Although TV shows and cartoons often portray slip and fall accident as comical, they are anything but that in real life. When someone falls on someone’s property in Pooler, injuries can range from minor to incredibly severe, even life-threatening. If you have suffered an injury in this way, you should not have to pay for the costs of someone else’s negligence, and a slip and fall lawyer in Pooler can help.
Slip and fall injuries can require costly medical treatment, force you to miss work, and result in other damages that greatly affect your life. Our lawyers at John Foy & Associates can help you file a claim to seek compensation for these damages. We have been helping slip and fall injury victims for over 20 years, and we are not afraid to fight for your legal rights.
To get a FREE consultation with one of our experienced attorneys today, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online. We’ll go over the details of your situation and match you with the best lawyer for your case.
What It Means to Have a Slip and Fall Case in Pooler, GA
Slip and fall cases are based on the legal concept of premises liability. Premises liability law comes into play when someone is injured because of a dangerous or defective condition on a property. The property owner or occupier is at fault for an accident if their negligence led to the creation or persistence of the unsafe condition.
If there’s a chance you were not at fault for your slip and fall accident, you likely have a valid slip and fall case in Pooler. Property owners and businesses have a duty to maintain safe premises, and if they don’t, they are liable for resulting injuries. If you have a valid case, you can seek compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and other damages through a personal injury claim.
Types of Slip and Fall Accidents in Pooler
There are many ways a slip and fall accident can occur. Here are some common examples we see in the cases we work:
- Tripping on an uneven or cracked walkway or pavement
- Slipping on spilled liquids or food items
- Stumbling over merchandise or other items that were left in a store aisle
- Poorly-lit walkways that make it difficult for someone to see a hazard
In your claim, you will need to prove that there was an unsafe condition on the property and that the owner or business was negligent in preventing that condition from harming you. If you can demonstrate this negligence and liability, you can seek recovery of your damages for the breached duty. This is your legal right under Georgia Code section 51-1-6.
Get the strong arm
What You Should Do After Slipping and Falling in Pooler, GA
You will file a personal injury claim after a slip and fall accident with the at-fault party’s insurance company. For example, if you fell at a store because an employee was negligent, you can file a claim with the business’s insurance company.
Since insurance companies are not prone to offering much money on injury claims, you’ll need to legally protect your rights as much as possible. Here are some actions you can take to do that.
Tell the Owner or Manager
Make sure the property owner or the manager of the store where you fell knows about the incident. Tell them that you fell and were injured on their property. Avoid discussing blame or being apologetic in any way.
Sometimes, property owners or managers will immediately try to make a slip and fall victim feel like they were to blame for the accident. Do not let it affect you. Talk to a lawyer before doing or saying anything that could be used against you later.
Take Pictures
Picture evidence preserves the scene as it looked like after the accident happened. This can be really significant for your claim. If you’re able, take pictures of:
- The unsafe condition that caused you to fall
- Your injuries and
- The entire scene of the slip and fall accident
Don’t be afraid to get photos from different angles to really show how the scene looked. It’s better to take too many pictures than not enough.
Talk to Anyone Who Saw Your Accident
If anyone on the property saw you fall and get injured, talk to them and get their contact information so your lawyer can get a statement from them later. Having a witness statement to back up your case can be incredibly beneficial.
Get Medical Treatment
Don’t delay seeing a doctor after you leave the scene—or calling for emergency treatment if you have life-threatening injuries. You will need to create a record of treatment for your injuries. Otherwise, the insurance company will likely try to say you were not hurt as badly as you say and use it as an excuse to pay you less.
You Have Two Years to File Your Slip and Fall Case
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. If you try to bring a case past the statute of limitations, you will not be able to receive compensation for that accident.
To ensure you don’t miss any deadlines, get started on your claim as soon as possible. Injury cases take a while, and you will not have sufficient time to prepare your case. That’s why it’s best to contact an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Pooler as soon as you can after you are injured.
Talk to a Slip and Fall and Premises Liability Lawyer in Pooler for Free Today
If you were not at fault for your slip and fall accident, you should not have to pay for the costs. Even if you are worried you might hold some fault in the fall, you may still have recovery options. Plus, it’s common for slip and fall victims to blame themselves and then later realize they were not at fault.
Our attorneys at John Foy & Associates can evaluate your situation, let you know your legal options, and begin building a strong case for you. If the insurance company tries to offer you less than you deserve, we will work to negotiate the fullest settlement possible. To get a FREE consultation with us, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online today.
912-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
