The leading cause of serious accidental injury deaths isn’t car accidents: it’s falls. At Gil Gatch Law, our compassionate injury attorneys in Summerville do not take a dismissive approach to fall-related injuries. We know that even minor spills can have a profound impact on lives. Our South Carolina personal injury experts can guide you through the process of holding negligent property owners responsible for slip-and-fall incidents.
Common Causes of Dangerous Slip & Fall Accidents in Dorchester County
Slip-and-fall accidents should not be taken lightly. They often occur when wet or oily substances are present on low-friction floors (such as tile, vinyl, marble, granite, and polished wood). The most common slippery floor conditions our dedicated personal injury attorneys see in Summerville include:
- Liquid soap in public bathrooms
- Leaking water from produce refrigerators at Publix or Harris Teeter
- Cooking oil at fast-food chains such as Chick-fil-A or Checkers
- Rainwater in shopping centers
- Fruits and cooked vegetables in school cafeterias
- Coffee and tea in workplace breakrooms
- Bodily fluids in hospitals and medical offices
If you were lawfully present on the property when the slip-and-fall accident occurred, you may be entitled to demand damages from the property insurer.
Serious Falling Injuries in South Carolina
When you slip, it often results in sudden backward momentum. This frequently prevents slip-and-fall victims from catching themselves, resulting in severe traumatic brain, neck, and spinal cord injuries. Our Summerville personal injury attorneys also help claimants recover compensation for broken hips, limb fractures, and shoulder dislocations. The higher the fall, such as slipping down marble stairs or off a ladder, the more severe the damage.
Filing South Carolina Premises Liability Claims
Slipping accidents can support premises liability claims against the property owner and insurer if you were lawfully present on the property and the owner breached their duty of care. The specific duty of care applicable in South Carolina slip-and-fall cases depends on the purpose of your visit:
Invitees
If the property owner invited you to the premises for personal or business reasons, the owner has an affirmative duty to inspect and make the property safe for you. This includes periodically checking for hazards, cleaning up spills, and marking off hazardous areas. Shoppers and diners are generally considered business invitees in Summerville.
Licensees
Licensees are individuals permitted on the property but without a specific invitation or business purpose. Examples include delivery persons or individuals running into the Chick-fil-A to use the restroom. Party guests invited by other guests, not by the homeowner, are generally considered licensees. In such cases, the property owner must warn you of potential hidden dangers.
Trespassers
If you’re not lawfully present on the property or in a particular space, you cannot generally recover slip-and-fall damages in South Carolina. You’re considered a trespasser even if you weren’t aware you were trespassing. Notable exceptions may apply for young children and willful injuries, so it’s always important to speak with our premises liability attorneys in such cases.
Experienced Slip-and-Fall Injury Attorneys
At Gil Gatch Law, our experienced Summerville property owner liability lawyers can help slip-and-fall victims recover damages for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Get help filing a property insurance claim and holding negligent property owners accountable without any upfront legal fees or out-of-pocket costs. Contact our experienced SC slip-and-fall accident team online or call (843) 800-2020 today.