We work with public and private entities facing a variety of claims, including:
• Slip and fall
• Trip and fall
• Wrongful death
• Injuries due to falling merchandise
• Negligent security cases
• Criminal acts of third parties or former employees
Led by chair Lee Poole, our attorneys will work with you to develop an effective strategy that meets your goals and needs.
In some cases, mediation or settlement of a claim may be the most attractive strategy. However, if a trial is your best option, we’re ready to aggressively defend you, using thorough and strategic discovery and thoughtful investigation facts as well as our relationships with prominent expert witnesses in the field.
Outside litigation, we can work with you to review and revise policies and procedures, implement best practices, and identify potential risk areas. We also provide training and continuing education seminars on risk management strategies as well as recent developments in the law.
The Premises Liability Practice Group covers all of North Carolina from our offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Wilmington. To speak to an attorney, please contact Lee Poole in Charlotte.
Most Recent Posts
North Carolina Enacts Stricter Legislation Aimed at Improving Residential Elevator Safety
North Carolina has implemented House Bill 619, which amends the regulations for residential elevators set forth in Article 9 of… Read More
Our Top 10 Resources of 2022
Throughout the year, Cranfill Sumner LLP’s attorneys work diligently to bring the most up-to-date information on North Carolina legal updates… Read More
Key Dog Bite Cases in North Carolina
Below are what we consider to be the most important dog bite decisions in North Carolina. Potential Coverage Issues UPC… Read More
When the Bark is NOT Worse than the Bite
Dog Bite Cases in North Carolina Dog bite claims are common among insurance carriers. The Insurance Information Institute reported $882… Read More
When Concerts Turn Catastrophic – A Legal View on the Astroworld Festival Tragedy
Nearly 50,000 people attended the sold-out Astroworld Festival at NRG Park in Houston, Texas, on Nov. 5, 2021. Concertgoers, who… Read More
Colleen Shea Featured in WILMA Magazine
Colleen Shea, a Partner at Cranfill Sumner, was recently featured in WILMA magazine. “Law & Community” discusses Colleen’s career as a medical malpractice attorney at Cranfill Sumner.… Read More
2020 Premises Liability Case Law Updates
Open and Obvious Condition and Contributory Negligence Defenses Rule the Day No good deed goes unpunished for the Plaintiff good… Read More
Deedee Gasch Discusses Premises Liability in Automotive Repair
Deedee Gasch, a Partner at Cranfill Sumner, was recently featured in Repairer Driven News. The article was published on Dec. 15.… Read More
Deedee Gasch Featured in Repairer Driven News
Deedee Gasch was featured in the Dec. 11 edition of Repairer Driven News. In “$1.8M N.C. settlement highlights premises liability for auto repairers,” Deedee discusses North Carolina’s premises liability law and how it applies to auto repair companies.… Read More
Colleen Shea Receives Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” Recognition
Colleen Shea of Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) was recently named the Best Lawyers® 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice Law—Defendants in the Wilmington metropolitan area. (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC)… Read More
Colleen Shea Presents ASHRM Webinar
Colleen Shea was the featured presenter for the “The Dreaded Written Discovery Requests from Plaintiff” webinar on July 23. The webinar was presented by Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) and the North Carolina Chapter of the American Society for Health Care Risk Management (ASHRM).… Read More
Stephanie Gaston Poley Selected to Join FDCC
Stephanie Gaston Poley, a Partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner), was elected to membership in the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC).… Read More
Martin and Shea Join American Board of Trial Advocates
John D. Martin and Colleen Shea have been invited to join the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a prestigious national association comprised of experienced trial lawyers and judges. Martin and Shea are Partners who are based in the Wilmington office of Cranfill Sumner LLP.… Read More
Stephanie Gaston Poley Receives AV Rating From Martindale-Hubbell
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that Stephanie Gaston Poley has received an AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.… Read More
Defense Obtained Voluntary Dismissal of the Case Without Payment of Settlement
Mica Nguyen Worthy (Charlotte) obtained a voluntary dismissal of a case where Plaintiff alleged he slipped on ice on hotel property and… Read More
Premises Camera Surveillance Part 1: When Does the Duty to Preserve Video Evidence Arise?
