Houston Jury Finds Negligence, Awards $14,224.50 After Falling Box
A person was walking in an office building when a box fell from a higher floor and landed on them. The injured person claimed to have suffered injuries to their head, neck, back, and shoulder. The defense argued the box did not hit the person and that the person was already injured from a prior car accident.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $14,224
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2021
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Pedestrian
- Case Type
- back, head, headaches
Case Overview
In August 2013, a pedestrian was allegedly struck by a falling box while walking through an office building atrium in Houston. An employee of Attentus Medical Sales Inc. was transporting a cart on the fifth floor when a 36-pound cardboard box of medical gel packs fell over a railing. The plaintiff claimed the box landed on him, causing injuries to his head, neck, back, and shoulder.
The plaintiff sued Attentus, alleging its employee was negligent in failing to secure the boxes. Building owners, initially named as defendants, were dismissed before trial after being granted summary judgment. Attentus denied the box struck the plaintiff, arguing his claims were not credible due to the box's weight and fall distance. The defense also contended the plaintiff had pre-existing injuries from a car accident four days earlier, noting similar chiropractic treatment records for both events. The plaintiff sought $265,000 in damages, including past and future medical expenses, pain, and physical impairment.
After a two-day trial, the jury deliberated for four hours. It found Attentus liable for the incident and awarded the plaintiff $14,224.50, specifically for past medical expenses. No additional damages for future medical costs, pain, or impairment were awarded.
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