Fundamentals of Georgia Premises Liability

By Grant Law Office on July 14, 2011

Land and property owners in Georgia have a responsibility to keep their property safe and in good repair for visitors, be it a grocery store, bank, shopping mall, doctor’s office or parking lot. If the property owner does not fulfill this responsibility, visitors, or invitees, may be entering dangerous conditions resulting from faulty construction, poor or improper maintenance, and even negligent security. If the dangerous condition causes injury, the Georgia property owner may be held liable for any losses suffered by the injured victim.

According to Georgia code § 51-3-1, “Where an owner or occupier of land, by express or implied invitation, induces or leads others to come upon his premises for any lawful purpose, he is liable in damages to such persons for injuries caused by his failure to exercise ordinary care in keeping the premises and approaches safe.”

The most common type of premises liability accident in Georgia is a slip and fall or trip and fall accident. These types of accidents are usually caused by poor construction or a poorly maintained surface or space. It may be a puddle of water in the middle of a hallway floor, obtrusive boxes stacked in a doorway, crumbled stairs in a parking garage, a door handle that comes loose, or even lack of walkway lighting. Slip or trip and fall accidents may cause simple bruises and scrapes, but, oftentimes, result in more serious injuries, such as fractured bones and traumatic brain injuries.

Serious injuries require serious medical care, which is accompanied by expensive medical costs. If a Georgia property owner is negligent and does not lawfully maintain their property reasonably, it increases the risk of a property injury accident. If you or a loved one has been injured on another’s property as a result of negligent care, you may be entitled to compensation. At The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. our knowledgeable premises liability lawyers in Atlanta can help you understand your legal rights and the personal injury claim process. Contact us today to learn more at 404-995-3955.