803.937.5055 | 370 St. Paul Street | Orangeburg, SC 29115
803.937.5055 | 370 St. Paul Street | Orangeburg, SC 29115
Premises Liability / Slip-and-Fall
Property owners and businesses have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for the people who visit them. When they cut corners, ignoring a spill, skipping repairs, or leaving a walkway poorly lit, the people who get hurt are often left facing painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and unanswered questions about who is responsible.
At The Williams Firm, we help clients in Orangeburg and the surrounding counties hold negligent property owners accountable when unsafe conditions cause serious injury.
Need help after a fall on someone elseโs property? Contact The Williams Firm today for a free consultation*.
These incidents commonly happen in grocery stores, restaurants, apartment complexes, retail stores, and government buildings, but they can occur on any property where an owner fails to maintain safe conditions.
To recover compensation, you generally must show that the property owner knew, or reasonably should have known, about the hazardous condition and failed to fix it or warn visitors within a reasonable amount of time. Key evidence often includes:
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you may still recover compensation even if you were partly responsible for the fall, as long as you are found 50% or less at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
In South Carolina, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a premises liability lawsuit. Missing this deadline can mean losing your right to compensation entirely, so itโs important to act promptly.
You donโt have to face the aftermath of a slip-and-fall or unsafe property injury alone. At The Williams Firm, weโll listen to what happened, explain your options in plain language, and handle the legal heavy lifting so you can focus on getting better.
Contact The Williams Firm today for a free consultation*. Let us help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
What if I fell at a friendโs or family memberโs house?
You can still pursue a claim. Most homeowners carry insurance that covers injuries to guests, and filing a claim is typically against that policy, not your friend or family member personally.
Does it matter if there was a โwet floorโ sign posted?
A warning sign can help a property ownerโs defense, but it doesnโt automatically defeat your claim. If the hazard could have been fixed or better contained, or if the sign wasnโt placed where you could reasonably see it, you may still have a strong case.
What if the store says they didnโt know about the spill or hazard?
We investigate whether the property owner should have known about the condition, even if they claim they didnโt. Maintenance schedules, inspection logs, and how long the hazard existed are all relevant to this question.
Can I still file a claim if I didnโt report the fall right away?
Yes, though reporting promptly strengthens your case. If you didnโt report it immediately, seek medical attention as soon as possible and contact us so we can help document what happened while evidence is still available.
What if my fall happened at an apartment complex I rent?
Landlords have a duty to maintain common areas, like stairwells, walkways, and parking lots, in reasonably safe condition. A fall caused by a landlordโs failure to maintain these areas may support a premises liability claim.
Will my case go to trial?
Most premises liability cases settle through negotiation, but we prepare every case as though it could go to trial. That preparation often leads to a stronger settlement offer.
