Even seemingly small slip and fall accidents in Fairburn can lead to serious injuries. A single slip, trip, or fall can leave you with a devastating amount of medical bills, missed work time, and more. But if you did not cause the accident, you should not have to bear the burden of these costs alone. A slip and fall and premises liability lawyer in Fairburn can help.
Our experienced slip and fall lawyers at John Foy & Associates can assist you with your injury claim. We have been serving the city of Fairburn and all of Georgia for over 20 years, building a reputation as the “Strong Arm” because we don’t back down to insurance companies. We can help you with your slip and fall case—risk-free and starting with a FREE consultation. To learn more and schedule your free consultation now, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
How Fault Work in Slip and Fall Accidents in Fairburn
To have a valid slip and fall claim and seek compensation, negligence must be involved. Negligence means someone fails to behave at the same level of care that anyone of regular judgment would act under the same circumstances. In other words, negligence is a form of carelessness.
In Georgia, everyone has a “duty of care” to behave in a way that does not put others in harm’s way. When someone breaches this duty, they have been negligent. When that person or party is negligent and it leads to an injury, they are liable for the costs of the injury (also known as damages).
This applies to people who own property, as well. As outlined in Georgia Code § 51-3-1:
- There is a “duty of owners or occupiers of the land” to those who come onto their property for lawful reasons.
- If the property owner or business owner does not “exercise ordinary care” in making sure their premises are safe and injuries result, the owner is liable for damages.
- This means you, as a slip and fall injury victim, can file a claim for compensation of your damages.
To file an injury claim for a slip and fall, you will need to gather evidence that the accident occurred, the owner was negligent in the accident, and your damages result directly from your accident injuries.
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Common Reasons for Slip and Fall Accidents in Fairburn
Slip and fall accidents can happen just about anywhere in Fairburn. They can occur at grocery stores, shopping malls, retail stores, in parking lots, and even on private property. If you slipped, fell, and were hurt because of someone’s negligence, you probably have a claim.
Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents we see include:
- Broken or uneven pavement
- Wet, unmarked floors
- Slipped beverages or other liquid products on floors
- Broken steps or missing railings on staircases
- Poorly-lit passageways or stairs
- Unmarked steps up or down
- Merchandise left out in aisles
If you are unsure whether or not your situation counts as a slip and fall accident, contact an experienced Fairburn slip and fall lawyer. Most will do a free case evaluation and go over your options based on the details.
Six Things to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Fairburn
After a slip and fall injury anywhere, it’s important to be your own best advocate. Even if you have a legal right to compensation, you will need to actually take the steps to file an injury claim with the insurance company. You might also face pushback from the business or their insurance company.
So, you will need to protect your own rights and begin building your claim after a slip and fall accident. Here are some of the best ways to do that.
1. Take Pictures of the Scene and Your Injuries
Slip and fall accident scenes can be cleaned up quickly. Make sure you document how everything looked right after you fell. Picture evidence is the best way to do this.
Use the camera on your phone to photograph:
- Any visible injuries you have
- The hazard or dangerous condition that caused your slip and fall
- The entire accident scene
- Any property damage, such as torn clothing or broken jewelry
2. Talk to Witnesses
If other people in the store saw you fall or noticed the hazard that caused you to fall, ask for their contact information and an account of what they saw. Your Fairburn slip and fall lawyer will want to reach out to them for testimony later.
3. Tell the Manager or Property Owner
Ask to speak to whoever is in charge of the business. Tell them that you fell and were injured. Ask for the manager’s full name and contact information. Also, make sure you speak to a manager and not just a lower-level employee.
4. Stand Up for Yourself
Mainly, do not apologize or blame yourself. Many slip and fall accident victims begin to question themselves and wonder if the injury was their fault. This is particularly easy to do if the store manager tries to blame you.
However, people don’t fall for no reason. Chances are, the store’s negligence ultimately led to your fall. Don’t let anyone blame you for what happened. Talk to a lawyer and get all the facts first.
5. Get Medical Attention
See a doctor as soon as possible after your injury. Many injuries worsen with time, so get treatment immediately. Also, seeing a doctor soon after the accident shows the insurance company that your injuries are serious. Otherwise, they may try to say you are making them seem worse than they actually are.
6. Call a Fairburn Slip and Fall Lawyer
It’s best to contact an experienced and trusted attorney in the Fairburn area after a slip and fall accident—especially if the property owner or manager tries to blame you. A lawyer can help you with each step of your insurance claim and fight for your rights to full compensation.
Don’t Wait to File Your Slip and Fall Claim
In Georgia, the deadline for most personal injury claims (known as the statute of limitations) is two years from the date of your accident. This time goes by quickly, so don’t delay taking action. If you aren’t sure where to start, a personal injury lawyer can help keep you on track and seek fair compensation.
Talk to a Fairburn Slip and Fall and Premises Liability Lawyer for Free
At John Foy & Associates, we understand how scary the aftermath of a slip and fall accident can be. We can help you with your injury claim—starting moments after you become injured. For over 20 years, we’ve been helping slip and fall victims win their cases and get the recovery they deserve to pay for their costs.
Call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get matched with the best attorney for you and schedule a FREE consultation. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online now to get started.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
