ATLANTA SLIP & FALL ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

PREMISES LIABILITY CLAIMS

Each year, many thousands of people in Atlanta are injured due to slips and falls on wet floors, rough patches of ground, or defective stairs. Sometimes, the owner of the premises is responsible for these accidents. Owners need to be diligent in keeping their property safe for all patrons. However, in some cases, they cannot be held accountable for slip and fall accidents.

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE LIABILITY FOR A SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENT?

For an owner to be held responsible for a slip and fall accident in Atlanta, at least one of the following must be true:

  • An employee on or owner of the property caused the spill, slippery or dangerous surface, or worn or torn spot to be underfoot.
  • An employee on or owner of the property knew of the dangerous surface but didn’t act.
  • An employee on or owner of the property should have known of the dangerous surface because a “reasonable” person would have.
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Dangerous stairs

HOW tO PROVE premises liability cases

An experienced slip and fall accident lawyer will help prove negligence in your case by conducting a thorough investigation to pinpoint negligent behavior that caused your injuries. These critical tasks will ensure that you are properly compensated:

  • Investigate if there is any video or audio footage of the scene of the accident. Request and ensure any existing video or audio footage are preserved.
  • Review police or incident reports, photographs, and witness statements.
  • Review company logbooks for safety regulation compliance in spill incidents.
  • Accident scene reconstruction and analyses are crucial in any slip and fall accident case.

SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS SPOTLIGHT: CONDOS AND APARTMENTS

In Atlanta, apartment buildings and condos; are frequent sites of slip and fall incidents. Whether it’s uneven flooring, objects left in the hallways, slippery walkways, or other dangerous conditions, apartment owners have a duty to keep their property safe.

Condos are slightly more complicated. Condo owners are responsible for anything that happens on their property. However, if you have been injured in a common area, you may be entitled to compensation.

For a homeowner’s association to be held responsible, the following must be proven:

  • Your contract states the HOA has a duty to take care of the common area.
  • This duty was breached by the HOA (i.e. they knew about the dangerous condition and did nothing about it).
  • The breach of duty led to your injury or injuries.

SLIP AND FALL HAZARDS IN ATLANTA

A slip and fall or trip and fall accident can happen anywhere – a store, a business, on a public street or sidewalk, in a private home, in a supermarket. They can happen at any time leading to significant injuries as a traumatic brain injury (TBI), head injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries and even death. Additionally, it can also lead to mounting medical bills, lost wages and other out of pocket expenses that create a devastating financial burden.

Victims of slip and falls aren’t always just pedestrians or patrons at a retail store. Hagen Rosskopf has represented numerous slip and fall accident claims against city municipal entities on behalf of bicyclists after injuries caused by potholes and hazards on the road.

Common locations for falls in Atlanta include:

  • Slippery floors due to wetness from spills. This is commonly seen in retail stores, supermarkets, grocery stores, shopping malls, etc.
  • Cluttered hallways, aisles and other walkways.
  • Staircases and ramps including stairways with broken or loose stair treads or handrails
  • Poorly lit areas
  • Ladders and scaffolding
  • Uneven surfaces and unstable surfaces. This is common on sidewalks and parking lots.
  • Damaged storm drains

DEALING WITH AN INSURANCE COMPANY IN GEORGIA WITH SLIP AND FALL CASES

If an injured person voluntarily walked into a dangerous condition, a property owner may not be held responsible for the dangerous conditions under the law. Due to this, many insurance companies for owners of property will attempt to avoid liability and claim that the victim could have avoided the dangerous condition. Before you speak to any insurance company, it is crucial to talk to an experienced slip and fall attorney. If you have suffered a slip and fall or trip and fall accident on someone’s else property you should protect your rights. Premises liability is a complex area of law, but victims of slip and fall accidents can prevail in legal claims. An experienced Atlanta accident lawyer will protect your rights in these cases.

WHY DO I NEED A TRIAL LAWYER FOR MY SLIP AND FALL CLAIM?

Sometimes negotiations are not successful, and you will need to take your case to court. We understand that you probably want to avoid a lengthy court case, however a settlement is still possible after filing a lawsuit in Atlanta. The realities of a costly and time-consuming trial often act as a catalyst to get settlement negotiations going. This is when being represented by an attorney experienced in slip and fall cases who is comfortable in the courtroom, and who has a deep understanding of the litigation process can make the difference in the outcome of your lawsuit.

The attorneys at Hagen Rosskopf have spent years honing their skills as personal injury litigators handling property damage and injury claims in State, Superior, and Federal courts in counties all over Georgia. Their trial and litigation experience allows them to fully understand the value of your case; and advise you on your options for your unique situation. An experienced trial lawyer can better serve you. The insurance companies know that Hagen Rosskopf is a litigation law firm that is not afraid to take negligent property owners to court.

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Slipping on wet floor

Ready to discuss your slip & fall?