Georgia premises liability law requires property owners, occupiers, and managers to keep their property reasonably free from hazards that might injure visitors. They are also required to warn visitors of potential hazards. If a Grayson property owner or other responsible party was negligent and you suffered a slip and fall injury as a result, you have the right to pursue compensation for your losses.
To win money in a slip and fall accident claim, you must be able to demonstrate that a property owner’s negligence caused your injuries. In some cases, this is more difficult than it sounds, especially when property owners or their insurance providers do everything they can to minimize or deny your claim.
The dedicated Grayson slip and fall injury lawyers of Cain Injury Law are ready to help you pursue the financial recovery and peace of mind you deserve. We know the shady tactics insurance companies use to challenge rightful claims for compensation. We have the resources to fight back.
Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you in a free, no-obligation case review.
What Do You Have to Prove in a Grayson Slip and Fall Claim?
To establish a valid claim for a Grayson slip and fall accident, you must be able to prove several things about your case. Most property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe, so one important element of any slip and fall claim is to show that a property owner failed in that duty. You can do this by demonstrating that a property owner knew or should have known about a hazard on their property and did nothing to repair it before it caused your injury.
Another critical element you’ll need to prove is that you were injured as a direct result of the owner’s failure to keep their property safe. Simply being injured on someone else’s property is not reason enough to hold them responsible. You must demonstrate that the owner did not address a hazardous condition on their property and that the hazardous condition was the direct cause of your injury.
Finally, to recover compensation for your claim, you will need to show that the slip and fall accident caused you physical injury, pain, psychological distress, or property damage. While the first two elements help to demonstrate that a negligent property owner was at fault for your injuries, this third element establishes what your claim is worth. The money you could ultimately receive for your claim is intended to compensate you for the losses you suffered as a result of your injury. You must be able to prove precisely what those losses were.
How Can a Grayson Slip and Fall Attorney Help?
Even if it seems obvious to you that a property owner was responsible for the conditions that caused your injuries, slip and fall cases are often not easy to prove. Extensive investigations are usually necessary to establish the owner’s negligence and hold them financially accountable.
This is where an experienced personal injury attorney comes in. The Grayson slip and fall lawyers of Cain Injury Law can support your claim by:
- Conducting a thorough investigation of the accident scene
- Identifying the contributing factors that caused your slip and fall
- Consulting with experts to reconstruct the scene of your accident
- Requesting medical records that establish a causal link between your fall accident and subsequent injuries
- Collecting evidence to dispute claims that you were responsible for your injuries
- Handling communications with other parties on your behalf
- Calculating the value of your claim and helping you determine whether any settlement offers you receive are reasonable
- Negotiating aggressively to maximize the compensation you receive
- Representing you in court, if the property owner’s insurance provider refuses to offer a reasonable settlement amount
Compensation Available in a Slip and Fall Settlement
Assuming that you have a valid slip and fall accident claim, how much compensation could you be eligible to recover? In short, it depends on the nature of your accident, the extent of your injuries, how your injuries affect your life – and the amount of insurance coverage available.
Compensation in slip and fall accident cases is generally available for losses, such as:
- Past and future medical bills – Successful slip and fall claims are typically at least worth the cost of any past and future medical expenses related to the treatment of your injuries.
- Incidental expenses – If you incur transportation costs from things like traveling to doctor’s appointments, you may be entitled to recover compensation that reimburses you for those costs.
- Lost wages – Some slip and fall injuries may be serious enough to prevent you from returning to work. You can pursue compensation for the value of any wages you would have earned if you hadn’t been injured.
- Lost future earning capacity – Severe slip and fall cases that cause debilitating injuries or long-term disabilities may prevent you from performing the work you did before the accident. If you are incapable of earning as much as you could have before the accident, you can seek compensation for lost earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering – Pain and suffering compensation is designed to repay you for the physical and psychological distress that you endured because of your injuries. In many cases, the cost of your medical expenses is used as a starting point to calculate the value of pain and suffering compensation.
- Punitive damages – If the property owner responsible for your injuries was egregiously negligent or intentionally malicious, you could be eligible for punitive damages. Punitive damages are only awarded in rare circumstances and are intended to punish at-fault parties.
Common Places Where Slip and Fall Accidents Happen
Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere properties are not maintained appropriately and owners fail to warn visitors of potential hazards. However, certain locations tend to present a greater risk for slip and fall than others.
Common places where slip and fall accidents happen include:
- Grocery and other retail stores
- Bars and restaurants
- Theaters, hotels, and resorts
- Stadiums and sports arenas
- Parks and public playgrounds
- Amusement parks and pools
- Construction sites and other workplaces
- Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
- Parking lots and garages
- Escalators and elevators
- Staircases, especially those without handrails
- Sidewalks and walkways
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
When business or property owners fail to properly maintain their properties or warn visitors of possible hazards, people can get hurt in slip and fall accidents. Some of the most common reasons for Grayson slip and fall accidents include:
- Spills or slippery surfaces – Floors that are wet from cleaning, spilled liquids, or accumulated snow or ice are common slip and fall hazards. Even clean floors can be dangerous due to excessive polish or wax buildup, for example.
- Uneven or damaged flooring – Uneven sidewalks, broken floor tiles, or bunched-up carpeting can cause visitors to fall after losing their footing.
- Clutter or debris – If walkways, store aisles, or parking lots are littered with clutter or debris, guests may slip and fall as they attempt to maneuver around.
- Broken staircases or steps – If visitors climb stairs that wobble or break when stepped on, they can be thrown off balance and fall as a result.
- Missing or loose handrails – Handrails are an important safety feature for staircases, especially when steps are broken or slick from rain or ice.
- Inadequate lighting conditions – Bad lighting in staircases, hallways, and parking lots make it difficult for guests to see and avoid hazards like puddles or uneven floors.
- Potholes or ditches – Openings in the ground, including potholes, ditches, and manholes, should be covered or marked with warning signs so visitors know to avoid the potential danger.
What to Do If You Have Been Hurt in a Fall on Someone Else’s Property
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, it’s important to know what steps you can take to protect your rights. The Grayson slip and fall accident attorneys of Cain Injury Law recommend:
- Seeking medical attention – Your health should be the first priority after any slip and fall accident. Visit a doctor to make sure your injuries are documented and treated appropriately.
- Reporting the accident – No matter where your slip and fall occurred, be sure to notify the property owner or manager. It’s a good idea to make sure the details are preserved in a written report and to request a copy of the report before you leave.
- Documenting everything – Collect statements and contact information from any witnesses, take photos of the slip and fall accident scene, and write down everything you can remember about the incident while it’s fresh in your mind.
- Avoiding discussion of the accident – When you report the accident, avoid giving statements or unnecessary details to the property owner or their insurance carrier. Don’t post any information about it on social media, either.
- Contacting a slip and fall injury lawyer – Slip and fall cases are often complex, and liability is difficult to prove. The experience, knowledge, and resources of a slip and fall accident attorney can help you develop the strongest claim possible.
Talk to a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Grayson Now
Contact Cain Injury Law now to start taking action in your Grayson slip and fall accident case. Our free initial consultations are always confidential, and we do not collect fees unless we win money for you.
Click here to fill out our convenient online intake form.