Snow and Ice Slip and Fall Accidents: Legal Considerations

We don’t get much snow and ice down here in South Carolina, but when we do, they pose a risk for accidents. Slip and fall accidents involving ice and snow can lead to serious injuries and even death, especially among seniors, for whom falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for people 65+.

Some slip and fall accidents are just accidents. But what about slip and falls that result from another person’s negligence? What are the legal considerations of a snow-related slip and fall accident in South Carolina?

Legal Considerations of Slip and Fall Cases in South Carolina

No matter the circumstances of a slip and fall accident, the legal considerations are the same when it comes to a personal injury lawsuit in South Carolina. A successful claim has three elements:

1. The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care
2.     The defendant breached that duty through negligence or omission
3. The plaintiff was injured as a result of that breach of duty

Here, the plaintiff is the individual injured in the slip and fall accident. The defendant is the person or party the plaintiff believes is responsible, like the homeowner whose walkway was covered with snow, or the shop owner whose shop had ice at the entrance, for example.

The plaintiff must show all three elements to be successful in their claim.

Special Considerations about Snow and Ice Slip and Fall Cases

Many states with significant annual snowfall have specific laws regarding a property owner’s duty regarding removal of snow. South Carolina does not have any such laws. Still, property owners, landlords, and other parties in charge of caring for a property have a responsibility to maintain the property to reduce hazards. That can include clearing or reducing ice and snow accumulation, even if SC doesn’t have snow-specific laws.

Timing is an important factor in slip in fall cases. Snow and ice can accumulate quickly, leading to unsafe conditions. If snow or ice created dangerous conditions, did the property owner take care of it in a timely manner or ignore it for a long time? Was the property owner aware, or should they have been aware, of the potential dangers? The facts regarding timing can make the difference between being able to show that a property owner was negligent or not.

Injured In a Slip and Fall Accident? Call the Personal Injury Attorneys at The Carolina Law Group

Proving liability in a silp and fall case is challenging. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, speak to one of the personal injury lawyers at The Carolina Law Group right away. Our goal is to help our clients get the compensation they deserve and fight for their rights while they focus on healing. Call us at one of the numbers below to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.

The Carolina Law Group has four offices in South Carolina for your convenience: Greenville (principal office; call 864.312.4444), Greer (principal office; call 864.757.5555), Spartanburg (principal office; call 864.312.4444) & West Columbia (principal office; call 803.881.1110).

Call us at one of our four offices or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with one of our attorneys. Our business hours are Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 5:30pm & Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm. Weekend and evening hours by appointment only. Our Greenville, SC law firm offers Spanish, Hindi, and Gujarati language translation services for your convenience.