Premises Liability Lawyer Florence
If you have been hurt as a result of a dangerous condition present on someone else’s property, you should not have to shoulder the financial burden alone. Generally, landowners — individuals and businesses alike — are liable for injuries suffered on their properties due to negligent upkeep or dangerous situations that they knew about or should have known about.
Attorney Rose Mary Parham represents injured clients in slip-and-fall and other premises liability cases. As a Florence premises liability lawyer with more than 22 years of experience, Mrs. Parham provides personalized service and an aggressive approach to helping clients obtain full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the wrongful death of loved ones who died in premises liability accidents.
Parham Law Firm, LLC, represents clients in a number of premises liability cases, including:
- Slip and fall: Slip and fall is the most common type of premises liability accident. Usually, slip-and-fall accidents involve spilled liquid or food in grocery store aisles.
- Negligent lighting and security: When an assault, mugging or other similar event takes place on a public property when it could have been avoided through proper lighting or security, the property owner could be held liable.
- Swimming pool accidents: Children playing around public or private pool areas are at a serious risk for slip-and-fall injuries or drownings.
- Scaffolding, ladder and roof falls: When ladder, scaffolding and roof falls occur, it is often the result of faulty construction or other dangerous conditions.
- Design flaws and building defects: When a structure has been designed poorly or if the supports are faulty, porch collapses, roof cave-ins and other serious accidents can result.
- Dog bites: Home owners are liable when their dogs or other animals cause serious injuries.
“Each premises liability case is unique, with different fact patterns and different individuals involved. When you work with Parham Law, I will take the time to learn about you and your situation, prepare a strategic plan of action and fight to help you obtain the compensation you deserve for the injuries you have suffered.”
∙ Rose Mary Parham, Attorney at Law
Understanding The Legal Responsibilities Of Property Owners In South Carolina
South Carolina property owners have a legal obligation to maintain safe conditions on their premises. These responsibilities vary depending on the person entering the property. Different standards apply to invitees, licensees and trespassers under state premises liability statutes.
Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees, which include customers, clients and others who enter the property for business purposes or mutual benefit. For invitees, property owners must maintain reasonably safe conditions. They must conduct regular inspections to identify potential hazards. If there are dangerous conditions, they must be repaired. Risks that cannot be immediately corrected must have warnings.
Licensees, such as social guests or individuals with permission to be on the property, receive a lower standard of protection under South Carolina law. Property owners must warn licensees about known dangerous conditions that are not obvious. They are not required to inspect the property or discover hidden hazards on behalf of these visitors.
Even trespassers receive some legal protection. Particularly children who may be attracted to dangerous conditions on the property. The attractive nuisance doctrine holds property owners liable for injuries to child trespassers when dangerous conditions like swimming pools, construction equipment or abandoned structures pose foreseeable risks to curious children.
When property owners fail to meet these legal obligations, they can be held responsible through a personal injury lawsuit. Successful claims can result in substantial monetary awards. These can cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages for injuries caused.
South Carolina courts evaluate premises liability cases on whether property owners acted reasonably. They will consider factors such as the nature of the hazard and how long the dangerous condition existed. They will also look at what steps were taken to address safety concerns.
If property owners neglect maintenance or ignore hazards, they will create legal exposure that extends beyond individual injury claims. Repeated safety violations can result in regulatory penalties. It can lead to increased insurance premiums and potential criminal liability. This is especially true in cases involving gross negligence or willful disregard for visitor safety.
Understanding these legal standards helps injury victims recognize when property owners have breached their duties. They can then pursue appropriate compensation for damages resulting from preventable accidents. A skilled attorney can build strong cases for maximum recovery.
Contact A Premises Liability Law Firm
To schedule an initial consultation with an experienced premises liability attorney, call Parham Law at 888-341-3469 or contact the firm online.