Slip and fall accidents at places like Firehouse Subs can catch you completely off guard. One moment you’re walking into the restaurant to grab a sub sandwich—the next, your legs are slipping out from under you. This type of accident might be funny in cartoons, but it’s serious, painful, and costly in real life. It’s best to contact a Firehouse Subs slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia who can help your case.
At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping injury victims in Georgia for the past 20 plus years. We’re dedicated to getting you the fullest compensation possible for your damages. Contact us today and we’ll give you a FREE consultation and case evaluation. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started.
What to Know About Firehouse Subs and Slip and Fall Accidents in Georgia
Firehouse Subs was founded in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1994 by two former firefighters. Since then, more than 1,180 of these “fast-casual” restaurants have been opened across 46 different states—including Georgia—and Canada and Puerto Rico.
Firehouse Subs offers hot specialty submarine sandwiches, build-your-own subs, salads, and sides. They claim their meats and cheeses are loved above other sub restaurants because they’re steamed and served on a toasted roll.
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, even in Firehouse Subs. If employees are not careful to watch for and remove hazardous conditions, the restaurant may be liable for any injuries that result. If you were injured in a Firehouse Subs in Georgia, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your damages.
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The Legal Duty of Firehouse Subs in Georgia
In the state of Georgia, businesses have a legal duty to keep their premises safe for visitors and customers. This includes maintaining certain safety standards, recognizing hazards within a reasonable amount of time, and cleaning up those hazards within a reasonable amount of time.
If store managers and employees are not careful enough to keep the premises safe and a slip and fall accident happens, the store is likely liable for the damages. Slip and fall accidents typically include any type of accident that involves someone being injured by a dangerous or hazardous condition on the premises.
Slip and fall claims fall under the context of personal injury cases. Since a slip and fall happens when a store has been negligent, it’s grounds for a personal injury claim. You would need to file a personal injury claim with the store’s insurance company.
Common Dangerous Conditions at Restaurants in Georgia
Although slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, some hazards are especially likely in a restaurant setting. Here are some examples of dangerous conditions that may cause slips and falls in a restaurant like Firehouse Subs:
- An employee mopping or waxing the floor without a “wet floor” warning sign
- Spilled food, water, or other beverages on the floor
- Missing or broken handrails
- Uneven flooring
- Curled up or torn carpeting
- Poor lighting
- Broken steps or flooring
Keep in mind that you, as a customer, also have a duty to be careful and reasonably avoid potential hazards (Georgia Code section 51-11-7). So, the slip and fall accident must have happened even while you were exercising ordinary care to avoid accidents. An experienced slip and fall accident lawyer will know how best to demonstrate this in your claim.
What You Should Do After a Slip and Fall Accident at Firehouse Subs
The moments after a slip and fall accident at Firehouse Subs can be incredibly important for your claim. You’ll want to gather as much evidence as you can to document what happened and demonstrate your damages. Here are some of the best ways you can do that.
Take Pictures
If you’re well enough to do so after your accident, use your phone to take pictures of the hazard that caused your fall, the entire accident scene, and your injuries. You might get a few different angles to make sure the scene is accurately presented.
Photo evidence is very powerful because it preserves the scene even after it’s been cleaned up or changed.
Talk to Witnesses
If anyone else saw your fall (or the dangerous condition that caused it), talk to them and get their contact information. Witness statements can be very important for backing up your claim.
Report the Accident
Make sure the Firehouse Subs’ manager knows that you fell and were hurt. They will likely create an accident report of what happened. Ask for a copy for your records, and get the manager’s contact information.
Be careful what you say when you report your accident. Don’t say that you’re “fine” or you “were just being clumsy” when talking to the manager, an employee, or the store’s insurance company. This might be remembered or recorded to use against you at a later time. Stick with the basic facts and don’t discuss anything else until after you’ve spoken to a Georgia slip and fall accident lawyer.
Be Wary of the Insurance Company
After your accident, the restaurant’s insurance company may reach out to you. They might ask how you’re doing, offer you money, or ask you to give a recorded statement.
Rather than talking to the insurance company at all, it’s best to hire a lawyer who can do it for you. This is because insurance companies are skilled at looking for ways to reduce what they pay you. They may use tactics like:
- Asking how you’re doing so you let your guard down and say something that they might use against you
- Intimidating you into accepting a lower settlement than you deserve
- And/or downplaying the severity of your injuries
A very common tactic is to offer you a lowball settlement upfront and hoping you’ll take it. If you do accept the money, it will basically sign away your rights to seek any higher compensation for this accident. On the other hand, working with a lawyer will ensure you are seeking the fullest compensation possible.
Get a Free Consultation with a Firehouse Subs Slip and Fall Accident and Injury Lawyer Today
At John Foy & Associates, we know what it takes to win slip and fall accident cases. We have more than 20 years of experience helping injury victims get the compensation they need and deserve. Let us give you a FREE consultation to go over the details of the case and how we can help.
To get started with your FREE consultation, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online today.
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