Also, one other thing I noted. When I was carrying this 11-pound bag by the handles, it's only about 8 - 10 inches above the ground. Probably would be less if a shorter person is carrying it.
Now, if the bag broke when she lifted it to the counter at home, well, that's one thing. But since the damage was limited to her right foot (and we can assume she was right-handed), I think it broke when she was carrying it. (Otherwise, they would have fallen everywhere.)
Ligament damage and broken bones from an 8 inch drop? Fishy.
Cool! I love a good experiment. Thanks !
As for the "lifting it to the counter" aspect, there may be something to that. There is a big difference between holding (steady state) stress, and moving (acceleration) stress.
I once had a physics professor who absolutely ruined some lawyer's big payday by proving in court that jerking the chain on a chain hoist instead of steadily pulling (as the manual strongly cautioned) multiplied stresses several times.