Slips and falls accidents account for 85 percent of workers’ compensation claims, according to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI).
Even if your fall wasn’t work-related, if someone else’s negligence caused the accident you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries through a personal injury claim.
As soon as possible after your slip and fall accident, you should meet with your Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer so that they can begin the process of gathering evidence and building your case.
What are “Slip and Fall” Cases?
Slip and falls are a type of personal injury case. What they have in common is that:
1. a person slips, falls and gets hurt;
2. on someone else’s property; and
3. it’s not the victim’s fault.
These types of injuries fall under a category of the law called “premises liability,” which states that the property owner can be held responsible if someone gets hurt on his or her property.
The property owner must have been “on notice” of the dangerous condition and failed to either repair it or warn about it. The slip and fall victim, with few exceptions, cannot be a trespasser on the property.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents happen frequently, and they are often caused by:
- Bad lighting;
- Broken or loose handrails;
- Poorly maintained sidewalks;
- Ripped carpets and rugs;
- Uneven floors; or
- Wet floors.
Businesses, homeowners, and even the city or county have a duty to maintain areas that the public will be visiting, to repair dangerous conditions, or to warn about dangerous conditions if the repairs cannot be completed immediately.
Examples of Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries vary in type and severity. Still, some injuries crop up more frequently than others in slip and fall cases, including:
- Bone fractures, especially of the hip and wrist;
- Head injuries such as concussions or lacerations;
- Knee injuries, including breaks, sprains, and torn ligaments;
- Muscle injuries; and
- Spinal injuries.
SC Slip and Fall Lawyers in Myrtle Beach, Conway, Charleston, and Columbia SC
If you slipped and fell or were hurt due to a dangerous condition at a business or on someone’s property, we want you to call us early in the case – particularly in a premises liability case where we will need to prove notice, it is critical that we gather evidence and witnesses as soon as possible.
Contact our Myrtle Beach slip and fall lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.
Call us at (843) 488-5000 or email us by filling out our online form.
