Our Experience with Premises Liability Cases
Crantford Meehan handles premises liability cases, including injuries at hotels and rental properties. Our personal injury attorneys are well-versed in South Carolina law and build strong cases against negligent property owners. Whether you suffered injuries at a hotel in Charleston or a rental property elsewhere in the state, our legal team is prepared to pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability holds property owners responsible for injuries that occur on their property. Hotels and rental properties have a duty to maintain safe conditions for guests. When property owners fail to address hazards, guests can suffer serious injuries. Understanding your rights under South Carolina premises liability law is essential to recovering damages for your injuries and losses.
Common Hotel and Rental Property Injuries
Hotel and rental property injuries take many forms. Common incidents include:
- Slip and fall accidents from wet floors or spills
- Falls from balconies or stairs due to broken railings
- Injuries from inadequate security leading to assault or robbery
- Burns from faulty heating systems or hot water
- Injuries from broken furniture or fixtures
- Drowning or near-drowning incidents at pools
- Injuries from elevator or escalator malfunctions
Each of these incidents can result in serious injuries requiring medical treatment and ongoing care. Our Charleston personal injury lawyers have experience handling all types of hotel and rental property injury claims. We also handle pedestrian accidents and other premises-related injuries throughout the Charleston area.
Property Owner Responsibilities in South Carolina
South Carolina law requires property owners to maintain reasonably safe premises for guests and other lawful visitors. This includes several key duties that property owners must fulfill to avoid liability.
Regular Inspections and Maintenance
Under the South Carolina Code of Laws Title 27, property owners must conduct regular inspections for hazards. They must also make prompt repairs of dangerous conditions. This includes maintaining stairs, railings, and walkways in a safe condition. Failure to perform routine maintenance can constitute negligence and expose property owners to liability for guest injuries. Our legal team investigates maintenance records and inspection logs to establish whether property owners knew about dangerous conditions.
Safety Standards and Lighting
Hotels and rental properties must provide adequate lighting in common areas. They must also comply with state safety regulations for pools and other facilities. Inadequate lighting in hallways, stairwells, and parking areas increases the risk of accidents and can demonstrate negligence on the part of the property owner. We work with expert witnesses who can testify about industry safety standards and best practices.
Security Measures
Property owners have a duty to take reasonable security measures in light of foreseeable risks on the property. This can include steps such as maintaining locks, lighting, and other basic protections to reduce the risk of criminal activity. When a property ignores obvious security problems, it can face liability for guest injuries caused by preventable crime. Our attorneys work to establish that inadequate security measures directly contributed to your injuries. Similar to dram shop liability cases, security negligence requires proving the property owner’s duty and breach.
Warning Signs and Hazard Communication
Property owners must post clear warning signs for known hazards. They must also communicate dangers to guests when necessary. When property owners fail to warn guests of known dangers, they may be held liable for resulting injuries.
When property owners neglect these duties, they may be held liable for guest injuries. South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If a guest is partly at fault for an accident, their compensation can be reduced by their percentage of responsibility, and they are barred from recovery only if they are more than 50% at fault. This means you may still recover damages even if you bear some responsibility for your accident.
Building Strong Cases Against Negligent Property Owners
Proving premises liability requires showing that the property owner knew (or should have known) about the hazard. Our attorneys gather evidence to build strong cases and establish liability. We understand the legal standards required to prove negligence in premises liability lawsuits and work diligently to meet them. Our approach is similar to how we handle medical malpractice cases, where establishing the standard of care is critical.
Evidence We Collect
We work to obtain:
- Incident reports and photographs of the scene
- Maintenance records and inspection logs
- Prior complaints from other guests
- Security footage when available
- Expert testimony on safety standards
- Medical records documenting injuries
This evidence is critical to establishing that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition. We also investigate whether the property owner had prior notice of similar incidents, which can demonstrate a pattern of negligence. Our team includes investigators experienced in gathering evidence for personal injury claims.
