If you slip and fall due to conditions on a property that the owner or proprietor had the duty of care to prevent, then that individual is guilty of negligence. Your Columbia slip and fall attorney can help you claim the compensation you deserve after sustaining an injury in such an accident.
At Rikard & Protopapas, we are ready to explain your rights after a slip and fall injury and guide you as you explore all available options toward a favorable outcome. Contact us today and learn more about how a Columbia slip and fall lawyer can make a difference for you.
How Do Our Columbia Slip and Fall Attorneys Help With Your Case?
When a slip and fall results in serious injury, your top priority is to focus on seeking medical attention and making a full recovery. Your Columbia slip and fall attorney can ensure that you only have to worry about treatment while they work on your behalf to hold the negligent party accountable.
There are investigative, administrative and, of course, legal aspects to a slip and fall injury case that a fall injury attorney has the unique skill set to handle. Business owners will take a very protective approach to protect their reputation and their finances when a slip and fall occurs on their premises, so it is crucial to have a personal injury lawyer on your side to advocate for you with just as much knowledge and tenacity.
The scope of our attorneys’ role in your slip and fall case includes valuing your claim, presenting your demands to the at-fault party and negotiating with the property owner and their insurance company. Above all else, your Columbia slip and fall attorney will provide the level of representation and support you need during a physically and emotionally trying time.
Who Is Responsible for a Slip and Fall Accident?
Individuals commonly held responsible for slip and fall accidents include business owners in charge of publicly accessible premises such as:
- Hotels and resorts
- Supermarkets, shopping centers and other retail businesses
- Restaurants and bars
- Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
- Parking lots and sidewalks
A slip and fall injury claim can apply not only to business owners who fail to correct dangerous conditions on their premises but also to residential property owners who do not uphold their duty of care to individuals lawfully present on their land.
If you receive an invitation to someone’s private home and sustain an injury due to conditions that the homeowner knew were unsafe, you may be eligible for damages. Such a case against a private homeowner may entail seeking compensation from their homeowners’ insurance provider.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents?
Knowing what commonly serves as valid grounds for filing a slip and fall injury claim can help you better understand when legal action is necessary. It is a good idea to contact our Columbia slip and fall attorneys even if you are not sure you have a strong claim on your hands. Consulting an experienced personal injury lawyer will clarify your available options.
The most common causes of slip and fall incidents on business premises include:
- Wet floors and spills
- Uneven flooring
- Upturned carpeting
- Staircase hazards and loose railing
- Potholes or frozen patches in sidewalks and parking lots
The onus is on business owners and staff members to take measures to keep their premises safe from slipping hazards. These measures can include placing wet floor signs after a spill or salting the sidewalk during harsh winter weather. When there is a lack of initiative to correct dangerous conditions, the business and its owner are guilty of negligence for which our Columbia personal injury attorneys can hold them liable.
Are Slip and Fall Cases Difficult To Win?
It is necessary to establish one or more key elements of a slip and fall case that indicate fault on the part of the property owner. This can entail providing evidence that the owner is guilty of breaching their duty of maintaining safe conditions or failing to uphold their duty of care, proving that they directly caused a slip and fall accident by their own actions or that there are recoverable damages as a result of your injury.
It must also be apparent that there was ample time or opportunity for the property owner or business staff members to correct the dangerous conditions. For example, an owner may not be accountable for a slip and fall that occurs moments after a spill.
Your Columbia slip and fall attorney can find all recoverable damages relevant to your case and investigate every avenue that points to premises liability negligence.
What Damages Can You Recover From a Slip and Fall Accident?
When you suffer an injury due to the negligence of another party, the losses and recoverable damages you sustain can take the form of either economic damages or non-economic damages. You might experience one or both. The presence of either is grounds for a strong slip and fall injury case in which you can turn to your Columbia slip and fall attorney to help you receive compensation from the negligent party.
Economic damages refer to the financial implications of your accident. If you incur medical costs, suffer lost wages because you miss work or have to repair or replace any of your property or possessions as a result of your slip and fall, then you can pursue economic damages from the individuals at fault.
Non-economic damages are those that are psychological in nature, such as the mental or emotional distress you might experience after the accident. If you suffer from psychological pain, mental anguish or a decrease in your quality of life that is not strictly financial in nature, then you are likely eligible to claim non-economic damages as well.
Contact Our Columbia Slip and Fall Attorneys Today
The injuries that you receive in a slip and fall accident can affect you for the rest of your life. Our Columbia slip and fall attorneys can grant you peace of mind in a stressful time by giving you the support you need in securing the best possible outcome through compensation negotiations and courtroom litigation. Contact us at Rikard & Protopapas today either online or over the phone by calling 803-978-6111 to learn more about what we can do for you.