What Are Common Causes of Slip-and-Fall Accidents in North Carolina?

Slip-and-fall accidents can happen anywhere, from grocery stores to hotels to office buildings and city sidewalks. They often occur due to a property owner’s poor maintenance or a lack of warning about potential hazards. However, they’re usually preventable with the proper care and precautions. Ultimately, property owners are legally responsible for keeping their premises safe. When safety standards are not met, visitors may suffer serious injuries like broken bones, head trauma, or catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord damage.

Understanding the common causes of slip-and-fall accidents can help injured people evaluate whether someone else’s negligence played a part in their injury. If property owners fail to keep their property in reasonably safe condition and an accident occurs, they may be held financially liable. Under North Carolina premises liability laws, accident victims may seek fair compensation for their injuries. An experienced injury attorney can discuss your legal options during a free case evaluation.

What Are Some Examples of Property Conditions That Can Cause Slip-and-Fall Accidents?

Many conditions can contribute to slip-and-fall accidents.

Some of the most common property hazards cited in personal injury claims include the following:

• Wet or slippery floors
• Uneven or cracked sidewalks
• Poor lighting in walkways or stairwells
• Cluttered floors and tripping hazards
• Loose or torn carpeting
• Lack of handrails or improperly maintained stairs
• Unmarked steps

These hazards can catch you by surprise and cause a fall accident, even if you are observant. If you slip and fall due to these hazards, report the incident to the property owner as soon as possible and request a copy of the accident report.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a North Carolina Slip-and-Fall Accident?

Under premises liability laws, the property owner is responsible for maintaining the property in a safe condition for visitors. Therefore, if a hazardous condition on a property causes an injury, the property owner may be liable for damages, depending on the circumstances.

The determination of liability varies for different types of properties. For instance, homeowners of private residences can be held liable for injuries sustained by invited guests but not by a trespasser. On the other hand, the owners of a retail store may be held responsible for anyone who sustains an injury while visiting the store during business hours. Finally, governments are responsible for maintaining publicly-owned parks, buildings, and sidewalks. Filing a slip-and-fall claim and proving negligence on the part of a government entity can be tricky. Still, an experienced personal injury lawyer will understand the evidence needed to build a strong personal injury case.

What Should You Do if You Have Been Injured in a Slip-and-Fall Accident?

If you’ve been a victim of a slip-and-fall accident, you should try to take the following steps:

• Seek medical treatment promptly
• Report the incident to the property manager
• Take photos of the hazard
• Gather the names and contact information of witnesses
• Keep track of medical records and all related expenses
• Contact a Jacksonville personal injury lawyer

If you can’t gather information, your attorney will seek to obtain information for you. This is one of the reasons you need to seek an attorney with strong knowledge of personal injury law.

Can You Seek Compensation for a Slip-and-Fall Accident Injury?

After you slip and fall, you may be in a lot of pain. You could be suffering from injuries to the head, arms, knees, or hips. You may have broken bones that require medical attention. Severe injuries may keep you out of work and disrupt your income. A slip-and-fall accident can cause financial hardship, leaving you with mounting medical bills and no income to pay them.

Our law firm can help you evaluate whether you have a right to seek personal injury compensation after a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property. If you file an injury claim, you may seek to recover compensation for the following types of expenses and losses:

• Medical bills and future medical expenses
• Lost wages due to missed work
• Pain and emotional suffering
• Disability and long-term care costs

The insurance company representing the at-fault property owner may offer a quick settlement to limit liability. Before accepting the offer, you should have an experienced personal injury lawyer review the offer to make sure it’s fair based on the injuries suffered. If the insurer refuses to agree to fair compensation, you may need to file a slip-and-fall lawsuit. It’s always a good idea to have an attorney review your case and help you determine if filing a lawsuit is a proper step.

What if the Slip-and-Fall Happened at Work?

If your accident happened while performing your job duties, you may file a workers’ compensation claim to seek benefits. North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance to protect employees who sustain injuries. Workers’ comp insurance provides benefits, regardless of who was at fault for a workplace injury. Contact a workers’ compensation lawyer to understand your legal options.

Contact a North Carolina Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyer

Pursuing a slip-and-fall case and holding a property owner responsible for their negligence can be challenging without legal representation. The Jacksonville personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A., are here to provide legal guidance based on decades of experience. We offer a no-obligation consultation.

Our legal team handles a wide variety of injury cases, including slip-and-fall claims and workers’ compensation. Our injury attorneys have served Jacksonville, North Carolina, for three generations. Over that time, we’ve developed extensive resources that we are ready to utilize on your behalf. If you work with our law firm, you will have the peace of mind of having compassionate, skilled attorneys who know how to navigate the legal process. Please take a look at our case results and client testimonials. We do not charge legal fees unless we obtain compensation for you.

The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A., is well-versed in civil and military personnel cases and takes pride in our attorney-client relationships. Please contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your injury and learn about your legal rights after a slip-and-fall accident.

Contact Our North Carolina Slip-and-Fall Accident Law Offices