Every property owner and business in Tifton has a legal duty to keep their premises safe for those who come onto it. If the owner or employees are not careful to prevent and clean up dangerous conditions on the property, it can lead to injury accidents. If you were hurt on someone else’s property, it’s best to speak with a slip and fall lawyer in Tifton.
At John Foy & Associates, we have 25 plus years of experience helping injury victims win the compensation they deserve. We know how confusing and complicated premises liability cases can be. We’re here to answer any of your questions and handle the legal side of things for you.
Call us today at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online and we’ll give you a FREE consultation and case evaluation.
What a Premises Liability Case Means in Tifton
“Premises liability” encompasses cases where a dangerous or unsafe condition leads to an accident on someone else’s property. Premises liability cases are a type of personal injury case and include slip and fall accidents.
Any injury case in Tifton revolves around the concept of negligence. Under Georgia Code § 51-1-2, “ordinary negligence” is defined as the lack of ordinary diligence, which is the degree of care that any sensible person would exercise under the same or similar situations. When a property owner or business is not careful to watch for, fix, and prevent hazards on their property, it’s a form of negligence.
If you were hurt on someone’s property in Tifton and the accident was not your fault, you likely have a valid premises liability or slip and fall case. A slip and fall lawyer can help you file an injury claim to seek compensation for your damages.
Top Four Slip and Fall Myths in Tifton
There are many misunderstandings about slip and fall cases that we often hear at John Foy & Associates. Here are some of the most important myths to debunk.
Myth #1: You Cannot Recover Damages If the Property Owner didn’t Know About the Hazard
If a property owner or store employee know about a dangerous condition or hazard and fails to clean it up or warn customers about it, that’s pretty clear negligence. But what about situations where the owner or employee didn’t know the hazard existed before you fell? You might worry that means you don’t have a case.
In slip and fall cases, the owner does not necessarily need to have had knowledge of the hazard. If you can prove that the owner should have known about the hazard but did not, you may still have a case. Not knowing about a dangerous condition within a reasonable amount of time is a form of negligence, as well.
When there are gray areas about whether or not an owner should have known about a hazard, it usually requires the expertise of a slip and fall lawyer. They will work to compile the necessary evidence, such as security camera footage, eye witness testimony, and more, showing the owner or employee should have known there was a hazard that could cause your fall.
Myth #2: You Cannot Recover Damages from a Public Slip and Fall
What if you suffer a slip and fall accident on public property, such as at a park? It’s a common misconception that there is nowhere to turn to for compensation.
Public places are typically either owned by a government entity or a private entity. In either situation, you can probably bring a case. That being said, suing a government entity involves stricter rules like:
- You must provide a “notice of claim” with your intention to bring a legal case.
- When suing the state government, you must submit the notice of claim in writing within 12 months of your accident (Georgia Code § 51-21-26).
- If you are bringing a case against a city government, you must provide the notice of claim in writing within six months of the date of your accident.
There are exceptions and specific rules to follow depending on the details of your case. So, you’ll definitely want help from an experienced slip and fall lawyer after an accident on public property.
Myth #3: You Cannot Receive Compensation If You Were Partially at Fault
Many slip and fall accident victims are worried that they hold a degree of fault in their accident. This is usually because of politeness or pressure from the business or their insurance company. However, if it does turn out that you were partially at fault for the accident, you still have options.
In Georgia, there is something known as “modified comparative negligence.” Under this law, you can still recover damages as long as you were less than 50% at fault for the slip and fall or premises liability accident. Your damages would just be reduced by the percentage of fault you hold.
Myth #4: You don’t Need to See a Doctor for Minor Slip and Fall Injuries
We encourage you to always see a doctor after an injury accident, even if you feel okay or don’t have visible injuries. It’s actually very common for accident victims to feel “okay” on the same day of their injuries. That’s because your body gets flooded with adrenaline during a stressful event, and you are likely just excited to get away from the scene and move on with your day.
Although it’s tempting to avoid seeing a doctor, it can hurt your case to wait to get treatment. We advise slip and fall victims to get medical attention as soon as possible, even after minor accidents, because:
- You might have underlying injuries that you aren’t aware of.
- A lot of injuries can worsen with time, and getting prompt treatment will protect your health.
- If you wait too long to see a doctor, the insurance company might try to use it against you to reduce the value of your claim.
Talk to a Tifton Slip and Fall and Premises Liability Lawyer for Free Today
Don’t wait to get help with your slip and fall or premises liability case. At the very least, it’s good to schedule a consultation with a slip and fall lawyer to discuss the details. At John Foy & Associates, the consultation is FREE—and there is no fee unless we win you money.
Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started with your FREE consultation today.
100% Confidential 
