A person can get hurt on someone else’s property in many different ways. However, falls tend to be the most common way to suffer injury.
This is why it is so important for property owners in South Carolina to use reasonable care to prevent fall-related injuries on their premises. If they fail to do so, victims of their negligence may be eligible to pursue a Charleston premises liability claim.
With nearly 250 years of combined legal experience, the South Carolina slip and fall lawyers of Joye Law Firm are here to help you. We care about our clients and go beyond seeking compensation for their injuries. We truly want to help our clients to improve the quality of their lives.
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere in the Charleston area. Most often, they occur at commercial properties such as stores, malls, shopping centers and office buildings. However, they also frequently occur at hotels or motels or on resort properties. They can even happen on a person’s private residential property.
Property owners and those who are otherwise in control of property must take caution and exercise common sense in order to remove hazards and keep the property as safe as possible for visitors. Unfortunately, they often fail to live up to this duty. Some common causes of slip and falls are:
Wet floors
Broken stairs and ramps
Loose or broken railings
Uneven surfaces (such as cracked pavement or torn rugs or carpets)
Unstable surfaces (such as wobbly flooring)
Bad lighting
Cluttered workplaces (such as at construction sites and in factories)
Icy sidewalks and parking lots.
Joye Law Firm conducts prompt, thorough investigations of slip and falls. We examine all evidence and often consult with experts in order to determine the causes of these accidents as well as the impact of the accident on our clients’ lives.
TESTIMONIALS
When Mr. Harrell called me, all I could say was, Hallelujah!
Unrestrained Dogs in Cars Create Serious Risk of Accidents
We love our pets as much as anyone, but we know that when pets travel with us in a car or truck, they must be crated or restrained, or they can cause a car crash. A recent study from Volvo… read more
If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you know that accident situations can develop out of nowhere. But certain highways are clearly more dangerous because of the design or volume of traffic or a combination of factors. You are… read more
SC Rejects Expansion of Workers’ Comp Benefits for First Responders
South Carolina’s legislature has rejected a bill that would ensure the availability of workers’ compensation payments for mental health care sought by emergency responders suffering from PTSD. The bill, known as S-429, has been introduced repeatedly since 2015, to no… read more
What Are the Most Dangerous Intersections in Charleston?
It’s a remarkable thing, really, the hundreds of thousands of cars, trucks, and people that don’t crash into one another in the constant flow of crossings and turns at highway intersections. But an intersection is where a car accident is… read more
Joye Law Firm Managing Partner Ken Harrell Featured On, Will Co-Host Podcast
Attorney Ken Harrell, the managing partner at Joye Law Firm, has recently assumed additional duties as co-host of The Shrimp Tank, a nationally syndicated podcast featuring discussions with local entrepreneurs. Eric Elkins of Double E Insurance & Financial Solutions of Charleston,… read more
Blog by: Attorney Ken Harrell Recently, I came across an article by licensed counselor Cynthia Chandler in “Counseling Today” titled “Is there an epidemic of emotional support animals?” Lest anyone wonder about how I spend my spare time, my wife… read more
Joye Law Firm is pleased to announce its 2019 Scholarship Contest. The law firm will provide six $2000 scholarships to graduating seniors in South Carolina who plan to attend a four-year institution for higher learning during the fall. Our selection… read more
By: Attorney Ken Harrell With the increased number of Uber and Lyft drivers on the road, accidents involving these cars are going to happen. Not surprising. All of us are fallible and make mistakes. During the weekend I used Uber… read more
As temperatures begin drop in Columbia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach and across South Carolina, the probability increases of hazardous road conditions and weather-related car accidents. Traditionally, South Carolina doesn’t get much snow. However, the January 3, 2018 storm that dropped 3… read more
Charleston Jury Awards $6 Million to Construction Worker Crushed in Truck Accident
Attorney Mark Joye, partner in Joye Law Firm, represented the plaintiff, an injured worker who suffered multiple injuries after being struck and crushed by a truck at a South Carolina job site. CHARLESTON, S.C. (November 9, 2017) – A jury… read more
Common Injuries in Charleston Slip and Fall Accidents
When a person suffers a slip and fall injury, it can happen in a split second – and it may be more severe than the person initially suspects. For instance, a person may believe that he or she suffered only a twisted knee. However, further examination may show that the injury actually is a fracture or torn ligament. Some of the most common types of slip and fall injuries that people in the Charleston area suffer are:
Fractures – These injuries may occur when a person hits the ground or when a person tries to reach out and break the fall. Foot, leg, ankle, hip and wrist fractures frequently occur in these accidents.
