$1,900,000
$7,000,000
$25,000,000
What Is a Slip and Fall Claim?
Slip and fall claims are when a person slips and falls on someone else’s property, resulting in physical and/or emotional damages. While these cases are commonly known as “slip and fall” cases, the legal term for it is “premises liability.” The legal term refers to who is responsible, or liable, for the premises on which the slip-and-fall incident happened. If the slip and fall could have been prevented, the person or business who maintains the premises where the incident happened could be found liable for the damages caused.
If you’ve suffered from a slip and fall it’s important you know what to do following the incident to ensure you get the compensation needed for a full recovery.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Injury
After suffering an injury from a slip and fall injury you’re likely to feel embarrassed, confused, and of course, hurt. It’s a disorienting experience and to ensure that you get the compensation you may need for your injuries, follow the steps below.
Seek Medical Attention
If you’re badly injured, or suspect that you might be, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. It’s natural to feel embarrassed after a slip and fall, but don’t risk further injury by attempting to simply walk off the incident. Seek the medical attention you need, the sooner the better.
Tell Someone About the Accident
As mentioned above, it’s natural to try and save yourself from embarrassment after a slip and fall and not share information about the incident with others. The best thing to do, however, is to report the incident to ensure that it is documented and that the no one else is placed in harms way.
Following the accident, speak to an owner or property manager to report the slip and fall,, specifically stating what caused the accident and the injuries involved. Avoid being angry or confrontational, simply report the facts and get contact information for the owner or manager.
Get Photographic and/or Video Evidence
Photos and videos can be some of your best evidence, and the sooner you get that photographic or video evidence of the scene, the better. It may even be wise to get photos and video prior to reporting the incident to a property owner or manager. Once you have reported the incident the scene could be cleaned up which could be out of a property owner or manager’s since desire to avoid further accidents.
Do your best, (or ask someone else), to get photos of what created the hazard. The more detail and context you can provide the more clear it will become to those who weren’t there.
Getting photos and video evidence of your injuries is also imperative. You’ll want to get photos of your injuries as soon as possible, and it may be wise to continue to document those injuries as time goes on, especially if the injuries take a turn for the worse.
Speak to Witnesses (and Get Their Contact Information)
If someone witnessed your fall it’s often likely they came to your aid, maybe to help you back up to your feet, or to help pull you away from the hazard. Ask them what they saw and make sure to get their contact information. If you are badly injured, they could be the ones to help you get photographs or videos, and in some cases they can help report the accident.
Having eyewitness accounts can be hugely helpful to your case, and the more witnesses you have, the better.
Be Careful What You Say, (in Life and Online)
If you attempt to brush off the slip and fall by telling people “you’re fine,” it could be used against you later. It seems harmless, but property owners or insurance companies will use these statements to minimize your compensation. Make sure you’re not blaming yourself for “being clumsy” if there’s a legitimate reason that you slipped and fell.
The same logic applies to what you say or post online after the incident. The best practice is to say nothing on social media until your claim has been finalized.
Talk to an Ellenwood Slip and Fall Lawyer (for Free)
Insurance companies tend to treat slip and fall accidents with a high amount of skepticism, meaning you’ll need clear evidence that you slipped and fell because of a hazardous condition. Our Ellenwood, Georgia legal team is deeply experienced in working with these types of claims and can help you get your due compensation following these difficult incidents. And we don’t charge any fees unless you win money, meaning you can avoid all financial risks involved.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Slip-and-Fall in Ellenwood, Georgia?
There’s no way to pinpoint a specific number, or even a range as every slip-and-fall claim is unique. Slip-and-fall incidents tend to be based on the extent of the damages involved with the incident and can include:
- Medical expenses
- Payments for ongoing treatement (including therapy)
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful death
A slip-and-fall personal injury lawyer from the Millar Law Firm can help you get a more clear understanding of what kind of compensation to expect from your settlement, and there is no fee unless and until we win money for you. Our goal is to get you the help you need without financial risk involved.
When is an Ellenwood Property Owner Responsible in a Slip and Fall Accident?
Under the Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) Title 51 Chapter 3 Article 1, property owners are liable for damages caused by a failure to exercise ordinary care to keep the premises safe.
In other words, property owners must take reasonable steps to ensure their premises (or property) is maintained and safe. They key word here, however, is ‘reasonable.’ Owners are not expected to continuously patrol their property for hazards, as that would be unreasonable. It’s far more likely that a property owner would be found responsible for a slip and fall accident if they had known of the hazard and not done anything to remove it.
How long do you have to report a slip and fall injury in Georgia?
The statute of limitations for slip and fall accidents in Georgia is the same as for other personal injury claims. You typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, per O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33.
Millar Law Firm has the top Slip and Fall Lawyers in Georgia
The Millar Law Firm has been representing slip and fall accident victims in Georgia since 1993. Over the past 30 years, our lawyers have recovered millions of dollars in fair compensation for our clients.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident resulting in medical bills and costs that aren’t your fault, let us help you. We will review your case and go over the details of your accident to explore your options for a claim. We are deeply committed to getting you the compensation you deserve, and the sooner you start the process, the better your chances are of securing compensation.
Call us today at 770-400-0000. Our phones are answered 24/7.