Atlanta Slip-and-Fall Accident Attorneys

Can I Sue for a Slip-and-Fall Injury in Atlanta?

Human beings slip and fall with great frequency, no matter what part of the world they call home. But when said slips and falls take place on an unsafe job site, in front of a dilapidated apartment building, or simply down the street at a shopping mall in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area, Grant Law Office may be of assistance. Whether the incident came as a result of prolonged disregard or acute neglect, our Atlanta premises liability lawyers have consistently fought for a victim's right to suitable and just compensation for injuries.

The team at Grant Law Office has helped many slip-and-fall victims over the course of our 30-year history and would love to help you out. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to a property owner's failure to maintain his or her premises, you may be able to take legal action. Contact our office today at (404) 995-3955 to schedule a free case evaluation.

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Frequent Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Many slip and fall accidents are caused by poor property maintenance, when property or business owners fail to address slip or trip and fall hazards existing on the premises. Slip and fall accidents are frequently caused by:

• Water leaks
• Spills
• Slippery floors
• Icy sidewalks
• Loose carpeting
• Items left on the floor
• Debris left on stairsteps
• Uneven ground or sidewalks
• Parking lot holes
• Poor lighting

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Types of Injuries Caused by Slip and Falls

In the best case scenarios, slip and fall accidents can cause minor injuries, such as scrapes and bruises. In more serious cases, they can cause severe injuries that may have life-altering consequences for victims. Injuries commonly sustained in slip and falls include:

• Fractured bones: The impact of a fall can put too much stress on a bone. Wrists, ankles, and hips are commonly fractured in slip and fall accidents.
• Neck or shoulder injuries: This can happen when a victim lands on the neck or shoulder in a fall, or from overexertion in the attempt to prevent or break the fall. Injuries may include shoulder dislocation, broken collar bone, sprained neck muscles, or injury to the cervical spine.
• Traumatic brain injury: TBI can occur when the head hits the ground or an object in a fall. Severe brain injury can have devastating, long-term effects on a person’s quality of life.
• Hip fractures: Falls are by far the leading cause of hip fractures. A broken hip typically requires surgery and hospitalization and may require hip replacement.
• Back and spinal cord injuries: When the body lands hard on a surface in a slip and fall accident, the impact may be sufficient to fracture vertebrae or cause a herniated or slipped disc. When the spinal cord is injured, it can lead to paralysis below the level of the injury.

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How Georgia Law Distinguishes Between Invitees and Licensees in Slip and Fall Cases

Property owners have a higher duty of care to some types of visitors than to others.

• Under Georgia law, invitees place the highest standard of care on property owners. This type of visitor has been invited onto the property. The invitation can be express or implied, as is the invitation to customers by a store or restaurant open for business. Property owners have a duty to invitees to exercise reasonable care in maintaining the premises in a safe condition.
• Licensees are a category of visitors on the property for social, rather than business, purposes. Under Georgia law, licensees are neither customers, servants, nor trespassers, do not stand in any contractual relation with the property owner, and are permitted (express or implied) to go on the property for their own convenience, interests, or gratification. Property owners are only liable to licensees for willful or wanton injury.

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I've Slipped and Fallen - What Should I Do Now?

First and foremost, you should seek medical treatment, even if the injuries seem inconsequential. The smallest of fractures or trauma to various parts of the body can lead to serious results, so be sure to speak with a medical professional immediately.

Once you've been thoroughly examined and any wounds have been attended to by the appropriate doctor, you will want to speak with an Atlanta personal injury attorney from Grant Law Office. Our qualified legal team can help determine your best course of action in filing a claim. Do not delay. The state of Georgia has a statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits, and failing to meet these deadlines can result in the negation of your claim. Additionally, property owners may alter the site on which you were injured to hide their culpability.

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Observe and Report

Once you've received the appropriate medical treatment and spoken with a personal injury attorney, you'll want to gather up any potential evidence that could point to the at-fault party's negligence. This is the critical factor in any personal injury case - proving whether the other party is at fault and to what degree. A qualified slip-and-fall attorney can assist you with this investigation. Some of the key pieces you'll want to secure include:

• Photos and visual evidence of poorly maintained sidewalks, stairs, railings, escalators, walls, or any area of a locale that people regularly encounter throughout the day.
• Photos and visual evidence indicating the lack of signs warning of hazardous conditions and potential surface irregularities.
• Any evidence pointing to clear building or city code violations.
• Your own medical records, demonstrating the types of injuries you sustained as a result of the accident.

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What Kind of Compensation Can I Get?

Depending on the injury and its severity, you may have to spend time in the hospital and possibly have surgery. Slip-and-falls may seem like minor accidents, but they often result in chronic back injuries, broken bones, and concussions. These injuries can result in extensive hospitalization, multiple surgeries, permanent disabilities, and future cognitive issues. In a slip-and-fall personal injury claim, you may be entitled to compensation for any of the following:

• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent injury or disability
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Lost wages
• Hedonic damages for loss of joy of life
• And much more

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Where Fault Lies

In Atlanta slip-and-fall accidents, guilt usually falls upon the owner or manager of the property on which the accident occurred. This could include a real estate management company, a private owner, commercial vendor, landlord, city, or municipality. It is up to these individuals and entities to ensure the safety of people using the location. Failure to do so can result in severe legal action.

Grant Law Office has become all too familiar with the negligent behavior of many of these parties and the devastating impact it can have on innocent families. We've built up a strong reputation of holding these folks accountable for their negligence and getting appropriate compensation for those injured.

If you or a family member has sustained injuries from a slip-and-fall accident that could have been prevented, give our Atlanta personal injury lawyers a call today. Grant Law Office can help you weigh your options and plan the best course of action for your claim. Call (404) 995-3955 for a free consultation.

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Additional Information

• The Relationship Between Falls and TBIs
• When It’s More Than Just a Fall
• Proving Blame in Various Types of Slip-and-Fall Accidents
• What Causes a Georgia Slip and Fall Accident?
• Slips, Trips and Falls - NSC