No one wants a slip-and-fall accident to happen, but these incidents do occur and lead to significant injuries. If you experience a slip-and-fall injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to pursue damages from the at-fault party.
At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we want slip-and-fall accident victims in South Carolina to seek justice. For those who suffer a slip-and-fall accident and injury caused by someone else, we can help. At this point, our South Carolina slip-and-fall accident attorney can review your case and help you decide what to do next. Our South Carolina personal injury lawyers are ready to take on the fight so you can focus on
Where Slip-and-Fall Accidents Occur in South Carolina
There are many places where a slip-and-fall accident can occur. These include:
- Parks
- Restaurants
- Stores
- Sidewalks
- Parking lots
- Schools
- Amusement parks
- Homes
Common causes of slip-and-fall accidents include uneven surfaces, wet floors, and inclement weather conditions. Meanwhile, if an individual does not take proper care of their property, this can lead to a slip-and-fall accident. In this scenario, you can file a slip-and-fall accident lawsuit against the at-fault party.
What to Expect if You File a South Carolina Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawsuit
Before you file a slip-and-fall accident lawsuit in South Carolina, you should find an attorney with relevant experience. You can hire a South Carolina slip-and-fall accident lawyer who understands the legal system. This attorney can take a look at your legal claim and help you request an appropriate amount of damages.
There is no cap on damages that you can request in a South Carolina slip-and-fall accident lawsuit. Your slip-and-fall accident lawyer in South Carolina can help you figure out how much to request in damages. When doing so, your lawyer will account for your immediate and long-term expenses.
Your attorney will make sure your lawsuit is filed within South Carolina’s statute of limitations as well. There is a three-year window for requesting damages in a slip-and-fall accident lawsuit in South Carolina. If you do not pursue damages within this window, you cannot do so after it closes.
How a South Carolina Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyer Handles Your Case
A slip-and-fall accident attorney in South Carolina makes no assumptions regarding your case. Instead, the lawyer allocates time, energy, and resources to ensure that you can build a strong argument. When your argument is ready, your attorney can present it during your trial.
In the time before your trial, your attorney will gather and review evidence. This allows your attorney to find information that can be used to support your request for damages. Your lawyer can also use this information to show that a party was negligent, which led to your slip-and-fall accident and injury.
You may not receive a quick settlement for your slip-and-fall claim in South Carolina, but that is okay. A quick settlement may not secure the full compensation you need. Your attorney may need months or years to help you get the most damages possible. If you have any legal concerns or questions throughout your litigation, your lawyer can respond to them.
How a Defendant Will Respond to Your South Carolina Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawsuit
An individual may be surprised to receive a request for damages following your slip-and-fall accident. At this point, this individual will likely hire an attorney who will try to dispute your legal claim. The defendant and their attorney will pursue every available legal option to ensure that you do not receive any damages.
In some instances, a defendant may face an overwhelming amount of evidence that shows this individual was at fault. This can lead a defendant and their attorney to craft a settlement proposal. The defendant and their lawyer can present you with this proposal, and you have the option to accept, reject, or counter it.
If you get a settlement offer, read through it with your attorney. This allows you to work with your lawyer to decide how to proceed with a settlement. Your lawyer can help you make an informed decision regarding a settlement.
What to Do if You Want to Decline a Settlement in a South Carolina Slip-and-Fall Accident Case
If you feel pressured to accept a South Carolina slip-and-fall accident settlement, keep in mind that you have options. You need to make a decision that relates to your best interests, not the defendant’s. Thus, if a settlement offer is not what you are looking for, you should not hesitate to reject it.
Your lawyer can notify a defendant’s attorney that you have rejected a settlement proposal. From here, you and your attorney can continue to work on your lawsuit. Together, you and your attorney can keep searching for ways to make your case as strong as possible.
If your case goes to trial, a judge or jury will decide it. A judge or jury will review evidence and testimony from both sides. Finally, you can find out if you will be awarded damages.
You Can Be Awarded Full or Partial Damages in a South Carolina Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawsuit
Your lawyer advocates on your behalf in the hopes you can secure the maximum amount of damages. If your attorney succeeds, a judge or jury will rule in your favor. On the other hand, if your lawyer is unsuccessful, you may receive only a fraction of what you originally requested in damages.
For example, your lawyer may compel a judge or jury to rule a defendant is fully responsible for your slip-and-fall accident and injury. The defendant is required to pay 100% of the damages you requested. Once the defendant does so, your case is closed.
Comparatively, a judge or jury may find you are partly responsible for your slip-and-fall accident. The judge or jury may then deduct the amount of damages you are awarded by your percentage of fault. Even worse, if a judge or jury finds you are fully responsible for your accident, you will not be awarded any damages.
Partner with a Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyer Who Could Help You Secure Thousands of Dollars in Damages
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm offers plenty of legal help with slip-and-fall accident cases. We can connect you with a slip-and-fall accident lawyer today. To get started, please get in touch with us.
