A normal day can change in seconds. You walk through a grocery store, a restaurant, or an office building in Florence, and suddenly, your feet slip from under you. Pain shoots through your body.
Medical bills pile up. Work becomes impossible. What started as a simple errand now threatens your physical and financial well-being.
At Swilley Law Firm, LLC, these scenarios play out daily across Florence. Slip and fall accidents happen more often than most people realize and their consequences can last far longer than expected. Our Florence slip and fall lawyers fight for people like you every day—hard working individuals whose lives have been disrupted through no fault of their own.
Slip and Fall Accidents Are More Common and Serious Than You Think
Slip and fall incidents rank among the most frequent accidents in South Carolina. The National Floor Safety Institute reports that falls result in over eight million emergency room cases annually—the leading cause of ER visits nationwide. In Florence, we see these accidents happen in numerous locations:
- Grocery stores with unmarked wet floors
- Restaurants with spilled food or drinks
- Office buildings with loose carpeting
- Shopping malls with broken floor tiles
- Hotels with poorly maintained walkways
- Apartment complexes with icy stairs in winter
These accidents often lead to injuries much more severe than many expect. Common injuries include:
Immediate Physical Injuries
Broken bones and fractures frequently occur in falls, particularly wrist and hip fractures, when people try to catch themselves. Older adults face especially high risks, with hip fractures potentially leading to life-altering complications.
Head trauma ranges from mild concussions to traumatic brain injuries that can affect memory, concentration, and personality. Even what seems like a minor bump might develop into serious symptoms days later.
Spinal injuries may include herniated discs, compressed nerves, or even paralysis in severe cases.
These injuries typically cause long-term pain and mobility issues.
Long-Term Consequences
Chronic pain often develops from what initially seemed like minor injuries. Months or years later, victims still struggle with daily discomfort.
Mobility limitations might prevent a return to work or participation in previously enjoyed activities. Simple tasks become challenging.
Psychological impacts include anxiety about falling again, depression from chronic pain, and stress from financial pressures during recovery.
Why You Need a Dedicated Florence Slip and Fall Lawyer
Many people question whether they truly need legal representation after a fall. They wonder if they can handle insurance companies themselves or if their case “matters enough” to involve a lawyer.
The reality proves far different from what most expect. Insurance companies employ teams of adjusters and attorneys whose job centers on minimizing payouts. They count on your inexperience with the legal system and your desire to resolve matters quickly.
Without proper representation, many slip and fall victims accept settlements far below what they deserve. These settlements often fail to cover long-term medical needs, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
A Florence slip and fall attorney from Swilley Law Firm brings several crucial advantages:
- Evidence preservation and investigation: Critical evidence disappears quickly after an accident. Surveillance footage might be erased. Spills get cleaned up. Witnesses forget details or become difficult to locate. Our team acted fast to preserve this valuable evidence. We send preservation letters to businesses, interview witnesses while memories remain fresh, and document conditions that led to your fall.
- Expert assessment of damages: Many slip and fall victims underestimate their long-term damages. They focus on immediate medical bills but overlook future treatment needs, potential earnings losses, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Our Florida slip and fall attorneys work with medical experts, economic analysts, and life care planners to calculate the true cost of your injuries—not just today but years into the future.
- Skilled negotiation with insurance companies: Insurance adjusters recognize when they face inexperienced individuals versus seasoned attorneys. Our reputation and experience level the playing field immediately. We know the tactics adjusters use to minimize claims. We counter lowball offers with solid evidence and legal arguments that support your full compensation.
- Trial preparation when necessary: While most cases settle before trial, preparing every case as if it will reach the courtroom strengthens your position during negotiations. Insurance companies recognize when attorneys come prepared for trial, often leading to better settlement offers. If a fair settlement proves impossible, our trial-experienced attorneys stand ready to present your case convincingly to a Florence County jury.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Florence
Florence experiences unique conditions that contribute to slip and fall hazards. Awareness of these common causes helps both in prevention and in building strong legal cases:
- Weather-related hazards: South Carolina’s climate creates specific risks. Heavy rain can make floors slippery near entrances to businesses. Brief winter ice storms catch property owners unprepared for proper treatment of walkways and parking lots.
