A slip and fall accident can leave you with long-lasting and painful injuries. A slip and fall injury is any injury you experience after tripping or slipping and then falling. If you slip and fall in a Georgia Hardee’s quick-service restaurant (QSR) you could qualify for compensation to cover your accident-related medical bills.
Call the slip and fall accident and injury lawyers at John Foy & Associates at (404) 400-4000 to schedule a risk-free consultation.
More About Hardee’s
Hardee’s is a QSR chain that started in 1960 when Wilbur Hardee opened his first restaurant in Greenville, NC. The brand grew rapidly, with the first franchise store opening 5 months later year and 1,000 locations operating within 15 years.
Today, Hardee’s restaurants operate throughout the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States and around the world. With so many restaurants in operation, a slip and fall accident is likely to occur. This is especially true if employees neglect regular maintenance and cleaning procedures.
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The Cost of a Slip and Fall Accident
When your accident is caused by Georgia Hardee’s negligence, the company may be legally required to compensate you for costs related to your injuries. These could include:
- Doctor fees for evaluation of your injuries.
- Diagnostic tests like ultrasound scans and X-rays.
- Prescription and over-the-counter medication.
- Physical and occupational therapy.
- Hospital bills for inpatient care and surgery.
- Travel expenses for treatment.
- Emergency Room treatment and ambulance services.
- Lost wages during recovery
- Lost earning capacity if you are permanently disabled.
- Pain and suffering.
Large corporations like Hardee’s will do everything they can to avoid paying you for these expenses. An experienced slip and fall attorney from John Foy & Associates can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (404) 400-4000 for your no-risk consultation.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
Even before you contact a slip and fall lawyer, there are actions you can take after your fall to prepare for a possible lawsuit against Hardee’s:
- Look around to see what caused you to slip and fall. For example, there may be food on the floor, spilled condiments, ice on the floor near the soda fountain, trays in the walkway near trashcans, or uneven pavement in the parking lot.
- Take pictures of the area where you fell, including any noticeable hazards.
- Request a copy of the security camera video footage that may have captured the incident.
- Ask bystanders if they saw you fall. Record their observations and gather names and contact information so you or your attorney can reach them later if necessary.
- File an official incident report with Hardee’s and make sure you get a copy for your records.
- Go to a hospital or doctor’s office as soon as possible after you fall to have your injuries documented and treated. You can also take photographs of any visible injuries.
Georgia Slip and Fall Lawsuit
All restaurants and stores have a duty of care to their customers. This means they have to provide a safe environment for anyone on the premises. If you are injured because Hardee’s employees neglected to clean up or warn you about a known hazard, you can file a premises liability lawsuit against the company for compensation.
The rules that govern slip and fall lawsuits vary from state to state.
Comparative Negligence Rule
Comparative negligence is a legal term that describes how blame is assigned for your slip and fall injuries. If your case goes to trial, a jury will determine whether:
- Hardee’s was at fault.
- You were at fault.
- You and the company each share a portion of the blame.
You could be partially at fault for your injuries if you were looking at your cell phone when you fell or if you neglected to get prompt medical care after your accident. Your compensation will be reduced relative to your portion of the blame. For example, if you were 25% to blame for your injuries, Hardee’s will only have to pay 75% of the damage award.
Also, according to Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule, Hardee’s will pay nothing if you are 50% or more at fault for your injuries.
Statute of Limitations
Every state establishes how much time you have to file your lawsuit after a slip and fall accident. This is called the statute of limitations. In Georgia, you have two years from the day you fell to file a lawsuit seeking compensation.
If you file after the two-year window has closed, your claim will be ruled invalid. The courts will not make an exception; therefore, it is important to have an experienced slip and fall attorney on your side to ensure you meet important deadlines.
John Foy & Associates Is Here to Help
As soon as you hire John Foy & Associates, one of our legal teams will get right to work on your case. We can help you get the compensation you deserve by:
- Interviewing Hardee’s employees and other potential witnesses.
- Gathering and reviewing evidence.
- Determining the amount of compensation you can reasonably ask for.
- Negotiating with Hardee’s and their attorneys on your behalf
- Filing your claim on time.
Our slip and fall accident and injury lawyers have been helping victims of negligence for more than two decades, and we can help you, too. Contact John Foy & Associates today at (404) 400-4000 for your free consultation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
