Atlanta Slip And Fall Attorney

Slip and falls can take place almost anywhere. In Atlanta, businesses have a duty to make sure their premises are safe for customers. This means that each business must make reasonable efforts to inspect the property and to protect customers from injury. If a business becomes aware of a danger to its customers, it must take steps to correct the danger or otherwise prevent customers from being harmed.

For example, a grocery store is obligated to make reasonable inspections of aisles. Customers are put in danger if water or other liquids that could cause a slip are not discovered and cleaned up. If the grocery store becomes aware of a danger, they are required to remove the risk and/or prevent customers from becoming harmed. Placing a barrier around the liquid may be a reasonable step if the danger occurs once, but if the there is a leak that causes the danger to occur repeatedly, the store should ultimately fix the leak.

Medical Costs

To calculate how much the case is worth, one of the leading points a good Atlanta attorney considers is the medical costs. The attorney looks at the medical expenses incurred related to slip and fall injuries they have handled in the past. They consider how much the health insurer has paid and how much the injured party has paid out of pocket. An experienced Atlanta slip and fall attorney will thoroughly evaluate the future medical costs related to the accident, including surgeries, therapy, and medications. Thus, a valid case should meet the medical costs at the minimum, to reimburse for the financial losses incurred.

Pain and Suffering

It’s not an easy feat to approximate pain and suffering damages, which makes it difficult to guarantee a settlement. It’s a highly variable factor that completely depends on the permanency of injuries suffered during the slip and fall accident. The Atlanta slip and fall attorney will look at the kind of injury sustained and compare it with past cases to estimate its value. Some injuries have a higher cost than others, especially long-term injuries. Injuries that leave a person disfigured or permanently disabled will have a higher pain and suffering value than those injuries one recovers quickly from.

Wages and Earning Capacity

One is typically entitled to recover wages lost if they missed work because of the injury. The lost wages and lost time must be verified through the employer and other payment documentation. The lost hours and wages must have been caused by a legitimate reason and this must also be shown. A good defense can argue against this point if one recovered from injuries but chose to remain home. If the injuries left the person permanently unable to return to work, then the compensation is of a much higher value. A great Atlanta slip and fall attorney can help you negotiate favorable terms.

Slips and Falls Can Happen in Places You Least Expect

Slips and falls can take place in locations that you may not think of initially. For example, many people may not realize that such incidents often take place at airports. Airports can be quite congested, but it remains the responsibility of the airport to take steps to ensure that guests are safe.

Foot traffic through terminals can lead to spills or other debris that can become a danger to others. Airports make tremendous profits by squeezing as many people as possible into small spaces but they should never be allowed to put profits in front of customer safety. If you have been injured in a slip and fall at an airport, contact our Atlanta slip and fall attorney so we can help you get the just compensation you deserve. Other places include:

• Mall bathrooms;
• On an escalator;
• At a restaurant; and
• In an elevator.

COMMON INJURIES CAUSED BY SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS IN ATLANTA

A slip and fall accident can lead to injuries. These can range from mild to severe, depending on the nature and location of the accident. Common types of injuries caused by slip and fall accidents in Georgia include:

• Broken or fractured bones;
• Muscle sprains or strains;
• Herniated discs;
• Spinal cord injury;
• Head trauma or traumatic brain injury (TBI);
• Concussions;
• Neck injury;
• Cervical dislocation;
• Whiplash;
• Cuts, bruises, or lacerations; and
• Paralysis;

These bodily damages may not be immediately evident. Nonetheless, you should seek medical assistance shortly after a slip and fall accident.

What Should You Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?

As with any accident, what you do after a slip and fall accident will impact your compensation claim. At Ponton Law, we advise our clients to take the following steps after they slip and fall:

• Take photographs of the accident scene and your injuries;
• Report the accident to the security guard, or property manager or owner;
•  Collect the names and contact information of witnesses;
• Seek medical attention right away; and
• Call an Atlanta Slip and Fall Attorney.

Although our investigators will likely go back to the scene, it is critical that you collect as much evidence as possible. Next, you should focus on getting better. Our lawyers will handle all negotiations, statements and evidence collection, or any other due legal process.

Proving Negligence in an Atlanta Slip and Fall Accident

To prove your claim case, you need to show that the property’s owner was negligent. A strong case should provide evidence of the owner’s apparent failure to maintain their property safely. An Atlanta Slip and Fall Attorney will investigate specific facts of the accident including:

1. Did an unsafe condition on the property cause your accident?
2. How long did the unsafe condition exist?
3. Did the owner have time to discover and fix the problem?
4. Were the steps taken adequate or appropriate?
5. Did you share blame in the accident?

Slip and fall cases in Atlanta can be of different natures. As such, it may be challenging to connect your accident to a property owner’s actions or lack thereof. Nonetheless, you are liable for compensation if a property owner fails to:

• Repair defects on floors, walkways, lifts, stairs, and escalators;
• Remove foreign objects from the floor;
• Warn people about a dangerous condition such as a slippery or wet floor;
• Remove snow, ice, or water from the property;
• Remove construction materials from the premises;
• Close off areas under construction;
• Store heavy boxes in a safe manner; and
• Simply put, you have a strong slip and fall case if you are injured through no fault of your own while in public or private property.

How Can You Prevent Slip and Falls in Atlanta?

Slip and fall accidents are caused by negligence. As such, they can be avoided if property owners take the necessary care. If you own a property, there are things you can do to ensure the safety of visitors and customers. They include:

• Installing proper lighting;
• Marking all risk-prone areas or hazards appropriately;
• Mopping wet area where people walk;
• Cleaning up spills right away; and
• Immediately fixing broken stairs, floors, and walkways.

Remember that you are just as vulnerable as your property’s visitors. Wear proper footwear and gear when cleaning and close off areas still under construction. If an accident occurs on your premises, call an Atlanta Slip and Fall Attorney right away.

An Atlanta Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help

A slip and fall incident can be a trying time for some. Someone who has fallen can be embarrassed, in pain, and confused about what has happened. Representatives of the business are often aggressive in their attempts to get injured customers to sign waivers or make statements about the accident. However, it is essential to note that if you have been injured in a slip and fall, you are not required to make any statements to any employees of the business, and you should never sign any waivers.

You are your own best advocate, so remember to protect yourself after a slip and fall and seek medical attention immediately or take medicines. If you are able, consider taking pictures or videos of the accident scene. When possible, also write down your recollection of what happened. If there were witnesses, be sure to obtain their contact information. The more information you can provide, the stronger your claim will be.

James Ponton, an experienced Atlanta slip and fall attorney, can help you seek and obtain a proper medical evaluation, deal with the other party and his or her attorneys, and work to protect your rights during negotiations and even take the case to trial, should that become necessary. Remember, there are limitations on the amount of time that can pass before filing a claim for damages. Let us worry about making sure the legal issues are handled. Ponton Law works with you, as a partner, through the entire process.

Contact Ponton Law today if you have been injured in a slip and fall incident in Atlanta, Georgia. We have the experience necessary to manage the legal process as you work to manage your recovery. Call us at 404-860-2454 or contact us online for a consultation.