San Angelo Woman Seeks $1M, Says Falling Beam at Lowe's Caused Partial Blindness

SAN ANGELO, TX — A metal beam from a recently reset shelving rack at the Lowe’s Home Improvement store fell and struck an employee in the face, causing severe injuries including partial blindness in her left eye, according to a lawsuit filed in Tom Green County District Court. 

Lydia Rachael Sharp of San Angelo filed a petition seeking more than $1 million in damages against ECMD Inc., Trinity Retail Solutions Inc. and Abraham Flores, who worked for Trinity Retail Solutions Inc. 

The petition states that on April 10, 2024, Sharp was working at the Lowe’s store at 5301 Sherwood Way while retrieving an item for an online order. She claims a metal beam from a rack that had been reset in the previous days or week fell and hit her in the face, causing severe injuries to her eye and face that led to partial blindness in her left eye. 

Sharp alleges she suffered a traumatic brain injury, loss of vision in the left eye, nausea, headaches, swelling and bruising around the left eye, and bruising to her left shoulder and bicep. She seeks compensation for past and future physical pain, mental anguish, physical impairment, disfigurement, loss of wage-earning capacity and medical expenses. 

The petition claims ECMD Inc., Trinity Retail Solutions Inc. and Flores failed to properly install the shelving, failed to properly train and supervise personnel, and failed to inspect the components and shelving after installation to ensure it met manufacturer specifications. It further alleges liability against Trinity for the actions of Flores and other agents, negligent hiring, training, supervision and retention by Trinity.

ECMD Inc., a North Carolina corporation based in North Wilkesboro, has filed an answer. Trinity Retail Solutions Inc., a Delaware corporation based in Memphis, Tennessee, and Flores, of Brownsville, have also answered. Flores was served Sept. 5, 2025. 

In their answers, filed by attorney Tiffany Walker-Killip of Brothers, Alvarado, Piazza & Cozort, P.C., Trinity and Flores entered a general denial and raised affirmative defenses including comparative responsibility by the plaintiff and third parties, no negligence per se, a new independent or superseding cause, no vicarious liability, limitations on medical expense recovery, settlement credits and contribution rights, and challenges to any exemplary damages. 

A pre-trial hearing is set for 9 a.m. June 28, 2027, before Judge Carmen Dusek. A jury trial is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. July 12, 2027, also before Judge Dusek.