Whether a slip and fall case will be hard to win depends on the facts of the case and the available evidence. Since every situation is unique, it is impossible to say whether your slip and fall case will be easy or hard to win until we talk with you about the circumstances. Call our firm of personal injury lawyers today at S. Burke Law at 404-842-7838 for assistance.
Sustaining an injury from slipping and falling does not guarantee that someone else will have to pay money, and without proof a judge will not award compensation. Winning a slip and fall case is a two-step process:
- The facts must reveal that the person or company is legally responsible for your injuries, and
- The evidence we have in hand must prove your claim for compensation.
Elements of Slip and Fall Liability in Georgia
State law requires that all three of these factors exist before someone has to pay compensation for a slip and fall injury:
- The landowner owed you a duty of care. For instance, you went to a movie theatre to watch a film with friends. The property owner owed you a duty to exercise ordinary care to keep the premises and approaches (such as parking lot and sidewalks) safe.
- The landowner failed to satisfy its duty toward you (negligence). It was autumn, and there were many leaves on the sidewalk from a maple tree in front of the theatre. It rained the night before, and the leaves were slippery. Leaving glossy leaves on the sidewalk was negligence on the part of the movie theatre.
- You suffered measurable harm as a result of the landowner’s negligence (causation). Your feet went out from under you as you walked on the leaves to get to the ticket window, and when you landed hard on the concrete sidewalk, you broke your tailbone. You went to the emergency room, where the doctor took x-rays and prescribed painkillers and rest. Your recuperation was within the standard eight to 12 weeks for this type of injury, so you missed work and lost wages. Your medical expenses and lost wages were measurable harm that you experienced because of the landowner’s negligence. Since you sustained physical injuries, the movie theatre will also have to pay your non-economic damages, like pain and suffering.
Evidence We Use to Build Your Slip and Fall Case
Merely notifying the movie theatre of your injury is seldom enough for you to receive compensation. We must compile the evidence to prove to them what happened. With the right evidence, slip and fall cases are winnable.
The negligent condition on the property. If possible, take a photo of the place where you fell right away, before the theatre has time to clean up the situation – in this case, the wet leaves. Today’s cell phones take high-quality photos. Getting a lawyer on board as soon as possible can also help, as the lawyer can preserve and document evidence.
Your injuries. We will use your medical records to show the harm you suffered and to link your injuries to the date of your visit to the movie theatre. Make sure that you tell the doctor where you were when you fell.
Your lost wages. Your employer’s records will establish the amount of income you missed because of the injury . If you are self-employed, we can use other available records.
We put all of the evidence together and add up your economic damages, which are the “out-of-pocket” items like medical bills and lost wages. We then calculate the fair amount for your non-economic damages, which can include things like pain and suffering, inconvenience, and your spouse’s loss of consortium.
What Happens if You Were Also Negligent
Do not despair if you were partly at fault in your slip and fall accident. Perhaps you were distracted or tired, and not as cautious as usual. Everyone is human. Georgia law allows you to recover compensation – albeit a reduced amount – for your injuries under the rule of comparative negligence.
The law will subtract from your damages award an amount that is in proportion to your percentage of the total negligence. For example, if you were 10 percent at fault and you had $80,000 in damages, you will get $72,000 in compensation after the $8,000 reduction for your 10 percent fault.
How to Get Legal Help for Your Slip and Fall Case in Georgia.
Help for your slip and fall case and finding out if it’s difficult to win is but a phone call away. The team at S. Burke Law is waiting to hear from you and set up your free consultation. If you call us today at 404-842-7838, we will schedule a meeting with you so that we can evaluate your case and advise you on your legal rights. There is no obligation, and we do not charge for the consultation.