Slipping and falling is more than just an embarrassing accident. It can be incredibly dangerous. Many people are severely injured in slip and fall accidents, and property owners might be liable.
If you suffer a severe injury, you may need help paying for medical bills and other expenses. You could, in theory, sue property owners for their damages in premises liability lawsuits. Property owners are responsible for making sure their property is safe for guests. The owners might be liable when guests trip because of unsafe property conditions. Many slips happen outside on icy or wet walkways, or inside on wet floors or uneven stairs. You can recover damages for medical expenses in addition to things like lost income from missing work because of your injuries. A competent law firm will help you assess how much damage there is, find and accumulate evidence, and prepare for a presentation in court.
If you experienced an accident of some kind on someone else’s property, like at someone’s home or in a store or business, our attorneys can help you. For a free case review, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
Premises Liability Lawsuits For Slip & Falls
Such accidents fall under the category of premises liability. A premises liability lawsuit is based on the concept that property owners are legally responsible for making their properties safe for guests, both invited and uninvited. If you are hurt on another person’s property, be it a private residence, public space, or business, our Alpharetta slip and fall lawyers can help you file a lawsuit for damages.
According to premises liability laws, property owners owe their guests a legal duty of care to make the property safe. This involves removing or repairing any known hazards or unsafe conditions. For example, if your neighbor is planning on having you over for dinner and they know their front stairs are rickety and uneven, they have a duty to repair the stairs before you come over.
Property owners’ legal duties also include making reasonable inspections for possible unknown hazards. Even if the property owners believe their property is safe, they must check their property for possible hazards they missed. This might involve regular maintenance, daily cleaning, and inspections of hazardous equipment. These inspections need only be reasonable, and property owners are not expected to turn their properties upside down looking for all possible hazards.
For the most part, this duty of care is owed to guests that are explicitly invited and those that might not be invited but can be reasonably expected. For example, a social guest invited over for dinner is an expected guest. A delivery person dropping off a package at the front porch is not an invited guest but should still be reasonably expected.
Property owners do not owe a duty of care to unknown trespassers. Anyone trespassing on a property without the owner’s knowledge or consent is owed no safety duty. If unsafe property conditions hurt an unknown trespasser, the trespasser has very limited legal recourse.
Where You Might Slip & Fall in Alpharetta, GA
You can trip, fall, or slip nearly anywhere. Private property, public property, and stores and businesses are just a few examples. It is important to discuss where your accident happened with our Alpharetta injury lawyers so we can identify the correct property owner to hold liable.
Wet or icy walkways are common pitfalls. During rainy weather or wintertime, wet and icy walkways and sidewalks are a serious hazard. In many neighborhoods, property owners are legally responsible for clearing the walkways in front of their homes for the safety of passersby. If they do not, people walking down the sidewalk might slip and be seriously injured.
Spills in a restaurant or a bar often cause unsuspecting guests to fall. Spilled beverages are common where food is served, and restaurant or bar staff members should clean up spills right away. If the business fails to clean up or place adequate warnings (i.e., wet floor signs), they might be liable for any adverse outcomes.
Hard to detect hazards, like uneven stairs and floors, cause many accidents. Uneven floors or crooked stairs are not always easy to spot just by looking at them. Many people do not realize the floor or stairs are uneven until it is too late. Property owners must inspect for these kinds of hazards, or they may be responsible for someone’s injuries.
Damages You Can Recover in Alpharetta Slip and Fall Lawsuits
“Wipeouts” are often brushed off as minor embarrassments. The truth is they can be very dangerous, and people are often badly injured. Possible injuries might include broken bones, sprains, and injuries to the head, neck, and back. Perhaps slipping and hitting your head on the hard ground is the biggest risk, and falling off stairs or ledges can lead to catastrophic injuries in some cases.
Our lawyers can help you claim economic damages in your lawsuit. These damages include medical bills, lost income from missing work, and other expenses related to your accident and injuries.
You might also be able to claim non-economic damages stemming from your accident. These damages are not connected to actual money lost or spent, and their value is based on the plaintiff’s subjective experience. For example, emotional and physical pain and suffering may be claimed, and we can assess these damages based on how deeply they impact your daily life.
Contact an Alpharetta Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property and experienced injuries, you can sue the property owner for your damages. Our attorneys can help you determine your damages and collect evidence to begin your case. For a free case review, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
