Greenville Trip and Fall Lawyers

Trip and fall accidents are among the most overlooked yet harmful types of premises liability incidents. A raised edge of concrete, a loose floorboard, a broken stair, or clutter left in a walkway can cause devastating injuries in an instant. Victims often suffer broken bones, torn ligaments, spinal injuries, facial trauma, and long-term disability. But as straightforward as these cases may appear to the person who fell, trip and fall claims are often some of the most heavily contested in South Carolina.

At Davis & Snyder Injury Attorneys, our Greenville trip and fall lawyers understand the complex factors inherent in these cases because we have handled them from both sides. Before devoting our practice to helping injury victims, our attorneys spent years defending businesses, property owners, and insurance carriers. That firsthand experience gives us an invaluable perspective: we know exactly how defendants evaluate claims, the arguments they rely on to deny or minimize them, and the vulnerabilities they search for when determining settlement offers. Today, we use that insight to strengthen our clients’ claims and push for the full compensation they deserve.

Our firm takes a compassionate yet strategic approach to representation. We recognize the physical pain, emotional stress, and financial disruption that follow a serious fall. We also know how difficult it can be to navigate the legal process while trying to recover. Our goal is to handle the legal burden so our clients can focus on healing, confident that a highly experienced legal team is advocating on their behalf.

What Makes Trip and Fall Cases Unique?

While trip and fall accidents fall under the broader umbrella of premises liability, they present distinct challenges. Unlike slip and fall cases that often involve temporary hazards like moisture or spills, trip and fall claims frequently stem from defective conditions that may have existed for long periods, such as cracked pavement, uneven thresholds, missing handrails, broken steps, or exposed wiring.

However, this does not necessarily make the case easier. Property owners rarely admit knowledge of a defect, and when they do, insurers argue that the condition was so open and obvious that the injured person should have noticed the hazard and avoided it. However, even if a dangerous condition is clearly visible, South Carolina law does not automatically excuse a property owner from liability. Owners are still required to maintain reasonably safe premises, and the law examines the totality of circumstances to determine fault, including lighting, surrounding distractions, the nature of the defect, and the foreseeability of harm.

Trip and fall cases also require careful documentation of the condition causing the fall. These hazards often change quickly: broken concrete may be repaired, clutter may be removed, or carpeting may be replaced before an investigator can examine the scene. Our firm acts quickly to preserve evidence, request surveillance footage, obtain maintenance logs, and identify witnesses. Whenever possible, we inspect the location personally or through experts to fully understand how and why the fall occurred.

Common Causes of Trip and Fall Accidents in Greenville

Trip and fall accidents can occur virtually anywhere, from commercial properties and office buildings to apartment complexes, restaurants, and private residences. Some of the most frequent causes of a trip and fall include:

• Uneven or deteriorating walking surfaces, such as cracked sidewalks, raised slabs, and loose flooring
• Obstructions in walkways, including power cords, boxes, merchandise, construction materials, or debris

These issues may appear minor, but the injuries they cause can be severe. The sudden, forward motion of a trip often sends victims falling with significant force, increasing the likelihood of wrist fractures, facial injuries, dental trauma, shoulder injuries, or head impact. Elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable to life-changing harm.

How Property Owner Negligence Is Proven

To succeed in a trip and fall claim in South Carolina, the injured person typically must prove that the property owner created the dangerous condition, knew about it, or should have known about it through reasonable inspection and maintenance. This often requires a detailed investigation and a thorough understanding of how courts and insurers analyze notice, foreseeability, and reasonable care.

Because our attorneys have represented property owners and insurance companies, we understand the standards these entities apply internally. We know what maintenance practices are expected of businesses, how inspection protocols influence liability, and the weaknesses insurers look for when challenging a claim. This knowledge allows us to build cases that anticipate and overcome common defenses, including allegations of comparative negligence and claims that the hazard was obvious or trivial.

Our firm’s approach includes evaluating lighting, weather conditions, traffic patterns, safety policies, code compliance, and prior incidents at the location. We also analyze the client’s injuries and medical documentation carefully to connect the fall to the harm suffered and establish the full extent of damages.

Why Insurance Companies Fight Trip and Fall Claims

Trip and fall cases are frequently undervalued by insurers, even when injuries are severe. Insurance companies routinely argue that:

• The hazard was insignificant or easily avoidable
• The injured person was distracted or not paying attention

These defenses are designed to shift responsibility onto the victim or diminish the property owner’s duty of care. Because of our deep experience on the defense side, we recognize these tactics immediately and prepare our cases with strong counter-evidence.

Insurers may also attempt to settle early, before the full extent of injuries is known. Trip and fall injuries, especially spinal, joint, and soft tissue injuries, often worsen over time, and early settlement offers rarely reflect long-term costs such as ongoing medical treatment, reduced mobility, lost earning capacity, and permanent impairment. We advise clients to avoid accepting quick offers and instead allow us to fully evaluate damages before engaging in negotiations.

What to Do After a Trip and Fall Accident in Greenville

Victims often feel startled or embarrassed immediately after falling, and many people try to get up quickly or minimize what happened. However, the steps taken after a fall can have a significant impact on the strength of a claim. If possible, individuals should:

1. Report the incident to the property owner or manager and request that an incident report be completed.
2. Photograph the hazard, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries, capturing angles that show lighting conditions, defects, and obstructions.

Seeking medical attention promptly is also essential. Even if pain seems tolerable at first, injuries from a trip and fall can manifest hours or days later. Prompt medical evaluation not only protects your health but helps establish the connection between the fall and the injuries.

Finally, contacting an experienced premises liability attorney early ensures critical evidence is preserved and allows your legal team to begin investigating before conditions change.

How Davis & Snyder Injury Attorneys Help Trip and Fall Victims

Our firm approaches trip and fall cases with precision, empathy, and the strategic insight gained from decades of combined defense and plaintiff-side experience. We know that every case involves a human being whose life has been disrupted, and our goal is to restore stability and obtain full compensation.

We investigate each case meticulously, collaborate with experts when needed, and communicate openly with clients throughout the process. Whether negotiating a settlement or preparing for trial, we ensure each case is built to withstand aggressive defense strategies. Our clients trust us because we represent them with a rare blend of compassion, technical knowledge, and unwavering dedication to achieving results.

FAQs About Trip and Fall Accidents in Greenville

What is the difference between a slip and fall and a trip and fall?

A slip typically occurs when a person loses traction on a slick surface, while a trip happens when the foot strikes an object or uneven surface. Trip and fall cases often involve permanent hazards such as broken pavement or obstacles in walkways.

Do I still have a case if I did not see the hazard before falling?

Yes. South Carolina law does not require victims to detect every hazard, especially when conditions, lighting, or distractions make it difficult to do so. Whether the hazard was open and obvious is just one factor considered.

Can I win a trip and fall case if the property owner says they did not know about the defect?

Possibly. You can prove negligence by showing that the owner should have known through reasonable inspection or maintenance practices.

What damages can I recover after a trip and fall accident?

Victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, permanent impairment, and other losses tied to the fall.

Call Our Greenville Trip and Fall Lawyers Today

If you were injured in a trip and fall accident in Greenville or Upstate South Carolina, you deserve advocates who understand both the human impact of your injuries and the legal strategies necessary to win your case. At Davis & Snyder Injury Attorneys, we combine compassion, expertise, and results-driven advocacy to pursue the compensation you need to move forward. Contact us today for a free consultation and let our experienced team protect your rights.