If you or a loved one is injured in a fall on a business’ premises, you can hold the business responsible for the injuries if you can show that the fall was a result of the company’s (or employees’) negligence.
Contact Atlanta attorney Laurie Robbins to learn more about slip and fall accidents on business premises
Business’ Duty of Care to Its Customers
Businesses have a legal duty to ensure that their premises are safe for customers and other guests on their properties. However, liability for accidents that occur on the business’ premises may be dependent on the status of the customer or guest. Businesses only have a legal duty to people who have been invited to the company’s premises for commercial benefit.
Laws vary from one state to another. However, all states require businesses to exercise reasonable care to prevent the occurrence of an accident on their premises. Although businesses cannot prevent all accidents from occurring, they are expected to be prudent and guard against foreseeable problems. Businesses should take reasonable precautions and provide warnings to customers of potential hazards.
Businesses are expected to inspect and maintain their premises. They are also expected to provide warnings when corrections to hazards haven’t been made.
If you are the victim of a slip and fall accident on a business premises, you may be entitled to sue the business for compensation. However, you will have to prove that the business failed in its duty to provide reasonably safe conditions for its customers and/or failed to warn you of the hazard.
Other Injuries on a Business Premises
Slip and fall accidents can occur on any type of premises. But slip and fall accident claims are not the only kind of premises liability claims that may be filed against a business. For example, a restaurant may be held liable for injuries resulting from food poisoning or the presence of foreign objects in the food. A business can be sued for negligent security if an invitee is assaulted and the business knew or should have known of the risk of assault. A business may also be sued for injuries caused by its employees based on theories of poor supervision, lack of training or negligent hiring.
When the customer is at fault
There are instances when injuries that occur on business premises are determined to be the fault of the customer e.g. if a customer failed to heed warnings provided by the business on a potential hazard such as a slippery floor or not to use stairs that are being cleaned. The customer may not be entitled to recover money for the injuries suffered.
It is for this reason that you need an experienced attorney representing you. Your attorney will evaluate the facts and circumstances that led to your injuries and help you determine if you have a claim against the business where the injuries occurred.
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident on a business premises in the Atlanta area, please call attorney Laurie Robbins for a free claim evaluation.