South Carolina premises liability attorneys representing victims in premises liability cases across the state including Columbia, Lexington, Richland County, and neighboring areas.
The number of Americans harmed in slip and fall accidents might be surprising. Broken hips, fractured pelvises, and traumatic head injuries are not uncommon. Each year, over 8 million emergency room visits are prompted by falls in the workplace, public venues, and private residences, with at least five percent of victims suffering fractures.
In South Carolina, slip and fall injuries are among the top causes of serious personal injury following motor vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, many of these mishaps are preventable; often caused by negligent property owners who overlook the safety of their guests just to save a few dollars on maintenance costs.
If you have been harmed due to the negligence of the property owner or manager on whose premises the injury occurred, you may be eligible for compensation by filing a successful premises liability lawsuit here in South Carolina. We all know that “accidents” sometimes happen, but if your injuries can be linked to inadequate security or careless maintenance, the negligent party may be legally responsible for the medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, disfigurement, emotional distress and/or permanent physical disability you have endured.
Serving South Carolina residents for years, the skilled personal injury attorneys at The Jeffcoat Firm can help you recoup losses that you may have suffered through no fault of your own.
What Is a Slip and Fall Accident and How Can a Premises Liability Lawyer Help?
Visitors or tenants on another party’s property can experience accidents through no fault of their own if the owner or manager fails to execute the “duty of care” that he or she owes to those visiting or residing there. Such accidents can occur when responsible parties do not provide adequate security or maintain the property in such a way that a slip and fall injury can occur through slips or falls, criminal activity, or other means.
In order to prevail in a premises liability lawsuit in South Carolina, an injured person must prove that the property owner:
- Owed a duty of care to the injured person;
- The property owner was negligent or reckless by doing something, or failing to do something; (usually, this means that the property owner: (a) failed to maintain the property; or (b) created an unsafe condition on the property; or (c) knew about the hazard, but failed to alert the injured person; or (d) was careless about an unsafe condition which might attract young children; or (e) caused or allowed conditions to cause damage to a neighboring property);
- The property owner’s action or inaction helped to cause the slip and fall injury; and;
- The guest or patron was hurt as a result.
In order to win before a jury or secure a favorable settlement, these claims often hinge on whether or not the defendant acted “reasonably.” In other words, could the owner have installed a simple handrail or warning sign to prevent patrons from slipping on a wet floor?
Even in accidents that were partially caused by your own carelessness or inattention, property owners may still be at fault if routine maintenance and safety measures were ignored.
When a personal injury attorney from The Jeffcoat Firm represents you, we conduct a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding your fall. We interview witnesses, subpoena maintenance records and gather pertinent evidence that will point to any negligence on behalf of the property owner. If we determine that resolution is possible without going to court, we’ll work tirelessly to negotiate a fair settlement that sufficiently compensates for the pain, suffering, and financial burdens your family has sustained. If we are unable to reach an agreement, we will be prepared to take your slip-and-fall case to trial.
South Carolina Slip and Fall Injury Claims
If you or a family member is considering filing a slip and fall case, The Michael Jeffcoat Law Firm has the knowledge, talent, and experience to investigate your case and secure fair compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, physical therapy, lost income, and emotional trauma.
Located in Lexington and convenient to neighboring Richland County, our team is well-versed in premises liability law, which stipulates that property owners are legally obliged to keep their business or venue safe for patrons and guests and advise them of any dangerous conditions. When a property owner or business proprietor fails to use reasonable care in ensuring their building or property is free of hazards and injury results, she may be sued for damages in a premises liability lawsuit.
We represent victims who have been harmed through any number of property hazards, including:
- Slick pavement
- Uneven or cracked sidewalks
- Wet floors
- Dim lighting
- Steep ramps
- Torn carpets
- Defective elevators
- Broken stairs
- Loose handrails
- Puddles or slick entrances
- Obstructed views
- Unsecured manholes
- Badly maintained walkways
- Uneven floors
How Can a Slip and Fall Lawyer Help Determine Liability?
