In any slip and fall case, you need an attorney who has a track record of being a fighter for their clients. That is exactly what The Hartman Law Firm, LLC has done for clients since 2011.
Attorney Frank Hartman knows how difficult the insurance companies can be because he fights them on your behalf every single day. You must contact an experienced slip and fall accident lawyer as soon as possible after your injury. To schedule a free case review with Frank, reach out to us today.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Every year, millions of Americans are injured in fall accidents. Many of these falls at a business or commercial property are the result of someone else’s carelessness.
When a property owner invites you onto their property, they assume a duty of care to provide you with reasonably safe premises. Whether it is due to inattention or understaffing, property owners may cut corners and create dangerous conditions for you.
The following could be instances in which the property owner has not upheld the duty they owe you:
- Debris left in a walking path
- Failure to clean spills on the floor
- Cracked flooring
- Water or moisture seeping into the premises
- Missing handrails or banisters
- Loose or uneven carpet
No matter the cause of your slip and fall accident, attorney Frank Hartman can immediately investigate what happened as soon as you retain him. As your slip and fall lawyer, he’ll work to gather the necessary proof to demonstrate that someone else was to blame for your injuries.
How Do You Win a Slip and Fall Case?
To qualify for financial compensation, you need to prove that someone else was negligent, and it caused your injuries.
In a slip and fall case, there are two ways that you can demonstrate negligence:
You can prove that the defendant was the one who created the dangerous condition. For example, they may have left equipment in the aisle or hallway. In that case, they would be deemed negligent if it injured you.
If someone else created the danger, you can prove negligence when you show that the property owner failed to fix the danger or warn you of it within a reasonable amount of time after they knew or should have known about the hazard. In other words, the property owner cannot simply pretend that a dangerous situation does not exist or take too long to learn of it.
The Evidence You Need to Win a Slip and Fall Case
In my experience, slip and fall cases are not necessarily the easiest lawsuits to win. Before you can even negotiate any compensation, you have the legal requirement to prove that someone else was to blame for your fall accident.
In slip and fall cases, you are up against several challenges. The first is that the insurance company may deny any type of liability for your fall unless you have solid and conclusive proof of liability. The second difficulty is that the insurance company may try to blame your injuries on you, as they do in many slip and fall cases.
You need to gather evidence that shows what happened and why someone else has the legal obligation to pay for your injuries. It may be challenging, considering that you are dealing with physical injuries, both at the scene of the accident and in the days afterward.
As your legal representative, Frank can put together the evidence that you need to put you in a position to obtain financial compensation.
This evidence would include:
- Testimony from witnesses who saw what happens
- Pictures from the scene of the accident
- Surveillance or video camera footage that shows either your fall or the conditions beforehand
- Maintenance and inspection logs that demonstrate when and if the property owner could have known of the dangerous condition
- Testimony from an accident reconstruction expert who can give their opinion about what caused your fall
Some of these sources of evidence are in the responsible party’s hands. We would need to request them as part of the litigation process after you have already filed a lawsuit.
Slip and Fall Lawsuit Damages
You can expect the insurance company to try to trivialize your injuries, claiming that it was just a minor fall. They try to take advantage of the fact that millions of Americans each year are hurt in falls to understate your particular injuries.
If you hire Frank as your slip and fall lawyer, he will make it clear to the insurance company how badly you have been hurt when it is time for you to seek damages. Our attorney will seek all of the damages that you deserve, taking the fight to the insurance company if they refuse to pay them in full.
Your damages would include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium damages for a partner
In the end, your case could be worth as much as you fight to receive. Never make any assumptions, and never be grateful for the mere fact that the insurance company has made you a settlement offer.
Why Hire Frank As Your Charleston Slip and Fall Attorney?
Frank knows how to take on the insurance companies when they are giving you the runaround.
When you hire me to handle your slip and fall accident claim, he can do the following:
- Promptly investigate your accident to determine whether someone else was to blame
- Gather physical evidence that can help establish your entitlement to compensation
- Review your situation to determine how much you may be due in damages
- File a slip and fall claim or lawsuit on your behalf
- Deal with the insurance company and keep them from compromising your legal rights
- Negotiate a settlement agreement or continue to try your case in court.
Some slip and fall cases may go all the way to trial. If the insurance company does not want to pay you, that is exactly what you need to do to get a check. Frank has a reputation for taking cases to trial, and insurance companies know it.
Contact Our Charleston Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Today
Frank Hartman has deep roots in Charleston. He cares about residents and devotes his professional existence to fighting for their rights.
Insurance companies know Frank. When they see Frank across the table, they must treat the claimant with more respect than they otherwise would have.
You can speak with Frank during a free, no-obligation consultation by sending us a message through our website or by calling us today at 843.300.7600. The legal advice during your 20-minute call is free, and you never pay us anything unless you win your case.
FAQs About Slip and Fall Cases
What if I fell at work?
The framework for seeking financial compensation may be different if your fall occurred on the job. Under South Carolina law, you would not be able to sue your employer in a slip and fall lawsuit in most circumstances.
You could file a personal injury lawsuit against a third party who was to blame for your fall. You would still be able to file a workers’ compensation claim if you have suffered a job-related injury.
What’s the statute of limitations for a slip and fall case?
South Carolina law allows you to file a lawsuit seeking financial compensation for your injuries for up to three years from the time that you were injured or should have known that you were injured. This is known as the statute of limitations, and it is a hard and fast deadline.
If you missed this deadline, even by a single, solitary day, you would lose the right to seek financial compensation for your slip and fall injuries.