What responsibilities do property owners have under South Carolina’s premises liability law?

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.