Griffin
Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer

Every year in Griffin, many injuries result from slip-and-fall accidents. Although a slip-and-fall may sound like a small thing, the outcomes of this type of accident can actually be extreme or even deadly. The victim of a slip-and-fall can face significant medical bills, miss work time, and be left with a financial burden they weren’t prepared for. 

If you or someone you love was hurt by a slip-and-fall, contact a Griffin personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to pursue the financial recovery you need.

At John Foy & Associates, we have more than 20 years of devoted service to victims of personal injury, like slips and falls, that result from someone else’s carelessness. Our goal is to help our clients make the fullest recovery possible. 

Should I Get a Slip and Fall Attorney in Griffin?

If you have any suspicion that a property owner’s negligence could have led to your accident, then yes, you should at least contact a slip-and-fall lawyer in Griffin. There’s no risk in talking to a lawyer from our firm because we give free initial consultations to any slip-and-fall victims in Georgia.

In fact, there’s no risk in hiring a lawyer from our firm, either. Our personal injury attorneys get paid with contingency fees. Those are fees that get taken out of a portion of your settlement, and they only come once you win your claim. That means it’s almost always worth hiring a lawyer for your slip-and-fall.

If you’re thinking about taking on your claim by yourself to avoid lawyer fees altogether, you may want to reconsider. Without a skilled lawyer by your side who knows the ins and outs of personal injury law, your chances of getting compensation that pays for all of your damages are much slimmer.

When you first meet with one of our slip-and-fall lawyers, they will go over your case with you and tell you what your options are. Even the most minor of injuries could be grounds for a slip-and-fall claim.

What Is a Slip and Fall Claim?

Slip-and-fall cases are known as premises liability cases. This means liability is based on the failure of a property owner to take the necessary measures on their property for the safety of those using or entering it. 

A slip-and-fall claim seeks financial recovery for damages you’ve suffered as a result of slipping and falling on someone’s property because of their negligence, or carelessness. According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-3-1, property owners have a duty to maintain their premises so they’re safe for those using them. 

That includes:

• Fixing cracks or holes in sidewalks or other walkways
• Having proper lighting
• Making sure their buildings are structurally sound
• Storing supplies and equipment properly and out of harm’s way
• Providing sufficient security

Failure to uphold maintenance like this is negligence that can easily cause an accident like someone slipping and falling. It’s important to pursue a slip-and-fall claim because proper accidents can result in extreme injuries like broken bones, head trauma, back or knee injuries, spinal cord damage, and more. 

A Griffin Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help You Fight for Compensation for Your Medical Bills

Medical treatment for these injuries can involve a long and expensive road to recover that the victim shouldn’t have to burden. If you were hurt by a slip-and-fall, your claim could help you cover:

• Medical bills from the treatment of your slip-and-fall injuries
• Rehabilitation or hospitalization
• Loss of income from time taken off work because of the injuries
• Possible pain and suffering and emotional trauma damages if accompanied by physical injuries
• Wrongful death for the loss of support and companionship

Your Griffin slip-and-fall lawyer will calculate your damages so you get everything you’re owed. These can include past damages and expenses you’ll have to pay in the future.

How Much Is Pain and Suffering Worth in a Slip and Fall?

In general, pain and suffering damages are based on your other economic damages like medical bills and lost work. The state of Georgia does not put any cap on damage payment for pain and suffering, so it’s usually calculated by multiplying your other damages on a scale that depends on the severity of your injuries.

How much compensation you get for your pain and suffering is not fixed, and it’s often up to your lawyer to argue for you to get sufficient payment. Insurance companies have their own algorithms and formulas, and they usually want to give you less than you actually deserve. 

That’s why you should have an experienced Griggin slip-and-fall attorney to help you get every cent you deserve. One of our lawyers will be able to negotiate with the insurance company to make sure they don’t try to short you on your pain and suffering damages.

How do I Prove a Slip and Fall Claim in Griffin?

To have a valid slip-and-fall claim, under Georgia law you must be able to present evidence that:

• The owner of the property either knew about the hazard that caused your fall (or should have reasonably known about it) and didn’t do anything to make it safer
• You, as the victim, had insufficient knowledge of the hazard despite exercising regular care for your own safety
• You having insufficient knowledge of the slip-and-fall hazard was because of conditions or actions taken or not taken by the property owner that was within their control

It’s also possible to win a personal injury claim even if the property owner didn’t know about the hazard. Sometimes dangerous conditions can go unrecognized or addressed because the owner isn’t doing proper inspections to check for and correct those dangers. As much as you can, collect evidence to help prove your case, which can include:

• Taking pictures of the location where you fell. Photograph any hazards you tripped over or whatever caused your fall. The sooner you get the pictures after your fall and injury, the better.
• Getting pictures of your injuries right after the accident and several times after, especially if there are any changes in severity or appearance.
• Asking witnesses for their names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers. Them seeing the accident is helpful for your case.
• Reporting the slip-and-fall to the property owner or manager of the property. If the location is a place of business, get the name and contact information of the person you reported to.

Also, be careful to not apologize for or downplay the injury you suffered – especially if you are contacted by an insurance company. And don’t sign anything until you’ve spoken with your attorney.

How Can You Be Sure Your Slip and Fall Qualifies for a Claim?

If you’re unsure if your personal injury qualified as a valid slip-and-fall claim, a personal injury lawyer can look at the evidence and help determine if you have a case. It’s very common for our clients to initially blame themselves for the fall and assume they don’t have a case – when it turns out they actually do. 

These types of claims can end up bringing in as much as tens of thousands of dollars or more, so it’s always good to ask an experienced attorney about your options.

If You Slipped and Fell at Work, do You Have a Valid Claim?

Potentially, yes. But you may also have grounds for a workers’ compensation claim if the slip-and-fall happened at your place of work. This is good since it means you may be able to get your claim approved without the need for a lawsuit.

Talk to a Griffin Slip and Fall Attorney Today for Free

You shouldn’t have to suffer or blame yourself for someone else’s negligence of their own property. If you are a victim of a slip-and-fall, our attorneys can help. The Griffin slip-and-fall lawyers at John Foy & Associates work exclusively with personal injury victims, and we know how to win cases. 

Not only is working with us risk-free (we don’t get paid unless you get money), we’ll also offer you a FREE consultation to discuss your options. To claim your free consultation, call us or complete the online form to your right to get started today.