Establishing Negligence
We work to establish that the property owner failed to address a known danger. We also show that the property owner ignored warning signs of a hazard. This evidence helps prove negligence and liability. Our approach includes analyzing maintenance schedules, inspection records, and prior complaints to demonstrate that the property owner had knowledge of the hazardous condition and failed to remedy it.
Our Legal Team
William C. Crantford and Jerry A. Meehan Jr. bring significant experience to premises liability cases. Both attorneys have dedicated their careers to helping injured victims recover the compensation they deserve. Our team also includes experienced personal injury attorneys who specialize in various injury types.
William C. Crantford
William C. Crantford holds an AV Preeminent® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, one of the most respected attorney rating services in the country. He is a Trial Lawyers College graduate, an honor that reflects his commitment to trial advocacy and client representation. He brings courtroom experience to premises liability cases and has successfully represented numerous clients in complex injury matters. His biography details his extensive background in personal injury law.
Jerry A. Meehan Jr.
Jerry A. Meehan Jr. holds an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, demonstrating his legal expertise and professional standing. He is also a Trial Lawyers College graduate. He brings courtroom experience to premises liability cases as well and has recovered substantial settlements and judgments for injured clients throughout South Carolina. Learn more about Jerry Meehan’s experience and his track record of success.
Our Approach
Both attorneys work to recover compensation for clients injured on hotel and rental properties. They understand the challenges these cases present and the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts. They pursue strong results for each client by thoroughly investigating claims, gathering compelling evidence, and negotiating aggressively with insurance carriers. When necessary, they are prepared to take cases to trial to secure the maximum compensation available. Our approach to premises liability is informed by our experience handling wrongful death claims and other serious injury matters.
Our Track Record with Premises Liability Cases
Crantford Meehan has recovered millions for clients injured on property. Our case results demonstrate our commitment to holding negligent property owners accountable. The following examples illustrate our success in premises liability matters:
Bar and Grill Assault Judgment
Our client suffered catastrophic injuries after a violent assault at a bar and grill. The property owner failed to provide adequate security despite the foreseeable risk of criminal activity on the premises. We recovered a $44.8 million judgment for our client, one of the largest verdicts in our firm’s history. This result reflects the severity of our client’s injuries and the property owner’s clear negligence in failing to provide basic security measures.
Chair Falls at Music Festival
Our client attended a music festival and sat on a defective chair that collapsed, causing a serious neck injury. We resolved the case within one year with a $650,000 settlement after proving the property owner failed to provide safe seating for guests. Our investigation revealed that the property owner had not inspected the chairs for defects and had ignored prior complaints about deteriorating seating conditions.
Slip and Fall Settlements
We have recovered significant compensation for slip and fall injuries at local businesses. One client received $375,000 after suffering injuries from dangerous conditions at a commercial property. Another client recovered $250,000 for a slip and fall injury caused by the property owner’s failure to maintain safe premises. These settlements demonstrate our ability to negotiate favorable outcomes for slip and fall victims.
These results show our ability to build strong cases and recover substantial compensation for premises liability victims. Each case is handled with the attention and resources necessary to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients. Our client stories showcase additional examples of successful outcomes.
Why Choose Crantford Meehan?
Our attorneys focus on premises liability cases throughout South Carolina. We handle each case with attention to detail and a commitment to client service. We work to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our firm has the resources and experience necessary to take on large property owners and insurance companies and hold them accountable for their negligence.
We offer free consultations to discuss your case. Contact Crantford Meehan today to learn how we can help you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Whether your injury occurred in Charleston, Summerville, or elsewhere in South Carolina, we are ready to help.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you suffered an injury at a hotel or rental property in Charleston or elsewhere in South Carolina, contact Crantford Meehan for a free case evaluation. Our Charleston premises liability lawyers are available to discuss your claim and explain your legal options.
Call (843) 832-1120 or use our contact form to reach our legal team. We are available to discuss your case and answer any questions you may have about pursuing a premises liability claim.
