A trip-and-fall accident can happen anywhere. When you trip on something, your body is sent crashing down to the unforgiving ground. This can cause you suffer a broken bone, or other serious injury. Often, our clients require surgery.
Many South Carolina trip-and-fall accidents are completely avoidable. And contrary to what the business or insurance rep tells you, it’s often not because you didn’t look where you were going. The truth is, if the owner had taken a little bit of care or caution, you may not have to endure the pain and high medical costs you now face.
But to earn a settlement, the first thing you’ve got to do is prove the property owner’s carelessness caused the fall. To do this, it helps to understand some of the most common causes of these accidents:
- Cluttered walkways. Clutter in walkways may not be easy to see. If clutter that should have been cleaned up or taped off is blocking your way and you trip, it could cause a serious injury.
- Uneven sidewalks or flooring. This can be difficult to detect, so there should be a warning sign nearby to alert people to the hazard. If there is no warning, you risk falling.
- Potholes or cracked, uneven parking lots. Parking lot potholes should be attended to as quickly as possible to avoid trips. If a pothole was not attended to or warned of and you fell, you may be seriously injured. The same holds true for dangerously shabby asphalt that cracks and lumps.
- Torn carpeting. Carpet tears can be very difficult to see. If not properly marked, they can easily cause you to trip.
- Unsafe floor mats. If it’s taped down, the store knows it will roll up, which could trip an unsuspecting customer. If the mat is already rolled up or crinkled, the danger’s already lurking. And no one looks at the floor when they walk in or around a store.
- Stairway hazards. Rickety stairs, loose stair railings, badly lit stairwells and hallways, and loose floor coverings on stairs can all lead to a nasty tumble.
If a property owner did not take proper measures to fix a hazard or warn you of it, you may be able to file a claim that covers the costs of your medical expenses and your injuries. Proving negligent property maintenance is rarely easy, and it usually requires the help of a skilled trip and fall lawyer in Spartanburg. Call us today toll free (864) 582-0416 to learn more about how we may be able to help you with your claim.
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