You walk into a Charleston restaurant for dinner. You step into a retail store downtown. Within seconds, you are on the ground. A wet floor. A loose mat. Uneven tile. Poor lighting.
Now you are in pain, maybe embarrassed, and wondering whether this was “just an accident” or whether someone should be responsible.
If you were injured in a restaurant, grocery store, or retail location in South Carolina, you have rights. The key question is whether the business failed to keep the property reasonably safe. At Lesemann & Associates, we help injured customers understand what the law actually requires and what can be done next.
Businesses in South Carolina owe customers a duty of reasonable care. Simply put, they are required to maintain a basic level of safety in their business. That means they must:
They are not automatically responsible for every fall. But they may be liable if they knew, or should have known, about a dangerous condition and failed to address it.
For example, if a spill sits on the floor long enough that employees should have noticed it, that may support a claim. If a store ignores repeated complaints about loose flooring, that may also point to negligence.
Many injured customers blame themselves. You might think you should have seen the spill or stepped differently. South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover compensation as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault.
Even if a business argues you were distracted, that does not automatically eliminate your claim. Liability depends on the full picture, not just a single moment.
If a restaurant or retail store is legally responsible, compensation may include:
The value of a claim depends on how the injury affects your health, income, and daily life. A simple fall can lead to serious injuries such as fractures, head trauma, or back injuries that disrupt work and family responsibilities.
What If the Business Denies Responsibility?
It is common for businesses and their insurance carriers to deny knowledge of the hazard. They may argue the condition appeared moments before the incident or that it was open and obvious.
That is where investigation matters. Surveillance footage, cleaning logs, maintenance records, and employee statements can all play a role in showing whether the business acted reasonably.
You are not expected to gather this information yourself. An attorney can request and preserve evidence that might otherwise disappear.
In most South Carolina personal injury cases, you have three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. That does not mean you should wait. Video footage may be deleted quickly. Witnesses may forget details.
Understanding your rights early allows you to make informed decisions without feeling rushed.
Premises liability cases often come down to whether the business met its duty of care. Proving that requires more than simply showing you were hurt.
At Lesemann & Associates, we review the circumstances of your injury, evaluate whether the property owner acted reasonably, and explain what options may be available under South Carolina law. If the business failed to keep the property safe, legal action can help hold them accountable.
If you were injured at a Charleston restaurant or retail store and are unsure whether you have a claim, starting a conversation can bring clarity. Lesemann & Associates helps South Carolina injury victims understand their rights and what steps can be taken to pursue compensation. Reach out to learn where you stand and what may be possible next.
