It’s easy to think slip and fall accidents aren’t much to worry about in Monroe. Slipping and falling might not sound like that big of a deal, but the truth is, they can be very serious and costly for some people. If someone is older, in poor health, or simply falls in a bad way, the consequences can be awful. That’s why many people need help from a slip and fall and premises lawyer in Monroe.
Our slip and fall lawyers at John Foy & Associates know what it takes to win these types of cases. We have been helping injury victims win the recovery they deserve for more than 20 years. To get advice from an experienced and compassionate lawyer during a FREE consultation today, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online now.
Two Key Questions to Ask in Your Monroe Slip and Fall Claim
When it comes to a slip and fall accident, you will need to consider who was negligent and what you suffered as a result of the accident. These factors will help determine whether or not you have a valid case and, if so, the value of your case.
1. Who Caused Your Slip and Fall Accident?
In Georgia, the negligent party in an injury accident is liable for the damages, and the injured party can seek recovery for their damages (Georgia Code § 51-1-6). Someone must have been negligent in your accident for you to have a valid claim.
Property owners and businesses in Monroe have a duty to maintain safe premises. If you can show that the owner of the property or the business where you fell did not uphold their legal duty and it led to your accident, they are likely liable. You would need to demonstrate this premises liability in a personal injury claim that you file with the owner’s or business’s insurance company.
Many slip and fall victims are quick to blame themselves for the accident. However, be sure to speak with an experienced lawyer before you assume there’s no one to blame but yourself. People fall every day because property owners or employees are negligent in situations like:
- Failing to clean up a spilled liquid within a reasonable amount of time
- Not putting out a “wet floor” sign while mopping or waxing the floors
- Not fixing uneven walkways or broken stairs within a reasonable amount of time
- Failing to rope off or warn customers or visitors about a hazard on the property
Any of these situations could cause someone on the property to slip, fall, and become seriously injured. Your injury claim will need to show that this occurred.
2. Did Your Damages Result from the Slip and Fall Accident?
Besides demonstrating that another party was negligent, you must also have suffered physical injuries and other damages because of the accident. You’ll also need to provide proof of these damages in your injury claim.
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Damages You Can Seek Compensation for After a Slip and Fall in Monroe
You have the right to seek financial recovery for any losses you face as a direct result of your slip and fall accident injuries. Those damages might include:
- Medical costs, including doctor bills, hospital stays, prescription medications, tests, physical therapy, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Property damage, such as broken watches or other jewelry
- Pain and suffering like loss of enjoyment of life or mental anguish resulting from your physical injuries
Unfortunately, insurance companies care most about their bottom line when it comes to slip and fall claims. Chances are high that that property owner’s or business’s insurance company will try to offer you a lowball settlement or look for ways to reduce what they have to pay you. You will want to work with a lawyer who can calculate all of your damages and accurately demonstrate them in your claim.
A Monroe slip and fall and premises lawyer will know how to handle the insurance company. They can communicate and negotiate with them on your behalf. The goal is to get you the fullest compensation possible for your damages.
How to Protect Your Rights After a Slip and Fall Accident
Contacting a lawyer is one of the best ways you can ensure your legal rights are upheld and protected after a slip and fall accident. However, there are ways you can protect your rights and begin building your claim, as well.
Here are some things we recommend doing after your accident in addition to reaching out to an experienced lawyer.
Take Pictures
The more you can document the actual scene of your slip and fall accident, the better. Use your phone or a camera to take pictures of:
- Your injuries
- The hazard that caused your fall
- The entire accident screen and
- Anything else you think helps set the scene
It’s also a good idea to get shots from different angles to show exactly how everything looked. This will preserve the scene long after it’s been cleaned up or changed.
Talk to Eyewitnesses
If anyone else saw you fall or noticed the hazard that caused your fall, talk to them and ask for their contact information. Eyewitness testimony can be really helpful in a slip and fall claim. Your lawyer will likely contact witnesses later for statements to help support your case.
Report the Accident
Make sure the property owner or business manager knows that you fell and were injured. There will need to be a record of you reporting the accident so no one can try to say it didn’t actually happen.
Speak with a Slip and Fall and Premises Lawyer in Monroe, GA for Free Today
Don’t get stuck paying for costs that were caused by someone else’s negligence. At John Foy & Associates, we can research your accident and determine who ultimately caused it. We can also help you build a strong insurance claim and deal with the insurance company so you can focus on recovering.
Contact us today and we’ll set you up with a FREE consultation. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get matched with the best slip and fall and premises lawyer for your case for FREE today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form