Every year thousands of individuals suffer injuries from slip and fall accidents due to another person’s negligence. Although a slip and fall accident can occur in a multitude of ways, some seem to be the most common source of injuries. They are:
- Spills
- Freshly mopped or waxed floors
- Rain, snow, or ice
- Uneven flooring or stairs
- Poor lighting
- Broken, loose, or missing handrails
- Gravel and other debris
If any of the above-listed causes of slip and falls can be attributed to negligence by the property owner or manager, you could be eligible to file a claim. Contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation.
What are the Legal Elements of Slip and Fall Accidents?
To win a slip and fall case, there are four legal elements that your attorney must be able to prove. If any of these elements are absent, you will have difficulty recovering compensation. The four elements are:
- Owed duty in that the property owner owed you a legal “duty of care” to keep their property free of potential hazards and maintain a safe environment.
- Knowledge is the reasonable assumption the property owner should have had about the hazard or potentially dangerous condition.
- Hazard where the dangerous condition was present. Just because you fall does not automatically entitle you to file a slip and fall accident claim.
- Damages are the injuries you suffered due to the slip and fall accident. Even if you fell but were not injured, you most likely will not be able to file a claim.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover in a Slip and Fall Accident?
If it is determined that your slip and fall accident was indeed caused by negligence, you may be entitled to recover a settlement for your injuries. Some of the most often awarded damages are:
- Medical expenses are meant to cover the out-of-pocket expenses that you have had to pay and will have to pay for medical bills, doctor and hospital visits, as well as prescription medications.
- Lost wages due to your inability to work.
- Loss of future earnings if you are unable to resume the same type of employment due to your injuries.
- Pain and suffering for the physical pain that you have endured.
- Mental anguish for the stress and anxiety that the accident may have caused you.
- Loss of enjoyment of life when you cannot participate in the same activities that you previously enjoyed.
Is There a Time Limit to File a Slip and Fall Claim?
Under the Georgia statute of limitations, injury victims have up to two years to file a claim from the date that the accident occurred. Even though two years seems like a sufficient amount of time to file a claim for injuries, do not hesitate to start the legal process immediately. Time can quickly get away from you, and if you try to file after the two-year period is over, the court will not hear your case.
How Can a Slip and Fall Attorney Help Me After I Have Been Injured?
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you need to seek legal representation immediately. A slip and fall attorney can file the necessary insurance paperwork to get the legal process started. They can also examine all of the evidence and help determine if there are multiple issues with liability and who should be held accountable for your accident.
Contact our law firm by calling 706-420-2949 to schedule a free case evaluation.