Slip & Fall Accidents

What Is A Slip & Fall Accident?

A slip and fall accident, also known as a trip and fall accident, is a type of personal injury incident that occurs when a person slips, trips, or falls on someone else’s property due to hazardous conditions or negligence. These accidents can happen in various settings, such as public places, workplaces, retail stores, restaurants, and private residences. Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries, including broken bones, sprains, strains, concussions, and in severe cases, even permanent disabilities or death.

Common causes of slip and fall accidents include:

• Wet or slippery surfaces: Spills, leaks, freshly mopped floors, rainwater, or melted snow can create slippery surfaces that increase the risk of slipping.
• Uneven flooring: Cracked, uneven, or damaged flooring, such as loose tiles, potholes, or damaged carpets, can cause individuals to trip and fall.
• Poorly maintained sidewalks or walkways: Cracks, holes, or debris on sidewalks, walkways, and parking lots can present trip hazards.
• Inadequate lighting: Poor lighting conditions can obscure potential hazards, making it difficult for individuals to see where they are walking.
• Cluttered or obstructed pathways: Objects or obstacles left in walkways, such as cords, boxes, or merchandise, can lead to trips and falls.
• Lack of handrails: Staircases and ramps without proper handrails or ones in disrepair can contribute to accidents.
• Weather conditions: Snow, ice, rain, or other weather-related elements can create hazardous conditions outdoors and indoors when tracked inside.
• Slippery footwear: Inappropriate footwear with poor traction can increase the risk of slipping.
• Negligence in maintenance: Property owners and managers have a duty to maintain their premises and promptly fix hazardous conditions. Failure to do so can result in slip-and-fall accidents.
• Lack of warning signs: Failure to provide warning signs or barriers around hazardous areas can lead to accidents.

Who Is Responsible For Slip & Fall Accidents?

In Georgia, property owners or occupiers have a duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for visitors. If a person slips and falls on someone else’s property due to a hazardous condition, the property owner or occupier may be held liable for the injuries sustained by the individual.

To establish liability in a slip-and-fall case, the injured person must typically prove the following:

1. The property owner or occupier owed a duty of care to the injured person.
2. The property owner or occupier breached that duty by failing to maintain the property in a safe condition or by not adequately warning about the hazardous condition.
3. The hazardous condition directly caused the slip-and-fall accident.
4. The injured person suffered actual damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

It’s essential to note that Georgia follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means that if the injured person is found partially responsible for the slip-and-fall accident, their compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault. If the injured person is determined to be 50% or more at fault for the accident, they may not be eligible to recover any damages.

In some cases, slip and fall accidents may be caused by the negligence of a third party or by a defective or dangerous product. In these cases, the third-party or product manufacturer may be liable for your injuries.

Ready To Help You Today

If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries and other losses. At Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys, we know how to hold negligent property owners and managers accountable for their negligence and how to obtain just compensation for our clients.

Contact us today at (706) 719-7177 to request a free case review.