When you’re out and about in North Carolina, you’re not expecting the properties you visit to be unsafe. Sadly, many property owners fail to maintain safe conditions, leading to serious falls, painful injuries, expensive medical bills, and significant stress on victims. If hazards on another person’s property caused you to fall and suffer injuries, you may be entitled to compensation.
State law makes it particularly difficult for victims to win premises liability claims without legal guidance. Our North Carolina slip and fall injury lawyers can handle every step of your claim and help you secure the financial support you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
There is no obligation, and we don’t get paid unless you do. If you don’t receive compensation in your injury case, you won’t pay any attorney fees.
Key Takeaways
- Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises safe and secure. If they fail to do this, they could be held liable for resulting slip and fall accidents.
- North Carolina has several laws that can affect your slip and fall injury claim, including contributory negligence for personal injuries.
- Our North Carolina slip and fall injury lawyers have the experience and local knowledge to help you recover fair and full compensation.
Why Choose Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers for Your Slip and Fall Case
Built on the belief that Justice Counts™ for everyone, our family-run personal injury law firm combines thorough investigation, strategic case preparation, and personalized client care to help injured individuals after an accident. Here’s how we can help you:
Proven Success in Slip and Fall Cases
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, our team has more than 40 years of experience helping people who were hurt in slip and fall accidents. Our skilled injury attorneys have recovered over $900 million since 2000 alone (see disclaimer below).
Experienced Local Lawyers
With deep roots in Goldsboro, Raleigh, and across North Carolina, we know the local judges and defense tactics the insurance companies use to shift blame to victims. Our slip and fall lawyers in NC can protect you from unfair treatment and seek the maximum compensation available for your losses.
Personalized Client Service
All our slip and fall accident claims in NC are handled by a dedicated legal team that includes an attorney, a paralegal or case manager, and support staff. This structure promotes better communication, faster response times, and more thorough case preparation.
Common Causes of Slip and Falls in North Carolina
While some falls cannot be prevented, many slip and fall accidents are connected to property owner negligence, such as:
- Liquid spills: If floors are wet due to spills, like in produce sections of the grocery store, people can slip and suffer injuries.
- Inadequate lighting: A dark parking lot, apartment complex walkway, or other poorly lit areas can lead to unexpected falls.
- Uneven surfaces: Damaged flooring and aging infrastructure, such as cracked pavements in downtown business districts, can cause serious falls.
- Poor weather conditions: While property owners are not responsible for all weather-related falls, the “tracked-in rule” means they may be liable if they knew of a weather hazard and did not take reasonable steps to fix it.
- Industrial hazards: Slippery dock plates or cluttered aisles can lead to falls at one of the many manufacturing plants in the Piedmont Triad or anywhere in North Carolina.
North Carolina Laws That May Impact Your Claim
North Carolina has unique laws that can affect your slip and fall accident claim and your ability to recover compensation, including:
The “Notice” Rule
To prove that the property owner was negligent, you must show that they either had actual notice or constructive notice of the hazard that caused your fall. Actual notice means the owner or manager was directly made aware of the unsafe condition, while constructive notice means the owner should have known of the hazard with reasonable diligence.
Pure Contributory Negligence
North Carolina is one of the few jurisdictions that applies contributory negligence to personal injury claims. Also known as the 1% rule, injured slip and fall victims are barred from recovery if they share even 1% of fault for what happened.
The Last Clear Chance Doctrine
While contributory negligence does not allow victims who are partially at-fault to receive any compensation, the Last Clear Chance doctrine is an exception. There are several elements you must prove, including that the defendant had one final chance to prevent the accident but failed to do so.
The Tracked-In Water Rule
Rainy-day slip-and-falls can be difficult. In some situations, especially when water is freshly tracked in at an entrance, property owners may argue they did not have enough time or notice to correct the condition. However, liability can arise when evidence shows the owner knew or should have known water was accumulating and failed to take reasonable steps, such as using floor mats, posting warnings, or cleaning the area promptly.
