Determining Liability in a Slip and Fall Claim
A slip and fall accident in Charleston, SC, can quickly become more than an embarrassing moment. It can mean hospital bills, missed work, and lingering pain. Legally, anyone responsible for maintaining a property can be held accountable for your accident-related losses if their negligence caused your fall. That includes property owners, tenants, businesses, and maintenance contractors.
Our accident lawyers have seen firsthand how quickly a routine trip to the Charleston City Market or a stroll downtown can turn into months of recovery. Knowing who may be responsible is the key to holding the right parties accountable and recovering the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Who Might Be Liable for a Slip and Fall?
Responsibility for a slip and fall accident can rest with several parties, depending on where the accident occurred. These parties can include:
Property Owners and Landlords
These parties have the clearest duty to keep their properties safe. A landlord who lets broken porch steps or loose railings go unrepaired, for instance, can face liability when that neglect results in your injury.
Businesses and Tenants
Many commercial spaces downtown or in shopping centers, such as Citadel Mall, are leased by individual tenants. Those businesses must keep their areas safe for customers. If a restaurant fails to clean up a spill promptly or a store leaves boxes in an aisle, the company, not just the property owner, may be responsible.
Maintenance and Cleaning Companies
Hotels, shopping centers, and municipal buildings often rely on third-party janitorial services. If a cleaning crew leaves residue or fails to post warning signs, both the company and the property manager could be at fault.
Government Entities
Charleston’s many public sidewalks, parking lots, and government buildings fall under city, county, or state control. When a fall happens on government property, say, a cracked sidewalk near Marion Square or a slick courthouse stairway, you can file a claim under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, which has shorter deadlines and stricter filing rules than private claims.
Why Proving Liability Can Get Complicated
Many Charleston properties involve multiple layers of ownership or management. A historic building might be owned by one company, leased to another, and maintained by a third. Sorting out who’s responsible takes careful investigation and documentation.
Let’s say you trip on uneven bricks outside a King Street shop that’s part of a mixed-use complex. The property management firm might claim the city owns the sidewalk. The city might point the finger at the tenant. Without timely evidence, including photos, maintenance records, or witness statements, each party will try to shift the blame until no one takes responsibility. That’s where legal guidance becomes critical.
How a Lawyer Can Help You Prove Liability
After a serious fall, you may not know where to begin. That’s where a Charleston, SC, slip and fall attorney steps in. They can identify every potentially responsible party and gather the evidence that often makes or breaks a claim.
Likewise, they can obtain surveillance footage, maintenance logs, safety records, or cleaning contracts to reveal negligence. Your lawyer can also work with medical professionals to link your injuries directly to the fall and secure the full cost of your damages, which you’re entitled to under SC law.
Talk to Our Dedicated Accident Attorneys
Call 843-552-6011 or reach out to John Price Law online to set up your consultation with our Charleston, SC, slip and fall accident lawyers and learn what we can do for you.