Man injured by bookcase display sues IKEA

A Philadelphia man who claims he was injured from a falling bookcase at the IKEA store in South Philly is suing the retail giant in civil court.

Attorney Steven L. Rovner, of the Feasterville, Pa.-based law firm Rovner, Allen, Rovner, Zimmerman and Nash, filed the premises liability lawsuit June 28 at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Ryan Young of the city’s Fishtown neighborhood.

Named as defendants are IKEA Philadelphia, IKEA U.S. Inc., IKEA Pennsylvania LLC, IKEA Holdings U.S. Inc. and IKEA Property Inc.

According to the complaint, Young was shopping at the IKEA store at 2206 S. Columbus Blvd. in early September 2009, when, suddenly and without warning, he was injured by a bookcase display that was not properly mounted to a wall, and which fell on him, causing injuries to his right arm and elbow.

The lawsuit accuses the defendants of negligence for not ensuring that the bookcase was sufficiently fastened to the display wall.

As a result of the incident, Young sustained contusions, abrasions, lacerations, “severe damage” to his nerves and other unspecified injuries, the suit states.

Young has been required to undergo medical care due to his injuries, something that has caused him to incur various expenses. He has also suffered a loss of earnings because of his injuries.

Young demands judgment against the defendants, jointly and/or severally, in a sum not in excess of $50,000, plus interest, attorney’s fees and related court costs.

The non-jury matter is scheduled for arbitration on March 1, 2012.

The case number is 110602616.