A night out with friends or family at Applebee’s should be nothing but fun. Unfortunately, sometimes a nice dinner can turn into a painful experience. If restaurant employees are not diligent enough to keep safe premises, a slip and fall accident can happen. If this has happened to you, you have options. Contact an Applebee’s slip and fall accident and injury lawyer to talk about your legal rights today.
You may be able to seek compensation for the costs of your medical care, lost wages, and more. At John Foy & Associates, we are dedicated to getting you the full recovery you deserve, as we’ve been helping countless injury victims do for the past 20 plus years. To get a FREE consultation today, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Slip and Fall Accidents at Applebee’s in Georgia
Applebee’s was founded in 1980 in Decatur, Georgia. The restaurant was originally named T.J. Applebee’s Rx for Edibles & Elixirs but was changed to Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar in 1986. They became one of the biggest sit-down restaurant chains in the U.S. in the 1990s.
The ambiance of Applebee’s is casual, and they feature many classically American dishes like burgers, chicken, salads, soups, steaks, ribs, and pasta. Each restaurant also has a bar area where alcohol drinks are served.
Since the founding in Decatur, there are now several Applebee’s locations throughout Georgia, including in Atlanta and Marietta. Although the chain is native to our state of Georgia, it doesn’t excuse them from negligence.
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Four Parts of a Slip and Fall Injury Claim in Georgia
Applebee’s—like all businesses in Georgia—has a legal duty to maintain safe premises for those who come onto their property under Georgia Code section 51-3-1. If a restaurant fails in that duty and someone gets injured, the business can be liable for damages.
If you were hurt in an Applebee’s, you may have a personal injury claim (also referred to as a “slip and fall” claim here). However, to have a valid claim, the following elements must exist. If you’re still unsure about whether or not you have a case, contact a Georgia slip and fall accident lawyer for help.
1. The Restaurant Owes a Duty
As mentioned above, Applebee’s must maintain safe premises for customers who eat there. This includes making sure the floors are clean, safe, and dry. It also means watching for potential hazards and cleaning them up within a reasonable amount of time. If a hazard cannot be immediately fixed or cleaned up, employees must warn customers about it.
If you were eating at an Applebee’s restaurant, you were owed that duty of care.
2. The Duty Was Breached
Personal injury cases are centered around the concept of negligence. If restaurant employees are not careful to avoid slip and fall accident hazards, it’s a form of negligence or carelessness.
To have a valid slip and fall accident claim, you’ll need to prove that the restaurant was negligent. In other words, they knew (or should have known) about a hazard or dangerous condition but did not clean it up or warn others within a reasonable amount of time.
3. There Were Actual Injuries
For the restaurant to be liable for your damages in a personal injury claim, there must be an actual physical injury. Without a physical injury, there can be no claim. You can include emotional damages in your claim too, but they must result from a physical injury.
You will need to gather evidence of your actual injuries. This is why it’s so vital that you see a doctor as soon as possible after your slip and fall accident. Seeing a doctor will create a record of your injuries and likely leave you with medical bills. It might feel like a hassle, but getting medical treatment is so important after an injury accident.
4. Your Injuries Were Caused By the Restaurant’s Negligence
Lastly, you will need to demonstrate that the injuries you suffered directly resulted from Applebee’s negligence. In other words, if an owner, manager, or employee had not been negligent, your slip and fall accident wouldn’t have happened.
This element is often difficult to prove, which is why it’s best to work with an Applebee’s slip and fall accident and injury lawyer from the beginning. They can make sure you gather the correct evidence to show the store’s negligence and how it led to your damages.
What Happens After You File Your Slip and Fall Case Against Applebee’s
After you file your claim, Applebee’s insurance company might reach out to you. They may offer you a lowball settlement or try to intimidate you. It’s best to already have a lawyer on your side who can communicate with the insurance company for you. However, if you do talk to an insurance adjuster, be very careful.
You should never accept the first offer, sign anything, or give any recorded statements without speaking to your lawyer first. The insurance company will be looking for ways to reduce what they have to pay you, and they are often sneaky about it.
Don’t let the insurer intimidate you into thinking you can’t get a better offer or convince you to take the first offer. You deserve more, and an experienced lawyer will work to negotiate a settlement that is actually fair to you. Most slip and fall accident claims end in a settlement, but if you do end up needing to go to court, your lawyer will know how to help you prepare.
Talk to an Applebee’s Slip and Fall Accident and Injury Lawyer for Free Today
It’s best to not try handling a slip and fall accident claim against Applebee’s on your own. They are a large chain with a powerful insurance company and its own lawyers. To level the playing field, you’ll want to contact an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Georgia for your owner representation.
At John Foy & Associates, there is no risk to work with us because:
- We don’t take any upfront fees.
- There is no fee unless we win you money.
- The consultation is always FREE.
To schedule your FREE consultation and discuss the details of your case with us, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
