If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident on someone’s property, you may be entitled to compensation. A Macon personal injury lawyer can help you build a case and negotiate with the insurance company for a settlement.
We’ll explain the crucial aspects of slip and fall accidents in Georgia. Contact our law firm today for a free case review!
Proving Fault for a Slip and Fall Accident
In a slip and fall case, your attorney must prove that the property owner (the “defendant”) was negligent. This means showing that:
- You were legally on the property and the property owner had a responsibility to ensure your safety.
- A hazardous situation existed on the property.
- The property owner was or should have been aware of the hazardous situation and its potential to cause harm.
- The property owner failed to take appropriate measures to rectify the situation or provide a warning about it.
- You suffered injuries as a direct result of the hazardous situation.
- You incurred financial losses due to your injuries, such as medical expenses, loss of earnings, or other damages that can be legally recovered.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries
Here are just a few of the more serious injuries you may suffer after slipping and falling.
1. Bone Fractures
A fall on a hard surface can cause bone fractures in the legs or arms. As you are unprepared for the fall, you may land in very awkward positions, leading to serious fractures.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 95% of hip fractures among older adults in the US are caused by falling.
2. Head Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries
When you slip on a wet surface, you may also fall backward and hit your head. Even if you only feel dizzy and experience a little pain, you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Some of the worst slip and fall injuries are traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
A serious traumatic brain injury can be life-threatening or may leave you with permanent impairment. If you’re left with a disability, a skilled personal injury attorney will help you recover compensation for future medical care costs and loss of quality of life.
3. Spine Injuries
Falling on your back after you slip does not cause injury only to the head, but also to your back. Spine injuries vary in severity from a slipped disc to a fractured vertebra and severing of the spinal cord.
Seeking medical attention is essential. Damage to the spinal cord can lead to irreversible paralysis. You don’t have to worry about the hospital bills, because your lawyer will add them to your accident claim.
4. Severe Cuts and Lacerations
In some cases, when you fall, you hit dangerous objects, like sharp metal, or land on broken glass. This can lead to deep cuts and lacerations, some of them to your face. These cuts need to be cleaned and bandaged as soon as possible by a doctor to prevent infection.
Also, getting the cuts treated quickly will minimize scarring, especially on visible parts of your body. If, despite the doctor’s best efforts, you have visible scars, your personal injury lawyer in Macon will calculate appropriate non-economic damages for disfigurement.
At the same time, it’s worth noting that costs for plastic or reconstructive surgeries that are deemed medically necessary are treated as recoverable economic damages.
5. Soft Tissue Injuries
Muscles, ligaments, and tendons can become strained or even torn if you fall suddenly. These injuries can be very painful and limit your range of movement for several weeks or even longer.
Many victims of slip and fall injuries report being left with chronic pain, especially in the lower back. A skilled attorney will prove that your chronic pain was caused by the injuries suffered in the slip and fall accident and make sure that you get fair compensation for pain and suffering.
Talk With an Experienced Macon Personal Injury Lawyer!
Slip and fall injuries often result in very high hospital bills and treatment costs, as well as lost wages. If the accident happened on someone’s property due to their negligence in keeping it safe, you have the right to file an insurance claim and demand compensation.
At Joe Durham Jr., P.C., your case will be examined by an experienced Macon personal injury attorney. We will listen to you, look over the available evidence, and give you an honest legal opinion concerning your rights.
We offer each new client a free case review, so call us at 229-210-6226 now to schedule yours!
