Slips and falls happen, but sometimes at no fault of your own.
According to the World Health Organization, around 37.3 million falls happen globally each year that require medical attention. If you find yourself part of that number and sustained injuries on someone else’s property, you may have questions regarding premise liability.
1. What responsibilities does a property owner have?
Unlike some states with unconditional liability, slips and falls fall under North Carolina’s rules of negligence. Property owners have a legal obligation to take reasonable care of their property to ensure no dangerous conditions exist. As a victim, you have to prove the presence of the dangerous hazard that caused your fall. Additionally, you must show that the owner knew about the condition and did not take steps to resolve it.
2. What if I contributed to my slip and fall?
For personal injury cases, the state has a strict contributory negligence rule. If your conduct, such as looking at your phone while walking, contributed to the incident, you receive no compensation. If you file a claim, the owner will likely try to prove your negligence. Along with the distraction argument, they may provide proof of ignored hazard signs or trespassing.
3. How long do I have to file a claim?
After any personal injury occurs, you should take action as soon as possible to increase your chances of success. Legally, you have three years to file with the state.
In North Carolina, slip-and-fall cases often come with challenges and complexity, but you do not have to go it alone.
