Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
- Wet or recently mopped floors without adequate warning signage.
- Spilled liquids and debris left unattended for long periods.
- Uneven flooring, sidewalks, and walkways, including cracked pavement, raised transitions between flooring types, and deteriorated surfaces.
- Poor lighting in stairwells, parking lots, hallways, and walkways
- Broken or missing handrails on stairs and ramps.
- Torn or worn carpeting and floor mats.
Common Injuries in Slip and Fall Accidents
- Head injuries
- Spinal and Back Injuries
- Fractures
- Soft tissue injurie
- Bruised or fracture tailbones and pelvic injuries
- Sprains and tears to knee ligaments and tendons
Who Is Liable for a Slip and Fall Accident?
- Property owners are primarily responsible for maintaining their property in a reasonably safe condition for visitors.
- Businesses that invite customers onto their premises, including stores, restaurants, and grocery stores.
- Tenants and leaseholders may be liable for conditions within the portion of a property they control.
- Property management and maintenance companies that are contractually responsible for inspecting and maintaining a property.
- Third-party contractors performing work on a property.
- Grocery stores
- Big-box retail store
- Apartment complexe
- Parking lots
- Restaurants
- Entertainment venues
Damages You Can Recover After a Slip and Fall
- Medical costs cover all expenses related to treating the injuries sustained in the fall, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, prescription medication, and any future medical care made necessary by the injuries.
- Lost wages compensate for income missed during recovery.
- Non-economic damages compensate for losses that cannot be quantified, including pain and suffering, permanent disability or disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Charleston
- Step 1: Seek medical attention.
- Step 2: Document the area where you fell.
- Step 3: Collect witness information.
- Step 4: Report the incident.
- Step 5: Avoid making statements about fault.
- Step 6: Contact a slip and fall accident attorney.
Proven Results in Charleston Slip-and-Fall Cases
Get Help After a Slip and Fall Injury in Charleston
At Hughey Law Firm, our Charleston slip and fall attorneys have seen firsthand the serious injuries that can result from these accidents. We know how to pursue the full compensation our clients deserve as efficiently as possible. We handle insurance claims and premises liability lawsuits and manage every aspect of your legal claim, from investigation to resolution.
Call (843) 881-8644 for a free consultation, fill out our contact form, or use live chat to speak with our team now. We represent families throughout Charleston, the Lowcountry, and across South Carolina.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Hiring a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertisements. Ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience before you decide. The Hughey Law Firm is located in Charleston, South Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average settlement amount for a slip-and-fall claim?
There is no set value. Compensation depends on the severity of the injuries, the necessary medical treatment, time missed from work, and the long-term impact on the victim’s life. An attorney can evaluate your case’s specific facts to provide a realistic assessment.
Are there time limits on filing a slip-and-fall claim in South Carolina?
Yes. In most cases, South Carolina’s statute of limitations for slip-and-fall claims is three years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline generally eliminates your right to pursue compensation, so it is important to contact an attorney promptly.
What must I prove to win a slip-and-fall claim?
You must show that a hazardous condition existed, that the property owner or business knew or should have known about it, and that they failed to address or adequately warn you about it in a timely manner. Establishing how long the hazard existed before your fall often becomes the central issue in these cases.
Who can be held liable for a slip-and-fall accident?
Depending on who was responsible for the condition that caused the fall, liability may fall on the property owner, a business owner, a tenant, a property management company, or a maintenance contractor. An experienced attorney can identify all potentially liable parties in your specific situation.
How long does it take to settle a Charleston slip-and-fall claim?
Settlement timelines vary based on the severity of the injuries, the complexity of the liability investigation, and how much negotiation is required. Cases involving serious injuries often take longer because your attorney may recommend waiting until your medical prognosis is clear before finalizing a claim.
Who pays my medical bills after a Charleston slip-and-fall accident?
In the immediate aftermath, your health insurance or the property’s medical payments coverage may cover initial treatment. Ultimately, if the property owner or business is found liable for your injuries, their insurance carrier is responsible for reimbursing your medical expenses as part of your settlement or verdict.
The insurance company has already offered me a settlement. Do I need a lawyer to review it?
Yes. Initial settlement offers from insurance companies are often lower than a claim’s actual value, especially before the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs is known. An attorney can evaluate whether an offer reflects the true value of your claim before you accept it.
What should I do to protect myself after a Charleston slip and fall accident?
You suffered injuries in a Charleston slip and fall accident. What next? The steps you take in the immediate aftermath of a slip and fall accident can go a long way toward providing both physical and financial protection following your injury.
Report your injury to the premises owner. If you suffered injuries at a business, the business may have a specific procedure it needs to go through to create a record of the accident. The record will serve as evidence of when the accident took place, which can later make it easy for you to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim.
Create your own record of the accident. As soon as possible after your accident, take the time to sit down and create a record of the accident. You may want to take photos of the accident scene, including any clear signs of what led to your fall. If, for example, you suffered injuries when the stairs down to the beach collapsed beneath you, you might want to snap photos of the stairs. Ask for contact information from any witnesses to the accident.
As soon as you can, write down or record your account of what happened. Your memory may prove clearer in the immediate aftermath of the accident, which can make it easier for you to create an accurate view of exactly what led to your accident and your injuries.
Seek medical attention. Charleston offers several opportunities to seek medical attention, including MEDcare Urgent Care, Health First Urgent Care, and Access Urgent as well as Roper Hospital, MUSC Health University Medical Center, and a Children’s Hospital, where children can receive treatment for serious injuries. If you feel any pain or see any sign of injury after a fall, or if you have underlying health conditions that could make a fall more dangerous to you, always seek medical attention immediately.
Your doctor may uncover injuries that you did not even recognize in the immediate aftermath of the accident, including injuries like broken bones or even traumatic brain injury. Failure to seek treatment for those injuries could worsen your symptoms and leave you with more severe long-term impacts than you initially anticipated.
Contact an attorney. Do not try to handle a Charleston slip and fall accident claim on your own. Instead, get in touch with an experienced Charleston premises liability attorney. An attorney can help you decide on your next steps, give you vital advice, and make it easier for you to recover the compensation you deserve.
Can I file a slip-and-fall claim against a private homeowner in Charleston?
Yes. Homeowners owe a duty of care to visitors on their property. If a dangerous condition on a residential property caused your fall, you may be able to pursue a claim against the homeowner through their insurance policy.
Where do slip-and-fall accidents occur most frequently in Charleston?
They commonly occur in grocery stores, big-box retail stores, restaurants, apartment complexes, and parking lots, where wet floors, cluttered aisles, poor lighting, and uneven surfaces are common hazards.