About 30 students and local residents attending a homecoming party near Clemson University were seriously injured when the floor of an apartment clubhouse at Woodlands of Clemson apartment complex collapsed.
The people who fell through the collapsed floor and sustained broken bones and lacerations may have legal rights under South Carolina law to demand full compensation for their medical bills, emotional trauma and other losses related to the clubhouse floor collapse. Those injured were transported to three area hospitals for treatment, according to a CNN report.
After receiving medical treatment, the most important step floor injury victims can take is to contact a Clemson floor collapse lawyer and get an explanation of their legal options. Our attorneys at Joye Law Firm have experience investigating accidents involving unsafe buildings and assisting those who have been injured. For example, Joye Law Firm obtained $2.7 million for a man whose foot was amputated after a stairwell collapse at a South Carolina hotel. Read more about our results. While every case has unique contributing factors, our law firm’s record of results shows our experience with accidents involving serious injuries.
The attorneys at Joye Law Firm are available to review your floor collapse injuries and to explain your legal rights during a free consultation. We take pride in our friendly and responsive service. Our goal is to have a positive impact on the lives of people we represent. We are committed to helping you obtain just compensation for the financial and emotional consequences of a traumatic accident caused by others’ negligence.
How Did Clubhouse Floor Collapse Occur?
Police are still investigating the clubhouse accident, which occurred around midnight Oct, 21. The apartment complex where the accident occurred is located about three miles northeast of the university campus. The clubhouse building at the apartment complex was constructed in 2004, Woodlands Property Management said.
Clemson University said the event was an annual homecoming weekend party sponsored by Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Some people who attended the party said they felt the floor going up and down like a trampoline as people danced. Some party goers tried to evacuate the clubhouse just before the floor gave way, causing dozens of people to fall into the basement and creating a chaotic scene.
Fortunately, no one suffered life-threatening injuries, police said. But it’s not unusual for people to suffer post-traumatic stress after such terrifying events.
South Carolina and its cities and counties have building codes designed to ensure that buildings are soundly constructed and do not pose a hazard to occupants.
Property owners and managers have a legal duty to maintain property in reasonably safe condition and to warn of any recognized hazards. Property owners and managers who disregard their duty may be held liable for the injuries and losses.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for the Clemson Floor Collapse?
Clearly, the collapse of the clubhouse floor was preventable. Yet, identifying who is financially liable after such a premises liability accident is a complex task. It requires a detailed investigation and collection of evidence.
If the examination of the accident scene finds that the apartment clubhouse was improperly designed or poorly constructed in violation of building codes, that it contained defective building materials, or that the property owner was negligent in addressing a structural problem, the property owner, and/or the businesses that designed and built the clubhouse complex may be legally liable to those who were injured.
If a property manager who leased the clubhouse for the party disregarded maximum occupancy limits, the management company may be held liable for the floor collapse.
How Joye Law Firm Can Help
Property owners and occupiers in South Carolina have a legal responsibility to make sure their properties are safe for visitors and to provide adequate warning of any known hazards.
Our experienced attorneys at Joye Law Firm have the resources to conduct an independent investigation and determine whether faulty design, shoddy construction, defective materials or some other type of negligence caused the floor collapse. We work with qualified construction trade professionals and engineers to analyze serious accidents and determine how a structural failure occurred.
A successful Clemson floor lawsuit will require this kind of in-depth investigation and collection of supporting evidence to show negligence. At Joye Law, we are committed to pursuing the clubhouse floor collapse investigation wherever it leads. In most cases, a claim would seek compensation from the insurance company of the property owner that is legally liable.
Ask Our Attorneys How they Can Help With a Clemson Floor Collapse Lawsuit
If you were injured in the Woodlands clubhouse floor collapse, you may have a right to demand payment for your hospital bills and the trauma you suffered. You need to talk with a knowledgeable South Carolina personal injury lawyer right away. You are eligible to seek compensation in South Carolina if you suffered injuries on another’s property due to the owner’s negligence.
You should not sign anything presented by an insurance company or agree to any offer from insurance adjusters without first consulting a personal injury lawyer to understand your legal rights. If the insurance company believes that it can offer you a small and unfair settlement and avoid further liability, the insurer may try to do so.
Call Joye Law Firm now or use our online contact form for a free and no obligation consultation about your floor collapse injury claim.
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