803-902-4583
South Carolina Premises Liability attorney
Holding Negligent Parties Accountable for Unsafe Conditions
Whether you suffered significant injuries in a slip-and-fall accident or hurt yourself on broken stairs, you could hold the negligent party accountable for your damages, even if you got hurt on someone else’s property. Sadly, even what seems like a minor slip-and-fall accident can result in lost wages, unexpected medical bills, and emotional trauma.
The claims process for a premises liability case can seem intimidating while healing from your injuries. Sadly, in many cases, the insurance company tries to blame the victim so they can reduce or deny their injury claim.
One of the best ways to protect yourself and hold a property owner liable for their negligence is to obtain qualified legal representation. You can take steps to pursue compensation with help from a premises liability lawyer at Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm. With our personal injury law firm representing you, you can seek compensation for the losses you experienced because of someone else’s negligent or wrongful actions.
Contact our South Carolina law firm today to schedule a free initial consultation so we may professionally evaluate your case and determine what legal strategies meet your needs.
What is Premises Liability in South Carolina?
Under South Carolina law, managers and business and property owners are responsible for keeping their premises safe to prevent others from suffering injuries. However, if a property owner’s negligence results in an individual suffering injuries, the victim may be entitled to file a premise liability lawsuit to try and recover compensation.
In South Carolina, several legal factors must be present to win a premise liability case, which include:
- The property owner failed to maintain safe conditions
- The property owner owed the plaintiff a duty of care
- The property owner breached their duty of care
- The plaintiff must prove that the injuries they sustained were a direct result of the breach
Due to the legal complexities of proving a premise liability claim, hiring an attorney to assist you with your legal needs is in your best interest. Premise liability attorneys have the knowledge and legal skills to analyze witness statements, medical records, video footage, and other evidence to build a solid case.
If you have been injured in a premise liability incident, seek medical attention immediately, and, when possible, contact our South Carolina law firm to schedule a free consultation.
What are the Most Common Factors That Can Lead to Premise Liability Claims?
Unfortunately, individuals can be injured on another’s property for several reasons. However, South Carolina accident reports do cite several common factors that seem to contribute to victims suffering injuries.
Standard premise liability claims frequently involve swimming pool accidents, slip-and-falls, negligent security companies, and animal attacks. For example, slip-and-fall accidents often occur because employees fail to place wet floor placards that warn others to be cautious.
Other factors that contribute to injuries include:
- Broken or loose floor tiles
- Loose or torn carpeting
- Broken or missing handrails
- Broken or missing steps
- Uneven floors
- Falling objects on construction sites
- Exposure to hazardous or toxic chemicals
Whether you have been injured at a business or private property, the property owner can be held liable if they fail to maintain safe premises. Allow our highly-trained legal team to assist you through the legal process to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
What are the Most Common Injuries Reported in Premise Liability Cases?
Unfortunately, anyone injured on another person’s property can sustain various injuries. Some injuries can be minor, such as scrapes and bruises. However, many premises liability accident victims suffer life-altering injuries, including spinal cord injuries that can leave them permanently disabled. In other cases, personal injury victims suffer injuries that can take significant time to heal, resulting in lost wages and expensive medical bills.
Some of the most commonly reported injuries sustained in premise liability cases include:
- Broken bones
- Facial and dental injuries
- Head, neck, and back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Sadly, in some instances, victims suffer wrongful death due to another person’s negligence.
If you have been injured at a business, request a copy of the incident report. Additionally, even if you do not have any visible injuries, it is still in your best interest to seek medical attention immediately. You may have suffered internal injuries that are not evident but could result in life-threatening consequences if not treated. Another benefit of being examined by a healthcare professional is that it provides medical documentation of your injuries.
Contact our South Carolina law firm immediately if you have suffered a serious injury due to property owner negligence. Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm has personal injury lawyers with extensive experience in premises liability law who know what it takes to get results.
What Type of Compensation Can I Recover for My Out of Pocket Expenses?
When someone else is responsible for causing your injuries, they should pay you for your out-of-pocket expenses. Out-of-pocket expenses refer to the money you have had to pay after being injured.
South Carolina law allows you to try to recover full compensation. One of the most considerable benefits of hiring an attorney is they can identify damages you may be entitled to recover. Economic losses compensate accident victims for out-of-pocket expenses incurred due to injury and are the financial damages from the accident.
