If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident in Columbia, South Carolina, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Property owners in South Carolina have a legal duty under premises liability laws to maintain their property in a safe condition and to warn visitors about known hazards. When they fail in this responsibility, victims can pursue legal action to recover damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Slip and fall cases can be complex and require proving negligence and liability. Hiring the Law Office of Joshua P. Golson can help protect your rights and maximize your recovery.
What Is a Slip and Fall Accident?
A slip and fall accident occurs when a person slips, trips, or falls on someone else’s property due to dangerous conditions or hazards. These accidents often happen suddenly and unexpectedly but can lead to serious injuries with long-term impact.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries
Fall accidents occur for various reasons. However, when they occur on someone else’s property, they can often be attributed to dangerous conditions and owner negligence. When people think of slip-and-fall accidents, they immediately think of wet floors. If a property owner or manager fails to warn individuals of wet surfaces, they could be liable for their injuries. Although wet floors are often the source of slip and fall injuries, other causes may include:
Wet or Uneven Surfaces
Slippery floors due to spills, wet weather, or ice are among the most common causes of slip and fall accidents. Uneven or cracked surfaces such as broken sidewalks, loose floor tiles, or broken steps also significantly increase the risk of falls.
Inadequate Lighting or Signage
Poor lighting can obscure hazards, making it difficult to see obstacles or unsafe conditions. Inadequate or missing warning signs for wet floors or other dangers can lead to accidents if visitors are not properly alerted.
Unsafe Conditions on Commercial or Public Property
Hazards on commercial or public properties might include cluttered walkways, torn carpets or rugs, missing handrails on staircases, or lack of maintenance like untreated black ice. These environments commonly contribute to slip and fall injuries.
Where Do Slip and Fall Accidents Commonly Occur?
Slip and fall accidents frequently occur in:
- Retail stores and shopping malls
- Restaurants and bars
- Office buildings and commercial properties
- Apartment complexes and residential properties
- Public sidewalks and parking lots
- Stairways and entrances
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Slip and Fall Case?
Liability may extend to property owners, landlords, tenants responsible for maintenance, business managers, or other entities controlling the premises where the accident occurred.
Proving Liability in a Slip and Fall Case
To successfully prove liability in a South Carolina slip and fall case, the injured victim (plaintiff) must establish:
- The property owner owed a duty of care to maintain a safe environment.
- The owner breached this duty by failing to repair or warn about dangerous conditions.
- This breach directly caused the plaintiff's injuries.
- The plaintiff suffered damages as a result.
Evidence commonly includes photographs or videos of the hazard, eyewitness accounts, medical records, and documentation of the property owner’s negligence, such as prior complaints or maintenance logs.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
If you have experienced a fall injury on another person’s property, there are several steps to take immediately after your injury.
Documenting the Scene and Injuries
Immediately after an accident, take photos and videos of the hazardous condition and the area where you fell. Collect contact information from any witnesses. Reporting the injury to the property owner or manager and requesting an incident report is critical.
Seeking Medical Attention and Legal Advice
Even if injuries seem minor, seek medical evaluation promptly as some injuries (like traumatic brain injuries) may not be immediately apparent. Contact a Columbia slip and fall lawyer early to protect your legal rights and begin documenting your claim.
South Carolina Premises Liability Laws
In South Carolina, property owners have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition and to warn visitors of any known hazards. When they fail to uphold this responsibility, and someone is injured as a result, the injured party may be entitled to pursue a premises liability claim for compensation. This includes injuries from slip and fall accidents caused by negligence such as wet floors, broken steps, poor lighting, and other unsafe conditions.
The law emphasizes reasonable care, requiring property owners to regularly inspect their premises and address or warn about dangers. Liability arises if the owner knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to act, leading directly to the injury.
Because premises liability cases can be complex, victims should consult experienced attorneys who can help establish negligence and navigate the claim process.
How Long Do You Have to File a Slip and Fall Claim in South Carolina?
South Carolina law sets a three-year statute of limitations for filing slip and fall and other premises liability claims. This means injured individuals have three years from the date of the accident to initiate legal action.
While three years may feel like plenty of time, it can pass quickly. Delays can result in lost or weakened evidence—such as faded memories, unavailable witnesses, or changed conditions—which can significantly diminish your chances of success.
If you or a family member has been injured in a slip and fall accident, contacting a dedicated premises liability lawyer early ensures your claim is filed within the legal deadline and that your rights are fully protected. Your attorney can guide you through gathering evidence, filing paperwork, and advocating for fair compensation.
Compensation You May Be Eligible to Recover
Slip and fall victims can seek both economic and non-economic damages:
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Economic Damages |
Non-Economic Damages |
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For fall accident victims who have suffered catastrophic injuries, such as spinal cord or head injuries, they may most likely require ongoing skilled nursing care. Ongoing care can quickly become cost-prohibitive for families as they struggle to pay mounting medical bills.
Challenges in Slip and Fall Lawsuits
Slip and fall claims often face challenges such as insurance companies disputing liability, asserting the hazard was open and obvious, or alleging the victim’s comparative negligence. Experienced lawyers know how to counter these defenses effectively.
How a Columbia Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help
A skilled attorney will:
- Investigate the accident thoroughly
- Gather medical and accident evidence
- Handle communications and negotiations with insurance companies
- Develop compelling legal strategies to prove negligence
- Advocate for maximum compensation through settlement or trial
Why Choose The Law Office of Joshua P. Golson?
The Law Office of Joshua P. Golson is passionately committed to helping those who have suffered personal injuries in fall cases. We recognize this can be one of the most overwhelming experiences you may ever have to deal with, and we are committed to helping you seek the justice you deserve.
Unlike other law firms that treat their clients like numbers, our legal team is committed to building long-lasting attorney-client relationships. We take pride in our true care for our clients and treat each individual and their families with the respect and integrity they deserve.
The Law Office of Joshua P. Golson is dedicated to helping slip and fall victims in Columbia obtain justice. We build strong client relationships, conduct independent investigations—including obtaining surveillance footage and eyewitness testimony—and vigorously pursue fair settlements or verdicts.
Free Consultation for Columbia Slip and Fall Cases
If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident caused by a property owner’s negligence, you need a law firm that will stand up for your rights and is fearless about standing up to insurance companies.
Our experienced Columbia slip and fall attorneys will work diligently to ensure you recover a fair settlement that will hold the negligent party accountable and give you the peace of mind you deserve.
Contact the Law Office of Joshua P. Golson today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Learn about your rights and how we can assist you in recovering the compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Claims
What is the average payout for a slip and fall?
Settlement amounts vary widely depending on injury severity, liability, and damages. There is no fixed average, but compensation covers medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What is the minimum compensation for slip and fall?
There is no set minimum; compensation depends on the case specifics and proven damages.
How to claim compensation for slips and falls?
Report the injury, seek medical care, gather evidence, and consult an experienced attorney who can file a premises liability claim on your behalf.
What is an example of a personal injury accident?
A slip and fall injury caused by a wet floor in a grocery store is a common example of a personal injury accident.
What is covered under a personal injury claim?
Medical costs, lost income, disability, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from a personal injury caused by an accident.
What is considered an accidental injury?
An injury caused unintentionally by an external force or hazardous condition, such as slipping on ice or tripping over uneven flooring.
