Did you slip and fall in a store? You might be eligible for compensation from the business. Georgia has a premises liability law that holds property owners responsible for preventable dangers on their property that cause injuries.

But to win fair compensation for your injury, it is important to take the right steps after a slip and fall accident. Read below to learn what you should do. For additional information, call an experienced personal injury lawyer at S. Burke Law for help: 404-842-7838.

What Should You Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?

There are five important steps you should take after you slip and fall in a store. Depending on how long ago your accident occurred, you might have already completed one or more of them. If not, start from the beginning and work through them as best you can.

  • Seek Medical Treatment: Ideally, you want to seek medical treatment immediately after your accident. Even if you think you are not seriously injured, a doctor should check you out. If you have not yet seen a doctor following your accident, schedule an appointment right away.
  • Report the Accident: If you have not done it already, file a report with the store manager or owner. Put the details of what happened in writing, have the manager or owner produce their own statement, and make sure both you and they have a copy of the full report before you leave. This way, when you negotiate a settlement or take the case to court, there is no room for the other party to backtrack and claim things happened differently than they did.
  • Talk to Witnesses: Did you remember to collect statements from witnesses at the scene, or at least get their contact information? If not, it might not be too late. For instance, if one or more of the witnesses were store employees, you might be able to track them down at work. Talk to them about what they saw, and try to get formal statements from them.
  • Do Not Talk About the Accident: If you are dealing with pain from your accident, it can be tempting to vent about it on social media. But this is the worst thing you can do. The responsible party, and their insurance company, could take your statements and twist them to be used against you. Do not discuss the details of your slip and fall accident with anyone but your attorney.
  • Call an Attorney: You need a skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer fighting for your rights. I am that lawyer. Before I opened my firm, I worked as an insurance adjuster. My job exposed me to the other side of the negotiation table in personal injury cases. It gave me valuable experience that lets me anticipate and counter every tactic used by insurance companies.

What Can I Expect When Pursuing Compensation for My Accident?

Once you hire an attorney, we will start the process of negotiating a settlement or, if necessary, taking your case to trial. Our goal is to win multiple forms of compensation on your behalf, including:

  • Medical Bills: We pursue the responsible party for both current and future medical costs associated with your injury.
  • Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity: If you are unable to work while recovering from your injury, or you suffer a reduction in your ability to do your job, we will seek compensation that covers the difference in what you are earning now and what you would have earned had you not been injured.
  • Pain and Suffering: Your pain and suffering damages account for the noneconomic effects of your injuries, including physical and emotional pain.

Comparative Negligence Law

One thing to be aware of is Georgia's comparative negligence law. If the evidence indicates that you bear some of the liability for your slip and fall accident (for instance, witnesses saw you looking at your phone and texting when you fell), your compensation might be reduced by your percentage of liability. For instance, if your damages total $400,000, but you were 25 percent liable, your award would drop to $300,000.

Statute of Limitations

Keep in mind that in most personal injury cases in Georgia, you have two years from the date of your injury to pursue damages. It can go by faster than you think. Call a lawyer as soon as possible after your injury to start the process.

Call 404-842-7838 to Speak With a Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer

Have more questions? Schedule a free consultation to meet with an attorney at S. Burke Law. Call now: 404-842-7838.