People often think of slipping and falling as a minor event. The truth is, it’s not, and “minor” falls lead to some of the most serious injuries seen in Jonesboro every year. These accidents include falls in parking lots, on stairs, in stores, and at major venues, among many other places.
And many of them are NOT the victim’s fault. If you’ve fallen and gotten hurt, you may have more rights than you realize. You need to talk to a Jonesboro slip and fall lawyer.
That’s why John Foy & Associates is here. For more than 20 years, we have served clients with just one purpose: help those who were injured. We know the kind of pain, emotional turmoil, and financial uncertainty that a slip and fall can cause—and we know how to fight to get you the money you deserve.
Let our experienced lawyers give you a FREE consultation to help you understand your legal rights. Give us a call at (404) 400-4000 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
What Counts As a Slip and Fall Accident?
Many people haven’t even heard of the term “slip and fall accident” until they find themselves injured and wondering if they have a claim. A slip and fall is just a term used for a personal injury case involving any kind of fall. The short version is: if you fell, got hurt, and it wasn’t your fault, you likely have a valid claim.
Unfortunately, many victims make the mistake of blaming themselves. Never assume you are at fault for your own fall. There are rare cases where a serious fall is truly the fault of the person who was hurt—but we believe these cases are the minority. Most of the time, a person doesn’t fall for no reason. Usually, they fall because there was some kind of obstacle, hazard, or problem with their surroundings.
This is why it’s so important to get an objective opinion from an attorney. Your attorney can help you determine whether you have a case and get you a clear answer on who is at fault.
When our lawyers evaluate a potential slip and fall claim, there are two big issues they look at:
#1. Where did the Fall Happen?
Generally speaking, if a fall happens outside of your own private property, there’s a fair chance that someone is liable for the injury. That’s because any premises that you don’t personally own, or manage, are under someone else’s care—and that person has a duty to make them safe for the people who come onto the premises.
You may have a claim if your fall happened at:
- A shopping center or mall
- A store
- An office or business
- A school or university
- A parking lot
- A sidewalk or public area
- A park
- Another person’s residence
- …or on land that is privately owned by someone else
The truth is, every property has someone responsible for it. We can help you determine if that party is liable for what happened.
#2. Was Anyone Negligent?
This is the second key part of a slip and fall case. Just because someone else owns a piece of property doesn’t mean it’s their fault that you fell. However, in many cases the fall only happened because someone was careless. This carelessness is called negligence.
Examples of negligence could include:
- Not cleaning up a spill in a store or restaurant
- Leaving clutter all over a walking area
- Not marking wet floors
- Having an unmarked step up or down
- Leaving damaged or uneven sidewalks unrepaired—and not marking them
- Failing to install or maintain handrails on stairs or around drop-offs
- Having low-traction outside staircases, or not marking them in wet weather
- Failing to cover and mark off holes or other hazards
What all of these circumstances have in common is one thing: the property owner probably knew about them (or should have known, if they were maintaining their property), and the owner did nothing to fix them.
And that means you have a case.
Get the strong arm
What Are My Legal Rights in a Slip and Fall Claim in Jonesboro?
In Jonesboro, and all of Georgia, slip and fall victims have the right to recover money for their damages. This money serves two purposes:
- Pay for any costs associated with the fall. You are supposed to come out of the injury without any financial loss related to it.
- Compensate you for your personal suffering. Many injuries can’t ever be undone. And many others involve extreme pain, changes in lifestyle, or permanent effects. Money cannot make up for these personal losses, but the law allows you to recover damages for these losses anyway—partly to help keep you financially stable after your accident, and partly to help you rebuild your life and move forward from a place of strength.
As a result, you can recover money for:
- Medical costs
- Missed work time
- Long-term care needs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- …and other damages depending on your situation
It is very difficult for you to know how much is a “fair” amount if you do not have a legal opinion. Even if an insurance offer is more than your doctor bill, don’t assume that it’s fair—you may have much higher medical costs down the road. And you may be entitled to far more money than you think.
Always take the time to talk to a lawyer after a fall.
Talk to a Jonesboro Slip and Fall Lawyer for Free
Injuries can be painful, stressful, and full of uncertainty. You don’t have to face your fall alone. Let John Foy & Associates help you the way we have helped hundreds of other injury victims before you. We charge you nothing if we can’t get you money for your claim—and we offer a FREE consultation.
Call us at (404) 400-4000 or fill out the form to the right to schedule your free consultation today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
