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Sometimes, accidents happen in stores like Staples. If the store was at fault for your injuries, they may be liable for your costs. Working with a Staples slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia can get you the answers you need.
At John Foy & Associates, we believe no injury victim should have to pay for damages they didn’t cause. Many times, store employees are not as diligent as they should be in preventing injuries. To find out if you have a valid case for compensation, contact us today and we’ll give you a FREE consultation. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for your FREE consultation.
A Quick Overview of Staples Stores in Georgia
Staples Inc. is a retail company specializing in office supplies and other similar products that was started in Massachusetts in 1986. They have 27 store locations in Georgia and about 1,000 total in the United States.
Staples sells products like paper, ink and toner, computers, printers, writing supplies, folders, files, binders, shipping supplies, and more. They mostly sell through business-to-business and retail channels.
If employees are not careful, there are a number of unsafe conditions that can cause slip and fall accidents in Staples stores. If you were a victim of a slip and fall accident, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim for compensation.
How to Know if You Have a Valid Slip and Fall Accident Claim Against Staples
In Georgia, everyone has a duty to act in a way that does not harm others. If they fail in that duty and their actions (or inactions) lead to injury, the at-fault party is liable for all costs. The victim in a personal injury accident can seek compensation in damages (according to Georgia Code section 51-12-4).
The above applies to businesses like Staples in Georgia, too. If an owner or occupier of land invites others onto their property, they must maintain safe premises. If they do not and an accident occurs, the business is responsible.
You likely have a valid slip and fall accident case if a Staples store was negligent in your accident. You must prove this in a personal injury claim by showing the following.
There Was a Duty of Care
This is a legal duty the store had to you, as the customer, as mentioned above. For example, the store has a duty to clean up unsafe conditions that could potentially cause a slip and fall accident.
The Store Did Not Fulfill Their Duty
A Staples store may breach its duty of care if an unsafe condition was not noticed and remedied within a reasonable amount of time. For example, if they failed to clean up a spill or pick up merchandise that was spilled in the aisles.
Your Injury Resulted From the Store’s Breach of Duty
To have a personal injury case, there must be an actual injury. You will need to demonstrate that you had physical injuries from the accident.
Sometimes, injuries are not fully physical. You might have pain and suffering damage that affects your mental state. These can be included in your claim, but they must result from a physical injury.
You will also need to prove that your injuries were directly caused by the store’s negligence. In other words, if the Staples store hadn’t breached their legal duty of care, your accident (and injuries) wouldn’t have happened.
Getting Help from a Staples Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Each of the above points is difficult to demonstrate without legal expertise. When you are taking on a large company like Staples, it’s best to retain the services of an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Georgia. They can help you gather the necessary information and deal with the store’s insurance company, which is an entire battle within itself.
Staples’s Insurance Company Is Not On Your Side
Staples is no novice when it comes to legal issues. This will not be the first time they’ve had to respond to a slip and fall accident claim, and they will be prepared with a powerful insurance company. Insurance companies do not like to pay out much on injury claims.
Chances are, the insurance company will use tactics like the following to try paying you less than you deserve:
- Call you soon after the accident and ask how you’re doing (only to use anything you say against you later)
- Take a long time to respond to your claim, hoping you will accept a small settlement out of desperation
- Offer you a lowball settlement soon after your accident
- Questioning whether your injuries actually happened during the slip and fall accident
- Trying to blame you for some (or all) of the accident
The insurance company will also know that most injury victims have never dealt with an injury claim before. They’ll try to make you feel like their first offer is the best you’re going to get. Some insurers will even discourage victims from getting an attorney, telling you it won’t help your case.
The truth is, having a slip and fall lawyer on your side is the only thing that levels the playing field. An experienced lawyer will know how to handle your case and the insurance company. They can communicate with the insurer on your behalf and show them that you are willing to fight for a fair settlement.
Comparative Negligence in Slip and Fall Accidents at Staples
It’s important to note that even if you hold some fault in your slip and fall accident, you may still be eligible for compensation. In Georgia, a party may be able to receive compensation if they are less than 50% at fault for the accident (Georgia Code section 51-12-33). This is something to discuss with your slip and fall accident lawyer.
Get a Free Consultation With a Staples Slip and Fall Accident and Injury Lawyer in Georgia
A slip and fall accident at Staples can leave you with costly medical bills, missed work time, pain and suffering damages, and more. John Foy & Associates can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a FREE consultation. We’ll match you with the best lawyer for your case and discuss how we can help. Call us at (404) 400-4000 or reach out online to get started today.
