Accidents on another person’s property can lead to severe physical, emotional, and financial consequences. At Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we’ve been helping injured people across South Carolina since 1968, including those with premises liability claims in Columbia. A property owner owes a legal duty to maintain a safe space. When that duty is broken, and someone is hurt on South Carolina premises, the injured person has the right to recover compensation.
Our Columbia premises liability attorneys understand the legal process and the physical toll these injuries can take. If you’ve been hurt due to unsafe conditions on private property, at a business, or in a public space, our team is ready to help. We know how to deal with insurance companies and work to hold property owners accountable for their actions. We will guide you through your legal options and explain how we can assist you in pursuing fair compensation.
Why You Need a Premises Liability Attorney After an Injury On Someone Else’s Property
Premises liability cases can be complex. Property owners may deny responsibility, and insurance companies often attempt to avoid paying the full value of a claim. That’s why having a Columbia premises liability attorney on your side can make a real difference.
At Joye Law Firm, we help clients throughout every stage of the premises liability accident process. We will work towards a fair settlement by negotiating with your insurance company. However, we prepare every case as if it will be tried before a jury. If the insurer refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, we will file a premises liability lawsuit in court that includes all your damages. We’ll seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, emotional distress, and pain and suffering caused by negligent property owners.
When you work with us, you get personalized legal representation. Our goal is to help you hold the property owner accountable and seek the maximum compensation you need to recover from your injury.
While every case is unique, and past results do not guarantee that your case will have the same outcome, you can look at a law firm’s track record to determine if they have the experience to handle a case like yours. At Joye Law Firm we have achieved favorable results for many premises cases, including:
- $2.75 Million for a vacationer whose leg had to be amputated after an elevated walkway collapsed, causing him to fall 14 feet.
- $2 Million settlement for a U.S. Marine who sustained a career-ending injury due to hotel staff’s negligence in maintaining a safe pool deck area.
- $430,000 Settlement for a woman who was knocked down the stairs by a rambunctious dog at a friend’s home in Columbia, causing her to break her ankle in three places.
- $240,000 settlement for a woman who fractured her femur after slipping on stairs at her Irmo, S.C. apartment complex, which had been coated with unsafe, non-slip-resistant paint.
Common Premises Liability Accidents We Handle in Columbia
Many incidents fall under premises liability. Some of the most common cases we handle in Columbia include:
- Slip and fall accidents caused by spills, loose or uneven flooring, or slippery walkways
- Trip and fall accidents on cracked sidewalks, broken stairs, or cluttered store aisles
- Negligent security resulting in injury from assault or robbery in places like parking garages or apartment complexes
- Dog bites or animal attacks on someone else’s property
- Falling objects in retail stores or construction zones
- Unsafe conditions at restaurants, hotels, and other public places
A property owner’s duty is to maintain the property and address known hazards. When that duty is ignored and someone gets hurt, the law allows for legal action. Our Columbia premises liability lawyers are here to help you understand if you have a case.
Property Owner’s Duty Under South Carolina Premises Liability Law
Under South Carolina premises liability law, property owners have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of people on their land. In most premises liability cases, the law looks at whether the owner knew or should have known about the unsafe condition. If a property owner ignores a problem, they may be held liable for any resulting damages.
The duty to exercise reasonable care means fixing known hazards or providing a clear warning. When a property owner fails to do this, the law provides a way to seek compensation through a liability claim. If you believe a property owner’s negligence caused your injury, Joye Law Firm can help you build a strong case. We know what to look for and how to show the property owner’s responsibility.
In Columbia and elsewhere in South Carolina, there is a limitation to bringing premises liability claims when the property where the injury occurred was being used for recreational purposes. The law regarding utilizing the property for recreational purposes is as follows:
“The purpose of this chapter is to encourage owners of land to make land and water areas available to the public for recreational purposes by limiting their liability toward persons entering thereon for such purposes…an owner of land owes no duty of care to keep the premises safe for entry or use by persons who have sought and obtained his permission to use it for recreational purposes or to give any warning of a dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity on such premises to such persons entering for such purposes.”
This means that if someone has permission to enter a property for hunting, fishing, boating, or other recreational purposes and sustains an injury while there, the ability to sue for premises liability is limited.
How Premises Liability Claims Work in South Carolina
Filing a premises liability claim in South Carolina involves several important steps. Here’s what typically happens:
- Medical Attention and Documentation: After an accident, seek immediate medical attention. Even minor injuries can develop into more serious problems. Keep copies of your medical records and bills.
- Reporting the incident: Report the injury to the property owner or manager. Request a written incident report whenever possible.
- Gather evidence: Take photos and video of where the accident happened. If anyone witnessed the incident, please obtain their contact information. Our law firm helps collect this evidence to support your claim.
- Legal review and filing: Your Columbia premises liability attorney will review your case and determine how to proceed. This may involve filing a claim with the insurance company or a formal lawsuit.
- Negotiation or trial: Most claims are settled through negotiation. But if the insurance company doesn’t offer fair compensation, we’re prepared to take your case to court.
Under South Carolina law, you typically have three years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Columbia, including premises liability cases. However, some claims may require faster action. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can determine the timeline in your case and begin protecting your rights.
