Parking garages may seem routine, but they’re packed with hidden dangers: slick surfaces, poor lighting, broken stairwells, and uneven walkways. If you slip and fall in one, you may be wondering—who’s responsible?
👉 The business you visited?
👉 The property owner?
👉 A third-party contractor?
In North Carolina, figuring out who’s legally liable takes careful investigation—and it matters if you want to recover compensation for your injuries.
At Burts Law, PLLC, we help victims of parking garage accidents get answers, build strong claims, and hold the right party accountable.
⚖️ Who Can Be Held Liable?
🏢 1. The Business You Were Visiting
If the garage is attached to a business, like a shopping center, hospital, or office building, that business may be responsible—especially if:
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They own or lease the garage
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They maintain control over the garage’s condition
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The fall happened on the path to their entrance (e.g., stairwell, walkway)
🏗️ 2. The Property Owner or Management Company
Often, a third party owns the structure and leases space to businesses. If they handle repairs, snow/ice removal, lighting, etc., they may be liable for:
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Failing to maintain the garage
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Ignoring complaints or hazards
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Poor design or construction
👷 3. A Third-Party Maintenance Company
Some garages outsource maintenance. If a contractor failed to salt icy areas, mop spills, or fix broken lights, they may be named in the claim.
🚫 Contributory Negligence: A Major NC Hurdle
In North Carolina, contributory negligence means:
If you’re found even 1% at fault, you may be barred from any recovery.
So if you were:
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Texting while walking
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Wearing unsafe footwear
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Ignoring signage
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Entering a closed-off area
…the defense may argue you caused your own injury. That’s why gathering strong evidence is crucial from the start.
💡 Common Causes of Parking Garage Falls
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🧊 Icy or wet surfaces
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💡 Poor lighting
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⚠️ Unmarked hazards (curbs, speed bumps)
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🔩 Loose or cracked concrete
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🪜 Broken stairs or handrails
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🚧 Construction debris or equipment left in walking paths
🧾 What to Do After a Fall in a Parking Garage
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📷 Take photos of the hazard and the overall area
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🧍 Get witness names and numbers
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📝 Report the fall to security or management
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🏥 Seek medical attention immediately
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🧠 Don’t downplay your injuries or accept blame
The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better your chance of securing evidence before it’s altered or cleaned up.
👨⚖️ How Burts Law, PLLC Investigates These Cases
We dig into:
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Who owns, leases, or manages the garage
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Maintenance records and inspection logs
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Prior complaints or known issues
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Surveillance footage and lighting conditions
We’ve taken on property owners, national retailers, hospitals, and third-party contractors to recover damages for our clients.
📞 Call (866) BURTS-LAW or visit 🌐 www.burtslaw-sc.com to schedule your free consultation.
