Sumter Slip and Fall Lawyer

Sumter, SC Slip and Fall Attorney

In addition to the physical and emotional pain you might endure, a slip-and-fall accident can also generate a ton of unexpected expenses that can make it difficult to keep a clear mind during recovery. All of this pain can be significantly reduced with the assistance of a Sumter slip-and-fall lawyer.

At Charles T. Brooks, we have spent years in Sumter representing those who suffer injuries from a slip-and-fall accident. After winning many cases in this area, we have developed a strong command of personal injury law that enables us to secure the most advantageous compensation deals for our clients. If you need help managing the legal responsibilities while you recover, contact us today to begin the process of advancing an official slip-and-fall liability claim.

What Makes up a Slip-and-Fall Case?

Each slip-and-fall case is unique. There are a ton of varying details, such as the location and what you slipped on, that require a slip-and-fall attorney to conduct their own assessment and guide their clients to a resolution.

However, all slip-and-fall accidents contain the following conditions.

Establishing Premises Liability

Determining who was liable for causing the slip-and-fall accident is the core mission of these cases. This often means establishing which party was negligent. In many cases, the property owner of the premises where the individual had their fall accident either shares partial or full blame. This is because anyone who purchases a property inherits the responsibility of keeping it safe for visitors to use.

An example of negligent property ownership behavior includes not shoveling or icing a sidewalk after a snowstorm or mopping the floor and not putting up a “wet floor” sign as a warning.

Assessing the Injuries

To recoup unexpected expenses through a compensation award, you will also need to better understand the extent of your injuries. This will require close collaboration with your healthcare team who will evaluate your health status after the accident and determine what impact the sustained injuries will have on your life.

For example, some slip-and-fall cases are so severe that an individual loses some of their mobility or has such chronic pain in their hands that they can no longer work in the same way they were able to before. Being able to communicate the extent of your injuries will help your attorney convey the severity of them in your case to ensure you are adequately compensated.

Hazard Investigation

A court will need to understand what specific conditions of the accident scene contributed to the victim’s injuries. This will require an attorney to collect evidence that demonstrates the condition of the property at that time. This could include photographs of the accident scene, the police record detailing their observations when arriving to assist, or any inconsistencies in the property owner’s maintenance records to suggest negligence.

Having this information will not only strengthen the validity of a slip-and-fall case but also be crucial in pinpointing who is liable and who must pay compensation to the injured.

Causation

There must be a clear link between the compromised conditions of the accident scene and the injuries that were sustained. If there are any holes in the case that a defense attorney for the opposing party can point out, it could jeopardize the validity of the slip-and-fall claim.

For example, it could be more difficult to prove a condition of the property was to blame if the alleged victim suffered from a pre-existing condition that could have also had a role. Having a slip-and-fall attorney on your team can help to counteract anticipated points like these to ensure no one misconstrues factual details of the case to get away with their own negligence.

FAQs About Sumter, SC Slip and Fall Laws

Q: What Is the Average Payout for a Slip-and-Fall Case in South Carolina?

A: Because the specifics of each case can vary so much, the payouts will vary. Factors such as how severe an injury was, the cost of medical care, and any impact the injury had on an individual’s ability to make an income or enjoy life are all taken into consideration. Settlements in South Carolina for these cases can range anywhere from a few thousand dollars for minor injuries all the way up to tens or even hundreds of thousands for the most severe cases.

Q: How Long Does It Take To Settle a Slip-and-Fall Case in South Carolina?

A: When a slip-and-fall case has clear liability with minor injuries, it can only require a few months to reach a conclusion. However, more severe cases with long-term debilitating injuries and contested liability could extend these few months to over a year or more in court. Other factors that can influence the timeline include how long someone needs to recover, the willingness of both parties to negotiate, and how booked the court is with other cases.

Q: What Happens if My Slip-and-Fall Injury Happens at Work?

A: Work injuries open up the possibility to receive your financial award through the workers’ compensation system. This is a different avenue to collect money without having to sue your employer. However, there may be grounds to advance a claim to a third party, like an equipment manufacturer, depending on the circumstances of your case. Having a personal injury attorney can help explore avenues such as these to maximize your compensation overall.

Q: How Long Is the Statute of Limitations in South Carolina?

A: There is a three-year window to file a slip-and-fall claim under South Carolina’s statute of limitations. This means anyone who misses this three-year deadline will be unable to start a claim and receive compensation for their damages. This is why it’s critical for victims of these incidents to connect with an attorney right away, even if they believe they missed the deadline, to ensure they are not missing any opportunities to receive compensation.

Get in Touch With Us at Charles T. Brooks

If you have found yourself in a slip-and-fall accident, connect with the personal injury attorneys of Charles T. Brooks today. Our team would be honored to learn more about your case and share how we can help maximize your compensation claim and let you move on with your life.