Charlotte Slip and Fall Attorneys
A fall can change your life. If the wrong part of your body lands against a sharp or hard surface, you could suffer severe, life-changing injuries. You will likely face enormous medical bills and be forced to take time off work, worsening the financial burden. If your fall resulted from an unsafe property hazard, such as a slick surface or uneven flooring, you may seek compensation through a personal injury claim.
At Stewart Law Offices, our Charlotte slip and fall lawyers are committed to helping our clients recover the compensation they need to cover their losses and move forward. We have been successfully representing personal injury victims for over 25 years, and, with many millions recovered*, our results speak for themselves. We want to make a difference in your life during this challenging time and will make every effort to make the legal process as efficient and painless as possible. One of our attorneys can meet with you at your home or in the hospital, and we will be available 24/7 to answer your questions. Our team is also sensitive to the financial challenges you are undoubtedly experiencing, which is why you pay nothing unless we secure a favorable settlement or verdict.
If you recently slipped and fell but are not sure whether you have a case, turn to Stewart Law Offices.
Understanding Premises Liability in Slip and Fall Cases
The goal of a slip and fall claim is to help a victim recover compensation for injuries and other losses. However, a person is not automatically entitled to compensation when they slip and fall on someone else’s residential or commercial property. Prevailing in a slip and fall case requires an understanding of premises liability, which governs when a property owner is legally responsible for injuries that occur on their property.
After reviewing the details of what happened, our Charlotte slip and fall attorneys will take the time to explain your rights and legal options.
To successfully bring a slip and fall claim, you must prove:
– The property owner owed you a duty of care.
Generally, a property owner owes a duty of care to invited guests, patrons, and customers. When you visit a store or are invited into a friend’s home, for example, the property owners typically owe you a duty of care. A property may not owe a duty of care to someone who is trespassing.
– A dangerous defect existed on the property.
Examples of dangerous defects that can trigger premises liability include slick surfaces, uneven flooring, loose railings, and inadequate lighting.
– The property owner knew or should have reasonably known about the dangerous defect.
For a property owner to become liable, they must have been aware of the defect. For example, if a spill in a grocery store occurs and someone slips immediately after the defect appears, it would be difficult to claim the property was aware of the issue. A property owner may become liable for defects they were not directly aware of if they should have been aware of the problem. If a spill occurs in a grocery store and the slick surface is allowed to stand for hours, for example, a case could be made that the property owner should have been conducting regular cleanings and inspections and, therefore, should have been aware of the spill.
– The property owner did not address or resolve the dangerous defect.
Keep in mind that not all defects can be entirely resolved as soon as they are discovered. A property owner may not be liable if they took adequate steps to warn visitors about a defect. In the example of a grocery store spill, placing a bright, unambiguous “warning: wet floor” sign would likely be considered sufficient in the eyes of the law.
– You were injured because of the dangerous defect.
Simply discovering the existence of a dangerous defect does not mean you have a case. You must be able to demonstrate that your injuries were directly caused by the defect.
Recovering Damages Through a North Carolina Slip and Fall Claim
A slip and fall claim allows a victim to obtain compensation for economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault party. Economic damages, also called “special compensatory damages,” are quantifiable, while non-economic damages, also referred to as “general compensatory damages,” are not. We can help you understand what your claim may be worth, and we will always fight to maximize what you recover.
Our Charlotte slip and fall lawyers will work to secure compensation for all losses, including:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage (such as a broken watch or jewelry)
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
Time Limits For Slip And Fall Claims In Charlotte
In North Carolina, you have only three years from the date of the slip and fall to bring a personal injury claim. You will be barred from taking legal action and recovering compensation if you miss this deadline, which is why it is important to get legal advice as soon as possible after an accident.
Should someone suffer fatal injuries due to a slip and fall, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate has the right to file a wrongful death claim for the benefit of the victim’s surviving loved ones. In these cases, the personal representative will have two years from the date of death to file a lawsuit. Our compassionate Charlotte wrongful death lawyers will fight for the justice of your loved one.