Get the Help You Need After a Slip and Fall Accident in Coastal South Carolina
Slips and falls often result in serious injuries. These injuries can impact all aspects of your life; and, without financial help, they can quickly put you in debt. From medical bills to lost earnings while you prioritize your recovery, slip and fall injuries can prove incredibly expensive—and, for this reason, it is important to have an experienced South Carolina premises liability attorney on your side.
Luke Paulick is an experienced South Carolina slip and fall lawyer who has more than a decade of experience fighting for his clients. This includes fighting for victims of slip and fall injuries that could—and should—have been avoided. Property owners and tenants in Beaufort County, Jasper County, Colleton County, Hampton County, and throughout South Carolina have a legal duty to remedy numerous types of safety hazards on their premises; and, when they fail to do so, they can—and should—be held accountable.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents often happen in the blink of an eye. When you are visiting someone’s home or a company’s place of business, you don’t expect to get injured—and, as a result, you aren’t actively looking out for slip and fall hazards.
But, the reality is that these hazards are far more common than they should be. Property owners and tenants routinely fail to address hazards that present risks for serious injuries. This includes, but is not limited to, common causes of slip and fall injuries such as:
- Dangerous staircases
- Dangerous walking surfaces (i.e., slippery tile or worn carpeting)
- Gravel, sand, leaves, and debris
- Loose or missing handrails
- Slippery docks and boat decks
- Slippery swimming pool decks
- Spills and puddles
Regardless of what happened—and where it happened—if you were injured on someone else’s property, you should speak with a South Carolina slip and fall lawyer about your legal rights. If the property owner or tenant failed to take appropriate steps to prevent your injuries, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
What Compensation Can You Recover for Slip and Fall Injuries in South Carolina?
When you have a premises liability claim for a slip and fall accident in South Carolina, you are entitled to seek just compensation for all of the costs resulting from your fall. This includes not only financial costs, but non-financial costs as well. Crucially, it also covers both present and future costs—and the long-term costs of traumatic injuries can be substantial.
When you hire South Carolina Slip and Fall Attorney Luke Paulick to represent you, Luke will work closely with you to calculate the value of your slip and fall accident claim. The value of your claim is completely unique to you, and it is crucial to make sure you are seeking the full compensation you deserve. Relying on his experience representing clients in similar circumstances, Luke will carefully assess the damages you are entitled to recover for your present and future:
- Medical expenses for diagnosis and treatment of your fall-related injuries
- Other out-of-pocket costs such as prescriptions, medical supplies, and transportation
- Loss of income and benefits (including wages or salary, tips, commissions, independent contractor earnings, retirement contributions, and paid time off)
- Scarring and disfigurement if your injuries have permanent physical effects
- Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
- Loss of companionship, consortium, services, society, and support
- Other financial or non-financial losses you incur as a result of your injuries
In most cases, recovering just compensation for a slip and fall accident in South Carolina involves negotiating a settlement with the property owner or tenant’s insurance company. When seeking a settlement, it is up to you to determine how much you deserve to recover—you cannot trust the insurance companies to do this for you. Luke is passionate about helping his clients secure the financial resources they’ll need in the future; and, while there are no guarantees, he will do everything he can to help you obtain a fair settlement that avoids the need to go to court.
Proving Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident Case
In addition to proof of your damages, seeking a settlement in a slip and fall case in South Carolina also requires proof of liability. In other words, you need evidence that the property owner or tenant is legally responsible for your injuries. From forensic evidence at the location of the accident to surveillance camera footage, this evidence can take many forms. But, it can also disappear quickly.
As a result, if you think you may have a slip and fall claim (or if you don’t know and would like to find out), it is important that you speak with a South Carolina premises liability lawyer as soon as possible. Once you get in touch, Luke can investigate your claim immediately. He can also explain everything you need to know about protecting your legal rights; and, if you have a claim, he can work to recover just compensation on your behalf.
FAQs: Filing a Slip and Fall Accident Claim in South Carolina
How Long Do I Have to File a South Carolina Slip and Fall Lawsuit?
In South Carolina, you technically have three years from the date of your accident to file a slip and fall lawsuit (in most cases). However, taking action promptly will help give you the best chance of recovering just compensation.
What is Premises Liability in South Carolina?
Premises liability is the area of law that governs slip and fall accident cases in South Carolina. When a property owner or tenant fails to take adequate steps to prevent a slip and fall accident, South Carolina’s premises liability laws hold them accountable.
What is the Difference Between Premises Liability and Slip and Fall?
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may have a premises liability claim. While understanding the laws that protect you can be complicated, the most important thing you need to know is that you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation About Your Slip and Fall Accident Claim
If you need to know more about filing a slip and fall accident claim in South Carolina, we encourage you to contact us promptly. Call 843-379-3285 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with South Carolina slip and fall accident attorney Luke Paulick today.