that are common to other big box retailers, often with profound consequences.

Like any major company, Lowe’s has an internal system in place to handle complaints; its purpose is to save the company as much money as possible in every scenario.

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If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a Lowe’s accident, it is crucial to obtain qualified legal counsel as soon as possible.

Timely action helps to ensure that your claim is taken seriously and helps to maximize your settlement.

Below, we will discuss the most common dangerous conditions in Lowe’s Home Improvement stores, share how Lowe’s accidents happen, review your rights as a customer or family member, and highlight what to expect when pursuing a lawsuit against Lowe’s.

If you would rather speak directly with a Lowe’s slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia, just give us a call or reach out through our online chat function to discuss your wrongful death or personal injury case against Lowe’s in a free consultation.

Why Choose the Stoddard Firm?

Our Team Makes a Real Difference

At The Stoddard Firm, we honestly believe that you should be able to go about your daily activities in a safe manner. Of course, accidents happen, but when they are due to the negligent action or inactions of an individual or organization, especially in a big box store like Lowe’s, those responsible should be held accountable.

The tangible and intangible costs that result from injuries suffered in Lowe’s stores throughout Georgia and across the country are painful and costly. They often disrupt and, in many cases, change lives. Our Lowe’s injury lawyer knows how to positively impact cases like this and help maximize the compensation you need. Consider what sets us apart.

  • Experience: For decades Matthew Stoddard has been representing individuals in the State of Georgia with regard to their personal injury claims. While he has handled a broad range of cases, he is well-versed in accidents that occur in big box stores including Lowe’s.
  • Commitment: The Stoddard Firm is specifically committed to protecting the rights of individuals in accident cases. Years ago, Matthew Stoddard made a purposeful choice to refocus his career from defending corporations to helping those who have been wronged. He realized that he could leverage his experience and help those who truly needed advice and counsel. His firm is committed to the community and protecting the futures of those who have been injured.
  • Approach: Every premises liability case is unique – even those that name the same defendants. We know this to be a fact and have designed our client-focused approach carefully. We are able to leverage our knowledge and experience, while still taking the time to actively listen to our clients and thoroughly investigate the details of their accident. This combination has proven incredibly successful with regard to maximizing settlements and providing our clients with a compassionate experience.

Client satisfaction is our ultimate goal – every step we take is with your best interests at heart. If you have been injured while visiting Lowe’s, do not wait – reach out to our Lowe’s accident lawyer today at 470-467-2200.

Injured at Lowe’s? We Can Help!

Let Us Manage the Legal Process for You

Take a deep breath and try to relax. If you have been injured in an accident at a Lowe’s store, you have a lot on your hands. Certain activities are inherently risky – but shopping at your local home improvement store is not one of them. You should have been able to run your errands safely.

As you recover from your injuries you are likely wondering how to move forward. After all, medical care can be expensive, as can time spent away from work recovering.  If your injuries were severe, you may even be unable to return to the same type of job you previously held. The compilation of costs related to your accident can be considerable. If your accident was caused by the negligence of Lowe’s, you may be entitled to compensation. This is where we can help. As your Lowe’s accident lawyers, we will:

  • Thoroughly Investigate the Accident
  • Carefully Research Lowe’s and their Safety Record
  • Efficiently File all Legal Papers
  • Accurately Calculate Damages
  • Aggressively Negotiate on Your Behalf
  • Clearly Communicate with You
  • Skillfully Litigate Your Case in Court

In short, our team handles everything related to the legal process, so you do not have to. By letting us do what we do best, you can focus your attention and energy on your recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Injuries at Lowe’s

Our Premises Liability Lawyer Responds

Sadly, injuries at Lowe’s that occurred because of the company’s negligence are more common than we would like to believe. While each incident is unique, many of those who have been hurt have some related questions. Below, we have shared those most frequently raised and our response to them.

I was injured in an accident in Georgia Lowe’s 6 months ago. Is it too late to pursue legal action?

No, it is not. The statute of limitations in Georgia provides you with two years to file your case. But do not wait any longer; our Lowe’s accident lawyer will want to begin work immediately and begin investigating what happened.

What type of damages could I receive?

Our Lowe’s accident lawyers will review your case and determine the totality of your damages. In Georgia, you can pursue both economic and non-economic damages. If the store was found to be grossly negligent, you may even be awarded punitive damages.

Lowe’s is a big company; do I even stand a chance at getting a settlement?

Yes, you do. Our attorneys are experienced in representing ordinary people who have been injured in large retail stores including Lowe’s. We know how to approach the organization and negotiate and litigate effectively.

Can I manage this legal process on my own?

