When people think about personal injury cases, most imagine car accidents or slip and falls. But injuries caused by falling objects are surprisingly common—especially in busy stores, restaurants, shopping centers, warehouses, and other public places across Southeast Louisiana. Whether it’s heavy merchandise in a big box store, a light fixture in a restaurant, or construction debris at a hotel, falling object accidents happen more often than you might expect.
At Banck Law, we’ve helped countless clients who were seriously hurt when something overhead—or improperly stored—came crashing down without warning. If you or a loved one has been injured by a falling object, you may have a premises liability claim and be entitled to compensation.
Here’s everything you need to know about what causes these accidents, who may be responsible, and how to protect your legal rights.
How Falling Object Injuries Happen
Falling object injuries can happen anywhere, but they are especially common in places like big box retailers such as Walmart or Home Depot, grocery stores where products are stacked high on shelves, restaurants and bars with suspended décor or lighting, parking garages, and construction zones in public areas. In many cases, these accidents are preventable. But in these environments, items are often stacked high above ground level or suspended overhead—meaning poor maintenance, bad stacking, or simple negligence can easily lead to serious accidents.
Some common scenarios that lead to falling object injuries include:
- Overloaded or poorly organized shelves in a store causing merchandise to fall
- Ceiling panels, lights, or signage not properly secured
- Construction materials dropping from upper floors
- Unsafe storage practices in warehouses or storage facilities
- Loose decorations or fixtures falling in restaurants or event spaces
Even objects that don’t seem very heavy can cause devastating injuries if they fall from a significant height. Unfortunately, when businesses cut corners on maintenance, safety inspections, or staff training, innocent customers and visitors pay the price.
Injuries Caused by Falling Objects
The severity of injuries from falling objects often depends on two factors: the height from which the object fell and the weight of the object itself. Injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to life-altering trauma.
Some of the most common injuries that victims of falling objects may suffer include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
- Neck, back, and spinal injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Deep lacerations or facial injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
In some cases, injuries caused by a falling object can lead to permanent disabilities or require long-term rehabilitation—especially if head trauma or spinal injuries are involved. At Banck Law, we’ve seen firsthand how injuries that seem minor at first can develop into ongoing medical problems requiring surgeries, therapy, and extensive time off work. That’s why we treat every case with the seriousness it deserves.
Who Is Responsible for a Falling Object Injury?
In Louisiana, businesses and property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for customers, employees, and the public. That duty includes properly securing shelves, inspecting for hazards, maintaining fixtures, and warning customers about potential hazards.
When a store, business, or property owner fails in this responsibility and someone gets hurt by a falling object, they can be held legally liable for the victim’s damages through a premises liability claim.
Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties might be responsible for a falling object injury, including:
- Business owners, for failing to properly stack or store items
- Store employees or managers, for negligence in setting up displays
- Property management companies, for failing to maintain the building
- Third-party contractors, especially during construction or renovation projects
Our team at Banck Law carefully investigates each incident to determine all possible sources of liability and pursue claims against every responsible party.
What to Do If You’re Injured by a Falling Object
If you’re struck by a falling object in a store, restaurant, or public place, it’s important to act quickly to protect both your health and your potential legal claim.
First, seek immediate medical attention. Even if you feel okay, injuries like concussions or internal bleeding aren’t always obvious at first. Getting checked out by a doctor creates a record of your injuries, which is crucial for your case.
Second, report the incident to the store manager, property owner, or person in charge and ensure it is properly documented. Ask for a written report and a copy for your records if possible.
Third, document the scene yourself. Take photos of the object that fell, your injuries, the surrounding area, and anything else that shows how the accident occurred. If there were witnesses, get their names and contact information—they may be key in confirming what happened later.
Finally, contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible and before speaking with insurance adjusters. The insurance companies representing businesses will often try to act quickly to protect themselves, and their representatives and may try to minimize your injuries, argue that the accident wasn’t their fault, or offer you a settlement far lower than you deserve. Having a lawyer to handle communications and build your case can make all the difference.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
If you were injured by a falling object, you may be eligible to recover damages for both your economic losses and your pain and suffering. Depending on the severity of your injuries, compensation may include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future treatment
- Lost wages, if you missed work during your recovery
- Loss of earning capacity, if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job
- Pain and suffering, for the physical and emotional trauma you endured
- Permanent disability or disfigurement, in cases of severe injuries
- Loss of enjoyment of life, if your injuries limit your ability to participate in activities you once loved
At Banck Law, we fight to ensure our clients are fully compensated—not just for their current losses, but for all the ways an injury affects their future.
Why Choose Banck Law After a Falling Object Injury?
Filing a claim for a falling object injury isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Businesses often deny responsibility, and insurance companies may offer lowball settlements that barely cover your medical bills, let alone the long-term impact on your life.
When you hire Banck Law, you are choosing a legal team that cares about your recovery and your future. We will:
- Investigate how the accident happened
- Gather critical evidence like video footage, maintenance logs, and eyewitness statements
- Work with medical experts to build the strongest possible case
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies
- Take your case to trial if necessary to fight for full compensation
We are proud to stand up for injured individuals across St. Tammany Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, Washington Parish, and Greater New Orleans—because your safety matters.
You focus on healing—we’ll handle the rest.
Injured by a Falling Object? Contact Banck Law Today
If you or a loved one has been injured by a falling object at a business or public location in Covington, Mandeville, Hammond, Slidell, New Orleans, or anywhere in Louisiana, don’t wait to take action. The sooner you start building your case, the stronger it will be. Time limits apply to personal injury claims, and evidence can disappear quickly.
Call Banck Law at (985) 900-2440 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
At Banck Law, we fight for you—because no one should pay the price for someone else’s negligence.
