A slip and fall injury can happen in seconds, but the consequences can last months or years. Broken bones, torn ligaments, and traumatic brain injuries are common results. If you’ve been hurt in a fall on someone else’s property, a South Carolina slip and fall lawyer can help you get compensation.
South Carolina law requires property owners to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. When they fail, and you get hurt, you can pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Under S.C. Code § 15-3-530, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
Savage, Royall & Sheheen, LLP represents injured individuals by securing the facts required to hold negligent property owners accountable. We focus on the details of your case so you can manage your medical treatment and return to your daily life.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in South Carolina
Slip and fall accidents happen in grocery stores, restaurants, office buildings, parking lots, and apartment complexes across South Carolina. Common hazards include
- Liquid spills: Unattended leaks or spills in grocery aisles.
- Weather conditions: Accumulated rain or ice at building entrances that building staff failed to clear.
- Poor maintenance: Torn carpeting, loose floorboards, or broken stairs.
- Inadequate lighting: Dark hallways or parking lots that hide trip hazards.
- Structural defects: Steep or uneven curbs and sidewalks that violate local building codes.
Property owners who ignore these conditions may be held liable under South Carolina premises liability law.
What to Do After Slip and Fall Accidents in South Carolina
The steps you take immediately after a slip and fall injury directly affect the strength of your claim. Here is what you should do:
- Get medical attention right away. Even if your injuries feel minor, see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours.
- Report the incident. Notify the property owner, store manager, or landlord and ask them to create a written incident report. Request a copy for your records.
- Document the scene. Take photos and videos of where you fell, the hazard itself, any warning signs that were or were not present, and your visible injuries.
- Collect witness information. Get names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the accident.
- Preserve physical evidence. Do not wash or discard the clothes and shoes you wore. They may serve as evidence.
- Contact a slip and fall lawyer before speaking with insurance adjusters. Anything you say to an adjuster can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Let an experienced attorney handle those conversations.
How to Prove a Slip and Fall Accident in South Carolina
South Carolina premises liability claims require proof of four elements. We explore these below.
1. Duty of Care
South Carolina law recognizes invitees (customers and business visitors), licensees (social guests), and trespassers. Business owners owe invitees the highest duty, including a responsibility to inspect for hazards and correct or warn about dangerous conditions. Licensees are social guests, and the property owner must warn them of any known hidden dangers.
2. Breach of Duty
Breach of duty means the property owner either caused the hazard, knew about it and failed to fix it, or should have known about it through reasonable inspections. Proving constructive knowledge often requires showing that the hazard existed long enough that a responsible owner would have discovered it.
Surveillance camera footage is powerful evidence, but businesses frequently overwrite recordings within days. An attorney can send a spoliation letter to preserve that footage before it is erased.
3. Causation and Damages
Causation and damages require a direct link between the hazardous condition and your injuries. Medical records, imaging results, and physician testimony establish this connection.
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you were partially at fault for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing.
How a Camden Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help
A slip and fall injury claim can become complicated quickly. Property owners and their insurance carriers have legal teams focused on minimizing payouts. A Camden slip and fall lawyer from Savage, Royall & Sheheen, LLP protects your rights through the following actions:
- Gathering video evidence: Lawyers quickly request surveillance footage from local businesses before the owners delete or record over the files.
- Identifying code violations: Your attorney checks if the property meets South Carolina building codes and safety regulations.
- Interviewing witnesses: Legal teams track down people who saw the accident to get their official statements while their memories are fresh.
- Handling insurance adjusters: A lawyer speaks to the insurance company for you, so you do not accidentally say something that hurts your case.
- Proving owner knowledge: Your lawyer finds evidence to show the owner knew about the hazard but failed to fix it.
- Calculating total costs: Attorneys add up all your current and future medical bills, lost wages, and physical therapy costs.
- Negotiating settlements: A lawyer fights for a higher payout than the initial low offer usually sent by insurance companies.
- Representing you in court: If the insurance company refuses a fair settlement, your lawyer takes the case to court.
Contact Our Camden Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you are unsure what to do after a slip-and-fall accident, reach out to an experienced attorney immediately. The legal team at Savage, Royall & Sheheen, LLP understands the local courts and the specific nuances of South Carolina premises liability law.
Delaying your claim can result in the loss of evidence and the expiration of the statute of limitations. Protect your future by speaking with a legal professional today. Contact us at 803-432-4391 to request a free consultation.