A slip-and-fall accident can come out of left field, suddenly throwing your life into chaos as you cope with injuries, lost income, and medical bills. Many slip-and-fall accident victims feel isolated and embarrassed, unsure of where to turn for help.
At Ted A. Greve & Associates, our Atlanta slip-and-fall lawyers help accident victims manage the legal intricacies of dealing with an unexpected incident and the costs associated with their injuries. We understand how overwhelming a slip-and-fall accident can be, so we advocate for you and make recovering fair compensation as stress-free as possible.
If you need an experienced slip-and-fall accident attorney in Atlanta, our dedicated team will fight for your rights and compensation. Contact us today to discuss your case.
Understanding Slip and Fall Accidents in Atlanta
Careless property owners may not set out to intentionally hurt someone. However, they are legally obligated to ensure their property is reasonably safe for visitors, patrons, and guests. That means taking appropriate steps to keep their premises safe and free from hazards while promptly addressing situations that may cause issues for guests.
When an unfortunate slip-and-fall accident occurs due to unsafe conditions, the Atlanta property owner may be liable for compensating the victims for their injuries if the individual is an invitee (like a store’s customer or someone engaged in cleaning the premises) or licensee (a social guest). Georgia law does not extend the same rights to seek compensation to trespassers. Trespassers generally do not have explicit or implied permission to be on someone else’s property.
Georgia law also sets a time frame for accident victims to file a personal injury lawsuit and pursue compensation from an insurer or responsible property owner. Individuals have two years from the incident date to file their civil case, making it vital to seek legal representation as soon as possible to retain every legal option available.
Why Hire a Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer in Atlanta?
Property owners and insurance companies tend to try to shift blame for a slip-and-fall accident. This tactic helps limit their liability to avoid a significant payout to an accident victim. However, that can leave the slip-and-fall victim struggling to cover their accident-related medical expenses and lost income. Individuals working with an experienced personal injury lawyer typically recover more compensation than individuals negotiating for themselves.
Hiring a slip-and-fall injury lawyer in Atlanta means you have someone on your side with the knowledge and resources to advocate for you. A skilled lawyer uncovers the facts, gathers critical evidence, and ensures you are treated fairly during the negotiation process. They want to help you achieve the best outcome possible for your situation.
Proving Negligence in Slip and Fall Cases
The key to any successful slip-and-fall case is proving fault with evidence and supporting documentation. Proving a careless property owner is responsible for compensating you for your injuries means establishing specific elements, including:
- That property or landowner is legally responsible for maintaining a safe environment for invitees or licensees. They have a duty to their invitees to actively inspect the property to discover any hazards.
- The property owner knew or should have reasonably known that a dangerous condition was present on the property, and they did not take appropriate steps to warn visitors or fix the safety hazard.
- The dangerous condition or safety hazard caused a slip-and-fall accident.
- The slip-and-fall accident resulted in injuries and measurable losses to an accident victim.
Proving these elements takes evidence, which can be challenging to gather if you have a significant injury from a slip-and-fall incident. Some of the information an attorney may gather and preserve to help build a compelling case can include:
- Accident report
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Photographs and videos of the scene
- Surveillance footage of the incident
- Clothing and shoes from the incident
- Expert witness testimony
An attorney can also build a strategic case that helps counter some of the tactics used by insurers and landowners to diminish or deny your claim, such as blaming the victim or asserting that you assumed the risk of a known danger.
Legal Process and Compensation for Slip and Fall Claims
A slip-and-fall incident often involves filing an insurance claim with the property owner’s insurance company. An attorney may suggest proceeding with a personal injury lawsuit if negotiations break down. The legal process for filing a slip-and-fall lawsuit involves filing the correct paperwork to start the legal process and serving the opposing party notice of the impending litigation.
During the discovery phase, your attorney will continue to gather and preserve crucial evidence to support your case and exchange this information with the other legal team. With everyone on the same page, another round of negotiations is standard. Most personal injury cases are settled outside of the courtroom. If these negotiations fail, your attorney will present your case to the court.
Compensation that may be available to slip-and-fall accident victims can include money for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Decreased quality of life
- Pain and suffering
The value of every slip-and-fall case is unique and depends on specific factors, including the cause of the incident and the severity of your injuries.
Next Steps After Experiencing a Slip and Fall Accident
An Atlanta slip-and-fall accident can be a frightening experience. However, instead of brushing yourself off and walking away, you need to take immediate steps to protect yourself and your legal rights. Improving your chances of obtaining maximum compensation can come down to taking the following actions:
- Ask to file an accident report with a manager or supervisor and keep a copy for your records.
- Document the scene as thoroughly as possible with photographs and videos.
- Ask witnesses about what they saw and their contact information.
- Always seek immediate medical attention for your injuries.
- Contact an Atlanta slip-and-fall accident attorney.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
- Preserve evidence by placing your unwashed clothing and shoes from the incident in a plastic bag.
- Avoid posting anything on social media until your lawyer resolves your claim.
- Document your accident-related expenses, keeping all medical bills and other information in a safe place.
Call Ted A Greve & Associates Today
An Atlanta slip-and-fall attorney with Ted A. Greve & Associates can help you manage the aftermath of a slip-and-fall accident. We respect your time and provide comprehensive and personalized legal representation to help you through this challenging time.
Contact our Atlanta office for free to discuss the details of your situation.
