Carpeting is a staple in most Johns Creek home and business decor. While carpet can make a home safer or more welcoming, it can also present a trip and fall risk. If you’ve fallen because of ripped or torn carpeting on someone’s property, you may be entitled to compensation.
Property owners and businesses have a duty to keep safe premises. If carpeting is hazardous in some way, that’s a liability. After a trip and fall on ripped or torn carpeting, it’s best to contact a Johns Creek lawyer.
Contact John Foy & Associates to learn your legal options. We can review your accident and determine what compensation you deserve. Call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to start with a free consultation today.
Common Injuries from a Trip and Fall on Carpeting
Falls are often serious and expensive, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Every year, three million older adults go to the emergency room for fall injuries. One in five falls leads to severe injury.
When you trip and fall, there’s little time to catch yourself or prevent damage. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Head trauma
- Broken bones
- Strains or sprains
- Neck, shoulder, or back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Serious cuts or bruising
Tragically, some trip and fall accidents are serious enough to cause death. Others might leave victims with disabling conditions. If you were injured from tripping and falling on carpeting, it’s important to know the full damage.
After your fall, see a doctor as quickly as you can. You might have injuries that you don’t fully feel at first. Seeing a doctor means a full exam that can uncover any other issues. Plus, documenting your medical treatment right after the accident is crucial for your injury claim.
Trip and fall injuries might prevent you from working for a long period of time. In some cases, an injury might force you to quit or work a lower-paying job. These are details to consider as you talk to a lawyer and build your case.
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How to Know Who’s Liable for Trip and Fall Injuries
Any trip and fall claim depends on “negligence.” Negligence is a lack of care that a careful person would otherwise have in a similar situation. In other words, it means someone has not been careful enough.
Property owners and businesses must be careful when they invite people onto their property. That includes keeping safe premises and preventing hazards like ripped or torn carpet. If an owner or business isn’t careful and an accident happens, the owner or business could be responsible.
Most people don’t think much about carpeting. But businesses should watch for any potential carpeting dangers. Ripped, torn, or defective carpet can easily cause someone to trip, fall, and become injured. If an injury accident does happen, the liable party may be:
- The property owner
- A business owner who occupies the property
- A private homeowner
- A city government
Most of the time, a property owner or business owner is at fault. But if the carpet is on public property, a government agency could be liable.
You might need to research who is responsible for the area where you fell. A trip and fall lawyer can also investigate to determine who was at fault. It’s best to work with a lawyer who has experience with trip or slip and fall cases.
Building Your Case for Compensation
If someone is liable for your injuries, you have rights. You can seek compensation through an insurance claim or lawsuit. If you were not at fault, you should not have to pay for the costs of an accident you didn’t cause.
Common trip and fall accident injuries include:
- Medical bills
- Prescription medications
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Medical costs and lost wages are examples of economic damages. Thankfully, you can prove these losses through bills and other documents. However, some damages are not so easy to demonstrate.
Pain and suffering are examples of non-economic damages. These losses do not have a set dollar amount. Your trip and fall lawyer will need to calculate these damages using a special formula.
Our lawyers can help determine your full damages after your accident. If ripped or torn carpeting caused your fall, reach out today. We can calculate your damages and help you build a strong claim. Call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a free consultation.
How to Build a Slip and Fall Claim
After your accident, there are things you can do to protect your legal rights. Besides contacting a lawyer, you can build your claim by:
- Taking pictures of the torn carpet where you fell
- Getting the names and contact information for any eyewitnesses
- Reporting your trip and fall to the property owner or business manager
- Getting medical attention as soon as possible
- Documenting all costs you have because of your injuries
Also, be careful of how you speak about the accident. Avoid apologizing, saying you were clumsy, or admitting fault in any way. The property owner or their insurance company will try to use anything you say against you.
A lawyer can help you gather evidence and deal with the insurance company. That includes handling the insurance claim while you focus on healing. If the insurance company won’t negotiate, your lawyer might also help you file a lawsuit for what you deserve.
Talk to a Johns Creek Trip and Fall Carpeting Accident Lawyer
Ripped carpeting is a common but little-known trip and fall hazard. If you suffered injuries from falling on carpeting, you shouldn’t have to pay for the costs. You might deserve compensation from the property owner or business for your losses.
John Foy & Associates can help. We have over 20 years of experience helping slip and fall victims win what they deserve. We only represent injury victims like yourself, and we’re not afraid to stand up for your rights.
Contact us today for a free, no-risk consultation. There is no fee unless we win your case. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for your free consultation.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
