Business owners in South Carolina have an affirmative obligation to their business location in a reasonably safe condition for their customers. This mandatory legal duty extends to the parking lot of stores, restaurants, and other public places.
If a business owner fails to properly maintain their parking lot they could be responsible for the injuries or damages suffered by a customer as a result. Examples of improperly maintained parking lots include:
- Cracks or potholes
- Trash or debris
- Slipper conditions
- Accumulated oil or grease
- Uneven surfaces
Even if the danger is in plain site if it is the type that someone at some time was going to get hurt then there may be liability.
To establish liability for our clients in these cases it is often important to employ an engineer or other expert as an authority source on the specific acts or omissions creating the dangerous condition.
It should go without saying that insurance companies and at-fault businesses resist paying the medical bills and other damages of people who are seriously injured as a result of a parking lot fall. They regularly argue that since the customers have an obligation to look out for themselves they don't have to pay.
If liability can be established it may be possible to recover full payment for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and for any permanent impairment.
The Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, is a Lexington SC Injury Law Firm representing clients with premises liability claims after being injured in a parking lot fall. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured due to a parking lot not being properly maintained contact our office at (803) 359-3301 for a free in-office consultation. There is no fee to find out if you have a case.