If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident in East Point, you may have fractured bones, strains, sprains, damaged joints, or a head or back injury. You already know that a simple fall can cause painful conditions, big medical bills and weeks missed from work.
Some slip and fall injuries require surgery or leave you with a long-term disability. But you do not have to pay the cost of your care. You have a legal right to a full financial recovery. You need to speak with an East Point slip and fall lawyer.
At John Foy & Associates, we know how to help you. We have been getting financial results for slip and fall victims for more than two decades, starting with our founding as a small local law office. Today we are one of the best known and most successful names in the state.
But we still devote ourselves exclusively to helping people who are injured. Our East Point slip and fall lawyers will give you a free consultation to talk about your fall and explain your options. Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
Do I Have a Valid Slip and Fall Claim?
If you were injured through no fault of your own, it’s likely you have a claim. We often see slip and fall victims who blame themselves for being clumsy or not paying attention. But the fact is, you probably didn’t fall for no reason. Most of the time, there was some hazard or obstacle that caused or contributed to your fall. That means that from a legal standpoint, the accident was not your fault.
There are many types of valid slip and fall claims. Some of the most common ones include:
- Slipping on a spilled drink or product in a store, restaurant or food court
- Stumbling on pavement that’s uneven or damaged
- Tripping on unmarked steps
- Falling while going up or down stairs
- Tripping in a dimly lit spot
- Falling from a window or over a railing
These types of slip and fall claims are known as “premises liability” claims. Anyone who owns property has a legal obligation to keep the property in a safe condition for anyone who visits it. Property owners who don’t do this are “negligent.” This simply means that they didn’t live up to their legal duty. It doesn’t mean they meant to hurt anyone. When property owners are negligent, their insurance must pay for your costs.
Get the strong arm
What Should I Do After a Fall?
Focus first on getting emergency medical treatment if you need it. Beyond that, the best thing you can do is stay calm and collected and be your own advocate. Immediately after the accident, we recommend you take these steps:
- Report the injury to the owner or manager. If you fell at a store, restaurant or other business, ask to speak to the owner or manager. Don’t just talk to a clerk or waiter. Tell them you fell and be sure to tell them you were injured. Get their business card or their name and phone number.
- Take photos. The hazard that caused you to fall may be removed within minutes, hours, or days after your fall. Snap pictures of the accident scene, including photos of the spill, obstacle or other hazard that caused you to fall. Also take photos of your injuries.
- Talk to witnesses. If you fell in a public place, chances are someone saw your fall—or they saw the unsafe condition that caused it. Get names and contact information for any of the witnesses you talked to.
- Go to the doctor. There are two reasons it is important to see a doctor as soon as you can. First, injuries usually heal more quickly if you take care of them right away. Second, insurance companies like to portray slip and falls as minor or made-up injuries. That way, they don’t have to pay your claim. It’s harder for the insurance company to deny or minimize your claim if you get a diagnosis from a doctor right away.
Insurance companies will do whatever they can to avoid paying your claim—even if you have a very real injury. Never say anything that minimizes your injuries, and never take the blame for your accident. Anything you say can be used against you—even an innocent apology to a restaurant manager.
What If I Fell at Someone’s Private House?
You don’t have to fall in a store or restaurant to get a full financial recovery. Your rights are the same if you fell at a friend, neighbor or family member’s home. Many people hesitate to file a claim because they are worried their friend will be upset with them.
But a claim is just a procedure between you and your friend’s homeowner’s insurance. You do not have to blame or sue your friend. In many cases, your friend will be relieved that their insurance is available to pay for the cost of your care.
Is There a Time Limit for Making a Slip and Fall Claim in East Point?
Yes. The City of East Point follows deadlines set by state and federal law. The deadlines that apply to your slip and fall claim depend on your circumstances, but in general:
- The deadline in many slip and fall cases is two years from the date of the accident
- In some cases, however, the deadline is only a matter of weeks.
If you file your claim after the deadline, the local courts will almost certainly dismiss your case. You will be unable to recover any money. In addition, the longer you wait to file a claim, the harder it becomes to collect the evidence needed to prove your case. This is why we recommend that you talk to a lawyer as soon as you can.
Talk to an East Point Slip and Fall Lawyer for Free
At John Foy & Associates, we believe you shouldn’t have to pay the costs of your accident out of pocket. We don’t even charge you a fee unless we win money for you. Let us give you a free, no obligation consultation to explain what we can do to help you.
Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
