Rain, debris, uneven surfaces, and dangerous flooring can all cause slip and fall accidents in Tucker. While it’s very common to trip over your own feet some days, there are falls that are due to someone else’s carelessness—and those may result in serious injuries. Every property owner has a duty to maintain their property in a way that will not be dangerous to others.
That means that they should address problems on their property that could lead to falls. When, they don’t, and it leads to injuries, it’s time to call in a Tucker slip and fall lawyer.
Regardless of how your fall happened, John Foy & Associates can work with you to determine whether you should start a lawsuit or make a claim with a property owner’s insurance company. We have been helping fall victims just like you for over 20 years.
We take pride in never representing insurance companies because we want to help victims get the money that they need to address medical bills, lost time away from working, pain and suffering, and more. Let us give you a free consultation.
Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
What Are Common Causes of Slip and Fall Claims?
Many people are doubtful that they have a legal claim for their falling accident. They assume that they are at fault for the fall, regardless of what caused it. This isn’t a good assumption. Sometimes you couldn’t have prevented a fall no matter what you did, or you were only partially at fault. In those situations, you likely have a legal claim that you can use to help pay for things like:
- Medical bills
- Lost time away from work
- Pain and suffering
- Future treatment
- Loss of earning capacity in the future
- The negative effect that the fall has had on your family
Having some examples of slip and fall claims can help you understand whether you should explore your rights more after this type of incident. Many slip and fall claims in Tucker involve the following circumstances:
1. You Trip Over Debris in a Commercial Location
Some of the most common slip and fall cases involve commercial property, such as in grocery stores and department stores. Stores like Wal-Mart and Target are huge, and they take considerable effort to maintain to ensure that it is safe for all customers.
When they slack off on maintenance or keeping the store clean, and you’re harmed as a result, that is often good grounds for a slip and fall case.
While you do have an obligation to be on the lookout for debris and take steps to avoid it, you may not always be able to see slippery flooring, debris in aisles, or other hazards. You should also keep in mind that even if you think you should have seen it, you may still have a legal claim. You will only know for sure by talking to a Tucker slip and fall lawyer.
2. Poorly Maintained Outside Property
Another common situation arises when sidewalks and parking lots are not maintained well. Even if there is no debris, uneven surfaces, raised surfaces, and other problem areas could result in tripping hazards. Property owners have an obligation to fix these areas, so they are not unreasonably dangerous to those who are visiting or passing by.
Many people assume that it’s only commercial property owners that can be liable for a slip and fall accident—this isn’t true. Instead, anyone that owns property must keep it maintained. That means that you if you’re passing by someone’s house and you are injured by falling after tripping over a cracked sidewalk, you might have a slip and fall claim.
3. Conditions Caused by Weather
While snow and ice are rare in Tucker, weather can cause other dangerous conditions as well. Rain and dew are the most common culprits, but frost occasionally occurs as well. If a business owner or even homeowner fails to address problems related to weather as soon as possible, then a lawsuit might be the result.
This is particularly relevant if a property owner knows that they have an especially slippery flooring type or if they have a leak in their building that lets in water.
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What Should I Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?
You should always get medical attention after any type of accident. If you don’t think you need to go to the hospital right away, it’s a good idea to get an examination with your regular doctor as soon as possible. You should also take the following steps:
- Report the incident. Whether you are in a store or on a private person’s property, you should let them know what happened right away. If you’re on commercial property, it’s a good idea to make the report directly to the manager on duty if they’re available.
- Document the area. If you can, take pictures on your phone of the area where you fell and anything that may have caused your fall. It’s common not to know exactly what happened until you look back, but be sure to document anything nearby.
- Do not apologize or take the blame. It’s common to want to say something like, “I tripped over myself,” or “I wasn’t watching,” but try to avoid that temptation. Say very little about what you may have done to prevent the incident—it may be used against you later.
- Talk to anyone that may have seen your fall. In stores, it’s more likely that there were people nearby that watched or saw the incident. If that is the case, ask them what they saw and see if you can get their contact information, as they might be good witnesses later.
You can reach out to us for additional tips on how to handle an accident caused by:
We also take on claims involving nursing homes and other properties. Find out more by calling us today.
Talk to a Tucker Slip and Fall Lawyer
Don’t wait to start your slip and fall claim. There are deadlines that you must meet to continue to have a legal case. John Foy & Associates can help you learn about these deadlines and work through what you should do next. Let us give you a FREE consultation.
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
