Fall injuries are among the top 10 preventable injuries in the United States. Slip and fall accidents can happen just about anywhere you go in Covington. And through no fault of your own, they can leave you with unexpected medical bills, lost wages, and other associated costs.
If you sustained injuries when slipping and falling, a slip and fall lawyer in Covington may be able to help you seek compensation. John Foy & Associates has been helping injured victims for over 20 years. Our number one priority is getting you the financial recovery needed to cover your costs.
If you have questions after an accident, our Covington personal injury lawyer is here to help.
What a Slip and Fall Accident in Covington Means
Property owners are responsible for keeping their premises safe for customers and visitors. If they do not, the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) § 51-3-1 states any owner or occupier of land is liable for damages if someone is hurt on his or her property.
So, if you were injured in a slip and fall accident because of an owner’s negligence, they are legally responsible for damages. That is the basis of premises liability and slip and fall accidents in Covington.
Situations that can lead to slip and fall accidents include:
- A store manager or employee fails, in a reasonable amount of time, to clean up a spilled beverage in a store aisle.
- A restaurant employee does not put out a “caution: wet floor” sign when mopping or waxing the floors.
- The pavement in a parking lot is left uneven, or broken stairs are not fixed.
- Obstacles or other hazards are left out at someone’s home or business.
To seek compensation for the costs you face from your slip and fall accident, you will need to file a personal injury claim. Usually, the claim is filed with the property owner or occupier’s insurance company. This claim should include proof of the accident, proof of the owner’s negligence in that accident, and damages you have from the accident.
Do Not Blame Yourself for Slip and Fall Injuries
It’s very common for victims to automatically blame themselves. Avoid apologizing or blaming yourself until you have contacted a Covington, GA, slip and fall lawyer. We find that many clients think they don’t have a case at all—when they very much do.
There is usually a reason you fell, and a lawyer’s job is to gather all the facts. If a store or restaurant manager or property owner tries to blame you for the fall, know that there is probably more to the story. Do not admit blame. Call an attorney.
Should I Get a Lawyer for My Slip and Fall Accident in Covington?
Any time that someone else was at fault for your accident, you should consider hiring a lawyer and filing a personal injury claim. Even if your slip and fall accident seems minor, medical bills can often pile up and become more expensive than you think. The at-fault party should be responsible for your damages.
However, if you’re thinking that it would be easier to avoid getting a lawyer and paying their fees by representing yourself, you should reconsider. People who represent themselves have significantly smaller chances of getting the full compensation that they deserve, and figuring out your claim on your own can be a major headache.
Thankfully, there’s no risk in hiring our team. Our slip and fall lawyers in Covington at John Foy & Associates work on a contingency-fee basis, which means they don’t get paid unless you win your case. It’s worth at least getting a free consultation with one of our slip and fall attorneys to find out whether you have a valid personal injury claim.
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Who Is Responsible for a Slip and Fall Accident?
Slip and fall accidents usually fall under premises liability law, which holds the owners of property responsible for any accidents caused by dangerous conditions. That means if someone knew, should have known, or willingly made their property dangerous, and that negligence caused you injury, they are liable for your damages.
Depending on where your accident happens, the financially liable party can differ. For example, if you slip and fall in a commercial building like a store or an office, the business is liable for your damages. If you are injured in a private residence like a house, the homeowner is liable. Workers who are injured on the job usually get paid for their damages through workers’ compensation.
If it’s not clear who was responsible or who will pay your damages, a slip and fall attorney in Covington can help. Our team will investigate your accident and gather evidence that proves damages and what party was at fault.
What’s the Average Payout for a Slip and Fall?
No two slip and fall accidents are the same, so it’s hard to say how much your payout will be without a consultation with a lawyer. The payout for a slip and fall can range from thousands of dollars to millions depending on your case. Your compensation will be based on specific damages, so your payout will be tailored to your specific situation.
One of our Georgia personal injury lawyers can assess your situation and tell you what you can expect from your claim. After reviewing your case, our team can give you a better estimate of the prospective size of your settlement.
Damages You May Recover in Covington Slip and Fall Accidents
Damages in a slip and fall or other personal injury case in Covington refer to losses you have suffered because of your injuries. These can encompass both monetary damages and emotional damages.
Damages you may be able to recover in a slip and fall claim include the following:
Medical Costs (Current and Future)
Medical expenses from a slip and fall accident can include hospital stays, doctor bills, ambulance and emergency room fees, and more. You will need to demonstrate all medical costs resulting from your slip and fall injuries.
You might need ongoing medical treatment because of the slip and fall accident or your injuries. If so, you may be able to recover damages from future medical care too.
Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity
Most slip and fall accident victims have to miss work time as they recover from their injuries. “Lost wages” damages are the amount of money you would have earned, if you hadn’t been hurt, between the accident and your settlement.
“Lost earning capacity” means you are unable to earn the same amount of future money because of your injuries.
Disability
If you can longer work because of your slip and fall injuries, you can seek damages for permanent disability. Usually, you will need to be examined by a doctor who can testify that you are disabled.
Pain and Suffering and Mental Anguish
These damages are awarded for physical and emotional pain resulting from your slip and fall accident. That can include mental anguish you suffer from memories of the accident or physical results of your injuries. You might suffer from:
- Anxiety or depression
- Humiliation or embarrassment due to disfigurement
- Shock
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- And more
Pain and suffering damages are much harder to calculate than medical costs or lost wages because there is no clear dollar amount. However, when awarded, pain and suffering damages can be substantial. A slip and fall attorney in Covington can help you in seeking all losses you now face, including pain and suffering damages.
What to Do If You Slip and Fall at a Business in Covington
Many injury victims don’t realize they can begin protecting their rights as soon as they are injured. You can start building your case and advocating for yourself by:
- Taking pictures of the slip and fall accident scene, your injuries, and the obstacle or dangerous situation
- Reporting the accident to the store manager or property owner, telling them you fell and hurt yourself because of the hazardous situation
- Not apologizing or accepting any blame in the accident
- Getting the names and contact information of witnesses to your fall
- Calling a Covington, GA, slip and fall attorney as soon as possible
The more information you can gather about your slip and fall accident, the better. This will help your attorney build a strong case once you contact them.
Slip and Fall Injuries in a Private Home
If you slipped, fell, and got hurt in someone’s home instead of a business, you still have the right to compensation if they were negligent. Like a business owner, they can hold liability if you are hurt on their property.
After a slip and fall accident in a private home, the above instructions still apply. Take pictures, let the homeowner know when and how you were hurt, and call a lawyer. Also, remember that making a slip and fall claim does not mean you are attacking the homeowner. You will likely be filing a claim with their homeowner’s insurance, not the individual.
Talk to a Slip and Fall Attorney in Covington, GA, for Free
If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident that wasn’t your fault, call the Covington slip and fall lawyers at John Foy & Associates today. We can discuss the accident and your legal options. Chances are, someone else was negligent in your fall and you are entitled to recovery. For a FREE consultation with one of our slip and fall lawyers, call us to get started today.
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