Roswell Slip & Fall Lawyer
When you suffer injuries due to a slip and fall while on property belonging to another, you might be able to hold the property owner liable for costs related to your injuries, depending on the situation. A Roswell slip & fall accident lawyer can evaluate your case, present your options, and help you choose the most appropriate course of action.
An experienced injury lawyer could investigate the circumstances that led to your slip and fall and determine the identity of any liable parties. If legal counsel can gather enough evidence to show that another was responsible, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim against the responsible parties. A personal injury claim may allow you to obtain compensation for any losses associated with your injuries.
Liability for Slip and Fall Accidents in Roswell
Property owners and others who have control over property, such as through a lease, owe some duty of care to those who legally enter their property. The status of those present on the property determines the extent of the duty of care. Property owners owe varying duties of care to individuals depending on whether they are classified as invitees, licensees, or trespassers under state law.
Invitees
Invitees are individuals property owners invite to be present on their property. This includes neighbors whom a residential homeowner invites over for a backyard barbecue, as well as customers who visit a grocery store. Landowners owe the highest duty of care to these individuals under O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1, or a reasonable duty to keep their property free of any hazardous conditions that might harm them.
Licensees
O.C.G.A. § 51-3-2 establishes the duty of care property owners owe to licensees. These individuals enter the property with permission, but for their own purposes. Property owners owe only a duty to refrain from inflicting intentional or wanton injuries on licensees under this code section.
Trespassers
The final category of individuals are trespassers or those who do not have the permission of the landowner to be on the property. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-3-3, property owners owe no duty to trespassers to keep their property free from hazards. Landowners only owe trespassers an obligation to avoid willful or wanton conduct that could harm them.
Common Causes of Injuries
Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere, from private residences to hotels to businesses open to the public. Likewise, the causes of slip and fall accidents vary. Some of the most common causes of these accidents include:
- Customers fall in a hotel parking lot due to uneven pavement or potholes;
- Guests at a private residence slip and fall on cracked and crumbling steps;
- Patrons slip on spilled milk in a grocery store; and
- Customers trip and fall over uneven carpet or flooring in a restaurant.
While a slip and fall may not seem like a major accident, these incidents can lead to significant injuries. Broken bones, head injuries, and back and neck injuries all may result from slip and fall accidents.
Work with a Roswell Slip & Fall Accident Lawyer
A Roswell slip and fall attorney could assess the strength and value of your potential injury claim. They could also negotiate with insurance companies to reach a fair settlement in your case. By getting the legal advice you need in this situation, you could give your claim the best chance of success. Call today to discuss your case.
