Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Raleigh, NC

Slip-and-Fall-at-Home

Falls are one of the leading causes of traumatic head injuries and other serious injuries. When someone gets severely injured in a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property, they deserve compensation for their life-changing injuries.

For over 40 years, the Raleigh slip and fall lawyers at Hardison & Cochran | Injury & Workers Comp Lawyers have prioritized the needs of clients involved in slip-and-fall accidents. We consider the entire person, offering compassionate support, medical resources, and legal representation to help you regain stability and recover physically and financially.

To get started learning more about your legal rights and options for pursuing maximum compensation, contact a Raleigh slip and fall lawyer to request a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Raleigh

Slip-and-fall accidents are common when property owners fail to properly maintain the premises’ safety for guests or patrons. Some of the most common hazards that contribute to Raleigh slip-and-fall accidents include the following:

  • Rain or slick conditions
  • Wet or slippery floors and spills
  • Uneven walkways
  • Cracked sidewalks, driveways, and roadways
  • Loose floorboards or tiles
  • Torn carpets and rugs
  • Broken sand uneven steps
  • Unmarked stairs or sudden drop-offs
  • Missing or broken handrails
  • Dimly lit stairwells, hallways, or alleys
  • Obstructions or merchandise in walkways/cluttered floors
  • Loose electrical cords or wire
  • Unsafe ladders or scaffolding
  • Lack of warning signs near known hazards

Any defect or safety hazard that a property owner knows about or should reasonably know about can cause a slip-and-fall accident and devastating injuries. No matter the cause, it is best to consult a Raleigh slip and fall attorney to learn more about how you can move forward with seeking fair compensation.

Understanding Premises Liability Law in North Carolina

Slip-and-fall claims are typically covered under the legal concept of premises liability. Premises liability allows individuals injured due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property to hold the property owner responsible for their carelessness.

As with most other personal injury cases, premises liability cases hinge on evidence that proves a property owner owed a visitor a duty of care, that duty was violated, as a direct result, the visitor was hurt, and sustained measurable losses. Victims must demonstrate that the property owner was aware of the unsafe condition or should have reasonably been aware of the issue and that they failed to take adequate measures to address the problem.

The right to pursue compensation also depends on the victim’s status. Visitors have express or implied permission to be on a property owner’s land. When a visitor is injured by a hazardous condition on someone else’s property, they generally have the right to pursue compensation for their injuries.

Trespassers are in a different class and do not have the property owner’s permission to be on their premises. Suppose a trespasser is injured on someone’s property. In that case, they will be unable to seek compensation from the property owner, as the property owner owes a trespasser no legal duty of care. Children are exempt from this rule for trespassers.

Proving Negligence in Slip and Fall Cases

Proving negligence in a Raleigh slip-and-fall case means using evidence to prove four legal elements. First, the property owner owes a duty of care to visitors or invitees. Next, that the property owner’s carelessness or failure to address a known safety hazard caused an accident. A victim must also prove that their injuries are a direct result of the slip-and-fall accident, and finally, that they suffered harm because of the accident.

Establishing negligence is not always straightforward. Sometimes, more than one party may be partially or entirely responsible for the conditions that caused the slip-and-fall incident. Parties that may play a role in the cause of the accident can include the following:

  • Property owners
  • Landlords
  • Property managers
  • Contractors

Types of Compensation Available for Slip and Fall Injuries

Although compensation varies depending on the unique aspects of a victim’s situation, most individuals can seek money for the following accident-related losses:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Damage to property

There are options available to visitors who are injured on another person’s property. The first path may be to pursue compensation through a premises liability claim with the property owner’s insurance company. Depending on the circumstances, or if an insurer does not offer a fair settlement, a personal injury lawsuit may be another option.

In North Carolina, victims have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. Miss this legal deadline and not only do you lose negotiating leverage, but you can also lose your chance to have your day in court.

How Hardison & Cochran | Injury & Workers Comp Lawyers Can Help with Your Slip and Fall Case

A Raleigh slip and fall accident lawyer with Hardison & Cochran can help you by managing every aspect of your slip-and-fall claim. At no point in the process should you feel frustrated or confused about your situation. Instead, you’ll have effective and responsive legal representation working on your behalf to pursue maximum compensation for your injuries.

At Hardison & Cochran | Injury & Workers Comp Lawyers, we can do the following for you:

  • Investigate the circumstances of the slip-and-fall accident
  • Gather and preserve evidence to build a solid claim
  • Identify all potentially liable parties
  • Manage all aspects of your claim
  • Negotiate for maximum compensation
  • Prepare a lawsuit if necessary
  • Charge you nothing unless we successfully resolve your slip-and-fall accident case

Our premises liability team has extensive experience handling successful slip-and-fall cases, so you can feel confident that your case is in the right hands.

Contact Our Raleigh Slip and Fall Lawyers Today

Slip-and-fall cases can be complicated. Turn your case over to a skilled team with an extensive track record of helping clients secure significant settlements and verdicts. At Hardison & Cochran | Injury & Workers Comp Lawyers, we strive to deliver measurable results for our clients, and they recognize our dedication to their cases through our outstanding reviews and testimonials.

Let our team help you overcome the challenges of fighting for compensation after a slip-and-fall accident. Contact our office today to schedule a free, fully confidential consultation with a Raleigh, North Carolina, slip and fall lawyer.