Determining liability in such cases can be complicated. For example, an owner of a store, theater, or nightclub is not automatically responsible for a shooting that takes place on his or her property. In Bass v. Gopal, Inc., however, the South Carolina Supreme Court did rule that if there is a foreseeable risk of such a crime taking place and the property owners did nothing to address that risk, they may be held liable in court.
South Carolina also recognizes various levels of care owed to different kinds of parties. The duty of care owed to a minor child on a property differs from that owed to a trespasser, an invitee, or a licensee. Such distinctions can make a significant difference in court; for a plaintiff in a premises liability case, they call for representation that is cognizant of the legal minutiae involved.
The outcome of cases, or whether they even make it to trial, can also depend on whether a plaintiff is understood to have assumed the risk of injury by engaging in certain activities. For instance, a slip and fall case involving an unmarked slick floor in a place of business will be handled differently from a similar fall injury that occurred at a pool, where slippery and wet surfaces are a risk that the visitor should assume.
If you live in Lexington, Columbia, or anywhere in Richland County and were injured on someone else’s property, you are encouraged to consult a slip and fall attorney from The Jeffcoat Firm to help you determine whether you have a viable case for compensation.
Negligent Security That Lead To Slip and Fall Accidents
The following are some examples in which the duty of care is breached by property owners, making accidents much more likely to occur:
- Slippery or uneven surfaces or other factors that are not adequately marked can result in slip and fall accidents for which an owner may be responsible.
- Exposure to toxic or hazardous substances such as lead or mold in an apartment or
- Failure to run a background check on an employee working in a hotel with a criminal record who later assaults a guest.
- Inadequate security at entrances of residences or in public places that facilitate criminal activity.
- Failure to secure an animal known to be vicious which then bites or otherwise harms another party.
- Inadequate lighting or visibility that leads to an assault or accident.
Typical properties include apartment buildings, motels, malls, shopping centers, parking garages, parking lots, hospitals, schools, convenience stores, ATMs, banks, bus companies, cruise lines, retail stores, and other commercial establishments.
Recovering Compensation for Catastrophic Slip and Fall Injuries
State law requires personal injury actions in South Carolina to be filed within a certain time frame, known as the statute of limitations. For this reason, it’s essential to act swiftly following this type of accident. A skilled lawyer can accurately evaluate your situation and determine eligibility for pursuing legal action, as well as the potential recovery of your claim.
Some of the most common injuries sustained in slip and falls can completely undermine your financial and emotional well-being, with some victims left permanently disabled. The ramifications of a traumatic brain injury, torn ACL, broken hip or herniated disc are ongoing in nature, possibly limiting your ability to earn a living, receive proper medical care and provide for your loved ones.
Contact Our Trusted Columbia Premises Liability Lawyers
Your choice of the right personal injury lawyer is very important in a premises liability or negligent security case in SC. Based out of Lexington, The personal injury lawyers of The Jeffcoat Firm advocates for victims throughout Richland County, including Columbia and the greater upstate region.
Mr. Jeffcoat has grown his thriving law practice by providing competent representation to his injured clients, who are treated with the compassion and respect they deserve. If you have been harmed due to a property owner’s negligence, we invite you to contact our office for a free and confidential consultation.
We can help you recover losses including those related to medical expenses, lost wages or earning potential, plus pain and suffering. As always, the amount of compensation will vary depending on the nature of the injury and the circumstances surrounding an incident, but we will make sure that you recover maximum damages under the law. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact us to set up a free consultation and we will respond right away.
“YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU DO TODAY”
Don’t let them mistreat you or your loved ones.
We are here to help you and answer your questions.
South Carolina Injury Attorney Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We appreciate all The Jeffcoat Firm has done to help us. Everyone is very helpful and friendly. I have talked to Thomas and Jessica. They are very helpful. Jessica checks on us. If I need anything I can call her. She is very sweet. If you need anything call The Jeffcoat Firm. They are very understanding and helpful. I’m glad they are helping us. – Ronnie and Gail K.
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