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Slip and fall accidents in Austell are often dismissed, even by the person who fell, as “not that big of a deal.” However, this isn’t the case. Emergency room visits for falls reached 9.4 million in 2015—the highest they’ve ever been—and are the number one cause of injury.
Slip and fall accidents can lead to broken bones, head injuries, muscle injuries, torn ligaments, and more. This leaves the person who slipped and fell forced to take time off work and face steep medical bills—not to mention pain and sometimes disability from the injuries. If you were injured by a slip and fall accident, you should not have to blame yourself or financially suffer because of the accident. You need an Austell slip and fall lawyer on your side.
John Foy & Associates have been serving the Austell area and all of Georgia for more than two decades, helping personal injury victims get back on their feet with the money they truly need and deserve. We listen carefully, we never take the side of insurance companies, and we fight for your rights. For a FREE consultation with one of our attorneys as soon as possible, call us today at 404-400-4000, or simply fill out the form to the right.
What Kinds of Accidents Count as Slip and Fall in Austell?
Slip and fall cases result from any type of unsafe condition or hazard that contributed to the slip and fall accident. While it’s common for victims of slip and falls to blame themselves—for example, assuming they just weren’t paying attention to where they were walking or were being clumsy—the fall is almost never the sole fault of the person who fell.
Examples of situations leading to slip and fall cases can include:
- Poorly lit or slippery staircases
- Floors that are wet and slippery or freshly mopped without being clearly marked
- Spilled product on a store floor
- Poorly maintained walkways or sidewalks
- Staircases without railings
- A step up into a restaurant bathroom that’s hard to see
In each of these situations, the fault lies with the person or business that knew the hazard was there but failed to clearly mark it or clean up the hazard. As a result, they put those visiting or crossing their establishment at risk.
These are known as “premises liability” cases because it means the owner or management of the location is obligated to keep it safe. Any hazards that arise should be fixed promptly or marked so people are warned of them. If they don’t take these steps, they are acting negligent and are responsible for any accidents that occur because of it.
I Slipped and Fell at Work. Do I Still Have a Claim?
Potentially, yes. You may also have grounds for seeking workers compensation (or workers comp)—which are benefits guaranteed to all workers.
Workers compensation acts as insurance that your employer is legally required to carry, and it pays for 100% of your medical costs if you’re injured on the job. If you have a job and are working in Austell or anywhere else in Georgia, you should already be covered by workers comp.
If you pursue a workers compensation claim, your claim can be approved without the need for any lawsuit. Just like any claim, however, the insurance company may try to make it hard on you and reduce your payout, so working with a lawyer is very helpful in this situation, as well.
What If I Was Drunk When I Fell—Do I Still Have a Claim?
Slip and falls while the person who fell was intoxicated certainly happen, and it may still be a valid claim. These are particularly common at venues or establishments where alcohol is sold and regularly consumed, such as at clubs, bars, and concert venues.
The fact that you were intoxicated when the slip and fall happened could affect how much you recover in your claim. However, if there was a hazard or obstacle the establishment didn’t make safe for patrons and it led to your fall, they are still responsible for their negligence.
Contact a slip and fall lawyer who can look at the particular situation and determine whether you have a claim and how much it’s worth.
How Does a Slip and Fall Lawyer Help?
It’s very common for slip and fall victims to blame themselves or downplay the accident out of embarrassment. But slip and fall lawyers know you should never blame yourself for what happened. They will look at the situation from a legal perspective and determine how the owner of the location was failing to uphold your safety.
If you were injured by a slip and fall, your attorney will fight to help you recover expenses related to the injury, including medical bills, prescriptions, therapy, and even long-term disability from the fall. A lawyer can research the situation and add up your total damages, then pursue a fair settlement so you don’t have to pay for someone else’s carelessness.
The insurance company of the liable person or business will likely push back and try to claim you were at fault for the fall, but an experienced slip and fall lawyer won’t back down and will compile evidence to demonstrate the money you’re entitled to for your accident. However, it’s important to act quickly, as the statute of limitations for filing a slip and fall case is two years, which can go by fast. Don’t lose your right to recover any money at all; speak with a lawyer today.
Talk to an Austell Slip and Fall Lawyer for Free
Slip and falls can be embarrassing, but you shouldn’t blame yourself or have to suffer for someone else being negligent. At John Foy & Associates, we want to help you win the money you need to make up for expenses from your slip and fall. For a FREE consultation to talk about your case and get started, contact us today. Call 404-400-4000, or complete the form to the right for your free consultation.
