Slip and fall accidents can quickly turn into serious premises liability cases in Mableton. If you didn’t cause your slip and fall, you shouldn’t have to pay for damages caused by another person’s carelessness. Instead, file a claim against them and recover a settlement.
Speak to a slip and fall injury lawyer in Mableton from John Foy & Associates about how we can help. We bring 20 plus years of experience to the table. Our lawyers know what it takes to win these types of cases, and we are not afraid to deal with aggressive insurance companies.
What Counts As a Slip and Fall in Mableton
Slip and fall accidents center around the concept of premises liability. In other words, if someone slips, falls, and gets injured because of a dangerous or hazardous condition that should’ve gotten removed, the owner or business may be liable for the damages.
Thus, if you got hurt in a slip and fall accident that wasn’t your fault, you likely have a valid slip and fall case. Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you might still be eligible for financial recovery. If you were less than 50% at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation following the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) § 51-12-33.
It’s essential that you don’t automatically blame yourself for a slip and fall accident. Many victims don’t pursue the full compensation they’re entitled to because they assume they are too clumsy or embarrassed about falling. However, we find that the property owner or business was often more negligent than it initially appears.
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Understanding Premises Liability in Mableton
Property owners and occupiers have a duty to exercise ordinary care and keep their premises safe. This includes:
- Checking for potential hazards
- Being able to recognize potential hazards within a reasonable amount of time
- Cleaning up or fixing hazards within a reasonable amount of time
- Blocking off or warning customers or visitors about hazards if they cannot get cleaned up immediately
To have a valid claim, you will need to gather evidence showing how the owner or business was negligent in your accident. Doing this can be extremely difficult, as the property owner or business most likely won’t cooperate in your investigation. However, our Mableton slip and fall injury attorneys can help you gather evidence to support your claim.
How to Handle a Slip and Fall Accident in Mableton
Although we highly recommend working with a lawyer, there are ways you can advocate for your own rights, as well. In fact, it’s best to gather as much information about the accident as you can after it happens. Here are some of the ways you can begin building your case immediately after you fall.
Report the Slip and Fall Accident
Make sure the property owner or business knows that you fell and were injured. For example, if your accident happened inside a store, ask an employee to take you to the manager. They will create an accident report with the basic details of the accident. This is crucial in providing actual documentation that your accident occurred.
Take Pictures
Use your phone to take pictures of the scene where you fell. Take pictures of the hazard or dangerous condition that caused you to fall, any visible injuries that you have, and the entire accident scene. You might get pictures from different angles and at different distances to fully set the scene.
Picture evidence can be incredibly helpful in a slip and fall and premises liability case. Since many hazards can be moved, changed, or cleaned up soon after the fall, your pictures will show how the scene actually looked right after the accident.
Talk to Witnesses
Often, when slip and fall accidents happen, someone else sees the accident or the hazard that caused it. If anyone else was around when you fell, talk to them and ask what they saw. Get their names and contact information.
Get Medical Treatment
If your slip and fall injuries are very serious or life-threatening, don’t delay getting medical attention right away. Injuries can worsen quickly, and your well-being is the number one priority. There are two main reasons this is so important:
- Seeing a doctor soon after the accident creates a trail of medical documentation for your injuries, which is crucial for your claim.
- Getting your injuries checked out gives you an idea of how serious they are and how much treatment you will need. It also helps prevent injuries from worsening quickly.
If you are well enough to stay at the scene to gather information, that’s ideal. However, make sure you still see a doctor to get your injuries checked out as soon as possible after leaving the scene.
Keep Track of Your Damages
You will need to include evidence of your costs in your premises liability claim such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Physical therapy
Keep records of all the costs you face because of the accident. This will also be helpful for your slip and fall injury lawyer in Mableton as they build your claim.
How Much Will My Slip and Fall Injury Settlement Be Worth?
The amount your settlement will be worth depends on numerous factors. Each slip and fall case is different, so we can’t give a concrete estimate on your specific case. Generally speaking, most slip and fall cases in Georgia end up around thousands of dollars or more.
When we calculate your damages, we factor in both economic and non-economic damages. Our slip and fall injury lawyers will always account for every damage you sustained. We want to see you get the maximum amount of compensation available for your case and won’t settle for anything less than what you truly deserve.
What Our Mableton Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers Do for You
When you retain legal representation from one of our Mableton slip and fall injury lawyers at John Foy & Associates, you will get the assistance you need to deal with the insurance company and get your settlement. Our lawyers will:
- Handle all your communications with other parties
- Help you gather important evidence, police reports, and medical records
- Consult with experts and witnesses on your behalf to get supporting testimony
- Represent you both in and out of court
- Reviewing all settlement offers to ensure you get the best deal possible
Hiring a lawyer is the best investment you can make to get the best settlement available. Focus on healing and recovering from your injuries while we handle all the legal grunt work.
Should I Take the Initial Settlement Offer?
Insurance companies may reach out to you immediately after your accident to try and get you to settle fast. They will offer you a quick settlement that can get resolved in a few short days. While immediate compensation may seem tempting, it’s all a front from the insurance company to try and get you to settle for less.
Their goal in offering you a fast settlement is to get you to give up on your case fast and avoid getting legal representation. The last thing an insurance company wants to do is pay you the full amount of compensation you need. Don’t end up getting less for your damages. Allow us to fight hard on your behalf so that you get fairly compensated.
Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall Injuries in Georgia
You only have two years to file a claim for slip and fall injuries in Mableton, according to OCGA § 9-3-33. Don’t wait until the last minute to begin building a strong case for your claim. Evidence and memory deteriorate fast, so the sooner you get all your affairs in order, the better chances you have at getting a fair settlement for your damages.
Talk to a Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer in Mableton for Free
At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping slip and fall injury victims throughout Georgia win the recovery they need for more than 20 years. We can help you build a strong injury claim, compile evidence of your damages, and deal with the insurance company.
Get in touch with our Mableton slip and fall injury lawyers today for a free consultation at no risk or obligation to you. We are available 24/7.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form