A fall at a store, restaurant, apartment building, or other property can result in fractures, head injuries, torn ligaments, and other conditions that interfere with work and everyday activities.
At Van Sant Law, our slip and fall accident lawyers in Newnan investigate why the fall happened and whether the party responsible for the property failed to address an unsafe condition.
We have represented injured Georgians since 2008 and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. Founding attorney David M. Van Sant previously represented insurance companies, giving our firm firsthand insight into how insurers investigate accidents and challenge injury claims.
If you were injured in a fall, our Newnan personal injury lawyers can review the circumstances and explain your options under Georgia law. Contact Van Sant Law for a free consultation.
What Causes Slip and Fall Accidents?
Falls can happen when walking surfaces are slippery, damaged, poorly maintained, or unexpectedly uneven. The cause is not always obvious once the condition has been cleaned, repaired, or altered.
Our Newnan slip and fall accident attorneys may investigate falls caused by:
- Spilled liquids.
- Recently mopped floors.
- Grease or food on walking surfaces.
- Rainwater near entrances.
- Loose rugs or floor mats.
- Torn or raised carpeting.
- Cracked or uneven pavement.
- Potholes.
- Broken stairs.
- Missing or loose handrails.
- Poor lighting.
- Unmarked changes in floor height.
- Debris or merchandise in walkways.
What caused the condition and how long it existed can be just as significant as the condition itself.
How Our Newnan Slip and Fall Lawyers Prove a Property Owner Knew About the Hazard
One of the main disputes in a Georgia slip and fall case is often whether the property owner or occupier knew or should have known about the dangerous condition.
Actual Knowledge
Actual knowledge may exist when an owner, manager, or employee was aware of the condition before you fell.
Evidence could include prior complaints, an employee who saw the spill, a repair request, or records showing that management had already identified the problem.
Constructive Knowledge
Constructive knowledge can apply even when the owner denies personally knowing about the hazard.
Depending on the facts, it may be shown by evidence that an employee was close enough to the condition to notice and correct it, or that the hazard existed long enough for a reasonable inspection to have discovered it.
Our slip and fall lawyers in Newnan look for records that help establish when the hazard appeared and what the property owner did before the accident.
What Should You Do After a Slip and Fall?
Your health comes first. Once you are medically able, preserving information about the accident can also help protect your claim.
Consider taking these steps:
- Report the fall to a manager, owner, landlord, or employee.
- Ask whether an incident report will be prepared.
- Photograph the condition that caused you to fall.
- Take wider photographs showing the surrounding area.
- Get names and contact information from witnesses.
- Seek appropriate medical treatment.
- Keep the shoes and clothing you were wearing.
- Save medical bills, receipts, and employment records.
- Follow your doctors’ treatment recommendations.
- Keep track of work you miss because of your injuries.
Try not to speculate about why you fell or accept blame when reporting the incident. Stick to what you know happened.
What If You Are Partly Blamed for the Fall?
Georgia follows a modified comparative fault rule. An insurance company may try to assign some responsibility to you even when a dangerous property condition contributed to the fall.
If you are found partly responsible, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 50% or more responsible, Georgia law prevents you from recovering damages.
Our Newnan slip and fall accident attorneys examine whether allegations of shared fault are supported by the evidence and how they may affect your claim.
Compensation You Can Seek After a Slip and Fall
Depending on your injuries and the evidence, compensation may include:
- Ambulance and emergency care.
- Hospital bills.
- Diagnostic testing.
- Surgery.
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation.
- Prescription medication.
- Future medical treatment.
- Lost wages.
- Reduced earning capacity.
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Emotional suffering.
- Other compensable losses associated with the injury.
We evaluate the effect the injury has had on your health, work, and daily activities when preparing a claim.
How Long Do You Have to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in Georgia?
Georgia generally provides a 2-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Some circumstances can involve different deadlines or additional notice requirements.
The filing deadline is only one reason to act early. A business may retain surveillance footage for a much shorter period, and witnesses or employees may become harder to locate as time passes.
Contacting a Newnan slip-and-fall lawyer sooner gives us an opportunity to identify evidence before it is altered, erased, or lost.
Why Choose Van Sant Law
We represent Georgia injury victims from the communities we serve, and we understand that dealing with a fall injury can make everyday tasks more difficult. Our goal is to make it easier for you to get legal help while we handle the insurance and liability issues connected to your claim.
When you work with Van Sant Law, you can expect:
- Flexible case sign–up options: We can handle the paperwork electronically, so you do not need to travel to an office to get started.
- In–home consultations when needed: If your injuries make travel difficult, we can arrange to meet with you at home.
- Help connecting with resources: If you need assistance locating medical or financial resources, we can help connect you with available options.
- A Georgia–focused legal team: We live and work in the communities we serve and represent people injured throughout Georgia.
- A focus on available insurance coverage: In many injury claims, compensation is pursued through insurance rather than directly from an individual.
If you are unsure what to do after a serious fall, we can review the facts, explain your options, and help you decide what comes next. Make the Right Call and speak with Van Sant Law about your case.
Have Your Case Reviewed by a Newnan Slip and Fall Attorney Today
Van Sant Law has represented injured people throughout Georgia since 2008. We can investigate the property condition, determine who may be responsible, and explain how Georgia law applies to your circumstances.
Contact us for a free case review with a slip and fall accident lawyer in Newnan.
