Were You Injured in a Slip and Fall in Columbia, SC?

Crowds of shoppers and overworked retail employees can lead to disaster when dangerous conditions are left unaddressed. If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall in Columbia, SC this holiday season, you may be entitled to compensation.

What is Premises Liability?

A property owner is responsible for ensuring their building meets certain safety standards. If they fail to keep their property safe for visitors and guests and someone gets hurt, they could be liable for the accident. This is known as premises liability, which is a subcategory of personal injury law. Premises liability includes a wide array of incidents, but some of the most common conditions that can lead to injury include:

• Slippery floors
• Insufficient lighting
• Debris or other items left on the ground
• Uneven flooring
• Loose railings or handles
• Hanging or falling objects

If you are unsure whether your injury from your slip and fall in Columbia could qualify for such a claim in South Carolina, speaking with a premises liability attorney can help clarify the requirements. The likelihood of accidents, such as slip and falls, occurring in a busy retail or commercial environment can increase during the hectic holiday season. If you’ve been the victim of a store’s negligent building upkeep, you deserve fair compensation for the damage you sustained.

Making a Premises Liability Claim in South Carolina

South Carolina law states that property owner liability exists for willful or grossly negligent failure to guard against dangerous conditions[1]. If you wish to obtain compensation for the injuries caused by the store’s unsafe conditions, you or your premises liability attorney will need to prove that:

• The owner knew or should have known about the hazardous conditions
• The owner failed to address the issue appropriately and timely
• Your injuries were a result of the owner’s negligence

Working with a personal injury lawyer means that gathering evidence and proving your claim can be handled by an expert who is knowledgeable in South Carolina’s premises liability laws. Your personal injury attorney will know how to prepare your case for the best possible outcome.

Recovering Compensation from your slip and Fall in Columbia 

Monetary damages after a premises liability accident can include two different types of compensation – economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include expenses that are easily valued or that have been accrued already.  These include medical expenses, lost wages, and damaged property. An example of this would be if you slip and fall in a store while Christmas shopping and the property or store owner is found to be at fault, you may be able to recover a monetary award for:

• Medical care for your injuries
• The time you missed from work due to your injuries
• Property, such as a cell phone, that was damaged in the accident

Non-economic damages are more challenging for calculating damages, however they are included in personal injury lawsuits. Emotional distress, humiliation, and pain and suffering are examples of non-economic damages[2].

If you would like to speak to a compassionate and experienced premises liability attorney about your slip and fall in Columbia, SC and the options for seeking compensation, call Burnside Law Firm to schedule a free consultation.

 

[1] South Carolina Code Section 27-3-60. https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t27c003.php

[2] South Carolina Code Section 15-32-210. https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t15c032.php