You are out running errands or visiting a friend in Murrells Inlet when suddenly, you slip and fall on a wet floor with no warning sign or trip over a hidden hazard on an uneven walkway. In an instant, your day takes a painful turn. As you assess your injuries, you realize you may need legal help to protect your rights. A seasoned Murrells Inlet premises liability lawyer from Swilley Law Firm, LLC can make all the difference in such situations.
We understand how a serious injury from hazardous conditions on someone else’s property can upend your life. Medical bills pile up, you miss work and lose income, and your daily routine gets disrupted. You should not have to shoulder these burdens alone if a property owner’s negligence led to your accident. Our Murrells Inlet premise liability attorneys have a successful track record of holding careless property owners accountable. Let us fight for the compensation you need to heal and move forward.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is the legal concept that property owners and managers must keep their property in a reasonably safe condition for visitors. This applies to many types of properties that are open to the public or invited guests, such as:
- Grocery stores
- Restaurants
- Retail stores
- Hotels and resorts
- Office buildings
- Apartment complexes
- Private homes
When owners fail to properly maintain their property, fix hazards, or warn visitors of dangers, people can get seriously hurt. Premises liability law is designed to protect innocent visitors from preventable harm and hold negligent property owners responsible for the damage they cause. If you have been injured due to a property owner’s carelessness or failure to address known hazards, you may have a valid premises liability claim. Common causes of preventable injuries on dangerous properties include:
- Slippery floors from spills or leaks
- Cracked or uneven sidewalks and parking lots
- Torn carpeting or loose floorboards
- Inadequate lighting in stairwells and hallways
- Lack of handrails on stairs
- Unsecured fixtures that can fall
- Swimming pools with no barriers or supervision, or other hazards that could be deemed an “attractive nuisance”
- Negligent or inadequate security leading to assaults
- Injuries and sickness resulting from consumption of improperly prepared or deficient food from restaurants and retail stores
If you suffered harm due to property owner negligence, our Murrells Inlet premises liability attorneys can conduct a prompt, thorough investigation to gather important evidence before it disappears. We will document the hazardous condition, interview witnesses, obtain surveillance footage if available, and consult with safety experts as needed to determine if the property owner failed to meet their legal duty of care. We know how to build persuasive cases and deal with insurance companies to pursue maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
Proving a Premises Liability Claim
Premises liability cases can be complex. Victims must prove several key legal elements to prevail in an insurance claim or lawsuit.
As you can probably tell, there are many moving parts in proving a premises liability claim. The property owner may argue that they were not actually negligent, that you were trespassing at the time of the accident, or that your own carelessness contributed to your injuries.
They may try to downplay the seriousness of the hazard or shift blame to a third party. Our skilled premises liability lawyers in Murrells Inlet knows how to counter these tactics and fight back against lowball settlement offers that do not fully account for the harm you suffered. We will work tirelessly to establish the facts that demonstrate the owner’s negligence and liability for your injuries.
Seeking Full and Fair Compensation
A bad fall or other premises-related accident can leave you facing a long road to recovery. Some of the catastrophic injuries we often see in these cases include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Torn ligaments
- Lacerations and scarring
- Painful contusions
- Internal organ damage
You may require extensive medical treatment, surgeries, prescriptions, physical therapy, and more. The road to maximum medical improvement can be long and grueling. You may need to take significant time off work, resulting in lost wages on top of the medical bills.
Some victims suffer long-term or permanent disabilities that diminish their quality of life. We aim to recover compensation for the full scope of harm you have experienced. While money cannot undo your injuries, it can provide vital financial relief and a sense of justice. You should not have to bear the financial fallout of an injury that was not your fault.
In addition to economic damages like medical expenses and lost income, you may also be entitled to non-economic damages. If the property owner’s conduct was particularly egregious or reckless, punitive damages may also be available to punish the wrongdoing and deter similar behavior in the future. Our knowledgeable premises liability attorneys in Murrells Inlet will carefully assess all of your damages and fight for a resolution that fully accounts for what you have endured. We prepare every case as if it is going to trial and will not hesitate to argue your case in court if the insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement offer.
What To Do After an Accident on Someone Else’s Property
If you get hurt on dangerous property, your health and safety take priority. Get medical care right away, even if your injuries seem minor at first.
Be sure to report the accident to the property owner or manager as soon as possible. Ask them to create a formal written incident report and give you a copy before you leave the scene. If there were witnesses, try to get their names and contact information. Use your phone to take photos of the hazard that caused your accident, your visible injuries, and the surrounding area. Keep all copies of your medical records, bills, and other documentation related to the accident and your recovery.
These will become important evidence for your premises liability claim.
Please do not give a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster or accept a quick settlement before speaking with a Murrells Inlet premises liability attorney first. The insurance company’s goal is to limit payouts and shut down your claim for as little money as possible.
The initial offer is unlikely to reflect the real value of your claim. Let our Murrells Inlet premise liability lawyers handle the heavy lifting with insurers and work to get you a far better outcome. We will thoroughly assess your damages and negotiate aggressively for a settlement that meets your needs now and in the future.
After an accident, you will likely be feeling overwhelmed and unsure about what to do next. The insurance adjuster may pressure you to make a statement or accept a lowball offer. The property owner may try to shift blame or downplay the extent of the hazard. It is important to remember that you do not have to face this difficult situation alone. Our compassionate premise liability lawyers are here to provide clear guidance and strong advocacy every step of the way. We can help you understand your rights, explore all of your legal options, and make informed decisions about your premises liability case. With our skilled legal team in your corner, you can focus on your physical recovery while we work hard to secure the financial recovery you need to move forward with your life.
Call Our Murrells Inlet Premises Liability Lawyers Today
At Swilley Law Firm, LLC, we are here to spring into action and start building your case right away. If you or a loved one was seriously injured by a hazardous property condition in Murrells Inlet, please contact us immediately. We are ready to put our extensive experience and unwavering dedication to work for you.
