Slip and Fall Accident

Janitor mopping floors in an office with a "CAUTION - WET FLOOR" sign

Florence and Myrtle Beach Slip and Fall Accident Attorney

Slip and fall accidents can happen nearly anywhere from a sidewalk to a retail store. Under South Carolina law, property owners have a duty to keep their properties reasonably safe for their guests and customers. When property owners fail to keep their properties reasonably safe, they are financially liable for injuries caused by a slip and fall accident. Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common types of premises liability cases.

Consult with a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or your loved one have been injured in a slip and fall injury, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side. Slip and fall accidents can cause life-altering injuries that require ongoing medical care. You may be entitled to compensation through a premises liability lawsuit. The lawyers at Willcox, Buyck & Williams, PA, have helped many Florence- and Myrtle Beach-area clients obtain the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation. 

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

At Willcox, Buyck & Williams, PA, we have successfully represented clients in various types of slip and fall accidents. Slip and fall accidents can happen to anyone, and they can cause a wide variety of injuries, from bruising to serious head injuries. Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents are as follows:

  • Uneven pavement, flooring, or surfaces without warning signs
  • Loose mats, rugs, and flooring
  • Loose floorboards on stairs
  • Recently polished or waxed floors
  • Failure to use barriers to close off wet flooring
  • Failure to use non-skid floor treatments when necessary
  • Broken, bulging, or worn carpet
  • Unsalted icy sidewalks and steps
  • Liquid spills that haven’t been cleaned up
  • Potholes in commercial parking lots
  • Spilled oil or grease that hasn’t been cleaned up
  • Debris or trash on the floor
  • Failure to use proper lighting
  • Failure to remove obstacles from pathways
  • Unsafe staircases

Injuries Caused in Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common reasons Americans visit the emergency room. In a slip and fall accident, a victim’s body suffers a hard impact on the floor. In some cases, the victim will knock his or her head on a shelf or piece of furniture during the fall, causing additional injuries. Anytime a person is involved in a slip and fall accident, there’s a potential that they could experience a head injury.

If you’ve been in a slip-and-fall accident, it’s crucial to undergo a thorough physical examination. Even if you feel like you haven’t been injured, the shock of the accident could make it difficult for you to experience pain right after the accident. A medical professional will be able to give you a complete examination and determine the extent of your injuries, which may include the following:

Proving Negligence in a South Carolina Slip and Fall Accident

As a plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit, your lawyer will need to prove several factors through evidence gathered in the investigation. First, you will need to show that the property owner or manager had control over the premises when the accident occurred. You’ll need to show that the property owner owed you a duty of care to keep the property reasonably safe for visitors. 

If you were a visitor or customer to the property, the property owner owed you a duty of care. When it comes to businesses, all customers are considered invitees, and the business owner owes them a duty to keep their property reasonably safe from dangerous conditions. The same legal duty applies to homeowners to invite friends or family into their homes.

Next, you’ll need to show that the property owner’s negligence resulted in a dangerous condition. Dangerous conditions can include salty staircases, slippery flooring, debris, or any other factor that can cause people to slip and fall. You’ll need to show that the dangerous condition that causes you to slip and fall existed long enough that the property owner should have known about it and taken measures to resolve the problem. Finally, you’ll need to prove that you suffered injuries after slipping and falling because of the dangerous conditions.

Compensation Available

Under South Carolina law, victims of premises liability accidents are entitled to economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are easily quantifiable, such as hospital bills and property damage. Non-economic damages include the pain and suffering you’ve endured due to your slip and fall injuries. We will carefully review all of your medical expenses and work with experts to determine your future medical costs. 

After we estimate your economic damages, we will determine your non-economic damages. Our attorneys will advocate for you to receive the full amount of compensation you need so you can protect yourself and your family’s financial future. Under South Carolina law, slip and fall victims are entitled to the following types of damages:

  • All of the medical expenses related to your injury
  • Physical therapy and occupational therapy expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future income
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium
  • Punitive damages

Negotiating With the Insurance Company

Many slip-and-fall accidents occur on commercial property owned by a business. Suppose someone slips and falls at a grocery store on a pool of water. In that case, the grocery store likely has a commercial liability insurance policy. As the victim, you have a right to seek compensation through the commercial insurance policy. 

After we gather evidence proving your claim, we will contact the insurance company and begin the process of negotiating a favorable settlement agreement. Insurance companies are notorious for offering settlement agreements that are far too low. We will assertively negotiate on your behalf to secure the best agreement possible.

Contact Our Myrtle Beach & Florence, SC Slip and Fall Lawyer

Have you or your loved one been injured in a slip-and-fall accident? If so, you may be entitled to compensation. Our law firm has been representing South Carolina clients for over 100 years. In that time, you have developed an extensive network with other professionals who help us investigate our client’s cases. As we investigate your case and gather evidence, we will check in with you and communicate how your case progresses. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.

From law offices in Florence and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A. serves Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Garden City, the Grand Strand, and other communities throughout Florence County, Marion County, Horry County, Darlington County, and Georgetown County.