Home Depot's Falling Merchandise

Ken Margolin

Contributor

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Obtaining data on the number of people injured at big box stores such as Home Depot, is difficult. The information is guarded like state secrets. Data generated in litigation, however, has revealed that the big box giant, Home Depot, has had an ongoing problem with falling merchandise killing and maiming customers. One lawsuit revealed that in the late 1990s and early 2000s, more than 2,200 people per year were being injured at Home Depot stores. In 2004, an Idaho jury awarded $570,000 to the family of a 3-year old girl killed by falling countertops. A North Carolina jury awarded $500,000 in 2005 to the family of a 12 year old boy who suffered head injuries from a falling steel door at a Home Depot. Another falling door in a Home Depot, killed a 6 year old boy named Ivan SanMiguel. These and many other catastrophes will continue until Home Depot spends enough of its profits on customer safety. The steps needed to prevent merchandise from falling in big box stores, are simple and well known. The knowledge is useless without the will and funds to implement necessary safety measures.