From the moment we take our first steps, we are at risk of slipping and falling. It is hard to imagine any kid growing up without taking several dozen tumbles. However, most of those injuries result in only minor scrapes and bruises. As we grow older, a fall can be more painful and cause more serious injuries. According to the National Safety Council, more than 6.9 million people took a trip to U.S. emergency rooms in 2021 because of fall-related injuries.
If your injury is due to negligence, you’ll want to seek out the assistance of a qualified Florence slip and fall lawyer to help with the claims process. A fall that occurs at a business, government building, or private residence can be considered a premises liability issue, and The Solomon Law Group, LLC can help with that situation.
Beginning with an initial consultation, we can help you determine if someone else’s negligence is to blame for what happened to you, identify all responsible parties, and help you take legal action, if warranted. So, if you want to better understand your rights, call our firm to speak with a Florence slip and fall attorney now.
Common Hazards That Lead to Slips and Falls in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina
A whole host of dangerous property situations can lead to injury incidents that may warrant a victim contacting a Florence slip and fall attorney, including:
Wet Floors
These can include spills at the self-serve drink preparation station or in an aisle at the grocery store, rain tracked into an office building lobby after a storm, grease that accumulates on a restaurant kitchen’s floor, etc. Dry products such as sawdust, hay, and dirt can also be hazardous, causing individuals to unexpectedly lose their footing.
Waxed Floors
Newly waxed floors look great but can also be a potential slip hazard. This is an example of where temporary warning signs should be posted.
Trash
Any scattered trash or debris from repairs, remodeling, or general garbage can be considered a fall hazard. Electric cords running across the floor can additionally pose tripping and fall risks.
Damaged Walkways
Floors and steps can include rotten wood or broken rails, which can leave users more vulnerable to slips and falls. Additionally, cracked sidewalks, potholes in parking lots, broken tiles, or loose carpeting can pose a danger to anyone navigating them.
Do You Have a Pursuable Case?
You slipped and fell. Your injuries are real. The issue then becomes, do you have a valid legal claim? The property line around where your slip and fall incident occurred determines who owns that space. That person or entity can be held at fault under South Carolina premises liability laws even if they weren’t on the property when your accident occurred.
Before liability can be established, your Florence slip and fall attorney needs to establish what type of classification you fall under as it relates to crossing those property lines. Here are the four potential classifications generally applicable in these cases:
Invitees
An invitee is a person who enters a property with the intention of potentially benefiting the owner of the property. Essentially, invitees are customers, whether ones of a restaurant, retail store, theater, nightclub, concert venue, or any other type of property where the general public is invited to come.
In addition to business invitees, there are also public invitees. The latter are people who are invited to public spaces such as parks, bike trails, and any outdoor space maintained by a government entity.
These property owners have the greatest duty of care to provide a safe environment for those who venture onto their land and into their buildings. Those owners must warn invitees of any hidden dangers that they already know about or reasonably should be aware of. For instance, if it rains, customers will track water into a store, making the floors slippery. The owner (or their representatives) should know this will happen and take steps to mitigate the hazard.
Licensees
A licensee has the consent of the owner of the premises to enter that property. This is another form of social guest, such as someone you invite to your home for a dinner party. A South Carolina property owner, in this instance, is obligated to warn the visitors about potential hazards they know about. However, they don’t have to inspect their property every time there is a visitor.
For instance, if a homeowner knows a front porch step is wobbly, they should warn their visitor to be careful. However, if they don’t know about the step, there is nothing to notify them of.
Trespassers
A trespasser is someone who enters the property without permission. If it’s believed that you were trespassing at the time you suffered harm, it’s best to consult with a Florence slip and fall lawyer to confirm whether that was the case under South Carolina law. If they find that you were, you likely won’t have any legal recourse available to you if you were the victim of a fall accident. In a situation like that, it also means an owner can’t cause intentional harm, like setting a trap.
Now, child trespassers are often seen a bit differently under South Carolina law. If a child is injured by falling into a pool or getting cut on rusty scrap metal in a backyard, for example, the homeowner could be held liable for the injury even if the child contributed to causing their own injuries by sneaking onto the property without permission.
Get Legal Advice from a Florence Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you have become the victim of a slip and fall accident, The Solomon Law Group, LLC is standing by, ready to advise you on the best course of action to take if you’ve suffered injuries.
We want to hear what happened, more about the extent of your injuries and what you’re dealing with. Our support begins with a free evaluation of your case. Call our offices to schedule that consultation with a Florence slip and fall lawyer today. We’re ready to listen.