The Open and Obvious Defense
In North Carolina, the “open and obvious” rule serves as a common defense for property owners. It holds that owners are not responsible for injuries if the hazard was so obvious that any person exercising reasonable care would have noticed and avoided it.
The Rule of Sevens for Children
The Rule of Sevens in North Carolina protects children under seven years of age by stating they cannot be at fault for their own injuries. Children ages seven to 14 are presumed incapable of negligence, but a defendant can challenge it. Children over 14 are capable of negligence and can be considered at fault for their injuries.
Statute of Limitations
Under North Carolina’s statute of limitations for personal injuries, most slip and fall victims only have three years from the date of the injury to file a claim. Taking swift action can help you avoid missing the deadline and preserve crucial evidence that will support your case.
Can I Sue for a Slip and Fall if I Was Partially at Fault?
If you share any fault for the slip and fall accident, you cannot recover compensation. Insurance companies may use this to their advantage and try to blame you for what happened.
Our firm employs case managers with insurance industry experience and investigators with law enforcement backgrounds in North Carolina. This allows our team to anticipate unfair insurance tactics and conduct detailed investigations early in the case.
Results for Victims of Slips and Falls in North Carolina
Since 1985, Riddle & Riddle has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for deserving injury victims in North Carolina (see disclaimer below), including many who have been injured in slip-and-fall accidents.
Recent wins include:
- $500,000 — Attorney and founding partner Gene Riddle represented a client who suffered serious injuries when she slipped in a retail store. Injuries included damage to her knee, foot, and hip. The case settled in mediation proceedings for $500,000 in total compensation.
- $250,000 — Gene Riddle fought for justice for a spectator who was injured in a fall from the bleachers at a basketball game. Our client suffered soft tissue injuries to his leg. The case was tried in Superior Court in Wayne County and resulted in compensation totaling $250,000 for the injured victim.
“It was nice to see Riddle & Riddle put me and my needs first.”
–R. Colley, Riddle & Riddle client
Remember, in most cases, you have just 3 years from the date of injury to file a slip and fall accident injury claim (and only 2 years from the date of death in wrongful death cases). Don’t wait — contact a North Carolina slip and fall lawyer at Riddle & Riddle today.
What Is Your Slip and Fall Claim Worth?
Actionable Steps After a Fall in NC
After being injured in a slip and fall, there are steps you can take to protect your health and your right to seek compensation, including:
- Reporting the incident: Report the fall to the property owner, manager, or other authority and complete necessary paperwork.
- Medical attention: Seek medical care as soon as possible for treatment and to create documentation of your injuries.
- Documenting the incident: If possible, take pictures or video of the accident scene and hazards that may have caused the fall.
- Witnesses: If there were any witnesses, collect their contact information.
- Preserving evidence: Keep copies of incident reports, medical records, and any other details that may support your claim.
- Speak with a lawyer: Contact our team to learn more about your rights and legal options after a slip and fall accident.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if I Fell on a Rainy Day?
If the property owner knew of a weather-related hazard, including puddles or slippery floors, and did not take action to make the premises safe, you may have grounds to file a slip and fall injury claim.
Can I Sue if I Fell at a Friend’s House?
When a hazard causes you to fall on your friend’s property, we understand that you might feel hesitant to take legal action. However, slip and falls are typically handled as insurance claims and do not have to involve a lawsuit.
How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?
There is no upfront cost to hire Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers. We offer free consultations, and there are no fees unless we recover compensation for your claim.
What Are the Common Signs of a Serious Injury?
All slip and fall injuries are different. We recommend seeking medical attention right away, even if you feel fine after the fall, because some symptoms may not be immediately obvious.
Speak With a Local North Carolina Slip and Fall Attorney
When Justice Counts™, you can count on Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers. Led by father-daughter attorney partners and voted “Best Family-Run Law Firm” by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly in 2025 (see disclaimer below), we treat each client with the same care and respect we would give our own family.
Let our family provide you with the legal support you need and deserve. Call 800-525-7111 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our lawyers for slip and fall accidents in North Carolina.
We can also assist with the following personal injury claims in North Carolina: