A sudden fall can change your life in an instant. One moment you are walking through a grocery store or visiting a business in Macon, and the next, you are in serious pain. If you were injured because a property owner failed to keep their premises safe, you shouldn’t have to pay for your recovery alone. You need a legal team that understands premises liability laws in Georgia.

At The Super Lawyer, we help victims of slip and fall accidents recover the money they need for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We know that these accidents are rarely just “clumsiness.” They are often the result of negligence. We offer a free consultation to review your case and explain your legal options.

Do You Have a Valid Premises Liability Claim?

Not every fall results in a lawsuit. To have a valid claim, we must prove that the property owner was negligent. In Georgia, property owners have a legal duty to keep their spaces safe for invited guests and customers. When they fail to do this, and someone gets hurt, it falls under an area of law called premises liability.

To win a case, we generally need to prove two main things regarding knowledge:

• Actual Knowledge: The property owner or employee knew about the hazard (like a spill) and did nothing to fix it.
• Constructive Knowledge: The hazard existed long enough that the owner should have known about it if they were inspecting the property reasonably.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, but they are most common in places like supermarkets, restaurants, retail stores, and private workplaces. Common hazards that lead to these injuries include:

• Wet or slippery floors without warning signs
• Uneven pavement or cracked sidewalks
• Poor lighting in stairwells or parking lots
• Torn carpeting or loose rugs
• Broken handrails on stairs
• Cluttered aisles and walkways

Serious Injuries from Falls

According to national statistics, falls are a leading cause of injury. While some people walk away with bruises, many suffer severe, life-altering trauma. We frequently represent clients suffering from:

• Broken bones: Hip fractures, wrist breaks, and ankle injuries are very common, especially among older adults.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Hitting your head on the floor or an object can cause concussions or severe brain damage.
• Spinal cord injuries: These can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, or paralysis.
• Soft tissue injuries: Tears in ligaments and tendons that may require surgery and physical therapy.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

The goal of a slip and fall claim is to make you “whole” again financially. While money cannot undo the pain, it can prevent financial ruin. We fight to recover damages for:

• Medical Bills: This includes emergency room visits, surgeries, doctor appointments, and future rehabilitation costs.
• Lost Wages: If you missed work to recover, you are entitled to that pay. If you can no longer work the same job, we look at lost earning capacity.
• Pain and Suffering: This covers the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.

In rare cases where a property owner showed willful misconduct or conscious indifference to consequences, we may also seek punitive damages under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1. These are designed to punish the wrongdoer rather than just compensate the victim.

Understanding Georgia Law: Negligence and Time Limits

Comparative Negligence

Insurance companies often try to blame the victim. They might say you were looking at your phone or wearing unsafe shoes. Georgia follows a comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your payout will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Statute of Limitations

Time is not on your side. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Georgia is generally two years from the date of the accident. If you do not file a lawsuit before this deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation forever.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Fall

If you are injured in a slip and fall, the steps you take immediately afterward are crucial for proving negligence later. Try to do the following:

1. Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the priority. Go to a doctor immediately, even if you feel okay. Some injuries, like TBI, have delayed symptoms.
2. Report the Accident: Notify the manager or property owner. Ask them to make a written report and request a copy.
3. Gather Evidence: Take photos of the hazard (the spill, the hole, the ice) before it is cleaned up. Take photos of your injuries and your clothing.
4. Get Witness Info: If anyone saw you fall, get their names and phone numbers.
5. Do Not Sign Anything: Insurance adjusters may ask for a statement or offer a quick settlement. Do not sign anything without speaking to a lawyer first.