A banana peel has long been associated with pratfalls to get a laugh in movies and cartoons. However, there is nothing funny about someone falling and hurting themselves in real life. According to data collected by the National Floor Safety Institute, over 8 million people are sent to an emergency room because of a fall. Those falls can lead to minor bruises or, in extreme cases, paralysis or worse. If negligence is a factor in your fall accident, it is important to discuss what happened with a qualified Columbia slip and fall accident lawyer.
At The Solomon Law Group, LLC, we have years of experience helping clients recover expenses for medical bills and lost wages as the result of a slip and fall accident. The success of those cases depends on gathering the right evidence and testimony. These types of claims can be complex because, unlike a car accident where someone is speeding, a property owner rarely is intentionally negligent. However, their remorse for the situation does not absolve them from compensating the accident victim.
Lawsuits like these can be very complicated to pursue. It often takes an experienced premises Columbia slip and fall accident attorney to determine if there is a legal case arising out of the incident that caused the injuries.
Categorizing Falls
The Solomon Law Group, LLC provides a free case evaluation to determine the scope of every slip and fall accident. That evaluation begins with a consideration of which of the following three categories an accident belongs to:
The Victim’s Carelessness
If someone fell because of their own carelessness and there is no evidence that the property owner was negligent, that person’s health insurance would probably cover the costs of their medical bills. However, there might not be a case to pursue as a personal injury lawsuit. In other words, sometimes a fall happens without a wet floor.
A Property Owner’s Negligence
On the other hand, if a business owner or their staff created a situation where negligence occurred that triggered an accident, there might be a reason to pursue a premises liability case. In those scenarios, your Columbia slip and fall accident lawyer could help you find a remedy for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and any other damages.
A Work-Related Injury
The recourse for a work-related injury is to file a workers’ compensation claim. Of course, being injured on the job and filing that compensation is no guarantee of payment. If the workers’ comp insurer denied your claim, we might be able to assist you in appealing that decision.
Hazards That Cause Slips and Falls in South Carolina
Slip and fall injuries can result after any type of falling accident, but some hazards are more known to result in serious injuries than others. Here are just a few examples of property hazards that lead to injuries:
- Cracked or uneven sidewalks or walking areas
- Slick pavement from rain, ice, or snow
- Poorly maintained walkways, parking lots, or stairwells
- A lack of required safety features such as handrails or non-slip walking surfaces
- Poor lighting
- Obstructed views
- Torn carpeting
- Broken gutters
- Poorly-stacked merchandise inside of a store that may fall and cause injury
- Ramps that are too steep
- Defective elevators
- Unsecured manholes
- Wet floors caused by spills that are not properly cleaned up
Who Is Responsible for You Getting Hurt?
In the majority of car accidents, it is easy to assign blame. When a driver breaks the traffic laws, they may be completely at fault. A slip and fall accident is a bit more complicated. First consider the type of properties that have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for everyone who is invited onto the premises to do business. Some of those properties include the following:
- Hotels and resorts
- Supermarkets, shopping centers and other retail businesses
- Restaurants and bars
- Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
- Parking lots and sidewalks
- Government buildings
- Public transportation stations
The at-fault parties that could be named in a slip and fall lawsuit begin with the owner of the building. Even if that owner is renting out the property, they have a duty to ensure the person or entity they are renting to is responsible.
Owners are not always on the property. However, they will always designate a manager or supervisor who is responsible for keeping the environment safe for customers. That includes providing warnings for known hazards. For instance, if there is a spill in a grocery store aisle, there should be a warning sign placed on both ends of that spill until it is completely cleaned.
Homeowners also owe a duty of care to visitors to their homes but not at the same level as a business. However, if a visitor is injured in an unsafe area of the home that the homeowner is aware of, that homeowner could be held liable for damages. For instance, a homeowner could know their sidewalks are covered by ice. If they don’t warn a visitor or clear the ice and someone falls, that homeowner was acting negligently.
Sorting out liability for incidents like these can be challenging, which is why you need to get a Columbia slip and fall attorney involved to evaluate your case as soon as possible after it occurs. Contact us at The Solomon Law Group, LLC to discuss your case now.
Finding a Columbia Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Who’s Right for You
Hiring an experienced slip and fall injury attorney who understands premises liability may make the difference between being fully compensated for injuries that were not your fault and not being compensated at all. The Solomon Law Group, LLC evaluates and handles serious injury cases arising from incidents like slip and fall accidents, and we have the expertise your claim needs.
We can handle your case knowledgeably and compassionately. If you’d like to learn more contact us online. We’re standing by to hear what happened to you so our Columbia slip and fall accident lawyer can advise you on your legal options.