6 Steps to Take Following a Slip and Fall Accident
Atlanta Property Owners Have a Responsibility to Patrons
Property owners and landlords, property managers and any place of business in Atlanta, including grocery stores, shopping malls, gas stations, restaurants and bars, hotels, etc., all have a responsibility to their visitors and customers to maintain their properties in a reasonably safe condition so as to prevent potential accidents.
Slip and fall cases typically fall under the broader category of “premises liability” claims, because these types of accidents usually occur on property, or premises, owned or maintained by someone else. In such case, the owner or manager of the property may be held legally responsible for the accident.
After a slip and fall accident, your first steps are critical if you hope to pursue an injury claim. In winning this type of claim, the burden of proof is on you as the injured person and that means you must prove not only that there was a dangerous condition that caused you to fall but also that the property owner or manager was aware of the condition.
To that end: Report the slip and fall accident to the property owner or manager.
Document Everything about your Slip and Fall
The more you remember about the accident and record in detail, the more quickly the case will move along within the court system. Including the following will assist you in proving fault:
- What were the circumstances that caused you to fall?
- Did a dangerous condition exist at the time of your fall?
- Were there any defects/objects present that caused you to fall?
- Was there any warning sign to alert you to potential danger?
See your Doctor Immediately. Although your injuries may seem minor, for both your health and your legal case, you should be checked out immediately. Provide your doctor with as much detail as possible and add the doctor’s notes and medical paperwork to your evidence records.
Contact Your Attorney. While there is no definitive way to determine when someone else is legally responsible for your injuries if you slip and fall, the staff at Rice McGowan & Brandt has extensive experience in this type of claim – both in filing claims against property owners at fault and in defending claims filed against a property owner.
If you or someone you know has been involved in an automobile accident in or around Atlanta, you should contact Rice McGowan & Brandt as soon as possible to understand your rights; contact us or call us to learn more.
