When you legally enter someone’s property or business, you are entitled to a certain level of safety. An owner’s lack of care in maintaining their premises could have disastrous consequences for people who end up injured by dangerous conditions.
Talk to an experienced personal injury attorney to determine if you qualify for financial relief from the property owner who failed to properly maintain their space. Because the laws that apply to these kinds of accidents are state-specific, consulting with a Riverdale slip and fall lawyer could give you the best insight.
Liability for a Slip and Fall Accident
Not all falls that occur on someone else’s property can create owner liability for the damages. The state law Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 51-3-1 mandates property owners to exercise reasonable levels of care in keeping their properties safe and free from hazards. In order for the property owner to be liable for a slip and fall injury, the injured person will need to convince the court that the owner failed to reach the required level of care and that in doing so, they caused an injury that would not have occurred if due care was provided.
“Reasonable care” in these cases generally includes a duty to fix a dangerous condition, like a hole in a floor, when it is reasonable for the owner to know about the issue and have time to fix it before someone is hurt, or a duty to not create hazards that could injure someone on their premises.
Purpose of Visit
Different rules apply depending on what kind of property the person was on at the time of the accident and what their purpose was for being there. Slipping and falling on a wet floor at a store while shopping will have different standards than slipping on a wet floor in a friend’s kitchen during a social visit.
There are three main categories of injured people in premises liability cases:
- Invitee: specifically invited to the property by the owner or who visits a public shop; usually benefits the owner in some way
- Licensee: allowed to enter a property for their own purposes and not necessarily for the benefit of the owner; for example, a social guest
- Trespasser: enters a property without the owner’s permission
A Riverdale slip and fall attorney could help apply the correct law to a case to increase the chances of winning the suit. With countless victories, Attorney Robert James never settles for less than his clients deserve and is not afraid to take a case all the way to trial.
Compensation for a Slip and Fall Injury
When someone is injured after slipping and falling on someone else’s property, they may be able to receive financial compensation for economic damages (like the cost of medical care) as well as noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering. Determining which costs could be covered will be very specific to the circumstances of each case, which is another area that a slip and fall attorney in Riverdale could help navigate.
The good news is that Georgia does not place a cap on the amount of money one can receive in a slip and fall accident lawsuit – provided that the amount is justifiable under the circumstances. The bad news is that if the court thinks an injured person’s actions contributed to their injury, they may deny part or all of a claim, per O.C.G.A. § 51-11-7.
Build Your Case With a Riverdale Slip and Fall Attorney
When you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, the owners of the land or business where your accident occurred could be liable for covering your medical bills and repaying wages you lost because you were out of work during your recovery. They may even owe you extra amounts to help compensate for your pain and suffering.
It can be hard to build and present a legal case on your own, especially when you are trying to recover from an injury. A Riverdale slip and fall lawyer could help you figure out which laws apply to your case. With over 25 years of extensive trial experience and dedicated client care, Attorney Robert James is ready to help you fight in court. Reach out to our firm now to get started.
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