Slip and Fall Lawyer in Morehead City

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere and may result in painful injuries that disrupt your daily life. If unsafe conditions led to your fall in Morehead City, the slip and fall lawyers at Ward and Smith are here to help. We’ll work to hold property owners accountable and seek fair compensation for your injuries. Call (919) 827-8475 today for a free consultation and let us help you on the path to recovery.

What to Know When Holding a Landlord Responsible for a Slip and Fall

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, but when they take place on rental property, the situation can be complex. If a tenant or visitor is injured due to a dangerous condition, the question often becomes whether the landlord is at fault. These cases are not always straightforward. Property owners have legal duties, but the injured party also needs to prove certain facts before a claim can move forward.

In Morehead City, with its mix of residential properties, vacation rentals, and multi-unit housing, knowing your rights after a fall on rental property can make a big difference.

Understanding When a Landlord May Be Liable

Landlords are required to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. This includes keeping common areas clear of hazards and responding to known issues within a reasonable time. If they fail to do so and someone gets hurt, they may be held legally responsible.

Some examples of situations where a landlord could be at fault include:

Wet floors or spilled substances left uncleaned in hallways
Broken stair railings or uneven steps in shared stairwells
Loose carpeting or tiles in entryways
Poor lighting in walkways or parking lots
Leaks or water intrusion not properly addressed

In each of these examples, the landlord either knew—or should have known—about the danger and failed to take proper action.

Where the Duty of Care Applies

A key factor in any slip and fall case involving a rental property is where the accident happened. Landlords typically have a duty to maintain common areas—places shared by all tenants or open to visitors. These include:

Hallways
Lobbies
Sidewalks and driveways
Laundry rooms
Stairwells
Parking lots

Inside a tenant’s unit, the landlord’s responsibility depends on whether they had control over or knowledge of the condition that caused the injury. If a tenant reports a leaking ceiling or a broken tile in the kitchen and the landlord fails to act, they may still be liable if someone gets hurt.

Proving That Negligence Was Involved

In any personal injury case, you must show that the other party was negligent. This means proving the landlord didn’t take reasonable steps to prevent harm. To do that, several key elements must be shown:

There was a hazardous condition – Something like a broken step, a wet floor, or poor lighting that created a risk of slipping or falling.
The landlord knew or should have known about it – You need to show that the issue was reported or existed long enough that it should have been noticed and fixed.
They failed to take action – The hazard wasn’t repaired, cleaned, or blocked off within a reasonable time.
You were injured as a result – There needs to be a direct connection between the hazard and your injury.

Each part of this process requires documentation and evidence.

Gathering Evidence to Support Your Claim

If you’re considering filing a slip and fall claim against a landlord, collecting evidence is one of the most important steps. Without it, proving liability becomes much more difficult.

Here’s what can help build a strong case:

Photos or videos of the hazard as it appeared at the time of the fall
Medical records showing the extent and nature of your injuries
Incident reports filed with the landlord or property management
Witness statements from others who saw the fall or were aware of the dangerous condition
Maintenance logs or prior complaints related to the same issue

If the property has security cameras, requesting footage should be done quickly. Some recordings are deleted after just a few days.

Acting Quickly After the Incident

The steps you take immediately after a fall can affect your ability to recover damages. If you’re injured on rental property:

Seek medical attention right away. Even if your injuries seem minor, symptoms can worsen later.
Report the accident to the landlord or property manager and request a copy of the incident report.
Take pictures of the scene before anything is cleaned up or repaired.
Save and document your shoes and clothing if they may help show what contributed to the fall (for example, if your shoes are soaked due to a leak, take photographs or videos of them).
Reach out to an attorney before giving any recorded statements to an insurance company.

North Carolina law has strict deadlines for filing injury claims, so it’s important not to wait too long.

The Challenge of Contributory Negligence in North Carolina

North Carolina follows a legal rule known as contributory negligence, which makes slip and fall claims harder to win. Under this rule, if the injured person is found to be even slightly at fault—such as not watching where they were walking or ignoring a posted warning—they may be barred from recovering compensation altogether.

Because of this rule, landlords and their insurers often try to shift blame. They may argue you were wearing the wrong type of shoes, using your phone, or entering an area that was off-limits.

This is another reason why having clear evidence and legal support is so important. A knowledgeable attorney can help push back against these defenses.

Types of Compensation You May Be Able to Recover

If your claim is successful, you may be eligible to receive compensation for a range of damages. These can include:

Medical bills, both past and future
Lost income from time off work
Reduced earning capacity if your injury is long-term
Past, present, and future pain and suffering
Costs for mobility aids, physical therapy, or in-home care

In serious cases, a slip and fall injury can affect your ability to live independently or return to work. A fair settlement should reflect the full impact on your life—not just your out-of-pocket costs.

Get the Justice You Deserve with a Slip and Fall Attorney

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, the slip and fall attorneys at Ward and Smith are here to help. We will fight to ensure that property owners are held responsible for their negligence. Call (919) 827-8475 for a free consultation and let us work with you to secure the compensation you deserve.