Torn ligaments – A stretched or torn ligament can cause a great deal of pain and take a long time to heal. These injuries often occur in the knee such as a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or medial collateral ligament (MCL). However, people can also suffer injuries in their shoulders or biceps when they reach out to catch themselves.
Head and brain injuries – A fall can cause skull damage or traumatic brain injury (TBI) such as a concussion. TBI can have lasting effects on a person, causing problems with the way a person moves, thinks and behaves. Severe head trauma can lead to permanent disability or even death.
Back and spine injuries – People can suffer lower back injuries, herniated discs or more severe spinal injuries in a fall such as paralysis. These injuries may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Bruises and lacerations – When people fall to the ground, they often hit rails, handles and other objects on their way down. Likewise, the surface is rarely soft. Hard concrete, pavement, gravel and other surfaces can cause serious cuts, bruises and scarring.
Some people such as older adults and disabled individuals are vulnerable to slip-and-fall injuries. A fractured hip in a fall can cause an elderly person to become bed-bound for an extended period of time. In many cases, a broken hip can be so serious that the person never fully recovers the ability to move around on his or her own. This can lead to a rapid deterioration in health.
Proving Liability for Slip and Fall Injuries in South Carolina
Slip and fall cases in South Carolina can be highly complex. Generally, to establish liability, you must show that:
The property owner owed a duty to you as a visitor
You were on the property legally and for a lawful purpose
The property owner violated that duty
That violation (a negligent act or failure to act) caused your injuries.
The evidence in a slip and fall claim can consist of photos of the accident scene, witness statements and surveillance camera footage. The evidence can also include records that show inspection and maintenance (or a lack thereof) of the property where the slip and fall occurred. Medical records can also establish the nature and extent of the slip and fall injuries that you have suffered.
Steps You Should Take After a Charleston Slip and Fall
If you suffer injuries in a slip and fall accident, you can take several specific steps to protect yourself and preserve your right to recover full and fair compensation for your injuries, including:
Call for help right away. Getting immediate medical attention should be your first priority.
If you can, take pictures. If you can’t do it, ask someone you trust to try to get photos of the location of the accident and anything else you think might help.
Get contact information for eyewitnesses. After police and/or EMTs arrive, most bystanders will leave. So, you should make sure to get their contact information as soon as possible.
Report your injury to the property owner or a manager on duty. If you can do so in writing, it will help to document the incident.
Keep your records. Use a folder or a box to keep copies of all of your medical bills and other slip and fall-related expenses.
Don’t sign anything, and don’t speak to any insurance adjusters. You need to remember that the insurance company will be focused on paying you as little as possible for your claim (and possibly denying your claim altogether).
Call an experienced South Carolina premises injury attorney. South Carolina law strictly limits how long you can wait to bring a personal injury claim. If you wait too long, your case will be forever barred. As soon as you are ready to take action, you should get in touch with a lawyer about your case.
Our Charleston Slip and Fall Lawyers Can Help You
You can trust the Charleston slip and fall attorneys of Joye Law Firm to protect your rights and pursue all options for recovering compensation on your behalf.
We believe in giving our clients all the information and letting them make an informed decision. We never charge upfront retainers or attorney fees for a consultation, and we only collect fees if we are able to recover compensation for you. Contact us today in Charleston to set up a free no-strings case evaluation today.
Partners
Mark Joye
Ken Harrell
Attorneys
Christopher McCool
Matthew Jackson
Patrick Jennings
Ryan LeBlanc
Jeff Gerardi
Milton Stratos II
Brent H. Arant
Randell Croft Stoney III
William Asche
Mark Bringardner
CASE STUDIES
$300,000 Settlement
Charleston Girl Bitten by Rottweiler
Case Number: Claim Settled Before Lawsuit Filed
Joye Law Firm attorney Brent Arant negotiated a $300,000 pre-lawsuit settlement for a young gir...
A man who suffered a neck injury that required spinal fusion surgery when a log truck crashed into his car has agreed to a $1 million pre-suit settle...
Ran Stoney of Joye Law Firm in North Charleston said his 50-year-old client, Jennifer Preszler, was stopped at a red light in Mount Pleasant in July 2...
A Charleston County jury has awarded a $1.93 million verdict in favor of a driver who suffered neck injuries after being hit by a dump truck whose dri...
Man Injured in Dorchester County Rear-End Accident
He was a husband, a father of three, and a small business owner. Over years of hard work and dedication, he built his plumbing business into a fixture...
North Charleston Factory Worker for His Hearing Loss
Willie Robertson was a faithful employee for nearly 40 years. So when he noticed that the years exposure had caused him to lose his hearing, he thou...
