Charleston Slip and Fall Attorney

Whether visiting a local boutique, dining in a restaurant, or visiting a private residence, slips and falls can happen anytime. In the aftermath of these accidents, you could be left with serious injuries and a financial burden. You will want to hold those responsible for their negligence when an accident is not your fault. It may be time to take legal action.

Our Charleston slip and fall lawyer is your compassionate legal advocate to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

At Forbes Law Offices, let us handle these legal challenges so you can focus on healing. Contact us today to learn how we can assist with your potential claim.

Slip and Fall Accidents in Charleston

You could have a premises liability claim if you slipped and fell due to a hazardous condition on someone else’s property. These types of accidents can happen anywhere. Property owners and management teams are responsible for ensuring a safe place for visitors, residents, and guests. When they fail to uphold that duty, then they could be liable for any injuries suffered on their grounds.

Slips and falls can happen at:

• Commercial properties, including stores or restaurants
• Private homes
• Public sidewalks
• Government-owned buildings

The common causes of slip and fall accidents include:

• Wet or slippery floors
• Uneven surfaces
• Poor lighting
• Obstacles in walkways
• Weather-related hazards

You could have a legal claim if you have been injured on another person’s property. A Charleston slip and fall lawyer will be able to help assess the details of your case and give you more clarity about your legal options.

Injuries Suffered Due to These Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can result in a wide range of injuries. The height of the fall, the surface landed on, and the position of a person’s body during the fall can determine the severity of the injuries. Some of the common injuries that may result from a slip and fall include:

• Concussions occur when the head strikes a hard surface, leading to temporary memory loss, confusion, dizziness, and headaches.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) may cause long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional difficulties. TBIs may require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
• Herniated discs can be displaced or ruptured due to the force of a fall, causing pain, numbness, and mobility issues.
• Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis.
• Wrist fractures happen when a person extends their hand to break a fall, leading to fractures in the bones of the wrist and forearm.
• Hip fractures are common in older adults, leading to 300,000 hospitalizations per year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). They can be life-altering, requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
• Sprains and strains result from the ligaments or muscles being overstretched or torn. Common areas affected by sprains and strains include the wrists, ankles, and knees.
• Lacerations happen if the fall occurs on a rough or sharp surface.
• Bruises are common in falls, especially around the hips, back, and limbs.
• Internal bleeding can be the result of a hard fall, especially if you landed on the abdomen or chest area.
• Psychological trauma, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can develop due to the slip and fall accident.

If you have experienced a slip and fall, make sure to get immediate medical help. After you have been checked out and received treatment, then you might want to explore your legal options. At Forbes Law Offices, we are always here to discuss the next steps for your case.

Premises Liability and Responsible Parties

These cases center around the concept of premises liability. Under West Virginia Code §55-7-28, property owners or occupiers are legally responsible for maintaining a safe environment for individuals who enter their property.

If you are injured on the premises due to hazardous conditions, the property owner or occupier may be held legally liable for the resulting injuries. However, it might not be as simple as saying you slipped and fell due to an unknown hazard.

You will need to prove that the potentially liable party was negligent in maintaining their property. With that, the owner or property manager failed to take reasonable steps to ensure the property was safe or failed to warn visitors about known hazards.

In a premises liability case, proving fault involves showing that the property owner or responsible party failed to protect visitors from accidents. For your claim, you need to show that:

• The party knew or should have known about the dangerous condition.
• They failed to take reasonable steps to fix the hazard or warn visitors.
• The hazard caused the injury.

Determining liability can be difficult in any case. You will want to contact the Forbes Law Offices to see how we can assist with your claim.

Who Are the Responsible Parties in Slip and Fall Cases?

When it comes time to pursue damages, the property owner is usually the party held responsible in premises liability cases. However, others may also bear responsibility. They can include:

• Commercial property owners: Stores, malls, office buildings, and other commercial property owners can be held liable for accidents due to unsafe conditions on their premises. They must regularly inspect their property for hazards and fix any dangerous situations.
• Residential property owners: Homeowners and landlords can be held liable for accidents on their property if they fail to maintain a safe environment. For example, landlords can be responsible for injuries from unsafe hallways or staircases.
• Tenants: In some cases, tenants may be liable if they control the property. Even though they don’t own the property, they still have a duty to maintain it in a safe condition.
• Property managers: If a property manager maintains a property and fails to address hazards, conduct inspections, or perform necessary repairs, they could be liable for any injuries.
• Government entities: If an accident occurs on public property, such as a park, sidewalk, or building, the government entity responsible for maintaining the property may be liable.

Before you can file a lawsuit, you need to determine who is the liable party. In some cases, there could be parties responsible for the hazardous conditions that lead to your injuries. By analyzing the evidence and facts of the case, we can help you hold those liable parties accountable for their negligent actions.

What Type of Compensation Is Available?

You can be entitled to compensation for a slip and fall accident in Charleston. These damage awards can cover both the economic and non-economic losses you suffer. They may include:

• Medical expenses: Emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and medical devices or equipment.
• Lost wages: Income missed from work during recovery and the loss of future earning capacity if the injury results in a long-term or permanent disability
• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the injured party for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress caused by the accident.

Hiring a skilled law firm can help you recover the maximum possible compensation while alleviating the stress of navigating the legal system alone.

A Charleston Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help

If you or someone close to you has been injured in a slip and fall accident, and you believe another party is responsible, contact us today. At Forbes Law Offices, we can examine the facts of the case and help you determine your options.

Schedule a free consultation with a Charleston slip and fall lawyer today to take the next steps for your claim.