Working with a seasoned premises liability attorney, one experienced in handling cases against Lowe’s, can help maximize your settlement. As a layperson, you simply do not have the specific knowledge to manage the complex legal issues inherent in cases like this on your own.

A representative from Lowe’s has reached out to me. What should I do?

Refer them to our Lowe’s accident lawyers immediately and do not engage in any further communication with them. Our professionals know how to handle conversations with company and insurance representatives without damaging your case.

Accidents are traumatic and frustrating – and the process to pursue competition is complex. Hopefully, the information shared above helps clarify the process for you. That said, we are well aware that the questions we provided are likely just the tip of the iceberg.  Contact our team of seasoned professionals today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can positively impact your case.

Accidents at Lowe’s Are Commonplace

While we would like to believe that all corporate retailers take the time and effort to properly invest in the safety of their customers, not all do. In fact, injuries occur on a regular basis. In Georgia and across the country, Lowe’s, the home improvement store, is the site of many accidents each year. Below we have shared some of their issues.

Lowe’s High Shelving Brings a Risk of Falling Merchandise

Being struck by falling objects is a serious danger inside warehouses of all kinds. Usually, the victims of these kinds of accidents are employees of the company in question, and Lowe’s employees have certainly suffered their share of them.

In Michigan in 2011, a woman was hospitalized when some bags of salt fell more than 20 feet from the shelves above her in the Lowe’s where she worked. The same year, in North Carolina, another Lowe’s employee was killed when a garage door fell on his head. Then, in Texas in 2015, yet another employee was killed by a falling stack of lumber, resulting in serious head injuries.

Nobody should have their life stolen or altered by these preventable tragedies, and they are preventable, even in employee-only areas, through adequate and carefully followed safety procedures. Workers deserve safer workplaces than they often get.

Adding customers to a warehouse-like environment, however, not only exposes them to the same safety shortcomings that employees are already facing but introduces extra risk factors. Whereas providing effective safety training and personal protective equipment is a major part of keeping warehouses safe for employees, customers are not offered protective gear and cannot be expected to behave like trained professionals in a high-risk job.

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When people enter a retail store that is open to the public, they expect — and are legally entitled to expect — that they will be safe as long as they follow the rules and use the ordinary level of care they would during any other low-risk activity.

Unfortunately, big box warehouse stores usually turn out to be more warehouse than store in terms of safety, and falling objects are a big part of that. One West Virginia woman is suing Lowe’s for just this kind of accident. According to her complaint, a rug fell out of an unsecured upper bin, hitting her head and neck and causing long-term disability.

If you or your loved one were struck by falling merchandise at Lowe’s, you are not alone, and you almost certainly have grounds for a wrongful death or personal injury lawsuit against Lowe’s.

Putting Customers and Forklifts in the Same Space Is Always Risky

Another symptom of combining warehouse and retail spaces is the contact between customers and heavy machinery, especially forklifts.

As a hazard, forklifts are easily underestimated because they move relatively slowly. That said, they require special training to operate because of how much can go seriously wrong. For one thing, forklifts are used for transporting heavy loads, often moving them to or from a significant height. A miscalculation can cause a deadly avalanche.

A forklift’s forks can also pose a tripping or crushing hazard, and forklifts can be involved in serious collisions just like any other vehicle. This is especially true if the driver is distracted by the activities occurring around them or struggling to manage too many of the forklift’s functions at once.

Safe forklift use involves not only a trained operator at the controls, but a wide, bystander-free buffer area around the work being performed. Too often, big box stores neglect this requirement because they are hesitant to block off areas of their sales floors every time it is necessary for forklift operators to do their jobs. As a result, customers end up in the danger zone without even realizing they should be concerned. According to another recent lawsuit against Lowe’s, a man had his foot run over by a forklift while making a delivery to a Lowe’s location in Virginia.

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If your Lowe’s accident resulted from close proximity to a forklift, there’s a very good chance you have a viable premises liability case.

Trip/Slip and Fall Accidents at Lowe’s Are a Very a Serious Issue

Trip and fall/slip and fall accidents are not isolated to big box stores — they can happen on any kind of property where management does not pay close enough attention to potential hazards — but they do arise frequently in allegations of dangerous conditions in Lowe’s Home Improvement.

One particular hazard is how slick the hard concrete floors can become with just a little bit of liquid, especially in the garden section of these stores. In Nevada in 2013, a woman slipped on the runoff from plants that were being watered by hand instead of through the store’s professional irrigation system. The dangerous floor conditions were marked with a single caution cone, which the woman’s legal counsel argued was obscured from view by a tall planter. Her counsel’s investigation also uncovered 28 recorded cases of fall accidents at the nearest 13 Lowe’s locations over the previous five years. The woman suffered permanent brain injuries, including loss of smell and taste, and she was ultimately awarded $16.4 million in damages.