You can substantiate the monetary value of these losses with bank records, receipts, and other financial documents. Examples of economic damages you could recover in a premises liability accident case include:
- Your ambulance expenses
- Diagnostic testing
- Medical treatment for your injuries
- Mental health counseling costs
- Co-pays and transportation fees
- Regular physical or occupational therapy
- Future healthcare costs
- Medical equipment fees
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Loss of employee health insurance benefits
- Loss of retirement savings contributions
- Loss of paid time off
- Personal property damages
- Damage to your credit report
- Increased insurance costs
- Childcare costs
- Household maintenance expenses
Can I Recover Compensation for Non-Economic Losses After Being Injured in a Premise Liability Accident?
Non-economic damages are losses that affect you mentally and emotionally. They also address how the accident changed your life. These damages are subjective, meaning they have no set monetary value. A premises liability lawyer with our firm will consider how these losses affect your daily routine to determine how much compensation you can request for them. Non-economic damages in premises liability claims typically include:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship and love
- Loss of society and support
- Loss of protection and advice
- Disfigurement and skin scarring
- Embarrassment and shock
- Fear, anticipation, and apprehension
- Shane and indignity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Psychological distress and emotional trauma
How Can Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm Help With Premises Liability Cases?
Having a dedicated premises liability attorney at Schiller & Hamilton handling your case could make all the difference in the outcome. Here are some of the ways we fight for our client’s compensation:
Investigate Fault
We begin by investigating how the accident happened and who is responsible for your injuries. The type of premises liability accident you were involved in will help your lawyer identify the at-fault parties. For example, if you slipped on a wet floor in a restaurant, you may be able to sue the restaurant’s owners, staff, or other third parties.
Conversely, if you were a tenant and your landlord failed to make repairs to the hallway or security cameras, you could hold your landlord or property owner accountable if you were mugged and suffered debilitating injuries.
Obtain Powerful Supporting Evidence
Throughout our investigation, we will gather valuable evidence to establish liability in your case. Such compelling evidence could include:
- Reports from accident reconstructionists
- Police reports
- Safety inspection logs
- Electronic communication exchanges (e.g., emails, text messages)
- Video surveillance footage
- Photos of your injuries
- Testimony from witnesses, friends, and family
- Photos and videos of the scene of the incident
What is the Time Limit in South Carolina to File a Premises Liability Claim?
Furthermore, you must start working on your South Carolina premises liability claim before time runs out. The law is clear. You have up to three years from the accident date to file your claim before the statute of limitations deadline expires, per S.C. Ann. § 15-3-530.
Those not filing their premises liability lawsuits before this deadline lose the right to hear their cases at trial. If you fail to file a claim within the three-year time limit, your case will most likely be thrown out, leaving you no legal recourse to recover compensation.
By getting our premises liability lawyer to work on your case as soon as possible, you can avoid the potential of missing the deadline and having to worry about the statute of limitations.
It is important to remember that negotiating with the insurance company does not halt the three-year statute of limitations deadline, so you must hire an experienced premises liability lawyer immediately who will handle your case.
Why Do I Need a Premise Liability Attorney Deal With the Insurance Company?
Our South Carolina premises liability lawyer will also deal with the insurance company on your behalf. Unfortunately, insurance companies commonly delay claims processing, and some handle claims in bad faith. Premise liability accidents often result in victims suffering catastrophic injuries that can require lifelong medical care. Sadly, many insurance providers look for ways to reduce claims by trying to argue that the victim is responsible for their injuries.
However, a lawyer will protect your rights and ensure you pursue the insurance settlement you are entitled to based on the policy’s terms and limits. Our personal injury lawyers can assist you with every aspect of the claims process and will work hard to ensure you are treated fairly by the insurance company.
When you come to Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm, we will act as your legal advocate with the insurance company to help you receive maximum compensation for your economic and non-economic losses.
Why Should I Choose Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm to Help Me Pursue Compensation for My Injuries?
Premises liability injuries could permanently alter your life for years to come. Medical bills and other accident-related expenses can quickly add up, and you do not want to get stuck footing the bill when someone else is liable for your losses. Our South Carolina law firm can hold them accountable and seek fair compensation for your injuries.
Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm has comprehensive experience assisting clients with premises liability cases. Far too many premises liability victims hesitate to call a lawyer for help because they worry about how much it will cost. However, when you choose Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm for your premises liability claim, you do not have to worry about putting any money down or covering any fees as we lead your case.
We work with our clients on contingency, meaning we get paid only if we recover compensation for your claim. You do not need to worry about losing money or being sent to collections for court costs. You do not have to pay anything for our legal services if we do not win. Learn more about the steps you can take to demand the financial recovery you deserve when you reach out to a premises liability lawyer at Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm at 803-902-4583 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Complete our secure contact form or call our office to get started on your claims as soon as today.