Injured In A Georgia Slip-And-Fall Accident?

At the law firm of Wells and McElwee P.C., we are lawyers who accept the challenge of seeking damages for people injured in slip-and-fall accidents. These can be tough cases. Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether the plaintiff or the defendant was in a better position to spot the hazard and avoid the accident. Sometimes it’s hard to prove damages for soft tissue injuries to knees, shoulders, or other joints.

No matter how your accident occurred, contact a skilled personal injury attorney at our Athens law firm for a free consultation about your legal options. Our experience with investigating slip-and-fall cases, our knowledge of Georgia premises liability law, and our commitment to the welfare of our clients can all help you resolve your slip-and-fall case on favorable terms.

We Know How To Deal With Problems Of Proof In Slip-And-Fall Claims

In most premises liability cases, the plaintiff alleges that the property owner was negligent in allowing a dangerous condition to cause an injury. The owner most commonly defends the claim by arguing that the accident resulted from the plaintiff’s own negligence.

In some cases, the injured party had no real opportunity for protection against a hazard, as in the case of an object falling from overhead. In certain other cases, however, the accident resulted from the victim’s own carelessness. Sometimes a combination of these factors causes an injury that may still result in a claim. The only way to find out whether you have a case is to talk to an attorney who understands this area of the law.

Get Your Injury Questions Answered Today

At Wells and McElwee P.C., we meet with many people who have been injured in slip-and-fall accidents, and they have a lot of questions. To help you get started, here are some of the most frequent questions we hear:

If I slipped and fell on city property, is the city responsible?

The city may be responsible for your injuries if negligence was involved. For instance, perhaps a sidewalk was damaged, the city officials knew about it and neglected to fix it, and then you tripped and fell. Or perhaps the city was responsible for snow and ice removal, but it was not carried out promptly. If the city was negligent in creating a dangerous condition or allowing one to exist, then they may be responsible for the cost of your injuries. Every case is unique, and our experienced team can help you explore your options.

How much money can I get for a slip-and-fall accident?

It depends on the case, and the advantage of working with an experienced lawyer is that you can explore all of the costs carefully. You could be facing immediate medical bills, long-term care costs, lost wages, lost future earning capacity and more. You may also be able to seek compensation for things like pain and suffering or the loss of enjoyment in life – such as if you suffered a serious spinal cord injury that means you can no longer enjoy your hobbies or play with your children.

Are other types of injuries besides slipping covered by premises liability?

Yes. Premises liability laws cover many injuries that may happen on someone’s property. For instance, if you’ve been bitten by a dog, the owner may be liable for medical bills and more. Another common issue is the attractive nuisance doctrine, which states that property owners need to take steps to keep children safe from known hazards. This is why backyard pools need to have locked gates, for instance, as property owners may be liable even if children were trespassing. The pool is considered an attractive nuisance and safety regulations must be followed.

Premises Liability Can Take Many Forms

The following examples of premises liability cases will give you an idea of the variety of ways injuries can result from negligent property maintenance:

• Slip-and-fall cases on slippery walkways, parking lots or stairwells
• Accidents in warehouse superstores, such as falling inventory or spills in aisles
• Injuries resulting from structural defects, such as roof collapses or broken handrails
• Falls in nursing homes or assisted living centers

Many of these cases will come down to a single issue: who was in a better position to know about the dangerous condition, the owner or the victim? With over 40 years of trial experience each, we know how to present the evidence that can prove the defendant’s liability.

Just as much as our clients benefit from our legal knowledge and skill in court, they also appreciate our personal approach to their problems. You’ll never feel like just another case file at Wells and McElwee P.C.

Legal Guidance After A Slip-And-Fall

Premises liability holds property owners responsible for injuries that occur on their property. This applies to both residential and commercial properties. Many different types of accidents can fall under premises liability law. Some of the most common types of accidents include:

• Slip- or trip-and-falls
• Burns
• Drownings
• Explosions

These accidents can lead to serious injuries that could limit your ability to work and live a life you enjoy. To prove a premises liability case, you must show that:

• The property owner owed a duty of care: The property owner’s duty of care is to keep their property safe and warn visitors of any potential dangers.
• The property owner breached their duty of care: A property owner breaches their duty of care if they fail to take reasonable steps to keep their property safe or if they fail to warn visitors of any potential dangers.
• The breach of duty of care caused your injuries: The breach of duty of care must be the proximate cause of your injuries. This means that the breach of duty of care must be the cause of the plaintiff’s injuries in fact and that the breach of duty of care must be the legal cause of the plaintiff’s injuries.
• The property owner’s negligence caused the injuries: The plaintiff’s injuries must be caused by the property owner’s negligence. This means that the plaintiff’s injuries must be caused by the property owner’s failure to take reasonable steps to keep their property safe or by the property owner’s failure to warn visitors of any potential dangers.

The damages you can recover will depend on the severity of your injuries. Some of the damages may include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages

Courts award punitive damages to punish the property owner for their negligence. While courts do not always award punitive damages, they may award them when the property owner’s negligence was particularly egregious.

Talk To A Lawyer About Your Slip-And-Fall Accident

For detailed information about your legal options in any personal injury situation, call us at 706-510-2815 or fill out our short form for a free consultation with a northeastern Georgia premises liability attorney.

We take slip-and-fall claims on a contingent fee basis. This means that unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you, we will not charge a fee.