Personal Injury Attorney Ladson, SC

Quick Answer: If you were hurt in Ladson because of someone else’s negligence, you can generally recover medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering from the responsible party’s insurer. Because Ladson is an unincorporated community spanning Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties, the county where the injury happened usually determines which sheriff’s office investigates and which court hears a lawsuit. Most claims must be filed within three years, and two years for claims against government entities.

On this page:

• Why does the county matter for a Ladson injury?
• Who is responsible for injuries at fairs and events?
• What if you were hurt on an amusement ride?
• What crashes do we see in Ladson?
• What about falls and unsafe property?
• What if a dog bit you?
• What can you recover?
• What should you do after an injury?

Why Does the County Matter for a Ladson Injury?

Ladson does not have its own town government, police department or municipal court. Instead, the county where the injury happened provides law enforcement, and that county’s courts are often where a lawsuit is filed. The following table summarizes the options:

A lawsuit can also often be filed where a defendant lives or does business. Because the county lines through Ladson are not obvious, we confirm the location before requesting reports or filing.

Who Is Responsible for Injuries at Fairs and Events in Ladson?

Large events at the Exchange Park fairgrounds and other venues bring crowds, temporary structures, parking areas, food vendors and rides. When someone is hurt, several parties may share responsibility, including the event organizer, the property owner, vendors, security contractors and ride operators. Common injuries include falls on uneven ground, cables or temporary flooring, injuries in crowded walkways and parking areas, and assaults where security was inadequate. Because many of these parties have their own insurance, identifying each one early matters.

What If You Were Hurt on an Amusement Ride?

Amusement rides in South Carolina are subject to state safety inspection and permitting, and ride operators must assemble, maintain and operate rides safely. Injuries can result from mechanical failures, improper assembly of traveling rides, operator errors, missing restraints or failure to enforce height and health restrictions. In addition to the operator, the ride manufacturer may be responsible if a design or manufacturing defect caused the injury. Photograph the ride, get the name of the operator and keep your ticket or wristband.

What Crashes Do We See in Ladson?

Many Ladson injury cases begin with a crash on I-26, College Park Road, Ladson Road, U.S. 78 or Palmetto Commerce Parkway, where commuter traffic mixes with trucks serving the area’s manufacturing plants and distribution centers. During large events, traffic around the fairgrounds adds congestion and pedestrian risks. Our Ladson car accident lawyers page explains those claims in detail.

What About Falls and Unsafe Property in Ladson?

Businesses, landlords and property managers generally must keep their premises reasonably safe for customers and tenants. A fall caused by a wet floor, broken stairs, a dark parking lot or a hidden hole may support a claim if the owner created the hazard or knew or should have known about it in time to fix it. For apartment complexes and other properties with a history of crime, the South Carolina Supreme Court recognized in Bass v. Gopal, Inc., 395 S.C. 129, 716 S.E.2d 910 (2011), that a business may owe a duty to take reasonable security measures when criminal activity is foreseeable.

What If a Dog Bit You in Ladson?

Under S.C. Code Section 47-3-110, a dog’s owner or caretaker is generally liable when the dog bites or attacks someone in a public place or lawfully on private property, unless the person provoked the dog. The owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance often covers the claim. Report the bite to the animal control office for the county where it happened, get medical care and collect the owner’s information.

What Can You Recover in a Ladson Injury Claim?

Generally, an injured person can recover medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, and compensation for permanent impairment or scarring. Under South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence rule from Nelson v. Concrete Supply Co., 303 S.C. 243, 399 S.E.2d 783 (1991), you can recover as long as you were not more at fault than the defendant, with the recovery reduced by your share of fault. Most claims must be filed within three years under S.C. Code Section 15-3-530.

What Should You Do After an Injury in Ladson?

• Get medical care promptly and follow your treatment plan;
• Report the incident to the sheriff’s office, event staff or property owner;
• Note the exact location, which helps confirm the county;
• Photograph the scene, the hazard and your injuries;
• Collect witness names and phone numbers; and
• Avoid recorded statements to the other side’s insurer before talking with a lawyer.

What If a Government Entity Is Responsible?

Because much of Ladson is served by county and state roads and facilities, some injuries involve a public entity, such as a county vehicle, a poorly maintained public road or a government-owned property. Those claims are governed by the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, which generally requires suit within two years and limits the damages available. Identifying a public defendant early is important because of the shorter deadline.

When Should You Settle?

Generally, not until your doctors can describe your long-term condition, because a signed release ends the claim even if you later need more treatment. If treatment takes longer than the filing deadline allows, we can file suit to protect your rights while you recover.

How Are Medical Bills Paid While Your Claim Is Pending?

The at-fault party’s insurer usually pays only when the claim is resolved, so in the meantime, your health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, or medical payments coverage on an auto policy typically pays first. Some providers will also agree to wait for payment until the case resolves. Those payers often have a right to be reimbursed from the recovery, so part of our job is confirming the amounts and negotiating reductions where the law allows.

Keep every bill, explanation of benefits and receipt for prescriptions, mileage and medical equipment. Those records support the claim and help make sure nothing is left out when the case is valued.

Related pages: Our main North Charleston personal injury lawyer and Charleston personal injury lawyer pages explain this practice area in more depth. Clients in Ladson also turn to our Ladson car accident lawyer, Ladson workplace injury lawyer, Ladson medical malpractice lawyer, Ladson wrongful death lawyer and Ladson criminal defense lawyer pages, and we handle the same kinds of cases for clients who need a personal injury lawyer in Summerville or a personal injury lawyer in Goose Creek.

If you were injured in Ladson, SC, our Ladson personal injury lawyers at Clekis Law Firm can explain your options. Call 843-900-0000 or contact us to schedule a consultation. Our North Charleston office at 2850 Ashley Phosphate Road is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we also meet clients by appointment at our Charleston office on Church Street.

Attorney responsible for this page: Nicholas J. Clekis, Clekis Law Firm, 2850 Ashley Phosphate Road, North Charleston, SC 29418.