In Georgia, property owners must be diligent in recognizing and cleaning up potential slip and fall accident hazards on their premises. If they do not uphold that duty, that may be liable for the consequences. When it comes to what causes a slip and fall accident in Georgia, there are many ways one can happen.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Georgia?
There are many different ways a slip and fall accident can happen in Georgia, but here are some of the most common causes we see regularly.
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Wet, Slippery Floors
Many causes of slip and fall accidents in Georgia come down to flooring issues like:
- Spilled foods or beverages
- Recently-mopped or -waxed floors
- Floor treatments
- Rain that has been tracked into the property
- Splashed oil or grease
Property owners and employees must make sure any potential slippery floor hazards are recognized and cleaned up within a reasonable amount of time. If the potential hazard cannot be cleaned up right away, the owner or business must warn visitors and customers about the hazard. For example, if a store employee is mopping the floors, they must clearly display a “wet floor” sign so shoppers know there is a slip and fall hazard to avoid.
Property owners should also have practices in place to prevent slip and fall accidents from the above hazards, such as icing walkways, removing excess water from floor mats, and removing spilled products as soon as possible.
Uneven Flooring, Rugs, or Carpeting
Torn carpeting, loose floorboards, uneven flooring, poor flooring transitions, curled up rugs or carpet, and cluttered floors are all potential slip and fall dangers on Georgia properties. Property owners and employees should watch for these types of slip and fall accident causes and remedy them as soon as they can.
Items or Obstacles on the Floor
A number of items on the floor can cause visitors or customers to slip and fall accidents, such as:
- Power cords running across walkways
- Trash or debris on the floors
- Clothing or other merchandise left in aisles
- Store displays left within walkways
Keep in mind that all visitors to property have a duty of care to avoid hazards too, according to Georgia Code § 51-11-7. If a hazard causes a slip and fall accident but the accident could have been avoided if the victim was more careful, they may not be able to recover damages.
If the property owner, business, or insurance company is trying to blame you for some or all of the slip and fall accident, contact a Georgia slip and fall accident lawyer right away.
At John Foy & Associates, we’ll discuss your case with you for FREE. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.
Broken or Otherwise Unsafe Stairs
If a property has stairs, those stairs must be safe to use. If they are not safe, they may cause slip and fall accidents. Unsafe stairs may include:
- Lack of handrails
- Warped or broken steps
- Trash or debris left on stairs
- Stairs that are slippery from being washed or waxed
Poor Lighting
Sometimes, improper lighting on a property can be the primary cause of a slip and fall accident. For example, someone might slip if the lighting was too poor for them to see a hazardous condition. In other situations, too-bright lighting might create a glare on certain surfaces that causes a slip and fall.
Improper Employee Training and Safety Practices
Part a property owner’s or occupier’s duty in Georgia is to maintain safe practices to keep their premises safe (Georgia Code § 51-3-1). That includes making sure employees are regularly checking for potential slip and fall accident hazards and cleaning those up within a reasonable amount of time after seeing them.
Employees who must maintain safety practices include:
- Factory workers
- Kitchen staff
- Custodial staff
- Construction workers
- Manual laborers
- And more
All workers should be properly trained to handle and prevent slip and fall hazards on the property. If the owner or manager fails to provide that training, they may be liable for injuries that result from improper practices.
No matter how your slip and fall accident occurs, you might have legal options. If the store or property owner is liable, they are responsible for covering the costs of your accident like your medical bills, lost wages, and more. Contact an experienced Georgia slip and fall accident lawyer to get help in building a strong personal injury case for compensation.
We build legal claims for:
- Buffalo Wild Wings slip and fall accidents
- Logan’s Roadhouse slip and fall accidents
- Family Dollar slip and fall accidents
- Jason’s Deli slip and fall accidents
- Noodles and Company slip and fall accidents
Contact us about these cases and accidents in other stores or restaurants.
Talk to a Georgia Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer for Free Today
If you were hurt during a slip and fall accident in Georgia, contact John Foy & Associates today. We’ll give you a FREE consultation to discuss the details of your case and how we can help. It’s risk-free to work with us because we don’t take a fee unless we win you money.
To get started with your FREE consultation, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
