When you go out, whether you are visiting a store, hotel, or other public place, you expect to be safe. Unfortunately, your safety does not come first to all business owners. While they have obligations to keep their public places safe for customers, it does not always happen. Slip and fall accidents, among other dangers, occur every day.
If you have injuries due to a slip and fall accident that resulted from the negligence of a public facility, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. Having an experienced premises liability attorney can help you know your rights and determine what legal option is best for your situation.
What is Premises Liability?
The state of Georgia has laws that make operators and owners of businesses and other public places responsible for conditions that could be dangerous to people on their property. The law says that it is their responsibility to be sure that the people who visit their property are safe.
Georgia law says that the owner of land, by expressed or implied invitation, who has others come upon that land, is responsible for the injuries and damages that a person sustains as a result of the owner’s failure to exercise ordinary upkeep and care of the premises.
What is an Unsafe Premise?
There are a number of things that may create an unsafe premise in the state of Georgia; they can include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
- Hazards and holes near a construction site
- Wet or icy sidewalks and stairs
- Swimming pools without proper fencing
- Falling debris
- Lack of security
- Defective or poorly maintained stairs, elevators, or escalators
- Water leaks, fires, and flooding
Unsafe premises apply to places beyond businesses, hotels, and restaurants. Any types of business or governmental agency, as well as private homeowners, are subject to the laws of premises liability if they have not maintained their property adequately.
Steps to Help Your Case if You Have a Slip and Fall Accident
If you have sustained injuries in a slip and fall accident caused by the negligence of another party, there are several things you can do that could help your case, including the following:
- Gather the names of the owners and managers of the property where the accident took place, as well as the names and contact information for any witnesses who saw the accident when it happened.
- If you have injuries, immediately seek medical attention and be sure that a doctor documents what caused your injuries.
- Avoid making any statements to the property owner or manager, or insurance adjusters. Even if you feel like you were partly at fault, never admit it in a statement to another party.
- If you are able to, take pictures of the area in which the accident occurred as well as your injuries. Save your clothing and footwear that you were wearing at the time of the accident.
Contact a Premises Liability Attorney
One of the most important steps you should take if you injure yourself in a slip and fall accident is to contact a knowledgeable attorney who handles cases similar to yours. There is a strict statute of limitations regarding this type of accident. In most cases, you have two years from the time of your accident to file a claim. The attorneys at Lankford & Moore Law have experience helping clients who have been injured in slip and fall accidents just like yours. Contact them today for a consultation.
