Suffering an injury from slipping and falling on someone else’s property can rack up expensive medical bills and even lost wages.
If the property owner or tenant acted negligently by failing to properly maintain the property or warn visitors of any dangers, you might have a personal injury lawsuit that can help compensate for your pain and suffering.
Before you start betting on receiving a sum of money, know these few things about slip and fall accidents in North Carolina.
Whose Fault Is It In The Slip And Fall Accident?
North Carolina enforces a “contributory negligence” rule, which means if the victim shares even a small percentage of the fault for the accident occurring, the plaintiff will receive no damages.
North Carolina is one of only a few states that enforce this not plaintiff-friendly rule. Other states usually go by a “comparative negligence” rule, which means the court rules to reduce the victim’s damages by their percentage of fault.
Some reasons you may share responsibility in the injury include:
- Your injury occurred on a part of the property where visitors aren’t usually allowed or where the owner could reasonably expect visitors wouldn’t go.
- Your choice of footwear was inappropriate (or unsafe) for the circumstances.
- The owner placed cones, signs or took other reasonable actions to alert any visitors of dangerous conditions.
- The hazardous situation should have been evident to you.
- You weren’t paying attention to where you were walking because you were distracted.
Is There A Statute Of Limitations On Slip And Fall Accidents In North Carolina?
Victims of slip and fall accidents have three years from the date of injury or date of their belongings being damaged in the fall to file a lawsuit.
If the plaintiff, or victim, fails to file the suit within three years, a court would not hear the case nor reward any damages.
What Should I Do If I’ve Suffered A Slip And Fall Accident In North Carolina?
If you’ve suffered a slip and fall accident, call Knox Law Center right away to schedule your complimentary evaluation.
After your injury, contact a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid the statute of limitations lapsing on your claim. Knox Law Center’s legal team has 60 years of legal experience navigating cases just like yours and winning large settlements for our clients.
Our lawyers negotiate for you to help expedite your case and ensure every legal avenue is explored. We know this time can be challenging, and we don’t charge our clients a fee unless we win recoveries for you.
