Your Salisbury Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you were injured due to unsafe conditions at a local business, apartment complex, or residential property, you may be eligible for compensation. One of our experienced premises liability lawyers can determine if you have a case and tell you the best way to proceed. Our goal is to help clients recover full compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and any lingering health effects. Our Salisbury slip and fall attorneys can help you navigate North Carolina’s premises liability laws so that you don’t have to go through the process alone. Find out how we can help by scheduling a free consultation.
24/7 Support
Our legal team is here for you around the clock. Staff members are available 24/7 to take your call and answer your questions. With 2 local offices, we’re easy to reach whenever you need us.
Years of
Experience
We have 125 years of combined experience representing individuals in slip and fall, negligent security, and premises liability cases. Our experience helps us build strong cases and negotiate favorable settlements.
No Fees Unless
We Win
Hiring a slip and fall lawyer in Salisbury doesn’t have to be expensive. Lewis & Keller offers free, no-obligation consultations. If you decide to work with us, you won’t owe us a penny unless we win!
Table of Contents
- How a Salisbury Premises Liability Lawyer Can Help
- What’s Premises Liability?
- Types of Premises Liability Cases
- Who Can Sue If I Was Injured on Someone Else’s Property?
- Our Salisbury Premises Liability Attorneys
- Proving Negligence in Premises Liability Cases
- Types of Compensation Available in Premises Liability Cases
- Salisbury Premises Liability FAQs
- Contact a Salisbury Slip & Fall Lawyer Today
- Related Articles & Info
How a Salisbury Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help
Slip and fall lawsuits in North Carolina can be complex due to common law doctrines and legal precedents from previous court cases. A personal injury lawyer can be invaluable for understanding these rules and how they may apply to your case.
If you were injured due to hazardous conditions on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other losses. Our attorneys fight aggressively to help ensure that our clients receive fair compensation for all damages. A Salisbury slip and fall lawyer can help with the following areas.
- Answering questions and providing peace of mind
- Investigating the cause of the accident
- Identifying the property owner
- Interpreting state liability laws
- Valuing your claim and damages
- Communicating with the defendant
- Gathering evidence to support your claim
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Presenting your case before a judge or jury
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What’s Premises Liability?
Premises liability is a legal doctrine that holds property owners or lessors responsible for injuries that occur due to unsafe conditions. Numerous hazards may qualify, including wet floors, uneven surfaces, damaged sidewalks, and poorly lit areas that could cause a trip and fall or increase the risk of criminal activity. Like other torts that hold parties responsible for their actions or omissions, cases are governed by the legal standard of negligence. Essentially, visitors are owed a certain level of care based on their legal standing.
- Trespassers: In North Carolina, property owners typically aren’t liable for injuries sustained by trespassers. There are exceptions for children injured due to an attractive nuisance, such as a swimming pool or trampoline, that creates a temptation to enter the property. There are also liability exemptions for owners who allow people to use their property for educational or recreational purposes.
- Invitees: Invitees are official visitors, often entering a property for business purposes. They’re owed the highest duty of care. Examples include customers who visit a store or contractors who are performing work.
- Licensees: Licensees are voluntary visitors who are on the property with the owner’s permission. These include neighbors, friends, relatives, and guests. Property owners don’t have to ensure that their property is free from hazards, but they have a duty to alert licensees to hidden dangers.
Types of Premises Liability Cases
Premises liability can apply to nearly any type of accident or injury that occurs on a property controlled by a second or third party. Here are a few examples of common premises liability claims in Salisbury and surrounding parts of Rowan County.
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Slip and fall or trip and fall accidents
- Negligent security or inadequate lighting
- Maintenance issues, such as water leaks or ripped carpets
- Injuries related to decks, balconies, or dangerous structures
- Elevator and escalator injuries
- Head injuries due to falling objects
- Injuries caused by exposure to toxic chemicals or mold
- Food safety hazards or illnesses at restaurants
- Swimming pool injuries due to an attractive nuisance
- Injuries due to fire or electrical hazards
Who Can Sue If I Was Injured on Someone Else’s Property?
