Property owners have a responsibility to perform upkeep and maintenance that provides safety and security for visitors. If you have been injured because of a fall, there is a good possibility that someone is liable for the damages you’ve suffered due to the incident. Speaking with an Atlanta slip and fall lawyer can help you explore all the details of your personal injury case and provide a thorough overview of your options for recovering some or all of the costs you’ve incurred due to the fall.
Anytime that you have been injured, calling an attorney as soon as possible helps preserve the evidence of your case. An Atlanta slip and fall lawyer will help conduct an investigation that may include reviewing surveillance footage, speaking with witnesses, and investigating the site of the accident for damaged or dangerous conditions. The sooner that you start the process, the more likely it is that the evidence will be available to collect.
In addition, there is a limited window of time in which you are legally allowed to file a claim. The statute of limitations for these kinds of incidents is generally two years.
Your most immediate concern after sustaining a slip and fall injury should be receiving the medical attention you need. Once you are safe, calling a lawyer will help you understand all of your options.
Slip or trip and fall accidents may happen for many reasons, and often these reasons are rooted in someone else neglecting to maintain or repair property in a reasonable manner. Here are some of the most common causes that may result in a slip and fall lawsuit:
Whether it’s an outdoor surface intended for pedestrian use or an indoor surface, there is a reasonable expectation that a surface will be safe and even. Without adequate signage pointing to any hazardous dips or uneven conditions in a surface, a slip and fall accident is likely.
Climbing increases the likelihood of a fall, and ladders and stairs that are not adequately supported, well-lit, and otherwise used in a safe and reasonable way can cause a lot of slip and fall accidents.
Spills, water tracked in from outdoors, and leaks can all cause wet surfaces that dramatically increase the likelihood of a slip and fall accident. Building owners and/or the tenants renting a space for business use are responsible for maintaining safe and dry surfaces and marking hazardous wet floors. Without these precautions, a slip and fall accident is likely.
While some falls may be minor events without any serious injuries, a slip and fall accident can have serious (even life-threatening) consequences. While falls are most hazardous to older adults and those who have existing health conditions, anyone — even someone who is fit and healthy — can be seriously injured by a fall.
One of the most common injuries sustained during a slip and fall is broken bones. Ankles, wrists, hands, hips, knees, and tailbones are all at high risk of breaking from a fall.
When the victim of a slip and fall accident hits their head, there is potential for a traumatic brain injury. This injury can cause long-lasting impairment with physical as well as cognitive symptoms.
The spine is particularly prone to injury during a fall because of the way the body can twist during the incident. Spinal injuries can take a long time to heal and may require surgery, making mobility and function a concern.
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The level of responsibility for maintaining a safe environment is different depending on the reason the person was on the property where the slip and fall accident occurred. Generally speaking, the property owner is responsible for maintaining the property and must make repairs to any issues that would make a slip and fall more likely. In addition, a business owner — whether or not they own the building where their business is conducted — can be held responsible for maintaining a safe environment for customers.
In Georgia, a property owner does not have a requirement to provide safety for a trespasser, so proving that you were invited onto the property is a major part of making a slip and fall lawsuit successful.
Property owners who invite someone onto their property for a social situation (rather than for business) have some standards of care they must obey, but they are limited. It is generally expected that property owners warn their social visitors about any hazards.
Those who invite someone onto their property for business are held to the highest standard. They must provide a reasonably safe environment, and simply warning of a hazard is insufficient. This is true whether the invitation onto the property was direct or indirect. Any business that is open to the public has indirectly invited the guests onto the premises.
A slip and fall injury has the potential to greatly disrupt your life. You will likely face medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and ongoing treatment to recover as fully as possible. Recouping these losses will be easier with the help of a skilled and experienced Atlanta slip and fall lawyer. Reach out today to discuss the details of your case.
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Start with a free consultation.
Gather all evidence needed to substantiate your claim.
The other party will accept, reject or counteroffer.
If the other party lowballs or refuses to pay, we go to court.
Each party submits evidence that will be used in trial.
An informal proceeding to see if parties can settle before trial.
If a settlement cannot be reached, we go to trial.