I was Shopping at a Chicago Store when a Very Large, Heavy Book End/Door Stop Fell on My Baby Toe
FAQ,Personal Injury - April 2, 2026 by Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates
Question:
On June 3, I was shopping at a Chicago store when a very large, heavy book end/door stop fell on my baby toe. The display shelf was loaded with them items, and the ones at the front of the shelf were protruding over the edge. I was not carrying any bags, just a purse, and was walking with a shopping cart.
I filed an accident report with the store manager right away and called my husband to take me to urgent care. The x-rays did not indicate a fracture, but the doctor thought the symptoms were congruent with a broken toe, so he sent them off to a radiologist to re-check. The was no fracture. However, it has been two weeks, and I still have trouble walking, the toe is still swollen and red, and it hurts.
This has disrupted my life because I had just started training for the Chicago Marathon and now Iāve had to stop. I canāt move my toe to the side because of the pain, so I canāt apply medicine for a fungus I have between those toes. The store has only offered to pay my doctorās visit.
āChristina, Chicago
I filed an accident report with the store manager right away and called my husband to take me to urgent care. The x-rays did not indicate a fracture, but the doctor thought the symptoms were congruent with a broken toe, so he sent them off to a radiologist to re-check. The was no fracture. However, it has been two weeks, and I still have trouble walking, the toe is still swollen and red, and it hurts.
This has disrupted my life because I had just started training for the Chicago Marathon and now Iāve had to stop. I canāt move my toe to the side because of the pain, so I canāt apply medicine for a fungus I have between those toes. The store has only offered to pay my doctorās visit.
āChristina, Chicago
Answer:
Who is evaluating your x-rays? Is it a foot specialist or a general orthopedic surgeon or just an emergency room doctor? I believe you should be seeing somebody who specializes in feet. Has an MRI been taken of your foot? There are certainly injuries other than fractures and not all fractures show up on x-ray. There are various reasons for this depending on the swelling, the x-ray view, the competency of the physician and whether an MRI or bone scans have been taken.
I would recommend that you not stop treatment just because a doctor canāt figure it out. Go to a foot specialist if youāre concerned. Right now, the case falls in the category of a small claims case, if itās just a bruise and representation is not required. If itās more than a bruise, youāll probably need an attorney. We would be happy to represent you in this matter if you need it. Finally, please donāt give any tape recorded statements to Defendantās insurance carrier.
I would recommend that you not stop treatment just because a doctor canāt figure it out. Go to a foot specialist if youāre concerned. Right now, the case falls in the category of a small claims case, if itās just a bruise and representation is not required. If itās more than a bruise, youāll probably need an attorney. We would be happy to represent you in this matter if you need it. Finally, please donāt give any tape recorded statements to Defendantās insurance carrier.
