Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, and they often come down to more than clumsiness. Property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe, and failing to remove a hazard that leads to a slip and fall means they are liable.
All settlements vary, but the average slip and fall settlement in Georgia can be tens of thousands of dollars. Here’s what goes into reaching a settlement and calculating that amount.
What Leads to a Slip and Fall Settlement?
If you were injured on someone’s property, it likely happened because they failed to maintain its safety. Examples of negligence include:
- Building code violations
- Unlit walkways
- Boxes or other merchandise falling from shelves
- Spilled drinks or other liquids in a grocery store aisle
If you fell because of a condition like this, you can make an insurance claim for any costs, or civil damages, that you suffered due to the accident. Your settlement amount comes down to your total losses.
To ensure you receive proper compensation, call an experienced slip and fall lawyer. The legal experts can start investigating the scene and building a case to demonstrate your total damages, which will be included in your insurance claim.
Who Pays for a Slip and Fall Settlement?
If another person or entity’s negligence caused your injuries, they are responsible for your compensation. Liable parties in a slip and fall injury case include:
- Property owners, tenants, and managers
- City entities (for public areas)
- Companies that lease their building locations
- Builders or construction workers
- Service providers (such as janitorial services or repair companies)
However, in most situations, the liable party’s insurance company will be responsible for making your settlement.
In the best-case scenario, the insurance company will accept your claim. However, insurance companies are notorious for trying to pay out as little as possible. Therefore, they may reject your claim and offer a lower amount instead. Your slip and fall lawyer will negotiate with the insurer and provide more evidence to support your original amount.
How Much Is a Slip And Fall Settlement Worth in Georgia?
Since there can be many types of slip and fall cases, it’s impossible to list one average amount. However, premises liability accidents cause some of Georgia’s most frequent injuries( and wrongful deaths). Therefore, if your injuries are significant, your settlement should reflect that.
To determine the worth of your compensation, you must first evaluate your damages.
Medical Costs
After a slip and fall accident, you should see a doctor immediately. This will create a record of how much you must pay for your injuries. Even seemingly minor injuries can easily incur high costs from:
- Hospital bills
- Doctor visits
- Prescription medications
- Surgeries
- Ongoing medical expenses, including physical therapy or rehabilitation
If your injuries worsen after the accident, document those changes and report them to your doctor and slip and fall attorney. You’ll want to ensure any additional expenses are covered in your slip and fall settlement.
Loss of Income
If you had to miss work because of the accident or your recovery time, you’re entitled to financial recovery for those lost wages. Keep track of pay stubs and report the total amount of hours you missed to ensure maximum compensation.
Pain and Suffering
These non-economic damages are less straightforward and require calculation from an experienced attorney. They can include mental anguish, mood disorders, or any psychological trauma you suffered due to the accident.
To increase your chances of getting a fair settlement for a slip and fall, you’ll need to be your own advocate. Take pictures of the scene and your injuries as soon as possible. Also, report the accident to a manager right away and get any witnesses’ names and contact information. Your lawyer can use this information as evidence when building your case.
How Do I Know if I Have a Valid Slip and Fall Claim?
To receive compensation after a slip and fall accident, you need to build a strong claim. Accident victims must prove:
- Liability: The property owner or manager had a duty of care to keep the premises safe.
- Negligence: The property owner or manager failed to keep the area safe.
- Cause: The property owner or manager’s negligence resulted in your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered economic and non-economic injuries following your accident.
Insurance companies will try to deny slip and fall claims or offer a lower settlement than what you deserve. To ensure you receive maximum compensation, partner with a premises liability lawyer.
For a free legal consultation, call 404-400-4000
Contact Our Georgia Slip and Fall Attorneys Now
To find out how much your slip and fall case is worth, give us a call. The attorneys at John Foy & Associates have 20+ years of experience working with slip and fall victims. We start with a FREE consultation to discuss your accident. Get started by calling 404-400-4000 or completing the online form now.
Call or text 404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form