Slip and Fall Lawyer in Greenville, NC

Slip-and-Fall-at-Home

When you visit a store, restaurant, or someone else’s home, you expect to be reasonably safe. Property owners are obligated to maintain a secure environment for guests and visitors. So, when a slip-and-fall accident occurs, you may feel shaken and confused. Most slip-and-fall accident victims don’t know their legal rights or where to seek help.

At Hardison & Cochran, our Greenville slip-and-fall lawyers have over 40 years of legal experience advocating for injured North Carolinians. We’re committed to helping you hold careless property owners accountable for their actions and working to demand maximum compensation for your injuries.

If you are a Greenville resident recently injured in a slip-and-fall accident, contact our office today for a free consultation. Let’s discuss your legal options for pursuing compensation.

Common Slip-and-Fall Injuries in Greenville, NC

Slip-and-fall accidents can lead to painful and traumatic injuries that cause chronic pain and problems long after the initial fall. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that falls are one of the country’s leading causes of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Other injuries that can occur after a Greenville slip-and-fall accident can include:

  • Broken bones, especially arms, legs, wrists, and hips
  • Dislocations
  • Neck and spinal cord injuries
  • Facial injuries
  • Dental injuries
  • Severe cuts and bruises
  • Soft tissue injuries

In addition to physical injuries, slip-and-fall accidents can also lead to invisible harm like anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Emotional distress is a common complaint following a significant slip-and-fall incident.

These types of injuries are common in slip-and-fall accidents that happen because of:

  • Icy surfaces
  • Spills and wet floors
  • Potholes
  • Torn carpeting or rugs
  • Uneven walkways
  • Sidewalk cracks
  • Loose floorboards
  • Exposed wires or loose cords
  • Products blocking walking paths or store aisles
  • Stairs with loose or missing handrails
  • Unmarked hazards
  • Bad lighting

Never ignore a slip-and-fall accident, no matter what the cause. File an accident report, seek immediate medical attention for your injuries, and consult a Greenville slip-and-fall lawyer for more help.

Legal Rights After a Slip-and-Fall Accident

Victims of Greenville slip-and-fall accidents have the legal right to pursue compensation for their injuries when a negligent property owner is to blame. Property owners owe a duty of care to visitors and guests. They must take reasonable measures to ensure the safety of their property, address dangerous conditions to prevent accidents and injuries, and warn visitors of any hazards. If the property owner fails in these duties, they could be held liable for the injured person’s losses.

To prove liability, a slip-and-fall accident attorney must present evidence that shows:

  • The property owner was responsible for maintaining a safe environment, free from dangerous conditions and hazards.
  • The property owner knew or should have reasonably known a hazard existed on their property.
  • The owner did not take appropriate steps to warn others or correct the dangerous conditions in a reasonable amount of time.
  • The hazardous condition caused the slip-and-fall accident, and the victim suffered injuries and losses.

In North Carolina, adult trespassers do not have the same legal rights as visitors or invitees. Trespassers do not have explicit or implied permission to be on another person’s property.

Who Is Liable for Slip-and-Fall Injuries in Greenville?

All North Carolina property owners are responsible for reasonably maintaining the safety and security of their property for guests, visitors, and patrons. That makes property owners potentially liable when they fail to address known issues or dangerous conditions on their property and someone gets injured due to their negligence. However, they aren’t the only ones that could be responsible for a slip-and-fall accident.

Parties who may be partially or wholly liable for slip-and-fall injuries in Greenville can include:

  • Property owners and managers
  • Tenants whose lease gives them control of the property
  • Landlords
  • Government entities or municipalities

Identifying all at-fault parties can be challenging without the help of an experienced North Carolina premises liability attorney. A knowledgeable attorney can complete a thorough investigation, identify all liable parties, and secure evidence establishing fault.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Trip-and-Fall in Greenville?

The severity of the victim’s injuries, the circumstances of the incident, and other factors play a role in establishing the value of a personal injury case. However, most slip-and-fall victims in Greenville can pursue money to cover their:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Pain and suffering

An injured individual can file a slip-and-fall claim with the property owner’s insurance company seeking fair compensation for their accident-related injuries. Accepting an initial settlement offer is rarely in an injury victim’s best interest. Insurance companies value profits, not high payouts. Aggressive negotiation may be required to recover the money a slip-and-fall accident victim deserves.

Injured people may also pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. North Carolina law generally gives victims three years from the accident date to sue. Working with an attorney as soon as possible is vital for preserving crucial evidence and protecting your right to compensation, whether you file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.

Talk to Our Experienced Greenville Slip-and-Fall Lawyers Today

At Hardison & Cochran, our Greenville slip-and-fall attorneys know that results matter to our clients. We aggressively work to secure significant verdicts or settlements for slip-and-fall accident victims, giving them the means to recover and rebuild their lives – like the $575,000 we recovered for a man who fell down the stairs and suffered spinal injuries after a handrail gave way.

From the moment you walk in our door, we’ll treat you with the respect and compassion you deserve. We believe that care shows when our clients talk about our firm. Lynette G. had this to say:

“I was always explained everything in full detail. Prepared for and ready for every question and task that I need to have completed. I was not left out there to figure anything out for myself. If I had a question, I was given an answer. If I left a message someone called me back. If I sent an email, someone replied. I have been to other lawyers and this type of service is not always guaranteed. When you are stressed and need help this is the law firm to call.”

If you are ready to discuss your Greenville slip-and-fall case and want to see what sets our personal injury attorneys apart, contact our office for a free legal consultation.