A slip and fall accident can leave you with painful injuries, expensive medical bills, and lost pay while you recover. If someone else’s negligence caused your fall, you shouldn’t have to handle everything alone. An Anderson slip and fall accident lawyer from John Foy & Associates will seek justice on your behalf and work to recover the damages you deserve.
To date, we have recovered over $1 billion for injured clients, and our attorneys have over 350 years of combined experience. Our Anderson personal injury lawyers will handle your legal matter with respect and care for every client as we fight to hold negligent property owners accountable.
Plus, we work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay until we win your case. You can review your legal options when you call for your free consultation.
Understanding South Carolina’s Premises Liability Laws
Under South Carolina premises liability law, property owners must keep their premises safe for visitors. If a property owner knew or should have known about a hazard but failed to fix it, they may be liable for your injuries.
To win your slip and fall case, we must prove that:
- The property owner had a duty to keep the area safe.
- They failed in that duty by allowing a hazardous condition to exist.
- That hazard directly caused your injuries.
- Your injuries led to financial losses, such as medical bills or lost wages.
South Carolina follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning if you are partially at fault, your damages may be reduced. However, as long as you are less than 51% responsible, you can still recover damages.
How Visitor Status Affects a Property Owner’s Duty of Care
In South Carolina, a property owner’s duty to maintain safe conditions depends on the legal status of the visitor at the time of the accident. The law recognizes three main categories of visitors:
- Invitees have permission to be on the property for business reasons, such as a store’s customers or patrons. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care. They must regularly inspect for hazards and fix them or provide clear warnings.
- Licensees are social guests or people on the property for other reasons, like a friend visiting a home. Property owners must warn licensees of known dangers, but they don’t have to inspect a site for unknown hazards.
- Trespassers are on the property without the owner’s permission, which means the owner typically owes no duty of care, except they cannot intentionally cause harm (such as setting traps). However, if a child trespasses due to an attractive nuisance, like an unfenced swimming pool, the owner may be held liable.
If you were hurt in a slip and fall, your visitor status can affect your ability to recover damages. Our slip and fall attorneys in Anderson, S.C., will review your case and determine if the property owner breached their duty of care.
Get the strong arm
Our Anderson Slip and Fall Attorneys Will Build Your Case
Slip and fall accidents can happen when a property owner fails to maintain a safe environment. Under South Carolina premises liability laws, property owners must keep their property free from dangerous conditions.
If they don’t, they can be legally responsible for injuries that occur as a result.
Our Anderson slip and fall injury lawyers will handle your entire case while you treat your injuries. We will help by:
- Investigating your fall to determine what caused it
- Proving the property owner was negligent
- Gathering evidence such as security footage, witness statements, and medical records
- Negotiating with the insurance company to ensure you receive a fair settlement
- Taking your case to court if the insurer refuses to offer what you deserve
We understand how challenging this situation feels. You might be worried about medical bills, lost income, and your long-term recovery. We’re here to guide you through every step and help you move forward with confidence. To get started on your case, call us for a free consultation.
Common Reasons Slip and Fall Accidents Happen
Slips, trips, and falls can happen anywhere, from grocery stores to office buildings to apartment complexes. Some of the most common reasons people fall include:
- Wet or slippery floors without proper warning signs
- Uneven sidewalks or flooring
- Poor lighting in stairwells or parking lots
- Loose carpets or rugs
- Cluttered walkways that create tripping hazards
- Broken or missing handrails on stairs
- Icy or untreated walkways in the winter
If you fell because of any of these hazards, you may have a valid injury claim.
Recoverable Losses in a Slip and Fall Accident
A slip and fall accident can leave you with serious injuries and unexpected financial burdens. If your fall happened because of someone else’s negligence, you could recover damages for your losses.
Our Anderson slip and fall attorneys can help you seek full and fair compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Wages lost while recovering
- Reduced earning ability if injuries prevent you from returning to work
- Lost benefits, promotions, or career opportunities
- Physical or mental pain and chronic discomfort
- Emotional distress, anxiety, or depression
- Personal belongings damaged during the fall (e.g., broken phone, glasses, or clothing)
Seeking Damages in Fatal Injury Cases
Sadly, some slip and fall injuries prove fatal, especially for older adults. If you lost a loved one in a fall caused by negligence, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death action.
In South Carolina, wrongful death lawsuits (S.C. Code § 15-51-10) allow the deceased’s family to seek damages for:
- Expenses for funeral and burial/cremation
- Healthcare bills before their death
- Lost income and benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of a loved one’s love, companionship, and support
John Foy & Associates will sue for the damages your family is due to secure your financial future.
Who Else Can You Hold Responsible for a Slip and Fall Injury?
While property owners are often responsible for slip and fall accidents, other parties may also be liable, including:
- Property managers: If a landlord or management company failed to maintain the premises, they could be held accountable.
- Businesses leasing the property: If a business rents the space but failed to keep it safe, they might share liability.
- Maintenance or cleaning companies: If a third-party company was responsible for upkeep but left a hazard unaddressed, they may be at fault.
- Construction companies: If poor construction, faulty repairs, or unfinished work contributed to the fall, the contractor or builder may be liable.
Determining liability in a slip and fall case can be complex. Still, our team at John Foy & Associates will investigate all responsible parties and determine their percentage of fault to pursue the full damages you deserve.
Filing Deadlines for Slip and Fall Lawsuits in South Carolina
South Carolina has a three–year statute of limitations for slip and fall injury claims. That means you generally have three years from the date of your fall to sue the liable party for damages.
If you are seeking wrongful death damages, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate must file the lawsuit. In these cases, the deadline is three years from the date of death.
If you don’t file your action on time, you could lose your right to recover damages. We encourage you to call John Foy & Associates and speak with our team to learn how our attorneys handling slip and fall cases in Anderson can help you.
Get Help from Our Anderson Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers
Slip and fall accidents are one of the leading causes of injury in the U.S., often resulting in broken bones, head trauma, and long-term pain. Many falls happen due to hazards that could have been prevented.
When a property owner or another liable party fails to maintain a safe environment, they may be liable for your injuries and damages. John Foy & Associates will evaluate your case, calculate your damages, and fight for every dollar you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your options.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
