Property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe environments for visitors, residents, and customers. If you suffered injuries due to a dangerous condition on someone else’s property, such as a slippery floor, broken staircase, or poor lighting, you may be wondering how to prove liability. Determining negligence in Columbia premises liability cases often depends on showing that the property owner failed to uphold their responsibilities under state law.
Whetstone Perkins & Fulda helps individuals understand their rights after serious accidents on another’s property. Our skilled premises liability attorneys handle injury-related legal matters with diligence—investigating the facts, developing strong legal arguments, and pursuing rightful compensation. With experienced representation, you could hold the at-fault party accountable and work toward recovery.
Understanding the Legal Theory of Negligence
The basis for premises liability claims is the legal theory of negligence, which requires showing that a property owner failed to use reasonable care to prevent harm. To succeed, the injured party must prove duty, breach in the standard of care, causation, and damages.
State law imposes different duties based on the visitor’s status. An owner’s legal obligations vary according to the reason someone is on their property. When an owner is aware of hidden dangers, they must protect their customers and inform personal guests of the hazards. Pursuant to South Carolina Code § 15-82-10, landowners must avoid willful or wanton harm toward trespassers, with limited exceptions.
If you sustained an injury on someone else’s property in Columbia, showing how the property owner breached that duty is key to building a strong premises liability case. We gather surveillance footage, maintenance logs, and witness statements to support your claim and connect the property owner’s conduct to your injuries.
What Evidence Supports a Premises Liability Claim?
Recovering damages after an injury on unsafe property in Columbia depends on proving that the property owner’s breach of the standard of care directly caused your harm. Without sufficient evidence, even severe injuries may not satisfy the legal requirements for liability.
Evidence in these claims may include:
- Photographs or videos of the hazardous condition
- Incident or accident reports from the property owner
- Eyewitness statements from other visitors or employees
- Medical records to show the nature and cause of your injuries
- Proof of lost wages from employment records
Premises liability cases are strongest when they include documentation showing the dangerous condition existed long enough for the owner to have known and acted. Whetstone Perkins & Fulda prepares every case with the thorough evidence needed to meet this standard.
Hazards That Can Lead to Liability
Many property-related injuries stem from identifiable conditions that the owner should have corrected. These hazards often present clear risks to anyone lawfully on the premises.
Examples of dangerous property conditions include:
- Slippery floors without visible warnings
- Cracked or uneven sidewalks and steps
- Poor lighting in parking lots or stairwells
- Unsecured handrails or broken fixtures
- Falling merchandise in retail spaces
When unsafe property conditions cause injury, we could help determine your eligibility for damages through a negligence-based claim in Columbia. A premises liability attorney could help evaluate whether the property owner’s failure to maintain the premises meets the legal threshold for liability.
Speak With a Columbia Premises Liability Attorney About Proving Negligence
Determining negligence in Columbia premises liability cases often requires detailed investigation, clear documentation, and a firm understanding of state premises liability law. Proving that a property owner failed to uphold their legal responsibilities can be essential to recovering compensation for your injuries.
At Whetstone Perkins & Fulda, we help clients pursue money damages for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care. Contact us today to learn how our legal team could help you take action against the at-fault party and proceed with confidence.
