Under South Carolina’s premises liability law, property owners have a responsibility to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. They must take steps to address known hazards and warn visitors of any dangers that may not be immediately obvious.
Property owners owe different duties of care depending on the status of the visitor:
- Invitees (e.g., customers) are owed the highest duty of care. The property owner must regularly inspect for hazards, promptly fix dangers, and warn of any unsafe conditions.
- Licensees (e.g., social guests) are owed a moderate duty of care. The owner must address known hazards or warn of concealed dangers.
- Trespassers are generally owed no duty of care, except to avoid willful or wanton conduct that may cause injury.
If a property owner fails to uphold their duty and someone is injured as a consequence, the victim may have grounds for a premises liability claim. These cases often involve slip and falls, inadequate security, or hazards like broken stairs or poor lighting. An experienced personal injury lawyer can assess the facts and help pursue fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
With over 25 years of legal experience, Paul Hammack provides his clients with a level of trial expertise and strategic insight rarely found in personal injury litigation. Having spent the first eight years of his career working within major insurance defense firms across Georgia and South Carolina, Paul gained an intimate understanding of the “other side’s” playbook. This insurance industry background serves as a unique differentiator for his clients; he knows exactly how insurance carriers evaluate risk and what motivates them to pay top dollar for a claim.
In 2008, Paul founded Hammack Law Firm to move away from the “plaintiff mill” model and focus on building personal relationships with those he represents. As a seasoned litigator, he has tried dozens of first-chair cases to verdict, specializing in high-stakes litigation involving catastrophic injuries and complex truck accidents. His dual-state practice allows him to provide aggressive representation across both South Carolina and Georgia, ensuring victims of negligence receive the maximum financial compensation possible regardless of which side of the state line the accident occurred.
Paul’s commitment to excellence is reflected in his record of significant achievements, including a $10 million tractor-trailer wrongful death settlement and a $3.9 million moped-versus-truck recovery. His credentials and bar admissions in both South Carolina and Georgia underscore his deep roots in the regional legal community. Beyond the courtroom, Paul is a dedicated advocate for his local community, contributing his time and resources to organizations such as the United Way, Red Cross, and Hands On Greenville, all while working to make South Carolina a safer place for everyone.
