A slip and fall accident occurs when someone slips or trips due to a hazardous condition on another party’s property, resulting in an injury. Slip and fall accidents are a type of premises liability claim in which the property owner or business may be held liable for injuries caused by hazardous conditions. Many slip and fall accidents occur due to improper or inadequate maintenance, which can lead to dangerous scenarios that can lead to an accident in just a matter of time.
Were you injured in a Cornelius slip and fall accident? Talk to Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys now to learn if you have a case. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Why Choose Us?
Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys is a trusted law firm with extensive experience in slip and fall accident claims.
Our skilled injury lawyers, including former insurance defense attorneys, understand the strategies insurance companies use to minimize payouts. This insight enables us to advocate aggressively on your behalf, securing the maximum compensation for your slip and fall injuries.
Some recent property-related successes include:
- $750,000 VRBO settlement
- $200,000 slip and fall settlement
- $105,000 slip and fall settlement
Our Cornelius slip and fall accident lawyers offer free consultations to evaluate your case and determine if negligence caused your injury. If you have a valid claim, we will negotiate relentlessly with the insurance company to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Contact us today at (980) 414-5755 to speak with an experienced slip and fall accident lawyer and start pursuing the compensation you deserve.
How Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen?
Slip and fall accidents can happen when someone loses their balance because of a dangerous condition on another person’s property. The result is often injuries ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures and worse. These incidents are common in Cornelius, occurring in places such as grocery stores, restaurants, apartment complexes, and private homes, where property owners may fail to maintain safe environments.
Wet Floors and Sidewalks
Common causes of these accidents include wet or slippery surfaces, such as floors that have not been dried adequately after cleaning, spilled liquids, or untreated ice and snow on walkways, particularly during North Carolina’s occasional winter weather.
For example, a supermarket in Cornelius might neglect to place warning signs after mopping, which can lead to a customer’s fall. Other frequent hazards include uneven or damaged surfaces, such as cracked sidewalks, loose floorboards, or potholes in parking lots, which are especially prevalent in older properties or poorly maintained public spaces throughout the state.
Inadequate Lighting
Inadequate lighting is another common reason for Cornelius’ slip and fall claims. Poorly lit staircases, parking garages, or walkways, common in urban areas or rural properties, can obscure hazards, leading to trips or missteps. Clutter, such as unmarked cables, merchandise left in aisles, or debris on construction sites, also poses risks, particularly in busy retail or industrial settings.
Missing or faulty handrails on stairs are a significant issue, especially for elderly people, as North Carolina’s aging population increases the likelihood of severe injuries from such falls. Additionally, weather-related hazards, such as uncleared snow or ice, contribute to accidents when property owners fail to promptly address these conditions, thereby violating their duty to ensure safe premises.
North Carolina Premises Liability Claims
In North Carolina, slip and fall claims are governed by premises liability law. This area of law holds property owners accountable for injuries caused by unsafe conditions on their property. To succeed in a slip and fall claim, you must prove that the property owner was negligent, meaning they knew or should have known about a hazardous condition and failed to address it, directly causing your injury. Proving negligence often involves evidence such as photos of the hazard, incident reports, or witness statements, making documentation critical.
North Carolina law emphasizes the property owner’s duty of care, which varies depending on the visitor’s status. Invitees, such as customers in a grocery store, are owed the highest duty, requiring owners to regularly inspect and maintain safe premises.
Licensees, like social guests, are entitled to warnings about known dangers, while trespassers receive minimal protection except in cases of intentional harm.
North Carolina has a strict contributory negligence rule, one of the harshest in the country. If you are found to be even slightly at fault for the accident, you may be barred from recovering any compensation. This means hiring a Cornelius slip and fall lawyer is invaluable. Insurance companies often exploit this rule to deny or reduce claims. For example, a Horton & Mendez attorney can argue that the property owner’s failure to fix a known hazard was the primary cause of your fall, eliminating your contribution to the incident.
Potential Compensation in Slip and Fall Claims
Compensation in North Carolina slip and fall cases may cover your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages, but claim values can vary widely. Further, property owners and their insurers often dispute liability or offer low settlements, especially when injuries are severe.
Our experienced slip and fall lawyers at Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys can overcome these challenges by utilizing strong evidence and legal experience to counter aggressive insurance tactics. Our slip and fall attorneys’ background in insurance defense equips us to anticipate and challenge strategies insurance companies use to undervalue slip and fall claims.
Contact Our Cornelius Slip and Fall Lawyers Today
You are allowed to sue for damages in North Carolina if another person’s negligence injured you.
However, trying to get the most from the insurance company can be difficult without a skilled lawyer fighting on your behalf.
Additionally, proving that the property owner was negligent can be challenging.
At Horton & Mendez, we know how to utilize the evidence to construct the strongest possible case effectively. We are also skilled in insurance settlement negotiations and will help you obtain the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
Rely on our Cornelius slip and fall lawyers to fight for the maximum compensation for your losses.
Our skilled slip and fall accident attorneys have secured millions of dollars in compensation for numerous personal injury clients.
Contact us to speak with our slip and fall lawyers today and have a free consultation to determine if you have a valid claim. Call (980) 414-5755 now.
