If you suffer a slip and fall injury in St. Andrews, SC, get medical help right away. In addition, if someone else is responsible for your injury, partner with an attorney. By hiring a St. Andrews personal injury lawyer, you can sue any at-fault parties for compensation relating to your injury.
At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we offer legal services and support to slip and fall accident victims in South Carolina. Our St. Andrews slip and fall accident lawyer is available to review your case. To get started, please reach out to us.
Why Slip and Fall Accidents Happen in St. Andrews
In the United States, slips, trips, and falls account for 15% of accidental deaths, according to research. Along with this, more than one million slip and fall-related hospital visits are reported annually nationwide. An individual can get hurt or die in a slip-and-fall accident that occurs for many reasons, such as:
- Slippery floors
- Poor lighting
- Loose handrails
- Defective stairs
You can slip, trip, fall, and get hurt on someone else’s property due to no fault of your own. In this scenario, you have the option to seek compensation from the property owner. To do so, you can file a personal injury lawsuit.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm has handled dozens of slip-and-fall accident lawsuits. Our St. Andrews slip and fall accident attorney will take a look at your case and help you decide if now is the right time to sue for damages. To learn more, please get in touch with us.
Who You Can Sue in a Slip and Fall Accident Lawsuit
You can sue an employer, business, or anyone else responsible for your slip and fall accident and injury. To get compensation, you must be able to show that an at-fault party was negligent, which led to your accident and injury. Also, you must prove that this party’s negligence caused you to suffer damages.
A slip and fall accident lawyer in St. Andrews will answer frequently asked questions and many others about premises liability claims. They will help you identify any parties who contributed to your slip and fall incident. Your attorney will make sure that your claim is submitted in accordance with South Carolina’s statute of limitations, too.
In South Carolina, you have a maximum of three years to submit a claim based on a personal injury. The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits cannot be extended. If you get hurt on someone else’s property, you must file your lawsuit within three years — otherwise, you are solely responsible for any costs relating to your accident and injury.
Types of Damages that You Can Get in a Slip and Fall Accident Lawsuit
You can ask for economic damages, non-economic damages, or both. A slip and fall accident attorney in St. Andrews will encourage you to seek economic and non-economic compensation. They will urge you to request the most compensation possible.
Economic damages are awarded for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses that you can quantify. Non-economic damages are provided for suffering, pain, and other subjective losses. Every slip and fall incident case is different, and how much money you can get depends on the strength of your argument, the severity of your injury, and other factors.
Your lawyer will explain how a personal injury settlement is determined. They will submit your claim, and then build an argument designed to compel a judge or jury to award you the compensation you request. If your attorney is successful, you should expect a fair amount of compensation that you can use to cover the short- and long-term costs associated with your slip and fall injury.
What to Request in Damages in a Slip and Fall Accident Case
In most personal injury lawsuits in South Carolina, there is no cap on the amount of compensation that you can request. Regardless of how much money you want, you are still responsible for showing a judge or jury that the defendant in your lawsuit was negligent. With help from an attorney, you can prepare an argument that resonates with a judge or jury.
Your lawyer will help you preserve evidence from the scene of your slip and fall accident. For example, you may have photos or videos you took at the time your accident happened. These photos and videos can be used to provide a judge or jury with additional insights into your accident and injury.
Just because you have plenty of evidence does not guarantee that you will be awarded damages. The defendant in your lawsuit will attempt to dispute any claims against them. Meanwhile, your attorney remains diligent and ensures you are put in the best position to get a fair settlement.
How a Settlement Works in a Slip and Fall Accident Lawsuit
It can take months or years before a slip-and-fall accident lawsuit goes to trial. In the time before your trial, the defendant may propose a settlement. If this happens, you have the option to accept a settlement and close your case.
When you get a settlement proposal, you can review it with your attorney, and doing so is beneficial for several reasons. By discussing a settlement proposal with your lawyer, you can get honest and unbiased insights into it. If your lawyer believes a settlement is worth far less than what you can receive if you bring your case to trial, they will let you know.
You have the final say on what to do with a settlement offer. If you believe a settlement offer gives you a reasonable amount of compensation, you can approve the proposal and end your litigation. On the other hand, if you are not 100% satisfied with a settlement proposal, decline it, and you and your lawyer will continue to prepare for your trial.
Hire a St. Andrews Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm can connect you with an experienced St. Andrews slip and fall injury attorney. We will do everything we can to win or settle your case in as little time as possible. To find out more or schedule a free case consultation, please contact us today.