The effective and proper use of premises camera surveillance is just the first step in whether or not video evidence… Read More
Summary Judgment for Restaurant in Premises Liability Case
Stephanie Gaston Poley (Raleigh) obtained summary judgment for franchisee in a premises liability case where plaintiff alleged a component of the… Read More
Directed Verdict for Restaurant Slip and Fall Case
Stephanie Gaston Poley (Raleigh) obtained directed verdict for a restaurant in a premises liability case where plaintiff alleged the restaurant… Read More
Risk Management Essentials: Does your Business Contract Limit Consequential Damages?
One of the most effective ways to reduce risk and gain predictability for your business can be a well drafted contract. There are many… Read More
Charlotte area Hotel Prevails on Motion to Dismiss for Plaintiff’s Failure to Amend Complaint to Add Correct Defendant Before Statute of Limitations.
Mica Worthy and a former Cranfill Sumner attorney (Defense Counsel), and Jaye Bingham-Hinch (Appellate Attorney) obtained dismissal of entire case and affirmation on appeal to… Read More
Wall Successfully Defends Hospital in Premises Liability Case
Wall obtained summary judgment on behalf of a larger regional hospital in which plaintiff sought damages for injuries suffered when she tripped and fell in the hospital’s parking lot. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s decision finding the plastic base was apparent and that the plaintiff’s ability to see the plastic base was not obstructed.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Defends Appeal on Behalf of Municipality
Cranfill Sumneryers prevail in appeal on case in which two subcontractors died while working on a water line project owned by a municipality. Summary judgment was granted in favor of the municipality in the Superior Court case.… Read More
Municipality Prevails in Zoning Dispute
Marshall Wall won summary judgment for a municipality sued as the result of a zoning dispute with a landowner. The landowner, a trust, wanted to put a church into a commercial property that it owned, but the property was not zoned for church use.… Read More
Jolly Obtains Dismissal in Slip and Fall against Municipality
Melody Jolly obtained a voluntary dismissal with prejudice of a premises liability action against a municipality.… Read More
Dan Hartzog Jr. Speaks at Risk Control Seminar
Dan Hartzog, Jr., an attorney in the Raleigh office of Cranfill Sumner, will speak at a NC Risk Control Seminar at the Hickory Metro Convention Center in Hickory.… Read More
Poole Successful in Recovering from Third Party on Behalf of Hospital Client
Poole successfully from a third party contractor after settling a premises liability case on behalf of a large local hospital system. … Read More
Cranfill Sumner Announces Four New Partners
Cranfill Sumner named four new partners: Bradley P. Kline and M. Janelle Lyons of Charlotte, J. Greer Vanderberry, Jr. of Raleigh and Melody J. Jolly of Wilmington.… Read More
Janelle Lyons Joins MCB Leadership Institute
Janelle Lyons admitted into the 2015 class of the Mecklenburg County Bar | Mecklenburg Bar Foundation Leadership Institute (BLI) | Cranfill Sumner… Read More
Martin Successfully Defends Regional Hospital in Shooting Case
Martin successfully defended a large regional hospital following the fatal shooting of a hospital visitor by an armed security guard. … Read More
Cranfill Sumner Presents Client Education Conference at McKimmon Center
Cranfill Sumner hosts Client Education Conference: Workers’ Compensation & General Liability Law Updates at the McKimmon Conference and Training Center in Raleigh. … Read More
Katzenbach to Speak at NCBA Construction Section Meeting
Dan Katzenbach of Cranfill Sumner addresses North Carolina Bar Association’s Construction Section Annual Meeting in Pinehurst. … Read More
24 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2015
Twenty-four attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America.… Read More
Joe Johnston Joins Cranfill Sumner Raleigh
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that Joe Johnston has joined the firm’s Raleigh office as an associate attorney.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Participate in 4ALL Statewide Service Day
Ten attorneys from Cranfill Sumner provided vital legal advice and resources in the North Carolina Bar Association’s Annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day.… Read More
Laura Dean Hired as Associate at Cranfill Sumner
Laura Dean has been hired as an associate at Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner), one of the largest law firms in North Carolina.… Read More
