Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer in Sandy Springs and Atlanta, Georgia
Slip and fall accidents can occur in a variety of circumstances. Some of these are simply accidents—a loss of balance or unexpected ice on the front porch, for example. However, many slip and fall accidents could have been prevented if the location of the accident had been properly maintained.
Slip and Fall Accidents Due to Negligence
Property and business owners have an obligation to be sure their property is safe. If you are injured because a business owner failed to properly maintain his property, or failed to provide warning signs for temporarily dangerous conditions, he could be found liable for your injuries. This is often referred to as a premises liability case.
For example, if a floor is being cleaned and is currently wet, a business owner should place a sign indicating that the floor is slippery. If a sign is not present, and you fall and are hurt, the business owner could be found negligent.
Results of Slip and Fall Accidents
Injuries sustained in most slip and fall accidents are relatively minor, but some slip and fall accidents can result in major injuries. In some cases, slip and fall accidents can lead to long-term disability or even death.
Injuries that can result from slip and fall accidents include:
- Head injures, including brain damage
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal injury
Some of these injuries can be serious enough to require hospitalization, physical therapy, or long-term rehabilitation. Head injuries or spinal cord injuries could lead to long-term or permanent disability. In cases where these injuries occur due to negligence, you will want the best team of personal injury lawyers behind you to ensure you secure the compensation you need to pay for the costs of your recovery.
Answers to common questions about slip and fall accidents in Georgia
What is a slip and fall accident?
The term “slip and fall accident” refers to any type of injury sustained as a result of a fall occurring on someone else’s property. Often, these falls are the result of a dangerous condition or negligent maintenance of the premises such as:
- Wet floors that are not clearly marked
- Inadequate removal of snow or ice from sidewalks or parking lots
- Rotten wood on a deck
- Crumbling sidewalk
- Unmarked step-up
- Poor match of surface heights where carpet meets the floor
- Lack of handrails when necessary for safety
If you are injured in a slip and fall accident caused by the property owner’s negligence, you may be entitled to receive compensation through a premises liability lawsuit.
Who is responsible for my injuries in a slip and fall accident?
Property owners have a legal obligation to ensure that their premises are kept in a reasonably safe condition. When dangerous conditions exist, a property owner must clearly warn others of the unsafe condition until the necessary repairs can be made. If the property owner was negligent in performing these duties, he may be held liable for your injuries.
What is comparative negligence?
Comparative negligence is a doctrine that evaluates your responsibility for the accident in comparison to the other parties involved. In states that work under a comparative negligence system, the court will evaluate the percentage of liability for each party, and your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are determined to be 25% at fault for your slip and fall accident, you will only be entitled to receive 75% of the total compensation you would have been owed if the property owner were 100% at fault.
The state of Georgia operates under a modified comparative negligence system. You will be able to receive compensation for your damages as long as you were less than 50% at fault for the accident, and your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if it is determined that you are more than 50% at fault for your slip and fall accident, you will be barred from recovering any damages.
What kind of damages can I recover in a slip and fall case?
Depending on the specific facts involved in your slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for the following damages:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
Do I need to file an accident report at the time of my slip and fall accident?
If your slip and fall accident occurred on public property or at a business establishment, you should request that a report be filled out to document the events of your accident. If your slip and fall accident occurs at a private residence and you are unable to fill out an accident report, you should carefully document what happened as soon as possible. Make sure to keep a record of the following information:
- The circumstances of the slip and fall accident
- What caused the fall
- Any dangerous conditions you can observe
- The names and contact information of witnesses present
It is always helpful to take photos of the premises including the specific area where the accident occurred.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury due to a slip and fall accident, Atlanta slip and fall attorney Laurie Robbins can evaluate your case and help you receive a fair settlement to help put your life back together. For more information on slip and fall accident cases in the Atlanta, Georgia area, please contact Robbins Law, PC for a consultation.