Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere, but not every accident results in compensation for the victim. For example, if you were the party acting negligently or carelessly, you are unlikely to win a slip and fall accident case. However, a business or property owner may be liable for your injuries if you slip and fall due to their negligence or a breach of the standard duty of care.
Business owners and property managers have a standard duty of care they must meet to protect visitors to their establishments. If they fail to meet the minimum standard of duty of care and you injure yourself on their property, you may have a personal injury claim. You will want to speak with an experienced attorney about the specifics of your case to determine if you should pursue a settlement for injuries or other damages.
There are many factors that can influence your settlement amount, so you should contact an attorney to determine which damages you can pursue compensation for. The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm has a success rate of over 99.5% in personal injury cases like these and can help you determine how much money your slip and fall accident may be worth. With the know-how and the drive to get it done, CEO Lawyer Ali Awad and his team of injury and accident attorneys will strive to earn you the compensation you need to recover after your serious accident. Call (470) 323-8779 for a no-obligation consultation of your case.
Premises Liability
Premises liability refers to situations in which a person has been injured or killed while they were on the property of someone else. In Georgia, premises liability suits can be brought against any business owner, property manager, landlord, retailer, homeowner, or government entity that failed to keep their property reasonably safe.
Under Georgia law, homeowners, property owners, and commercial entities are required to exercise reasonable care to keep their property safe. If you suffer an injury due to the negligence of the above-mentioned parties, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. If you are injured due to your own carelessness, you may not be able to seek damages.
Some of the most common slip and fall hazards are:
- Broken or improperly constructed stairs
- Missing or faulty handrails
- Uneven pavement or uneven walking surfaces
- Accumulation of liquids due to spills or precipitation
- Improper lighting
- Loose floorboards
- Tripping hazards due to clutter or exposed wiring or cables
Determining Fault in a Slip and Fall Case
Slip and fall accidents are fairly common, but it can be difficult to prove the property owner was negligent in their duties and are at fault for your accident. In order to file a claim, it is incumbent upon you, or your attorney, to prove:
- The property owner or landlord was aware or should have been aware of unsafe conditions or potentially unsafe conditions. Timing is also an important factor. You must be able to prove that the at-fault party knew about the problem and failed to repair or address the issue before the accident occurred.
- The property owner or landlord was responsible for the creation of the dangerous condition, whether intentionally or not.
The Four Tenets of Negligence
In order to prove negligence, you or your attorney must establish:
- The property owner or landlord had a duty of care to protect you from potentially hazardous or unsafe conditions.
- The property owner or landlord violated that duty and an injured resulted.
- The violation of duty was the cause of your injury and resulting damages. In other words, if they had corrected the problem, you would not be hurt.
- The damages that ensued from the accident are the responsibility of the property owner or landlord.
In many cases, the duty of care depends on the type or status of the visitor to the establishment.
- An “invitee” is someone who was granted permission to be on the property, such as a family member, friend, or guest.
- A “licensee” would refer to a person that has a right to be on the premises but is doing so for their own purposes, such as a salesman or contractor.
- A “trespasser” is someone who did not have permission to be on the property. In some cases, trespassers have some rights to financial recovery, but these rules vary by jurisdiction.
What Can I Expect from My Settlement?
It is impossible to determine what your slip and fall case is worth without first speaking to an attorney who can evaluate your case and assess your damages. If your injuries and damages are substantial, your settlement amount should reflect that. However, insurance companies may try to lowball your offer. This is why it is critical to consult with an experienced slip and fall attorney.
Your attorney will assess your damages and contact the insurance company on your behalf. The attorney will determine the worth of your compensation by evaluating:
- Medical bills and treatments, including ongoing medical expenses for permanent disability.
- Lost wages or loss of income.
- Pain and suffering, such as psychological trauma, mental anguish, or mood disorders you have suffered because of the accident.
Call the CEO Lawyer for a No-Obligation Consultation
Ali Awad, the CEO Lawyer, is the founder and managing attorney of one of the fastest-growing law firms in the country and has maintained a success rate of over 99.5%.
Ali Awad is successful in getting his clients top compensation for their injuries and is not afraid to take your case to court. Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means they don’t get paid unless you get paid. Call now at (470) 323-8779 for a free consultation of your case. Our experienced attorneys are ready to help.