The slipping hazards in Lowe’s do not appear to have ended there, however. In 2016, an Illinois man filed a similar suit after allegedly slipping on a wet floor in Lowe’s and suffering permanently disabling injuries.

The less-polished standard appearance of big box stores can also make it easier for tripping hazards to go unaddressed until an accident happens. As recently as 2020, a woman was awarded $4 million after tripping on a power cable running to a display in a New Jersey Lowe’s location.

If your injury or loss resulted from a trip or slip and fall accident in Lowe’s, it likely wasn’t a matter of simple, blameless clumsiness. Rather, it is probably part of a pattern that Lowe’s had a responsibility to address before it ever had the chance to affect you.

Shopping Should Not Be Dangerous

Lowe’s Home Improvement Is Responsible for Providing a Safe Shopping Environment

Regardless of their decision to invite customers into warehouse spaces, companies like Lowe’s are legally responsible for ensuring that any property they open to the public is reasonably safe.

When pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against Lowe’s, you and your lawyer will need to prove three things:

  1. Lowe’s had a duty to protect you (this one is automatic if you were on their property as a law-abiding visitor during business hours).
  2. Lowe’s failed in that duty.
  3. You suffered an injury as a result of that failure.

Neglecting to protect you might take the form of any of the examples above — not securing merchandise, not establishing a buffer zone around forklift work, not cleaning up or at least clearly marking slippery areas in a timely fashion — or countless other acts of indifference or poor judgment on the part of management.

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The important thing to establish is that there was a hazard that Lowe’s management knew or should have known about but failed to adequately address or communicate.

As for suffering an injury as a result, this may be obvious, or it may be an invisible but still serious internal injury. That is why it is so important to seek prompt and thorough medical care after an accident. The severity and likely costs of your injury will be a significant factor in how large a settlement to which you are entitled. Thus, it is vital to get an expert assessment of how your condition is likely to develop, and how it will affect the rest of your life. This information provides the basis for expanding your settlement to include expenses that you will incur over the course of your life.

What to Do If You Have Been Injured at Lowe’s Home Improvement

So much in life is out of your control. However, after an accident at Lowe’s, there are some things you can do immediately to protect yourself physically and financially. If possible:

  1. Call for/accept emergency medical services if you need them. Do not delay necessary medical care for any reason.
  2. Obtain pictures of the accident site and relevant hazards, and the contact information of as many witnesses as you can, if you can safely do so, or if you are shopping with an uninjured companion who manages this on your behalf.
  3. File an accident report with Lowe’s. Report the facts as you know them, but do not comment or speculate on fault.
  4. Schedule a medical examination at your earliest convenience, if you have not already received emergency care, and keep any recommended follow-up appointments. This is important to both your physical recovery and establishing an admissible record of your injuries.
  5. Identify and contact a qualified premises liability attorney who handles big-box accidents in your area. Do not wait to hear back from Lowe’s in response to your accident report. Without legal representation, you may not receive a reply, and if you do, the goal of the person replying will be to minimize the amount Lowe’s will have to pay.

Even if you did not follow these steps precisely starting from the moment of your accident, it is in your best interests to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you can start referring claims adjusters and insurance representatives to your lawyer, the harder it will be for them to trick you into saying something that could damage your case.

We Are Ready to Go to Work for You

Contact our Lowe’s Accident Lawyers Today

The premise liability attorneys at The Stoddard Firm are ideally suited to help you get the best possible results from your Lowe’s personal injury lawsuit in Georgia. We know the company well, along with the ins and outs of personal injury and premises liability laws.  We are experienced at helping juries understand the actual cost, physical and emotional, of all manners of injuries, including those that are harder to see. We also handle wrongful death cases and can walk you through this painful but ultimately helpful process simply and smoothly.

If you have been injured in an accident at Lowe’s, control what you can. Take advantage of the time you have and engage experienced and knowledgeable legal representation.

Atlanta Injury Lawyer

The Lowe’s injury attorneys at The Stoddard Firm are here for you and ready to go to work immediately. Reach out to us today at 470-467-2200 to schedule your free consultation.

Attorney Matt Stoddard

Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer Matt StoddardMatt Stoddard is a professional, hardworking, ethical advocate. He routinely faces some of the nation’s largest companies and some of the world’s largest insurers – opponents who have virtually unlimited resources. In these circumstances, Mr. Stoddard is comfortable. Mr. Stoddard provides his strongest efforts to his clients, and he devotes the firm’s significant financial resources to presenting the strongest case possible on their behalf. Matt understands that his clients must put their trust in him. That trust creates an obligation for Matt to work tirelessly on their behalf, and Matt Stoddard does not take that obligation lightly. [ Attorney Bio ]

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