A slip and fall can happen anytime and anywhere. Whether you’re at the local supermarket, an apartment complex, or a restaurant, you always face the risk of injury from slipping or tripping over a hazard. No matter the situation, if you are injured on someone else’s property because they didn’t take reasonable measures to keep visitors safe, you may be entitled to compensation.

Georgia’s premise liability laws provide avenues for injured individuals to seek compensation. The Duluth slip and fall attorneys at Andersen, Tate & Carr have decades of experience helping those who have been injured obtain compensation. Contact us today by calling 770-822-0900 or by filling out our online contact form for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Where Slip and Fall Accidents Happen Most Often in Gwinnett County

Though slip and fall injuries can happen just about anywhere, there are some types of property where they happen most often. No matter the location, property owners have a legal obligation to take reasonable measures to protect patrons and visitors from injury. When they fail that obligation, a Duluth premises liability lawyer may be able to help injured victims receive financial compensation.

The most common locations for slip and fall injuries include:

  • Retail establishments
  • Grocery stores
  • Shopping areas
  • Office buildings
  • Apartments
  • Homes
  • Restaurants
  • Parking Areas

Elements of a Slip and Fall Case in Gwinnett County

Under Georgia law, there are three different levels of visitors who may enter a property: Trespassers, licensees, and invitees. Trespassers are those who are not lawfully allowed on their property and are granted virtually no protection under Georgia law. Property owners must simply not set out to intentionally harm them, such as by setting traps.

Licensees are those who are on the property for their own purposes. They are allowed to be on the property, but they do not provide any financial benefits to the property owner by being there. Examples include partygoers, solicitors and delivery drivers. Property owners are required to take reasonable care to protect licensees from harm.

Invitees are given the highest level of protection. These visitors are people who visit a property for the benefit of the property owners. The most common example of invitees is those who visit a retail store to shop. Property owners must inspect their property thoroughly to ensure there are no dangers to invitees.

Proving a Slip and Fall Case

Besides the different types of visitors, there are three general elements to a slip and fall case. First, property owners have a duty of care to visitors. Property owners have to take a reasonable amount of care to not injure visitors. However, the duty of care increases for licensees and invitees, as explained above.

Second, there must be an actual dangerous condition that can cause injury. For instance, if a store has clean floors, but someone falls anyway, that situation may not qualify for a slip and fall lawsuit. However, if there is a spill on the floor that the property owner should have reasonably known about, and it causes injury, they might be successfully sued.

It’s important to note that not every slip and fall qualifies for compensation. For example, if a property owner had no way of knowing there was a dangerous condition, such as if a slip happens just moments after a spill, the owner may not have been able to reasonably know about it. Similarly, if they post signage of the danger, they may be able to lessen their liability if someone is injured.

Finally, there must be actual damages incurred. For example, if you fall in a store, but aren’t actually injured, you probably can’t successfully file a lawsuit. However, if you incur medical bills or physical injury , you may qualify for compensation.

Speak to an Experienced Duluth Slip and Fall Lawyer Today

Trying to get compensation after you’re injured on someone else’s property can be difficult. Corporations who own stores and other property often hire a team of lawyers to defend them against any kind of lawsuits. That’s why it’s so important to hire an experienced Duluth premises liability lawyer if you are injured.

At Andersen, Tate & Carr, our Gwinnett County-based law firm can help you fight for the full compensation you deserve. We always offer free consultations to help you explore all of your legal options and help you decide your best path forward. To speak with an experienced Duluth slip and fall lawyer, call us at 770-822-0900 or contact us online today.