Georgia
IKEA Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer

Many shoppers love IKEA for its do-it-yourself assembly, low prices, and simplistic design. It’s easy to spend hours in an IKEA store and leave with a lot of new home furnishing projects. No one expects to get injured while shopping at IKEA—but it still happens. Like all stores in Georgia, IKEA is responsible for keeping their premises safe. When they fail to do so and it results in a slip and fall accident with injuries, they may be liable for the victim’s damages. If you were hurt this way, contact an IKEA slip and fall accident and injury lawyer Georgia today to seek compensation for your costs.

At John Foy & Associates, we have been fighting for the rights of personal injury victims for 20+ years. We know that a slip and fall injury in IKEA can leave you with expensive medical bills, chronic pain, missed work time, and more.

We can help you seek full compensation for your damages. The goal is you not having to pay anything for your injuries. To get started with a FREE consultation, call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form on this page today.

Situations that Lead to Slip and Fall Accidents at IKEA Stores

Any number of circumstances in an IKEA store can lead to a slip and fall accident, so each situation can look differently. But here are some common causes of slip and fall accidents that can leave the store liable:

• Wet or slippery floors from mopping or waxing
• Uneven or damaged flooring
• Broken steps
• Slippery floors from spilled products or drinks
• Slippery bathroom surfaces
• Broken shelves that cause products to fall into the floor
• Objects left out in aisles
• Unsecured carpets or rugs
• Icy or slippery parking lot surfaces or entrances

Falling objects are also a concern in stores like IKEA with heavy merchandise stacked on tall shelves. If you were hurt by a heavy object falling on you, it’s different than a slip and fall accident but still a premises liability claim. Contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your options as soon as possible.

The slip and fall accident does not necessarily have to happen in the store for IKEA to be responsible. Sometimes, accidents can happen in the parking lot, on the sidewalk outside, or at the entrances or exits that the store is liable for too.

How Liability Works in an IKEA Accident in Georgia

Negligence is a form of carelessness that means someone did (or did not do) something that led to an injury. If someone is negligent in an accident, they are at fault. And under Georgia law, the negligent party is responsible for providing damages to the injured as compensation. This responsibility is also known as liability.

To have a slip and fall claim after an injury at IKEA, you will need to show the store was negligent in your accident. This could be:

• An IKEA employee knew of a hazardous or dangerous condition and did nothing to remedy it, resulting in your accident
• The employee did not know about or remedy a hazard when they reasonably should have, leading to your accident
• They did not warn or notify customers of a hazard in a reasonable amount of time, and your slip and fall accident resulted

For example, if you are coming down the aisle at IKEA and slip on a spilled drink, the store’s liability and your recovery will depend on whether the IKEA employees knew or should have known about the spilled drink and had a reasonable amount of time to clean it up. In many cases, they do and they are liable.

Another example would be if an employee is mopping up the floor in the store and fails to put out a “wet floor” sign. If you slip and are injured from your fall, the store would likely be liable because they did not warn customers of the wet floor.

Damages You Can Recover After a Georgia Slip and Fall in IKEA

If it’s determined that IKEA is liable for your accident costs, your slip and fall settlement will depend on the total damages you have suffered. You will need to keep track of all expenses that resulted from your accident to include them in your personal injury claim.

Some of the most common damages slip and fall accident victims face include:

• Medical bills from doctor visits, tests, surgeries, etc.
• Prescription medications
• Ongoing treatment, such as physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Lost wages from missing work because of your injuries
• Physical or emotional pain and suffering

An IKEA slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia can help you account for all damages you face after the accident. Some are harder to calculate than others, and a lawyer can help you figure out all ongoing costs, such as long-term treatment expenses.

Two Things to NOT Do After an IKEA Slip and Fall Accident

What you don’t do after a slip and fall accident IKEA in Georgia is often just as important as what you do. For the record, you should always report the accident to a store manager, take pictures of the entire scene and your injuries, and see a doctor as soon as you can afterward.

On the flip side, here are two things you should make sure you avoid after a slip and fall accident:

1. Do Not Apologize for the Accident

When you report your fall, an IKEA employee, manager, or the insurance company may try to put some (or all) of the blame on you. If they can show you were being clumsy, should have seen the hazard, or that employees did not know about it, they know you probably won’t get recovery for your damages. Accepting liability means IKEA (or, rather, their insurance company) loses money by paying your claim. And they will do whatever they can do avoid that.

So, make sure you do not apologize or admit blame at any time after your accident—even if someone else is blaming you. Stand firm and explain exactly what happened. Slip and fall victims are often embarrassed about their accidents, and it’s human nature to apologize or say you were being clumsy. But remember that you did nothing wrong.

2. Do Not Accept an Early Settlement

Insurance companies are known for paying out as little as possible from a personal injury claim. IKEA’s insurance adjusters may try reaching out to you soon after your injury. They might offer you an upfront settlement, hoping you’ll take it and move on. But this amount is always a lowball and won’t come close to covering your total costs. Never accept the first offer.

Also, be wary of anything the insurance company asks you. Don’t get a recorded statement, sign anything, or say anything that could be used against you later. Instead, contact an IKEA slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia as soon as you can.

Talk to an IKEA Slip and Fall Accident and Injury Lawyer in Georgia for Free

Large stores like IKEA are used to defending themselves against slip and fall accident cases from customers. They will be prepared for your claim—so you will need to be ready too. At John Foy & Associates, we have the experience (20 plus years) and resources to help you with a claim against big box stores like IKEA. To schedule a FREE consultation and talk about the details, call us at 404-400-4000, or fill out our contact form today.