Man Suffers Serious Injuries Due to Dangerous Retail Display

Case Overview

This case involves a man who was seriously injured while shopping at a large department store. At the time of the incident in question, the man was shopping in the men’s clothing section of the store when he walked into a transparent glass partition that was part of an elaborate retail display. The glass shattered on impact, leaving the man with a number of deep cuts and lacerations. It was claimed that the partition lacked sufficient visual indicators of its presence, and was located in a high-traffic area of the store.

Questions to the Architect expert and their responses

Do you have specific experience in retail store layout and design?

I have over 40 years of experience as an architect, including experience with retail locations. I have done retail design work and have critiqued problems with retail locations.

Are you familiar with human factors as they relate to retail?

Although retail stores are designed to encourage slow traffic, they are public spaces and there are standards relating to human factors that apply across the board. These standards, such as the placement of items so that they do/don't catch your eye, apply across all architecture.

About the expert

This forensic architecture expert has 41+ years of experience in design and construction in the eastern United States. He attended Catholic University of America, where he earned his Bachelor of Architecture, Master of City and Regional Planning, and Master of Architecture degrees. He is a Registered Architect in Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., Florida, and Pennsylvania. The expert also has certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council, the Construction Specification Institute, and the Society of American Military Engineers. He has provided consulting services and testimony on cases in district courts, circuit courts, superior courts, arbitration, and mediation. He currently owns and runs a private architecture consulting practice.