If employees at Gap stores in Georgia are not careful enough, customers can slip, fall, and hurt themselves while on the store’s premises. An enjoyable shopping experience can turn painful and stressful very quickly. If you were hurt in this manner, it’s best to contact a Gap slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia as soon as possible.
As an injury victim at a Gap store, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. John Foy & Associates can help you with your accident victim, from filing the actual claim to negotiating with the insurance company for a fair settlement. For a FREE consultation, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
What to Know About Gap Stores in Georgia
The Gap, Inc, also known simply as Gap, is a clothing and accessories retailer that sells its merchandise worldwide. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, the Gap company was founded in 1969 and includes the stores Old Navy, Athleta, and the Banana Republic.
Gap is also the largest specialty retailer in the country with around 2,400 stores in the United States and a total of over 3,700 throughout the world. They sell clothing and accessories for men, women (including maternity wear), kids, toddlers, and babies.
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The Problem With Gap Slip and Fall Claims
In the state of Georgia, you have rights as a slip and fall accident victim. All stores, including Gap, have a legal duty to maintain safe premises and prevent harm to others (Georgia Code section 51-3-1). Many slip and fall accidents occur because a store’s employees failed to uphold their legal duty.
A slip and fall accident might happen if employees:
- Were not diligent in checking for potential hazards
- Knew about a potential hazard but did not clean it up within a reasonable amount of time
- Did not notify customers of potential hazards (such as not put out a warning sign while mopping the store’s floors)
Any of the above could demonstrate the Gap store was negligent in a slip and fall accident that happened as a result. This means you, as the victim, have the right to file a personal injury claim with the store’s insurance company. The problem is that stores and their insurance companies often make this more difficult than it should be.
How Insurance Companies Undermine Your Claim
Insurance companies care most about their bottom line, so they will look for ways to reduce how much they have to pay you for a slip and fall accident claim. One of the most common tactics they use is offering you a lowball settlement upfront. This amount of money will not come close to covering all your damages, but the insurer will make it seem as if it’s a good deal.
Other ways the insurance company may try to undermine your claim include:
- Calling you soon after the accident and asking how you’re doing, then using what you say (such as “fine”) against you later
- Saying your injuries happened before the accident, and therefore they are not liable for the costs
- Intimidating you into taking a lower settlement than you deserve
- Discouraging you from hiring a lawyer, perhaps saying it won’t make a difference
- Denying your claim altogether
If you experience pushback from Gap’s insurance company, it’s time to talk to a Gap slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia. An experienced lawyer will know how to handle the insurance company. They will not be afraid to present the facts, help you build a strong claim, and negotiate with the insurer for an amount that is actually fair to you.
Examples of Slip and Fall Accident Injuries at Gap
When you slip and fall, any number of injuries can happen. It does not matter what type of injury you sustain, either—if you were hurt because of the store’s negligence, you have a case. That being said, here are some of the most common injuries we see from slip and fall accidents.
Broken Bones
Sometimes, a fall in a Gap store can put more pressure on your bones than they can handle. If this happens, it can cause a break or fracture. This is especially common in older adults, but it can happen at any age.
Common locations for broken bones from slip and fall accidents include the ankles, wrists, or hips.
Damaged Knees
As you fall, your legs and knees may twist and cause injury. Damage to the ligaments or bone in the knees is common. Knee injuries can be incredibly painful and complicated. They may even require costly reconstructive surgeries.
Wrist or Ankle Sprains
Besides the knees, ligaments in other areas of your body can twist and tear during a slip and fall accident too. That includes sprains or strains to your ankles or wrists.
Wrist or ankle injuries might not sound like a huge deal, but they affect many areas of your life. You may be left unable to type, drive, or perform simple activities like buttoning a shirt or jeans. Plus, these types of injuries can take a long time to fully heal.
Shoulder Dislocation
It’s common for slip and fall accident victims to hit their shoulders on the ground as they fall. This can lead to strains or dislocations requiring lengthy surgeries and other treatments.
Cuts and/or Bruises
Cuts and bruises might not seem like a huge deal, but they can lead to a lot of suffering for a slip and fall victim. Serious cuts can lead to permanent disfigurement and scarring that stays with a victim for many years (if not the rest of their life). Cuts and bruising are also very common in slip and fall accidents.
Head or Brain Injuries
When a person falls in a Gap store, they can hit their head on the floor or on the way down. This can lead to concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and more. Head and brain injuries are not something to mess around with or delay treatment. If you suspect a head injury after a slip and fall, get to a doctor right away—even if you feel okay.
Talk to a Gap Slip and Fall Accident and Injury Lawyer in Georgia for Free
The moments after slipping and falling in a store like Gap can be confusing, painful, and even scary. Don’t go it alone. You will need legal assistance in most situations. At John Foy & Associates, that’s where we can help.
Our lawyers have 20 plus years of experience helping slip and fall accident victims win the compensation they deserve. It’s also risk-free to work with us because we do not get paid unless we win you money. Learn more today during a FREE consultation with one of our experienced and compassionate lawyers.
To get started with your FREE consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
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