A slip-and-fall accident can lead to serious injuries, damages, and financial losses. Regardless of where the accident occurs, the results of fall injuries even from a short distance can be catastrophic. Fortunately, you may have an opportunity to file a slip and fall claim and recover compensation if you can prove another party was responsible for your slip and fall accident.
A Marietta slip and fall lawyer could investigate the cause of your accident, collect evidence, and speak to witnesses to help your case. With a qualified personal injury attorney by your side, you could stand a much better chance of holding a negligent property owner liable for your injuries and damages.
Types of Property Visitors
The first step to successfully filing a slip-and-fall lawsuit in Marietta, besides hiring a qualified Marietta slip-and-fall lawyer, is determining whether the plaintiff in question is eligible to file suit at all. Civil cases stemming from slips, trips, and falls are governed by premises liability law, which establishes different levels of responsibility for a property owner when it comes to protecting visitors from harm.
Invitees
An invitee is someone who is invited onto a property for the benefit of that property owner, such as a customer in a retail store. According to the Official Code of Georgia §51-3-1, a property owner or manager must exercise ordinary care in order to ensure their property is safe for invitees. Failure to do so may lead to a slip-and-fall accident and subsequent civil liability.
Licensees
Licensees are similar to invitees in that they have the permission of the property owner to be on their land, but they are on said property in service of their own interests rather than those of the landowner. For example, a houseguest at a party is a licensee, and the host of such a party would only be responsible for keeping their guests safe from injury, according to Georgia law O.C.G.A. §51-3-2.
Trespassers
Finally, a trespasser is anyone who enters someone's property without the permission of the property owner or manager. Under Georgia law O.C.G.A. §51-3-3, property owners in Georgia owe trespassers protection only from willful or wanton injury, just like licensees.
Recoverable Damages After a Slip and Fall Accident
Following a slip and fall accident, the injured party may be able to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Medical bills and other medical expenses stemming from fall accidents can be recouped but additional recoverable economic damages may include lost wages or lost income from time spent out of work, loss of earning capacity, and the costs of repairing or replacing property damaged during the incident.
Furthermore, damages that do not have a specific monetary value may be recoverable as well. Non-economic damages could include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of consortium with family members
A diligent slip-and-fall attorney in Marietta could calculate the injured plaintiff's losses and help them seek appropriate compensation through either a private settlement or a slip-and-fall lawsuit in civil court.
Take the Next Step by Calling a Marietta Slip and Fall Lawyer
Slip and fall accidents are extremely dangerous. Fall injuries can result in severe injuries such as broken bones and spinal cord injuries. If you or a loved one were injured while on another person's property, the landowner or property owner could be held liable for damages.
Speak to a Marietta slip-and-fall lawyer today to learn about your legal options, whether you have grounds for a slip-and-fall lawsuit, and how a qualified slip-and-fall attorney can help you can recover the maximum compensation for your fall injury.