A woman whose pelvis was crushed when more than 350 pounds of countertops suddenly fell on her at an Ikea store has been awarded $3.2 million by a Fairfax County jury. A stack of four countertops and a door collapsed on her as she stopped near a section of bargain items at the Potomac Mills Ikea store in July 2006. The countertops were stacked upright on their short sides rather than their long eight-foot sides and were restrained only by an elastic bungee cord. The woman, who was an avid hiker and bicyclist, had a metal plate placed in her pelvis that was replaced with another device after the pain continued. According to her doctors the pain will likely continue for the rest of her life. This was a most significant premises liability lawsuit. Businesses that invite customers to shop at their retail stores must take precautions to ensure the safety of their customers.

Source: Insurance Journal