Slip and fall accidents happen every day. While most of these incidents occur at home or on your own property, many occur elsewhere, often because a property owner or manager was not taking proper care of their premises. Many of these falls in Powder Springs can result in serious injuries.
An unexpected fall can be take you by surprise, leaving you time to brace for impact—and increasing the likelihood of severe injuries. No matter what the circumstances, it’s a good idea to get help from a Powder Springs slip and fall lawyer.
At John Foy & Associates, we only represent victims. We don’t defend property owners or work for insurance companies. We want to help people just like you get the money damages you deserve after a slip and fall accident. You have the power to take action no matter how serious your fall.
Let us give you a free consultation. Give us a call at (404) 400-4000 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
How do I Prove My Slip and Fall Case?
There are two basic facts that you must prove to win a slip and fall case:
- The property owner or manager actually knew about the condition that caused your slip and fall. Or, they should have known about the situation—if they had been attentive to maintaining their property.
- You, on the other hand, were unaware of the dangerous condition that resulted in your slip and fall.
Even if one of these facts gets called into question, there are circumstances where you may be able to get settlement money from an insurance company or property owner anyway, although these are situations where it’s particularly important to get the advice of a lawyer early on.
Proving that a property owner knew about the condition can be tricky. But a good lawyer can present evidence that make it clear that the property owner knew. For example, if someone else had already slipped and fell because of the same condition, the owner probably knew about it. Or perhaps the property owner was the one that caused the hazard in the first place.
In other situations, the hazard that caused your fall has been there so long that the property owner must have known about it—even if you, as a visitor, did not. It’s often possible to pull records relating to maintenance and the number of people on staff—all of which may support your case. Your attorney will be able to help you gather and present this type of information to an insurance company or to the local courts.
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The 4 Most Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents often blame themselves, worrying that they weren’t paying attention to where they were going or didn’t have great shoes. But there are many situations where your slip and fall is actually due to someone else’s carelessness. In those circumstances, you may have a legal claim that can help you address things like medical expenses and lost wages.
Below are the most common causes of slip and fall accidents. Some of them result in legal liability while others won’t. But, keep in mind that even if you are partially at fault for your fall, you may still be able to bring a lawsuit. You should always talk to a slip and fall lawyer to work through your options—the only way you will know for sure is if you ask!
1. Wet and Uneven Surfaces
When surfaces are dangerous because they are uneven or slick, that can cause serious injuries. Things like loose floorboards are unexpected, and you likely will not be on the lookout for them while visiting someone else’s property—because you assume that a property owner will take care of these dangerous conditions.
Other examples of uneven surfaces include broken sidewalks, torn or “bubbled” carpeting, and loose mats. Locations that collect moisture or that have recently been cleaned can also create slippery surfaces.
2. Weather Conditions
Snow and ice are more of a problem for customers who live much further north than those in the City of Powder Springs. But, accumulating water or even dew can still be hazardous. In situations where ice or snow appears, property owners need to take steps to ensure that their property is safe for customers, whether they scrape off sidewalks or put down salt.
3. Improper Training
Falls that occur in the workplace are actually very common. In many situations, those falls occur because an employer or supervisor did not train employees to put away hazardous materials or equipment correctly. Those situations are more likely to trigger a workers’ compensation claim than a slip and fall lawsuit.
Improper training can also come into play when you are a customer who is harmed by debris that should have been cleaned up by employees. For example, in grocery stores, employees are usually supposed to put a warning sign that a wet floor is nearby when there is a spill or cleaning is occurring. But, when an employee doesn’t take the proper steps to address problem areas, that can lead to your slip and fall—and legal responsibility.
4. Footwear
Wearing the right shoes can significantly cut down on falls. If you know that you are going to be walking in an area that could be dangerous, wearing shoes that have good traction is a must.
But, you likely don’t know when you are going to be walking in a potentially hazardous area—that means that a property owner needs to keep the location safe no matter what kind of shoes you are wearing. While the wrong footwear is more likely to cause a fall, the fact that you are wearing six-inch heels, for example, should have little to no effect on your slip and fall claim in Powder Springs.
Ultimately, these are countless ways a slip and fall can happen—and many of them are not the victim’s fault. No matter how your fall happened, get help from a lawyer as soon as possible.
Talk to a Powder Springs Slip and Fall Lawyer for Free
Slip and fall accidents can be overwhelming. Don’t feel like there’s nothing you can do. You can often win compensation for your losses—and it’s often much more than you expect. Let our team give you a FREE consultation to get you started.
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
