A cord stretched across a walkway. A leaky pipe forming a puddle. A blown stairwell light bulb that has not been replaced for days. All of these may seem like inconveniences until you slip and fall because of them.
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident on another party’s property, a Marietta slip and fall lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help you pursue compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Your first consultation is free, so call (404) 888-8888.
Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident Case
Slip and fall cases are a form of premises liability. The owner of any property has a duty of care to those who are legally allowed to be on the premises. That duty involves maintaining the property in a way that avoids or minimizes risks. If an owner knows about a risk or fails to detect one in a reasonable amount of time, resulting in another person’s injuries, they can be held liable.
Slip and fall accidents can happen in public places or on private property.
You may have been injured in any one of the following scenarios.
A Customer
Any place of business should prioritize the safety of their customers and employees. That means promptly cleaning up messes, maintaining clear walkways, and alerting anyone of possible dangers.
Nonetheless, slip and fall injuries can be sustained at any of the following:
- Grocery stores
- Parking lots
- Department stores
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Offices
- Entertainment venues
Moreover, certain occasions can increase risk, such as sales. Black Friday is a known culprit with crowded floor plans and displays that pose various dangers. Even places that offer alcoholic beverages, like some entertainment venues, are required to promote visitors’ safety.
Many scenarios can leave customers vulnerable to accidents and injuries. Georgia law expressly states that owners have a duty to “invitees” (that’s you, the customer) under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-3-1. If the owner fails to keep both the place of business and its entryways safe, they can be held liable.
A Visitor
A slip and fall injury does not discriminate based on whether you are in public or not. If someone’s private residence was poorly maintained, and you were injured, you can hold them liable in the same way you can hold a business owner accountable.
You may have been injured by:
- Debris from a natural disaster or construction that was not cleaned up
- Spills, leaks, or puddles
- A lack of warning signs for known hazards
- Damaged sidewalks, driveways, or curbs
- Discarded objects or possessions in a walkway
No one is expected to clean up a downed tree the minute a storm is over. What makes a property owner liable is that they knew (or should have known) that a hazard existed but failed to properly address it. In other words, there is a difference between immediately remedying a downed tree versus leaving it there for several days.
Your Marietta slip and fall lawyer can evaluate whether the property owner acted appropriately in your circumstances. You can get started exploring your legal options by calling Bader Scott Injury Lawyers at (404) 888-8888.
A Trespasser
While the law gives injured people many opportunities to pursue compensation, there are some exceptions. According to Georgia law, anyone who is on a property illegally does not have the right to sue if they are injured, as explained by OCGA §51-3-3. In other words, if you trip and break your arm while trespassing on someone’s land, they cannot be held liable because you were breaking the law.
Yet, you should not assume that you are not eligible for damages. For instance, if you were trespassing on another party’s land, but you were injured due to gross negligence, you could still have a case. You can call Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today to learn more.
For a free legal consultation with a slip and fall lawyer serving Marietta, call (404) 888-8888
Examples of Slip and Fall-Related Injuries
Documenting your injuries is an important part of filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
You may have suffered one or more of the following impairments as a result of your slip and fall accident:
- Contusions
- Cuts and scrapes
- Sprains
- Torn muscles or ligaments
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- A traumatic brain injury
Your legal team can use photo evidence and medical records to demonstrate the severity of your condition. In addition, expert testimony can shed light on your recovery period and prognosis. Medical analysis can also demonstrate how your fall injuries affected your physical and mental health.
Some People Are More at Risk for Fall Injuries than Others
The elderly are the most at risk for falls. Nearly one out of every four people over the age of 65 years old fall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When older people fall, they tend to sustain hip or head injuries. Recovery from those types of injuries can lead to additional complications for people of that age, including illness, loss of independence, and fear of falling again.
Older Georgians should not have to fear broken bones or traumatic brain injuries when going about their daily lives. If you or an elderly loved one suffered a slip and fall injury due to negligence, you could be eligible to recover compensation.
Marietta Slip and Fall Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
We Want to Hear from You
To a property owner, a broken bit of curb probably did not seem significant. To you, that curb now represents medical bills, physical therapy expenses, prescription costs, and lost income. That is significant, and the property owner should know it. Call Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today at (404) 888-8888. During your free initial consultation, we can discuss the benefits of working with a Marietta slip and fall lawyer.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form