Have you been injured in a slip and fall accident in Charlotte, North Carolina? Call Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers. You may be able to file a legal claim to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional trauma. Our experienced Charlotte slip and fall accident lawyers are prepared to help you maximize your recovery.
Contact us today at (704) 486-5824 to schedule a time for a free consultation to discover how we can help you make the most of your slip and fall accident case, too.
Why Choose Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers To Help Me After a Slip and Fall Accident in Charlotte?
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers is a nationally acclaimed personal injury law firm that’s known as a fierce and passionate legal advocate for Charlotte, North Carolina’s injured population. Members of our team have been recognized as AV Preeminent litigators by Martindale-Hubbell, Top 100 litigators by The National Trial Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum (see disclaimer below).
For over four decades, Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers has helped fall victims fight back against careless property owners after life-changing accidents. With a combined 190 years of experience handling complex legal disputes, our award-winning North Carolina trial lawyers have won $850 million (and counting) in damages (see disclaimer below).
If you need help, our Charlotte slip and fall accident attorneys are ready to meet with you during a free consultation.
How Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers Help Slip and Fall Accident Victims in Charlotte, NC
When you ask for our help after a slip and fall or trip and fall accident in Charlotte, NC, Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers will:
- Answer your questions and keep you updated on the status of your case throughout the litigation process
- Investigate your slip and fall accident and identify the hazardous condition that caused you to get hurt.
- Analyze accident reports, video footage, photographs, property damage, eyewitness accounts, and other important evidence
- Consult expert witnesses who can offer key insights into your slip and fall case
- Aggressively pursue a maximum settlement during negotiations with the property owner and their insurance company
- Take your slip-and-fall lawsuit to trial in Mecklenburg County, NC, if necessary
Our North Carolina premises liability attorneys in Charlotte represent fall victims on a contingency fee basis. We won’t get paid until we win compensation for your slip-and-fall accident case.
Every moment counts, so do not hesitate to call our Charlotte law office to discuss your slip and fall accident lawsuit now. Your first consultation is free.
What Causes Slips and Falls?
More than one million Americans visit the emergency room for injuries related to slips and falls every year. The truth is that most of these slips and falls can be avoided, but happen because property owners allow unreasonably dangerous hazards to exist on their premises.
Leading causes of slip and fall and trip and fall accidents in Charlotte include:
- Uneven floor surfaces
- Puddles and spilled liquids pooled on the floor
- Slick or slippery floors
- Heavily waxed floors
- Loose cables, wires, and cords
- Unsecured rugs
- Broken floorboards
- Broken stairs
- Loose or missing railings
- Poor lighting
- Debris and garbage
If you fall because of an unsafe condition on someone else’s property – including private property, a Charlotte business, a hospital, a grocery store, or public property – you may have the right to hold the owner accountable for your resulting injuries.
Working with an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Charlotte can help you understand your rights and aggressively seek the financial accountability you deserve.
Common Slip and Fall Accident Injuries
Whether you slip and fall or trip and fall, it’s common to suffer from a wide range of physical injuries, including:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Knee injuries
- Leg injuries
- Fractures
- Chest injuries
- Back injuries
- Herniated disc injuries
- Concussions
- Brain injuries
- Eye injuries
Always report a slip and fall to the property owner or management right away. It’s important to document the tripping hazard and make sure there’s a record that you fell because of it. Then, get to the closest emergency room to you in Charlotte for a timely medical evaluation.
You’ll also want proof of any injuries you’ve suffered, and make sure you’re able to get the treatment you need to support your recovery.
How Do I Win My Slip and Fall Accident Case?
Slip and fall accident litigation is a matter of premises liability. Property owners in Charlotte have a responsibility to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. If the owner is negligent and allows a hazard or dangerous condition to exist, they can be liable if those hazards contribute to another person’s injury or wrongful death.
When you file a slip and fall claim, it’ll be based on the tort of negligence.
In a negligence action, you have the burden of proving:
- The defendant owned/managed the premises and owed you a duty of care because you entered the property with their permission
- The defendant breached the duty of care owed to you because they failed to inspect the premises, fix a known slip and fall hazard, and/or warn you about the dangerous condition
- The defendant’s failures caused you to slip, fall, and get hurt
- You’ve suffered damages
If you can prove these elements by a preponderance of the evidence, the owner will be liable for your resulting damages.
What Is My Slip and Fall Claim Worth?
Slips and falls affect everyone differently. So, the potential value of your slip and fall lawsuit will really depend on several factors that are unique to your situation, including:
- What injuries have you suffered?
- Are your injuries permanent?
- Are you disabled?
- Has the slip and fall accident changed your ability to work or earn a living?
- Do you share responsibility for the slip-and-fall accident?
- Did you take any steps to mitigate your damages?
Your injuries will be the driving force behind valuation. The more serious your slip and fall injuries, the more your life will change. In turn, the more money you can reasonably expect to receive when you file a personal injury claim against the property owner.
What Types of Damages Can Be Awarded to Charlotte Slip and Fall Accident Victims?
In North Carolina, the plaintiff in a slip and fall case can request economic damages and non-economic damages from a negligent property owner.
Economic damages are awarded to offset the financial costs and consequences of your slip and fall accident (see disclaimer below), which can include:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing assistance
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Disability
- Funeral expenses if a slip and fall accident is fatal
Non-economic damages are awarded to acknowledge the harder-to-value life changes you’ve experienced as a fall victim (see disclaimer below), such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Chronic physical pain
In rare cases, punitive damages might be appropriate, too. If a North Carolina jury decides that a defendant’s actions were malicious or grossly negligent, it can order the defendant to pay punitive damages as a punishment for their reprehensible conduct.
Can I Get Compensation if I’m Blamed for a Slip and Fall Injury in North Carolina?
North Carolina operates under a harsh pure contributory fault system. As a result, you lose the right to demand compensation from a third party if you share any responsibility for your recent slip and fall in Charlotte.
Don’t be surprised when the owner (or their insurance company) tries to argue that you’re at least partly to blame for slipping or tripping on their premises. If these allegations go unanswered, you’ll likely lose out on well-deserved compensation.
When you’ve chosen Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers to fight for you, unsupported claims of shared fault won’t succeed. Our Charlotte slip and fall attorneys will anticipate claims of contributory fault and fight to stop them in their tracks.
How Long Will I Have To Seek Damages After a Slip and Fall Accident in North Carolina?
After a slip and fall in Charlotte, you’ll have up to three years to file a personal injury claim for damages. North Carolina’s three-year statute of limitations has few exceptions, mostly involving situations where a child gets hurt in a slip and fall. In these situations, the statute of limitations can be tolled until the child turns 18 – unless someone has filed a claim on their behalf.
If you miss the filing deadline for your case, you’ll give up the opportunity to hold the negligent property owner accountable for your fall injuries.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Trusted Charlotte Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
You don’t have to take on a powerful business, government agency, or property owner in Charlotte, NC, on your own after a slip and fall. In fact, you shouldn’t. Hiring an experienced Charlotte slip and fall accident lawyer can significantly improve the odds that you win your case and maximize your recovery.
Choosing Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers puts trustworthy, respected, and successful North Carolina litigators in your corner. Our team has over 190 years of experience and a multi-million-dollar track record of success (see disclaimer below). Now, we’re ready to be your fiercest advocate as you fight for justice after a slip and fall.
Contact our Charlotte, NC, law office today to get started. Your initial consultation is free.