Not every fall happens on a wet floor. Many of the most serious slip and fall injuries in Charlotte occur because of uneven surfaces that catch people off guard. A raised crack in a sidewalk. A broken tile in a store aisle. A pothole in a parking lot. A loose floorboard in a restaurant. These hazards cause people to trip, lose their balance, and suffer devastating injuries.
Property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain their walking surfaces in safe condition. When they ignore dangerous conditions or fail to repair known hazards, they can be held accountable for the injuries that result. Our Charlotte uneven surface accidents lawyer at The Layton Law Firm has 15 years of experience handling premises liability claims throughout Charlotte, NC. We understand how to prove these cases and fight back against property owners who deny responsibility. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your trip and fall injury.
Why Choose The Layton Law Firm for Uneven Surface Accidents in Charlotte, NC?
15 Years Representing Injured Clients in North Carolina
Founding attorney Christopher Layton has built his career on personal injury law in Charlotte. He earned his J.D. from Wake Forest University and his B.A. in Journalism from the University of Maryland at College Park. Licensed in North Carolina and the Federal Western District of North Carolina, he holds membership in both the NC State Bar and Mecklenburg Bar. Uneven surface cases require careful documentation and a thorough understanding of property owner duties under North Carolina law. We know how to establish negligence and breach of duty when property owners let dangerous conditions persist.
A Lawyer Who Actually Handles Your Case
Chris Layton manages cases personally from start to finish. He became a lawyer to help people who would otherwise be taken advantage of by insurance companies and corporate defendants with teams of attorneys. As a Charlotte resident for 24 years, he knows this community and takes a genuine interest in each client’s recovery. You will not be shuffled between staff members wondering who is working on your case. We communicate directly with you and explain every step of the process.
No Upfront Costs or Out-of-Pocket Fees
We handle uneven surface accident cases on contingency. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Many injury victims hesitate to call an attorney because they worry about legal fees. That worry should never stop you from learning about your rights. A trip and fall attorney should make your life easier during a difficult time, not harder.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “The Layton Law Firm was AMAZING! Chris and his team are consummate professionals who went above and beyond with my personal injury claim. They were very professional, knowledgeable, and always keep me abreast throughout the whole process!” – Mary Kelly
Types of Uneven Surface Cases We Handle in Charlotte
Uneven surfaces create tripping hazards in virtually every type of property. Some develop over time due to neglected maintenance. Others result from poor construction or inadequate repairs. Regardless of the cause, property owners have an obligation to fix these hazards or warn visitors until repairs can be made. An experienced fall injury lawyer in Charlotte can evaluate whether you have a valid claim.
- Cracked and broken sidewalks. Concrete sidewalks shift, crack, and heave over time, creating raised edges that catch pedestrians’ feet. Sidewalk and parking lot injuries are among the most common premises liability claims we handle. Property owners must monitor walkways and repair dangerous conditions promptly.
- Damaged flooring inside businesses. Loose tiles, warped hardwood, torn carpet edges, and cracked concrete inside stores and restaurants create serious tripping hazards. OSHA’s safety standards require that walking surfaces be kept free of hazards that could cause employees or visitors to slip, trip, or fall.
- Parking lot potholes and cracks. Charlotte parking lots take a beating from traffic and weather. Potholes develop, asphalt cracks, and uneven patches create dangers for customers walking to and from their vehicles. Property owners must inspect and maintain these areas to prevent falls.
- Uneven stairs and steps. Steps with inconsistent riser heights, worn treads, or damaged edges cause falls that often result in severe injuries. According to the CDC’s fall data, stairs are a common location for fall injuries across all age groups.
- Transition strips and thresholds. The strips between different flooring types can become loose, raised, or damaged over time. These transitions catch people’s feet and cause trips, particularly in grocery stores and retail locations where customers are focused on shopping rather than watching the floor.
- Outdoor walkways and patios. Brick pavers shift and become uneven. Concrete slabs settle at different rates. Tree roots push up walkway sections. Property owners must address these outdoor hazards just as they would indoor dangers.
North Carolina Law on Uneven Surface Liability
Property owners in North Carolina owe visitors a duty of reasonable care. This means they must inspect their property regularly, identify hazardous conditions, and either repair them or provide adequate warnings. When an uneven surface causes a fall, the injured person must prove the owner knew or should have known about the danger through reasonable inspection.
North Carolina applies contributory negligence to premises liability cases. This doctrine means that if you are found even slightly at fault for your own fall, you may be completely barred from recovery. Defense attorneys will argue you should have seen the uneven surface or that you were distracted. Building a strong case with solid evidence is essential to defeating these arguments. A premises liability attorney understands how to counter these defenses effectively.
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in North Carolina is three years from the date of your injury. The NC Judicial Branch provides information on filing civil lawsuits in the state court system. The U.S. Department of Labor emphasizes that property owners and employers share responsibility for maintaining safe walking surfaces. However, evidence preservation requires prompt action. The property owner may repair the hazard after your fall, eliminating physical proof of the dangerous condition. Photographs, maintenance records, and prior incident reports all become critical. Knowing what to do after an accident can protect your ability to pursue a claim.
Understanding causation is also important. You must prove the uneven surface directly caused your fall and injuries. Medical records from Charlotte emergency rooms and follow-up treatment help establish this connection. The CPSC injury data shows that trips and falls account for millions of emergency room visits annually, with uneven surfaces being a leading cause. Compensation may include medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering damages.
Contact The Layton Law Firm
If you have been injured by an uneven surface in Charlotte, NC, we are ready to review your case and give you honest guidance about your legal options. Contact The Layton Law Firm for a free consultation. We will examine the circumstances of your fall, determine whether liability can be established, and explain what to expect from the legal process. There are no fees unless we win your case, and there is no obligation after our initial conversation. We handle cases throughout Mecklenburg County and the greater Charlotte area.