Slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of emergency room visits, causing more than eight million trips to the hospital, according to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI). There are many different places where slip and fall accidents can occur in Georgia, and they can be painful, expensive, and incredibly taxing on the injured person.
Although it might seem like slip and falls happen due to clumsiness or old age, many injuries result from a property owner’s or business’s negligence. If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, consider contacting an Atlanta slip and fall accident lawyer to know your options.
How Slip and Fall Accidents Occur in Georgia
Slip and fall accidents can happen in many different ways. The most important thing to know is that any landowner or business that invites or leads people onto their property has a duty to maintain safe premises. If the owner or business fails in that duty, a slip and fall accident can happen at any time.
Here are some of the most common reasons slip and fall accidents occur on properties.
Slippery or Wet Floors
As you might have guessed a lot of slip and falls happen due to slippery floors. Floors can become wet or slipper from:
- Mopping, cleaning, or waxing
- Ice or snow being tracked in on other people’s shoes
- Spilled food or beverage items
- Other liquid spills
- Thawed frozen items
- And more
If a store employee is mopping the floor, part of their legal duty is to warn customers of the hazard. They should put out a “wet floor” sign to let customers know there’s a slip and fall hazard. Otherwise, the store can be found liable if a customer slips, falls, and gets injured from the wet floor.
Items Left Out
If merchandise or other items are left out in store aisles, unsuspecting shoppers may slip and fall on them. This could be store items, merchandise, boxes, trash, or other types of debris.
Uneven or Damaged Flooring
If floors are uneven, loose, or damaged, they can lead to slip and fall accidents. Carpeting or rugs that are curled up, bent, or frayed can also present a potential hazard.
Bad Weather
In climate weather like rain, ice, or snow can cause slip and fall hazards outside the building. If other customers or visitors track these elements into the store on their shoes, slip and fall accidents can happen inside the property too.
Property owners or store employees should be prompt in noticing these types of hazards and cleaning them up as soon as possible.
Issues with Stairs or Railing
Businesses with steps and staircases should ensure there are no issues like missing or broken steps, loose floorboards, or tall steps without “step-up” warning signs. Stairs without railings can also lead to slip and fall accidents, especially for older individuals.
Inadequate Lighting
If visitors and customers can’t see potential hazards—either inside or outside of the property—slip and fall accidents can happen.
Parking Lot Hazards
Many property owners are also responsible for injuries that happen in their parking lots or on sidewalks outside their building. Gaps, cracks, uneven pavement, or potholes can lead customers to get injured during a slip and fall accident. If a parking lot has a manhole, it should be covered and contain a warning sign.
Places Where Slip and Fall Accidents Can Happen in Georgia
Slip and fall accidents can occur at just about any location, including:
- Retail stores like Target, Wal-Mart, and Big Lots
- Restaurants
- Grocery stores
- Hospitals
- Sports arenas
- Movie theaters
- Swimming pools
- Nursing homes
- Amusement parks
- Playgrounds
- Rental properties
- And on an individual’s private property
You May Be Entitled to Compensation for Your Slip and Fall Accident
No matter how or where your slip and fall accident occurred, you may be entitled to compensation for the costs. If you can show that the property owner or business owed you a duty of care, breached that duty of care, and was ultimately responsible for your injuries and damages, you probably have a valid personal injury claim.
Keep in mind that there is a statute of limitations for filing slip and fall accident cases. In Georgia, you have two years from the date of your injury accident to bring your case (Georgia Code § 9-3-33). Since legal proceedings often take a lot longer or become a lot more complicated than you’d expect, it’s best to get started right away.
The first step is contacting a trusted Georgia slip and fall lawyer for a consultation. That way, you can know your options and begin working on your claim for compensation.
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Talk to a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Georgia for Free Today
At John Foy & Associates, we know how costly and stressful slip and fall accidents can be. Don’t miss out on the compensation you might deserve for your damages. Contact us today for a FREE consultation to discuss the details surrounding how your slip and fall accident occurred.
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