Whether it’s a wet floor in a grocery store or an icy sidewalk during winter, hazards can be lurking in the most seemingly harmless places. Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere, at any time. Victims can face high medical bills, lost wages, and other unexpected financial losses.
At our law firm, we understand the financial hardship you are experiencing after a personal injury accident. Our slip and fall attorneys serving Knightsville, SC, will prove the full extent of your losses and help you recover damages. Contact The Thumbs Up Guys for a free legal consultation.
We Fight for Your Right to Financial Recovery
Since we opened our personal injury law firm in 2018, we have dedicated our legal practice to protecting our clients’ right to financial recovery. We understand the complexities of premises liability laws and are well-versed in the tactics insurance companies often employ to minimize compensation.
Our Knightsville slip and fall attorneys will negotiate with insurance agents for fair compensation that covers all your losses. If necessary, we will file a personal injury lawsuit and advocate for your rights in court.
Recoverable Damages After a Slip and Fall in Knightsville
Under South Carolina law, you can recover your accident-related expenses from the at-fault party. To do so, you can file a claim with the negligent party’s insurance company or a personal injury lawsuit.
You are likely to receive compensatory damages, which aim to reimburse you for the losses you incurred after the accident. These further divide into economic and non-economic damages, which cover different types of losses.
In rare cases, personal injury cases may also qualify for punitive damages, which aim to punish the defendant and deter others from engaging in extremely negligent behavior.
Economic Damages
Your tangible losses, such as medical bills, fall under economic damages. These are easily quantifiable and easy to prove through supporting documents. Collect all your bills and receipts to show how much money you have spent after the accident.
A slip and fall accident can have a significant financial impact on the victim. There are immediate medical expenses that arise from seeking necessary treatment for injuries sustained in the accident. However, depending on the extent of the injuries, you may also be unable to work for a while, resulting in lost wages.
Other economic damages include:
- The cost of future medical care
- Loss of earning potential
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
As your slip and fall lawyers serving Knightsville, we will calculate your financial losses after the accident and estimate your future expenses. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be facing a lengthy recovery period.
Non-Economic Damages
Your intangible losses, such as pain and suffering, are under non-economic damages. These are more difficult to quantify due to their subjective nature. However, your personal injury lawyer will use witness testimony, expert witness statements, and other supporting evidence to prove intangible losses.
The emotional impact of a slip and fall accident is often overlooked. However, you may experience anxiety, depression, and other psychological conditions that impact your personal and social life.
You could recover non-economic damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment
- Disfigurement
Punitive Damages
In certain circumstances, punitive damages may be awarded for personal injury accidents. These are intended to punish the at-fault party for their willful, reckless, or intentional conduct rather than simply compensating the victim for their losses.
South Carolina law limits punitive damages to $500,000 or three times the amount of compensatory damages.
To be eligible for punitive damages, you must demonstrate that the defendant acted with a conscious disregard for the safety of others or engaged in willful or wanton misconduct. Our slip and fall accident lawyers can determine if your case qualifies for punitive damages.
The South Carolina Time Limit for Personal Injury Lawsuits
South Carolina sets a specific time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing personal injury lawsuits. For most personal injury cases, including slip and fall accidents, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the injury.
This means that you have three years from the date of the accident to initiate legal action against the responsible party. Failing to file a lawsuit within the specified timeframe can result in the case being dismissed by the court.
However, it’s important to note that there can be exceptions and variations to the statute of limitations, depending on the circumstances of the case. To ensure compliance with the statute of limitations, consult a personal injury attorney.
Common Causes for Slip and Fall Accidents in Knightsville
Under South Carolina law, property owners have a legal obligation to maintain safe premises for visitors and clients. If they fail to address hazards on their property that end up injuring victims, they may be held liable for damages.
Common causes of slip and fall accidents include hazardous conditions such as:
- Wet floors
- Uneven surfaces
- Inadequate lighting
- Obstacles in walkways
- Poorly maintained staircases
- Icy or snowy conditions
- Lack of warning signs or barriers
These factors can significantly increase the risk of slip and fall accidents, potentially leading to injuries and subsequent legal claims. As your personal injury attorneys, we will investigate the circumstances of your accident and help prove liability.
Call Our Knightsville Slip and Fall Lawyers
If you or a loved one were injured in a slip and fall accident, seek immediate legal support. At our personal injury law firm, we will help you understand how South Carolina laws apply to your case and explore your legal options.
Contact The Thumbs Up Guys for a free case evaluation. During the initial session, a slip and fall attorney serving Knightsville, SC, will answer all your urgent questions and outline the next steps you should take.