Premises liability laws state that injured individuals can hold the property owner or entity that controls the property responsible for their actions or inactions. Unfortunately, these situations aren’t always cut and dried. For example, a person may rent an apartment from a corporation, and another business may be responsible for management and maintenance. Grocery stores often lease retail space from strip malls and commercial real estate groups. This can make it difficult to determine who is actually in charge of the property and parking areas, so you may need to consult a lawyer to determine who is liable if you’re injured due to a slip and fall, a dangerous parking lot, or falling merchandise. The following parties are possible defendants in premises liability cases.
- Property owners and landlords
- Apartment building owners
- Homeowners
- Tenants or lessors
- Property managers
- Business owners
- Special event organizers
- Construction contractors
- Maintenance providers
- Security companies
- Government agencies
- Multiple parties
our Salisbury Slip and Fall Attorneys
Proving Negligence in Slip and Fall Cases
Slip and fall accidents and other premises liability cases are a type of tort governed by general rules of negligence. To build a successful claim, your lawyer must prove several things.
- You experienced physical or financial damages as a result of the accident.
- The property owner owed you a reasonable duty of care as a customer or invited guest.
- A dangerous condition existed on the property that was likely to cause harm.
- The property owner knew or should have known of the hazard.
- The property owner failed to properly fix the hazard or warn the public.
- Your injury occurred as a direct result of the property owner’s negligence.
Types of Compensation Available in Premises Liability Cases
Several types of compensatory damages may be available to reimburse you for physical, financial, and emotional losses related to the accident. Learn more about the 3 types of damages available in premises liability cases.
Economic Damages
Full compensation is available for tangible financial losses, including medical bills, physical therapy, hospital stays, and any necessary home modifications. Your premises liability attorney will also request compensation for past and future lost wages due to the injury.
Non-Economic Damages
Additional compensation is available to reimburse you for emotional losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and mental anguish. Compensation is also available for permanent disabilities that affect your ability to enjoy life, participate in hobbies, or spend time with your family.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are awarded in select cases where the defendant’s behavior was particularly egregious or reckless. For example, if a business owner failed to increase security despite multiple muggings on their property, the court may award punitive damages. This type of compensation is designed to punish the defendant for their wrongdoing.
Our Results Speak For themselves
$
7000000
Motorcycle accident resulting in paralysis.
$
3000000
Auto accident resulting in post traumatic stress disorder.
$
1393000
Workplace accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury.
Salisbury Premises Liability FAQs
How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Claim in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, there is a 3-year deadline to sue for personal injuries that are not related to a contract, such as an assault, slip and fall, or head injury from a falling object. This deadline, known as the statute of limitations, begins on the date of the accident or when the injuries are first discovered. Minor children have up to 3 years after the date of their 18th birthday to file a lawsuit for personal injuries.
What if I Fell on Government Property in Salisbury?
Government agencies can be held responsible for creating dangerous conditions or failing to make necessary repairs. However, some laws may limit liability for things like dangerous sidewalks due to governmental immunity. If you were injured on government property, such as a public university, post office, or town hall, it’s wise to speak with a Salisbury slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible. Claims against the state or local government are often subject to different filing procedures.
What if My Accident Happened at a Friend or Relative’s House?
If your friend or relative was in control of the property and was responsible for maintenance when the injury happened, they could be held responsible. Filing a lawsuit against someone you know is difficult. Fortunately, initial settlement negotiations are handled through the person’s homeowner’s liability insurance company, and many slip and fall cases are settled out of court.
Does Premises Liability Cover Injuries to Children?
Yes, property owners or managers may be responsible for dangerous conditions that cause injuries to minors. Property owners owe children the same duty of care as other guests. Additionally, property owners can be held liable if the child was trespassing due to an attractive nuisance, such as a trampoline, pool, or abandoned home or vehicle.
Contact a Salisbury Slip & Fall Lawyer Today
If you were injured due to a slip and fall or trip and fall accident, you deserve compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. Our premises liability attorneys in Salisbury will work to hold the property owner or controlling party fully accountable so that you can recover and move forward with your life. Strict time limits apply, so don’t wait to get the legal help you need. Contact Lewis & Keller today to schedule your free consultation.
