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What Should You Do if You’ve Suffered a Slip and Fall Accident?
A slip and fall accident is a variety of personal injury incident that occurs when someone trips, slips, or falls because of a hazardous condition on someone else’s property. These accidents fall under the broad umbrella of premises liability cases and can happen in various locations, such as businesses, private homes, or public spaces. Frequent causes of slip and fall accidents include uneven surfaces, wet or slippery floors, poor lighting, or obstacles in walkways.
No one expects to get hurt by tripping on a cracked sidewalk or slipping on a spilled product at the grocery store. Unfortunately, these seemingly minor mishaps can result in substantial injuries that can affect your ability to work and may leave you with long-term pain and mobility issues. Slip and fall accidents can result in a wide range of bodily harm, from minor bruises and lacerations to more severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), broken bones, or spinal cord damage. In certain cases, these accidents may even lead to fatalities, particularly among older adults.
If you experience a slip and fall accident in Georgia, taking immediate action to protect your health and legal rights is crucial. Performing the following steps after your accident can safeguard your well-being and reinforce any future personal injury claims. However, keep in mind that the circumstances surrounding every accident are different. If you have any questions or concerns about your specific case, you should reach out to a skilled premises liability attorney who can provide personalized answers and guidance.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
Your health and safety should always be the primary concern following any accident. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don’t believe your injuries are severe. Some injuries, like concussions or internal bleeding, may not be apparent right away, but could have serious consequences if left untreated. Prompt medical care ensures your well-being and also creates an official record of your injuries. Your medical records can provide valuable evidence if you decide to pursue a legal claim.
Thoroughly Document the Accident Scene
The conditions that caused your accident may be transient. A dangerously icy sidewalk or a wet floor can rapidly become a dry, safe surface. Property owners may also quickly fix potentially harmful issues following an accident, so timely documentation of the location is essential. Take videos or photographs of the hazardous condition that caused your fall, as well as the surrounding area. If there were any witnesses to the accident, try to obtain their contact information. You should also report the incident to the property owner, manager, or appropriate authority. Request a copy if an incident report is filed.
The defendant may claim you were responsible for the accident due to inappropriate footwear, overlooking a clear and obvious hazard, or other reasons. To support your case, you should preserve any evidence related to the accident, such as the clothing and shoes you were wearing at the time. If you were seriously injured, you may have been unable to document the location at the time of the accident. In this situation, you, your lawyer, or another trusted individual should return as soon as possible to gather additional information or take more detailed photographs.
Carefully Track How Your Slip and Fall Accident Has Impacted Your Life
Recovering maximum compensation requires a precise accounting of all the damages you have experienced due to your slip and fall accident injuries. To bolster your claim, you should maintain detailed records of all expenses and losses related to your accident. This information will be vital in calculating the full extent of your damages and seeking a fair settlement for your injuries. Applicable proof may include documents detailing your medical expenses, lost wages, transportation costs for medical appointments, and any other out-of-pocket expenses. Keeping a journal that discusses how the injury has affected your daily life, including any pain, limitations, or emotional distress you experience, can also help support your claims for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Consult With a Knowledgeable Premises Liability Attorney
Property owners in Georgia have a duty to visitors to maintain their premises in a condition that is reasonably safe. However, proving liability in a slip and fall case can be difficult. You must be able to show that the property owner was aware or should have been aware of the dangerous condition and did not take steps to address it in a timely manner. Remember that under Georgia’s statute of limitations, you typically only have two years from the accident date to bring a personal injury lawsuit, so it’s crucial to consult with a trusted attorney as soon as possible to ensure you meet all necessary deadlines.
An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the often complex legal process, gather additional evidence, and deal with insurance companies on your behalf. Your lawyer can assess the strength of your case and advise you on the potential value of your claim based on factors such as lost wages, medical treatment expenses, and pain and suffering. Keep in mind that Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence system. Under this system, if you are found to be 50% or more at fault for the accident, you may be barred from recovering compensation. Your attorney can help make certain you are not unfairly blamed for the accident and your rights are thoroughly protected during the legal process.
How Can Our Law Firm Assist You?
At Benton & Benton Law, we have extensive experience providing unparalleled representation to injured clients. Every slip and fall accident is unique, and we take a personalized approach to building a robust claim that seeks justice for the harm you have suffered. We believe negligent property owners should be held responsible for their actions, and injured victims should receive fair compensation for their losses. We have an unwavering commitment to ensuring our clients recover a fair settlement. If you or a loved one have been injured in a Georgia slip and fall accident, contact our Monroe law firm at 866-927-4290 to schedule a free initial consultation with our helpful legal team.
