Slip-and-fall accidents are not uncommon; people might suffer injuries upon tripping on a strewn object or walking on a slippery surface. Such unexpected incidents could result in a trip to a Georgia emergency room and worse injuries than initially expected. A lawsuit might follow when the victim seeks compensation from the party responsible for the harm. Legal questions would arise about who was at fault for the accident.
Slips, falls and proof of negligence
Property owners or renters must ensure their property is safe for visitors and others authorized to enter. Such obligations could extend to a home’s sidewalk or a business parking lot. If the owner does not clean debris that presents a trip hazard, the owner might be liable for any injuries. Similarly, consider a restaurant or grocery store owner who does not provide a warning about wet floors or doesn’t clean up a spill within a reasonable amount of time. In that case, the owner could be liable for any injuries.
Although someone might fall on a property, the injured person might have no claim for compensation if they ignored warnings or were solely responsible for their mishap. Someone who trips because their shoes weren’t the right size would doubtfully have a liability claim against a third party.
Seeking compensation for valid injury claims
Several elements factor into slip-and-fall and premises liability claims. If the owner caused or contributed to the hazardous condition, didn’t fix the problem or waited too long to fix it, the owner may face a personal injury lawsuit that would seek compensation for medical bills and other financial losses.
Insurance policies could cover slip-and-fall accidents.