Sometimes we can get up and dust off after a simple fall, but what if a sudden, hard slip-and-fall accident in Atlanta causes serious injuries that disrupt all aspects of your life? If the fall was preventable and caused by a property owner’s negligence, you have legal rights, including the right to file a compensation claim for your injury-related damages. Call the knowledgeable Atlanta personal injury lawyers at Marc Brown Law Firm to learn more about your legal options for financial recovery.
Why Choose Marc Brown as Your Atlanta Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyer?
Marc Brown became a dedicated advocate for injury victims after years of defending large insurance companies, giving him key insight into what makes a compelling claim. With Marc Brown Law firm on your side, you’ll have the following:
- Access to medical experts and other resources to support your claim
- A personalized legal strategy based on the unique circumstances of your case
- The compassion and personalized representation of a small-town law firm with large-city law firm results
Our commitment to open communication and availability means we will come to you if your injuries prevent you from coming to the office.
Common Causes of Slip-and-Fall Accidents In Atlanta
When something interferes with the foot’s traction on the ground or floor surface, the result can be a serious loss of balance and a hard fall. Property owners have a legal responsibility to those who enter their property legally. This is the property owner’s duty of care to take reasonable measures to repair or correct fall risks and other safety hazards. Despite this duty, the following conditions are common causes of slip-and-fall accidents:
- Wet floors from mopping, spills, leaks, or tracked in rain or snow
- Broken or uneven floorboards or tiles
- Loose or rolled carpets or floor mats
- Uneven pavement in parking lots or walkways
- Loose debris or clutter
- Insufficient lighting
- Uncleared snow and ice
- Cracked sidewalks
- Broken steps or handrails
- Unmarked floor level changes (step-ups and step-downs)
- Loose or dangling cords or cables
- Improper floor cleaning products that leave a slippery surface
Even private property owners must provide basic maintenance to keep their property safe, but commercial property owners have an enhanced duty of care to those they invite onto their property as customers, patrons, or tenants.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Slip-and-Fall Injuries In Atlanta
When a property owner breaches their duty of care, and a slip-and-fall accident causes injuries, the injured party can hold the property owner, leaseholder, or manager liable for their injury-related damages. Proving liability requires that the injury victim’s evidence demonstrates the following:
- The property owner was aware of the slip-and-fall hazard or should reasonably have been aware of it
- They owed a duty of care to the injury victim because they were legally on the property and not trespassing or committing a crime
- They breached their duty of care through negligence
- The breach of duty directly caused the slip-and-fall accident and injury
- The injury victim suffered economic and non-economic damages from the injury
Damages in Atlanta slip-and-fall claims range from a single emergency room bill and a few days of lost wages to permanent disability and an uncertain future. In the event of a loss of life, don’t hesitate to speak with a wrongful death attorney in Atlanta to discuss your case.
Common Injuries In Atlanta Slip-and-Fall Cases
When a person suddenly slips, they sometimes become wildly off-balance and overextend muscles as they twist during the fall. Then, they suffer blunt-force trauma on impact with the ground or floor, sometimes striking obstacles on the way down. Common slip-and-fall injuries include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), ranging from mild concussions to severe permanent injury
- Soft-tissue injuries like sprains, torn ligaments, muscle strains, and tendon damage
- Fractures
- Lacerations, contusions, and abrasions
- Facial and dental trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
After a slip-and-fall accident, damages can add up quickly. If a property owner failed to act the way another reasonable property owner would have under the same circumstances, you don’t have to be left responsible for the damages.
Steps to Take After a Slip-and-Fall Accident
After a sudden fall, you could be unconscious or incapacitated, but if you are alert and able to take action, a cell phone becomes an important tool to document evidence. After a fall, use your phone—or ask an uninjured person to use one for you—and do the following:
- First, call 911 for a severe injury or arrange transportation to a hospital from the accident scene
- While waiting for transportation, take photos of the cause of the fall, such as a wet floor or a broken step
- If the fall happened on commercial property, report it to the owner or manager and ask them to fill out a detailed accident report
- Go directly to the hospital from the accident scene
At the hospital, undergo a complete medical assessment and ask for a detailed medical report listing the injuries, recommended treatment, and your long-term prognosis.
Understanding the Slip-and-Fall Accident Claims Process
Proving a property owner’s liability requires an investigation and documentation of evidence to make a strong claim against the property owner’s insurance. Unfortunately, insurance providers are not on your side, even when they sound compassionate when they reach out to you after the accident. They may even make an early settlement offer, but these are often low-ball offers intentionally made before you know the full extent of your damages. Instead, hire an Atlanta slip-and-fall accident lawyer and then refer all communication with the insurer to your attorney. The claim typically proceeds as follows:
- Marc Brown Law Firm investigates all aspects of your fall and the negligence that caused it
- We document evidence of the property owner’s liability and calculate your damages to seek the full amount of compensation available to you
- We send a demand package to the attorney listing our findings
- We enter negotiations with the insurance company from an evidence-backed position of strength
- We obtain a full and fair settlement for your damage, or take your case to court if the insurance company fails to offer an acceptable settlement
Over 95% of personal injury claims, such as slip-and-fall accident cases, end with a settlement, but a trial-ready lawyer from Marc Brown Law Firm will represent your best interests even if it requires a court case.
Contact a Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyer From Marc Brown Law Firm
Instead of leaving your case in the hands of an insurance adjuster whose job is to protect company profits at your expense, call or contact Marc Brown Law Firm online for prompt legal action that prioritizes your case.