A Slip and Fall While Pregnant: Is My Unborn Child Covered?

Reviewed By: Personal Injury Team Last Updated: June 29, 2026

Pregnancy comes with a new set of challenges, questions, excitement, and worries for both you and your unborn child. While your fears may tend to lean towards those of your unborn child, pregnant women face many increased risks throughout the term of their pregnancy – including a higher risk for slips and falls.

As your baby grows, your center of gravity and balance change, meaning the once simple act of walking down the stairs is now met with unease and challenge. As the second leading cause of emergency room visits for pregnant women, slip and fall accidents are not to be taken lightly.

But what happens if your slip and fall had nothing to do with managing your own center of gravity, but was due to the negligence of another? Are you and your unborn child covered?

Suffering a Slip and Fall While Pregnant: Should You Be Worried?

---

As your baby begins to grow and your body changes, you slowly become more susceptible to suffering from a slip and fall accident. This risk continues to heighten during the second and third trimesters.

Falling during pregnancy can pose serious health risks, including premature contractions, placental abruption, fetomaternal hemorrhage, or even miscarriage.

A fall during pregnancy isn’t always cause for panic and alarm to set in. If you have little to no injury, it’s unlikely your baby does either. However, it never hurts to get a second look.

If you’ve been involved in a slip and fall incident, the best thing to do for you and your baby is to remain calm and take the following steps to ensure you and your baby are safe:

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

The fetus is well protected in the uterus, thanks to the thick walls of muscle and the cushioning effect of amniotic fluid. Even if you show no signs of a slip and fall injury, it is best to seek medical attention to be on the safe side.

Document the Scene

The health of you and your baby comes first; however, if you can, document the scene with photos and videos. Was the floor wet without proper signage in place? Were boxes left unattended in the middle of a walkway? Photos and videos can help provide evidence for your slip and fall lawyer in your case.

Notify the Property Manager

In some cases, you may need to notify the property manager or owner of your fall. If this is the case, be sure to avoid discussing any specific details or admitting to fault, as this could hinder your slip and fall case.

Contact a Slip and Fall Attorney

If you suffered a slip, trip, or fall due to the negligence of another, contact a dedicated slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible. We will help you understand your rights and guide you through the legal process to help you seek the adequate compensation you deserve.

Who is Responsible if I Slip and Fall While Pregnant?

Determining who is liable, or responsible, for a slip and fall incident will come down to the specific circumstances surrounding your fall.

To establish a slip and fall claim in South Carolina, the following elements must be proved: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

For example, let’s say you suffered a slip and fall at a grocery store. The manager or owner of the store owed you a duty of care to ensure that your safety was the top priority while you shopped. If you slipped on a wet floor that was left unattended without proper signage, the property owner failed to uphold their responsibility, resulting in a breach of duty.

The causation, in this example, would be the hazard of a wet floor with no sign that directly led to your slip and fall. Damages could include the medical expenses incurred during a hospital visit resulting from the fall.

Liability in a slip and fall case could fall on any of the following:

• Property owner
• Landlord or leasing company
• Employer
• Retail establishments
• Government entities liable for public spaces

If you are unsure who is responsible for your slip and fall accident while pregnant, talk to one of our qualified attorneys to assess the specific details of your situation and the legal route for compensation.

Does Compensation Extend to the Unborn Child?

When it comes to seeking compensation for a slip and fall injury, damages can extend to cover both the mother’s injuries and the potential harm or expenses related to the unborn child. Common types of compensation may include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Rehabilitation treatment or physical therapy
• Pain and suffering
• Therapy as a means to cope with stress from the incident
• Potential long-term care

Don’t Wait to Act – Consult a Slip and Fall Attorney Near You Today

---

Suffering a slip and fall accident while pregnant can be terrifying, but you don’t have to go it alone.

At Hoffman Law Firm, we firmly believe that the health of you and your baby comes first, so allow us to handle the rest.

​​Located in Georgetown and Charleston, SC, our personal injury law firm proudly advocates for accident victims throughout the Palmetto State. As the locals’ trusted personal injury law firm, we have extensive experience handling a wide range of cases.

We have established a reputation for success and excellent service! To schedule a free consultation with a member of our team, please contact us today.

Explore more helpful articles on slip, trip and fall claims:

• Can I Get Compensated for a Slip and Fall on Ice?
• Dangerous Link Between Falls and Brain Injuries
• Slip and Fall Accident at an AirBnB…What Happens Now?
• What Can I Do to Get Evidence to Prove My Slip and Fall Case?
• Who is Responsible for Your Slip and Fall Accident?
• What Does “Open and Obvious Hazards” Mean in a Slip and Fall Case?
• Head to Toe: Comprehensive Guide to the Most Common Slip and Fall Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries Due to Slips, Trips and Falls
• View All Blogs

---

Sources

• S.C. Code § 15-3-530 – Statute of Limitations: South Carolina law generally provides personal injury victims, including pregnant mothers injured in a slip and fall, a three-year window from the date of the accident to file a formal premises liability lawsuit.
• South Carolina Premises Liability Elements: The legal framework governing a property owner’s “duty of care” in South Carolina, outlining how a plaintiff must prove actual or constructive notice of a temporary or permanent hazard.
• NHTSA & CDC Fall Risk Data during Pregnancy: Public health tracking identifies maternal trauma and accidental falls as a leading cause of emergency room visits during pregnancy, primarily due to changes in a mother’s center of gravity during the second and third trimesters.

Learn More About Slip and Fall Claims in Charleston

• Wondering about your injury claims & the costs of hiring an attorney? Learn more about Hoffman Law Firm’s client-first approach and how our Contingency Fee Structure ($0 Upfront Fee) works—meaning you pay absolutely nothing unless we successfully win your case. Free consultation available.