North Carolina Slip and Fall Attorneys

Have You Been Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident in Winston-Salem?

Every year, 37.3 million people sustain injuries in falls that are severe enough to require medical attention. In 2020, 42,114 people in the U.S. died in falls at work and at home, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Slip and fall is a term used to denote a type of personal injury case in which a person slips or trips and falls on someone else’s property and is injured as a result. 

Slip and fall accident cases are included in the broader category of premises liability claims. A property owner may be liable when a slip and fall accident is caused by a dangerous condition existing on the property. 

What Must You Prove to Win a Slip and Fall Case?

In North Carolina, slip and fall claims are based on negligence. Property and business owners have a legal duty to use reasonable care to keep visitors safe from dangerous conditions on the property. 

To prove that duty was breached, your slip and fall lawyer must show that:

• A dangerous condition existed on the premises
• The business or property owner knew or should have known of the hazard
• The owner failed to take reasonable steps to correct or warn of the dangerous condition
• The hazard on the property caused your injuries

Schedule your initial consultation with our North Carolina slip and fall attorneys at (336) 568-8779 or by filling out our online form. 

What Dangerous Conditions Can Cause Slip and Fall Accidents?

Various conditions on a property can cause visitors to slip or trip and fall, including:

• Torn carpeting
• Loose tiles or floorboards
• Unanchored rugs or mats
• Uneven walking surfaces
• Wet floors
• Snow or ice in walkways
• Broken or cracked sidewalks
• Freshly waxed surfaces
• Potholes in parking lots
• Clutter or debris in walkways
• Stray electrical cords
• Defective stairs
• Broken handrails

What Is Contributory Negligence in Slip and Fall Cases?

North Carolina follows a strict contributory negligence rule in most personal injury cases, including slip and fall accidents. Under this rule, an injured party cannot recover any compensation if his or her own conduct contributed to the accident that caused the injuries. 

When you file a slip and fall claim, the property or business owner will try to prove your contributory negligence, for example, by showing that:

• You were texting or talking on the phone or otherwise distracted and not paying attention to where you were going
• You wore shoes with slippery soles, or other attire that was unsafe or inappropriate
• You went into a part of the premises that was not open to the public
• You ignored signs that warned of the hazard

Will the Property Owner’s Insurance Company Pay for Your Damages?

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident caused by a dangerous condition on someone else’s property, you may expect the property owner’s insurance company to cover your damages. This is not likely to happen automatically. Insurance companies are in business for profit. Most will require proof of property owner negligence before they pay your claim. Your best course of action is to get an experienced premises liability attorney on your side.