Georgia Injury Law Blog
A slip and fall accident on someone else’s property can result in serious injuries. If your fall occurred on another’s property, you may qualify to file a legal claim to recover compensation for your medical expenses and other costs. However, it’s important to take the right steps after a fall, so that you maximize your chances of protecting your legal rights.
It is important to remember, that the property owner will most likely try to show that your accident was a result of your own negligence, or that there was no negligence on his part. Georgia’s slip and fall laws require that you prove that the property owner had knowledge of the dangerous conditions that caused the injury, and failed to take any action to keep those on the property safe.
Here are the 5 most important things you can do to protect your rights after a fall.
Get Medical Care
First, seek medical treatment for your injuries. Make sure you get the diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, MRI scans, and CT scans, as your doctor recommends. Get all the treatment required for your injuries. Maintain an accurate record of your medical treatment, as this will be helpful in building a strong case.
Photograph the Accident Scene
Try to take pictures of the scene of the accident, if you are able to. If you were with someone at the time of the accident, ask him or her to take pictures immediately. Make sure you capture what condition caused you to fall. For example, was the floor wet or slippery? Were there any signs to warn you of danger in the area? Was there clutter or debris on the floor that you tripped on and fell? Surveillance camera footage can sometimes help if the camera covered the area of your fall, but it never hurts to take pictures yourself of the accident scene.
Report the Fall
Unfortunately, many slip and fall victims fail to report the accident. Even though they know that the slip and fall was the result of an unsafe condition caused by the property owner negligence, many still neglect to report the incident to management. File a report with the store or commercial establishment manager, supervisor, owner or any person in authority. This way there is record of your accident with the property owner which will prevent them from disputing the incident occurred.
Get Witness Information
Talk to witnesses at the scene. If you were in a commercial establishment like a supermarket or a mall, it’s very likely that there were shoppers around who saw what happened, or noticed the dangerous condition that led to your fall accident. Make sure to take down their names and contact information. These persons may be able to corroborate your version of events.
Consult an Attorney
Talk to an attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the more evidence the lawyer will be able to gather regarding the accident and the condition that caused it. Timely action is critical in order to protect your rights.
The Atlanta slip and fall attorneys at the Katz Personal Injury Lawyers represent persons injured as a result of slip and fall accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across Georgia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a slip and fall on another person’s property, talk to a lawyer at our firm. You could be eligible for compensation that includes medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity and other damages.