Downtown Charleston has many historic streets and walkways, including areas near Chalmers Street, Church Street, and lower King Street. Brick, stone, and other older walking surfaces may become uneven over time. If you tripped and fell on one of these surfaces, whether you have a premises liability claim may depend on the condition of the walkway, who controlled or maintained the area, and what notice the responsible party had of the hazard.
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Who May Be Responsible
Responsibility for a fall on a downtown sidewalk or walkway may depend on exactly where the fall happened, including whether it occurred on:
- A private business's property, such as a shop entrance or courtyard
- A sidewalk maintained by the City of Charleston or another government entity
- A shared or common area maintained by a property management company
- A construction or repair zone with inadequate warning signs or barriers
What Makes These Claims More Complex
Historic district properties can raise issues that don't come up in a typical slip-and-fall case, such as:
- Preservation rules or permitting issues that may affect repairs
- Multiple potentially responsible parties, such as a tenant, property owner, property manager, contractor, or government entity
- Questions about who controlled the specific area where the fall occurred
- Notice issues, including whether the responsible party knew or should have known about the uneven surface
Because of these layers, it often takes a closer look at the specific location and ownership records to sort out who may be responsible.
Steps That May Help Your Claim
If you're able to safely do so after a fall downtown, it may help to:
- Photograph the exact spot where you fell, including the uneven surface, lighting, and any warning signs (or lack of them)
- Note the specific address or nearest cross streets
- Get names and contact information from any witnesses
- Seek medical attention, even if the injury seems minor at first
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster before speaking with a lawyer
- Hold onto the shoes and clothing you were wearing at the time
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Were You Hurt in a Fall in Downtown Charleston?
If you've been injured due to negligence, you should speak with an experienced Charleston personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call us directly at 843.248.7486 to schedule your consultation. We are also able to meet clients at our Columbia, Conway, Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Mt. Pleasant, Charleston, Florence, North Myrtle Beach, Greenville or North Charleston office locations.
