You’re probably here because you, or someone you know, suffered an injury from a slip, trip, or fall somewhere in Northeast NC like Moyock, Elizabeth City, Ahoskie, Manteo, Nags Head, Edenton, Kinston, Greenville, Rocky Mount, the Outer Banks (OBX), of Roanoke Rapids. This page is an informational resource for you and other slip and fall accident victims.
Here are some common slip, trip, or fall cases and an example of what we typically ask before filing a claim…
1. Slips and falls caused by some liquid like water or some slippery substance like grease on the floor of a store, restaurant, or apartment building.
The initial questions we often ask potential clients who have had a serious injury of this type are what was the substance on the floor and how did it get there? Unfortunately, the injured customer or visitor often doesn’t know exactly what the substance was or how it got there unless they were told by some employee of the at-fault company or another customer. Sometimes the substance is fairly obvious like rainwater during a storm on a tile floor in a condominium lobby where they did not use proper mats to make the area less slippery. Either way, we can help with this type of case.
2. Falling merchandise cases, when the store is unsafely stacking or storing its stock.
A lot of stores these days are the big box type where they try to cram in as many items for sale on each self sometimes rising way overhead. We all shop at these stores like Walmart, Kmart, Costco, and Lowes. These big box retailers know that the items on the shelves pose a danger of falling and hitting someone in the head either because it wasn’t stacked properly by the staff or because it has been moved around and picked over in a way as to become unstable by customers. Our law firm has successfully handled numerous cases along these lines including one recently where some wood hit a man causing a traumatic brain injury and another recent case where a woman had to have neck and shoulder surgery when the shelf itself dropped onto her.
3. Tripping hazards like stairs or steps which are improperly designed and built posing a hazard.
Every state, including North Carolina (NC) and South Carolina (SC), has certain building codes that set forth how certain features of buildings are supposed to be constructed. There are also national building codes that apply to public places. Business owners are expected to follow the rules. We represented a lady who was injured when she tumbled down steps in a rental unit where, among other problems, there was not a proper handrail installed where it was required. We also helped a railroad yardmaster who tore a ligament on worn cement steps at work which violated the Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA).
4. Unrepaired and broken concrete, pavement, and other walking areas that are uneven.
Many falls at parking lots, malls, sidewalks, and other areas occur because the people who are supposed to manage the property and who own the property have not done a good job of keeping the area properly maintained. We have helped a Navy sailor with a huge gash in his leg who stepped into a hole for water access in a grassy walking area outside a rental townhouse that should have been capped. We have represented a man who had to have a major operation, a back surgery on a herniated disc, because of unrepaired broken pavement in a Mcdonald’s parking lot.
General Tips to Help Your Case
In the era of cell phone cameras, you should take pictures at the scene, or go and get pictures of the condition if it still exists. Always complete an injury/incident report with a business or store if you ever have a slip, trip, or fall caused by a condition at a business premises.
Proving that there was actually something that caused your fall is only the first step. We also need to have evidence of:
- What it was
- How it got there
- How long it was there
The law applying to slip and trip cases usually requires that the business be “on notice” that there was a problem to correct-so, a condition that was on the floor for 5 minutes is often not a reasonable opportunity for a business as opposed to a longer timeframe, as just one example.
The best evidence in this situation is a party admission by some employee of the business establishment that the condition had been there for sufficient time for them to do something about it.
As you can see, these cases require numerous steps and in-depth investigation/research. That’s where we come in. You need to call us right away so we can discuss your case and get to work. Our phone number is (833) 997-1774 or fill out our quick contact form on the right side of the screen.