A single step onto a wet surface can change everything. One moment you’re walking through a store, restaurant, or office building. The next, you’re on the ground with a broken hip, fractured wrist, or head injury. Wet floor accidents happen fast, but the consequences can last months or years.
Property owners throughout Charlotte have a legal duty to keep their floors safe or warn visitors when hazards exist. When they fail to do either, they can be held responsible for the injuries that result. Our Charlotte wet floor accidents lawyer at The Layton Law Firm has spent 15 years handling premises liability claims throughout Charlotte, NC. We know how to investigate these cases, gather critical evidence before it disappears, and hold negligent property owners accountable. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your wet floor injury and understand your legal options.
Why Choose The Layton Law Firm for Wet Floor Accidents in Charlotte, NC?
15 Years of Personal Injury Experience in North Carolina
Founding attorney Christopher Layton has dedicated his career to 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. He holds admissions to the NC State Bar, Mecklenburg Bar, and Federal Western District of North Carolina. Wet floor cases require proving the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard. We have developed the investigative approach and legal strategy needed to establish negligence in these claims and overcome the defenses property owners typically raise.
Personal Attention From Start to Finish
Chris Layton handles cases personally. He became a lawyer to help people who otherwise would be taken advantage of by insurance companies and large property management companies with aggressive legal teams. As a Charlotte resident for 24 years, he understands this community and genuinely cares about each client’s outcome. You won’t be passed between assistants wondering about your case status. We keep you informed and explain your options clearly so you can make the best decisions for your situation.
No Fees Unless You Recover Compensation
We work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Many people worry about what attorneys charge after an injury, but that concern should never prevent you from exploring your legal options. A slip and fall lawyer should help reduce your burden, not add to it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “It was great working with Mr. Layton and his team, as him and his team worked diligently with my vehicle accident case. Mr. Layton is a lawyer who will communicate all the best avenues of approach to take when it comes to making a decision on how you settle. I will definitely keep Mr. Layton within my contact list, as well as recommend anyone in the Charlotte area or on the outskirts of Charlotte to reach out to him and his team, as they have done a wonderful job settling my vehicle accident case. I want publicly say thank you Mr. Layton and team.” – David Frazier
Types of Wet Floor Cases We Handle in Charlotte
Wet floor hazards arise in nearly every type of property. The common thread is property owner negligence—either creating the hazard, failing to address it promptly, or neglecting to warn visitors while the danger exists. An experienced slip and fall attorney in Charlotte can review the facts of your case and determine whether you have grounds for a claim.
- Mopping and cleaning accidents. Businesses must clean their floors, but they must also warn customers when surfaces are wet. Missing or inadequate warning signs, failure to block off wet areas, or mopping during peak business hours without proper precautions can all establish liability when someone falls.
- Spill-related falls. Liquid spills in grocery stores, retail locations, and restaurants create immediate hazards. Property owners must have procedures to identify and address spills quickly. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employers to keep floors clean and dry and ensure spills are reported and cleaned up immediately.
- Leaking roof and plumbing accidents. Building maintenance issues that cause water accumulation create ongoing hazards. A slow leak from a ceiling or pipe can create a puddle that catches visitors off guard. Property owners who ignore maintenance problems or fail to warn visitors about known leaks may face premises liability claims.
- Restroom falls. Bathroom floor hazards from water around sinks, wet floors near toilets, and inadequate drainage cause serious injuries. These areas require regular monitoring and proper floor materials to reduce slip risks.
- Entrance and lobby accidents. Rain tracked into buildings creates slippery conditions near doors. According to the National Weather Service, even small amounts of water can create dangerous walking conditions. Property owners must use mats, signage, and regular monitoring to keep these high-traffic areas safe.
- Swimming pool area falls. Pool deck injuries occur when property owners fail to use slip-resistant surfaces, provide inadequate drainage, or neglect to post warning signs in wet areas. Hotels, apartments, and fitness centers must maintain these areas properly.
North Carolina Law on Wet Floor Liability
To succeed in a wet floor case in North Carolina, you must prove the property owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition. This legal concept is called constructive notice. Evidence showing how long a spill existed before your fall becomes critical. If water sat on the floor for 30 minutes without anyone addressing it, that may demonstrate the owner should have discovered and cleaned it through reasonable inspection.
North Carolina follows contributory negligence, one of the strictest liability standards in the country. If the property owner can prove you were even partially at fault for your fall—perhaps arguing you should have seen the wet floor or weren’t watching where you walked—you could be barred from any recovery. This is why working with an experienced attorney matters so much. A fall injury lawyer knows how to counter these defenses and protect your claim.
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in North Carolina is three years from the date of injury. The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides guidance on filing civil claims in the state court system. But waiting to take action can hurt your case. Evidence in wet floor cases disappears quickly. Surveillance footage showing the spill and how long it existed may be deleted within days or weeks. Incident reports may go missing. Employees who witnessed the conditions may leave their jobs or forget details.
The CDC reports that falls are a leading cause of nonfatal injuries treated in emergency departments across all age groups. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that slips, trips, and falls account for a significant portion of workplace injuries each year. Understanding what damages you can recover helps you make informed decisions about your claim. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact The Layton Law Firm
If you have been injured in a wet floor accident in Charlotte, NC, we are ready to review your case and provide straightforward guidance about your options. Contact The Layton Law Firm for a free consultation. We will evaluate the circumstances of your fall, explain whether you have a viable claim, identify all potentially liable parties, and answer your questions honestly. There are no fees unless we win, and there is no obligation after the consultation. We handle cases throughout Mecklenburg County and the greater Charlotte area.