If you’ve been injured after slipping or tripping on someone else’s property, you may be eligible for compensation under Georgia premises liability laws. Slip and fall accidents often result in more than just embarrassment — they can lead to serious injuries, including fractures, back injuries, or traumatic brain injuries. Understanding your legal rights is essential to recovering the compensation you may deserve.
Slip and Fall Injury Attorney in Duluth, GA
Slipped, Hurt, and Unsure What’s Next? Know Your Rights in Duluth, GA
Slip and fall cases fall under the broader category of premises liability law, which holds property owners responsible for keeping their premises reasonably safe for visitors. In Georgia, both residential and commercial property owners owe a duty of care to lawful visitors — meaning they must take reasonable steps to prevent hazards that could cause injury.
To have a valid slip and fall claim in Georgia, the injured party must prove that:
- A hazardous condition existed on the property.
- The property owner or occupier knew (or should have known) about the hazard.
- The owner failed to fix or warn about the hazard.
- The hazard directly caused the injury.
Common causes of slip and fall injuries include wet floors without signage, loose carpets, uneven sidewalks, poor lighting, broken staircases, spilled substances, and icy walkways. These conditions are often seen in grocery stores, restaurants, apartment complexes, parking lots, and even office buildings.
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1), property owners are liable for injuries to invitees — people who are on the premises for lawful purposes, such as customers in a store or tenants in an apartment building. However, these cases can be complex, especially if the property owner argues that the danger was “open and obvious” or that the injured person was partially responsible.
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If the injured person is found to be 50% or more at fault, they cannot recover damages. If they are less than 50% at fault, their compensation is reduced in proportion to their degree of fault. For example, if a jury finds the injured person 20% responsible, they will receive 80% of the total damages awarded.
Compensation in a slip and fall case can include:
- Medical expenses (hospital visits, physical therapy, medications)
- Lost wages or future loss of earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability or reduced quality of life
It’s important to document everything after the fall — including photos of the scene, medical records, and any witness statements. Reporting the incident to the property owner or manager as soon as possible is also crucial. Many premises liability cases rely heavily on evidence collected shortly after the injury.
The statute of limitations in Georgia for filing a slip and fall injury lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the incident. Missing this deadline can prevent you from seeking any compensation, no matter how strong your case may be.
At VES Law Group, we help individuals understand their rights and evaluate the strength of their slip and fall claims. If you’ve been injured due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, you may have legal options.
