St. Simons Island Slip and Fall Lawyers
Most people have slipped on a wet spot and fallen. This is a common enough accident that can occur pretty much anywhere. But, slip and fall accidents are not only common, they are also dangerous. One of the most common fall-related injuries are head injuries, which almost always require extensive medical care.
Back and spinal cord injuries are other common results of slip and fall accidents. Many of these slip and fall injuries are preventable. Unfortunately, when a property owner fails to repair a dangerous condition or fails to warn visitors about the danger, people can get hurt.
If this happened to you, call a St. Simons slip and fall lawyer today. If a property owner’s negligence caused your accident, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries.
St. Simons Island Building Owners’ Responsibilities
Property owners are accountable for the condition of their property. They have a responsibility to ensure their property is safe for visitors. Property owners or proprietors must keep spills cleaned, floors in good condition, and otherwise make sure that visitors do not face unnecessary dangers. If there is a hazardous condition on the property that the owner cannot repair, they must warn visitors about that danger.
For example, if a building’s floors are rotten, the owner must warn visitors by posting signs in the risky area. However, property owners must only do so for areas where visitors would be. Therefore, in that same scenario, the property owner would not need to post a warning about floors in spaces where they do not allow visitors.
This makes sense because owners are only responsible for warning visitors of foreseeable risks. It is important to note that property owners are only responsible for the dangers that might befall visitors who are there legally. This means that a trespasser usually cannot file a personal injury claim against the property owner for a slip and fall accident that happened while they were on the property illegally.
Suing for Slip and Fall Injuries
If a property owner knows, or should have known, about a hazardous condition and did not take reasonable steps to protect visitors, they are negligent. Negligence is a common cause of slip and fall accidents.
Too often, property owners simply do not take the time to clean up slippery surfaces or otherwise keep floors safe. When someone gets hurt because of a property owner’s negligence, they can sue for financial compensation for their damages. St. Simons slip and fall accident victims often seek compensation for the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Physical pain
- Emotional trauma
Slip and Fall Accidents in Public Buildings
Like private property owners, the government is responsible for ensuring public property is safe for legal visitors. A slip and fall victim who gets hurt in a public building may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the government. However, there are significant differences between filing a claim against a private property owner and the government.
One such difference is that victims must submit written notice of their claim to the proper government entity. Additionally, the law may limit the amount of compensation a victim can seek.
An Experienced St. Simons Island Slip and Fall Lawyer Could Be an Ally
Although slip and falls may not seem like serious accidents, they can cause substantial injuries. If they were the result of a property owner or operator’s negligence you may be able to seek compensation for any damages.
An experienced attorney could help you calculate the extent of damage and help you seek compensation for that damage. Call a St. Simons slip and fall lawyer today and find out whether you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