- Flooring and maintenance issues: Worn carpeting with frayed edges or upturned corners creates tripping hazards in offices and hotels. Broken tiles in retail spaces can catch shoes unexpectedly. Uneven sidewalks throughout downtown Florence present constant risks to pedestrians.
- Negligent housekeeping practices: Retail environments frequently experience spills that require prompt attention. When stores operate with inadequate staffing or poor training, these hazards remain unaddressed longer than safe.
- Poor lighting conditions: Inadequate lighting in parking garages, stairwells, and walkways prevents people from seeing hazards. This problem grows especially dangerous in apartment complexes and hotels where lighting maintenance often lags.
- Inadequate warning signage: When floors are freshly mopped or when permanent hazards exist, proper warning signs alert visitors to proceed with caution. The absence of these warnings significantly increases fall risks.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident in Florence
The actions you take immediately following a fall can significantly impact your physical recovery and legal case. If you experience a slip and fall accident:
- Seek medical attention promptly; Your health comes first. Even if you feel “just shaken up,” some injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, might not show immediate symptoms. Medical documentation also creates crucial evidence for your case.
- Report the incident: Notify the property owner, manager, or supervisor about what happened. Request a written incident report and ask for a copy before leaving. Note the names and positions of everyone you speak with.
- Document everything: Use your phone to photograph the hazard that caused your fall before it gets cleaned up or fixed. Capture the surrounding area to show contextual factors like poor lighting or missing warning signs.
- Collect witness information: If anyone saw you fall, ask for their contact information. Independent witnesses can provide powerful testimony about the conditions that caused your accident.
- Preserve evidence: Keep the shoes and clothing you wore during the fall without washing them. These items might contain physical evidence of substances that caused your slip.
- Contact a Florence slip and fall attorney: Reach out to Swilley Law Firm before discussing the incident with insurance representatives or accepting any settlement offers. Early legal guidance protects your rights from the start.
Compensation Available in Florence Slip and Fall Cases
South Carolina law allows slip and fall victims to pursue various damages, depending on the specifics of their case:
Economic Damages
These include quantifiable financial losses:
- Medical expenses cover all reasonable and necessary treatment related to your injuries, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, medication, and future medical needs.
- Lost wages compensate for income lost while recovering from injuries, including commissions, salaries, and bonuses.
- Reduced earning capacity applies when injuries prevent you from earning at your previous level in the future.
- Property damage reimbursement covers items damaged during your fall, such as electronic devices, eyeglasses, or clothing.
Non-Economic Damages
These harder-to-quantify damages address the personal impact of injuries:
- Pain and suffering compensate for physical pain and discomfort experienced during and after the accident.
- Emotional distress addresses psychological effects like anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and post-traumatic stress.
- Loss of enjoyment of life recognizes the diminished ability to participate in previously enjoyed activities and hobbies.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement acknowledges lasting physical changes affecting your life quality.
The Legal Process for Slip and Fall Claims in Florence
When you work with Swilley Law Firm on your slip and fall case, we guide you through each step of the legal process:
- Initial case evaluation: We begin with a thorough review of your accident details, injuries, and available evidence. This helps us determine case strength and potential compensation value.
- Investigation phase: Our team collects and preserves evidence, interviews witnesses, reviews accident reports, obtains medical records, and consults with experts as needed.
- Demand and negotiation: Once we establish liability and damages, we present a formal demand to the responsible party’s insurance company. This initiates settlement negotiations.
- Trial and resolution: While most cases settle before trial, we prepare thoroughly for court presentation. Our Florence slip and fall lawyers present evidence, question witnesses, and make compelling arguments to the judge and jury.
Contact Our Florence Slip and Fall Attorney Today
When unexpected accidents disrupt your life, having strong legal support makes all the difference.
The physical pain, emotional distress, and financial strain following a slip and fall accident can overwhelm anyone. You deserve compensation that truly reflects your losses and needs.
Swilley Law Firm stands ready to fight for Florence residents injured through property owner negligence. Our experienced team knows how to build compelling cases that insurance companies and juries respect. Contact our Florence office today for a consultation about your slip and fall accident.
