In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit, including slip and fall cases, is generally three years from the date of the accident. This means that you have three years from the date you were injured in a slip and fall accident to initiate a lawsuit against the responsible party or property owner.
However, it’s crucial to understand that there are exceptions and nuances to the statute of limitations in certain situations. For example:
- Discovery Rule: In some cases, the date of the accident might not be immediately evident as the cause of your injury. The “discovery rule” allows the statute of limitations to begin when you reasonably discover or should have discovered the injury or its cause.
- Government Entities: If your slip and fall accident occurred on government-owned property or due to the negligence of a government entity, there may be shorter deadlines and specific procedures for filing a claim. This typically involves a notice of claim requirement, which must be followed diligently.
- Minors: If the injured party is a minor at the time of the slip and fall accident, the statute of limitations may be tolled (paused) until the minor reaches the age of 18, at which point the three-year limit typically begins.
To ensure that your slip and fall claim is filed within the appropriate timeframe and that you understand any exceptions that may apply to your case, it’s advisable to consult with a personal injury attorney at Woron and Dhillon, LLC, in Columbia, SC. They can assess the specific circumstances of your case, guide you through the legal process, and help you meet all necessary deadlines to protect your rights and seek compensation for your injuries.