Injured in a slip, trip and fall accident in Albany?
Find the best Georgia premises liability attorney near you.
2410 Westgate Dr, Suite 101
Albany, GA 31707
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Georgia injury lawyers helping accident victims near Albany for over 50 years
The elderly aren’t the only ones who slip and fall. These types of accidents happen to Georgians of all ages, at work, at home, or while in a store. In fact, slip and falls are the third most common causes of workplace fatalities in the state of Georgia, accounting for 15 percent of occupational fatalities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The good news is that Georgia’s slip and fall fatality rate is significantly lower than what it was in 2016 (27 percent).
When someone does slip, trip or fall, and gets seriously injured as a result, they’re often too embarrassed to tell anyone about it. However, this can be a very costly mistake. Not all slip and falls are purely accidental or due to a person’s lack of coordination. Sometimes slip and falls can be traced back to negligence of a property owner, homeowner or employer to make their premises safe for others. Such cases fall under Georgia’s premises liability law.
If you suffered a serious injury due to a slip and fall in Albany, you should know that you are entitled to certain rights and benefits under Georgia law. We can help you understand all of your rights and responsibilities when it comes to compensation. But first, It’s important to hire the best slip and fall injury lawyer to review your case.
At the law offices of Westmoreland, Patterson, Mosely, and Hinson, our injury lawyers have over 200 years of combined experience helping accident victims receive the compensation they need for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability & other damages.“Mr. Hinson handled a personal injury matter for me. He kept me well informed and did an excellent job. I was very pleased with the outcome.”
What to do after a slip and fall injury
- Report the injury. If you’re injured on the job, don’t wait until after you see the doctor to file a report and don’t wait to notify your superior. If you’re a customer in a store, notify a manager or supervisor as soon as possible. It’s tempting to brush off a slip and fall as something minor when there doesn’t appear to be any noticeable damage, but unseen injuries might cause you pain in the long run.
- Go to the doctor. Yes, it will probably cost money—and yes, it might require you to take time away from work. But your health and well-being are important, which means you should seek professional medical attention immediately after a serious slip and fall.
- Be thorough and consistent. Don’t leave out any injuries if you have more than one. Be sure to tell your doctor about any relevant past injuries, and make a note of your surroundings when you slipped and fell. The company or employer will want to know all of these details, and any discrepancies or information not originally included can affect the compensation you receive.
- Listen to the doctor. No matter how tempted you might be to disregard the doctor’s orders, don’t. It’s their job to make sure you feel better, but it’s also your job to take the necessary time off for recovery should the doctor tell you to do so. By following your doctor’s instructions, you’ll be better off and be able to return to work quicker.
- Consult an attorney. Premises liability law in Georgia can be complicated. When it comes to slip and falls, it’s often a battle over who was responsible — the person who fell or the owner of the premises. An experienced Albany injury attorney can evaluate your case and determine if you have a shot at compensation.
Common causes of slip and falls
- Poor lighting. We rely on our eyes for the most simple and menial tasks. Poor lighting makes it difficult to see where we’re going, and something as simple as walking can suddenly become dangerous if you hit into a pole or misjudged the stairs, resulting in a fall.
- Debris on the floor. Anything from the classic banana peel to broken glass to a misplaced toy can all cause a slip and fall. They’re easy to miss if you’re not paying attention or in a hurry, so be sure to check what’s in front of you before taking a step.
- Wet/slick floors. Whether caused by a leak or a custodian who just mopped, wet floors are slip and fall magnets and should be tread upon with caution. Look for slippery floor signs and avoid walking there if possible when you see one.
- Cords. Tripping on cords is only funny in the movies when no one really gets hurt. A cord running across the floor, even if it’s taped down, can be a serious tripping hazard and cause you to fall.
- Cracks in floor/pavement. One of the lesser known causes of a slip and fall accident are cracks running across the floor or in the paved parking lot next to a building. Heels can get stuck in them or a slightly raised edge can be just enough to catch your toe on.
- Ice. While not extremely common in South Georgia, ice and snow do occasionally cover sidewalks, steps and pathways in the Albany area. When this happens, people are more likely to slip and fall, especially if a sidewalk, driveway or parking lot isn’t properly shoveled.
- Uneven surfaces. Rugs, carpets, stairs, and slightly raised floors going from one room to another are tripping hazards that can easily cause you to trip, slip and fall.
Common slip and fall injuries
- Soft tissue injuries. Torn ligaments, tendons and minor ankle or wrist sprains are the most common soft tissue injuries in a slip and fall accident. They’re also the most difficult to prove because the damage isn’t always visible to the naked eye and can go undetected for days, even weeks, before a person realizes that something is wrong.
- Cuts and abrasions. Arms, legs, hips, and heads are the most common places for a cut or abrasion to show up after a slip and fall. These injuries can require anything from a simple topical antibiotic to a trip to the hospital for some stitches.
- Head injuries. Never take a head injury lightly, especially when caused by a slip and fall. Perhaps you’ll feel just fine in an hour or two with only a tender bump on the head to show for it, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Severe head injuries can result in swelling, bleeding, vomiting, minor concussions, or worse. If left untreated, the damage can have lasting effects. Always seek immediate medical attention right away if you fall and hit your head.
- Spinal cord injuries. We rely on our spines more than we know, so even a seemingly minor slip and fall back injury can result in temporary or permanent damage and should be treated by a trained medical professional as soon as possible.
- Broken bones. Broken arms, hands and fingers are particularly common in slip and falls due to people trying to break their fall.
Georgia slip and fall statute of limitations
The Georgia statute of limitations sets a limit of 2 years to file a personal injury claim. If a slip and fall occurs in the workplace, however, a claim needs to be filed within 1 year, beginning the day the employee suffered the injury. If the slip and fall results in death, eligible family members or spouses have 1 year to file after the death.
The sooner you can consult with a slip and fall attorney about your case, the more time they’ll have to prepare a strong argument for compensation.
Slip and fall settlements and compensation in Albany, GA
If you decide to file a claim against your place of employment because you suffered a slip and fall at work, you may be able to recover the following damages:
- Lost wages. Broken bones, head injuries, and spinal cord injuries can all mean taking off substantial time from work to make a full recovery. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may be able to return to work right away with nothing more than a cast or a brace, but this can still hinder what you’re able to do.
- Medical bills. Seeing the doctor right away will start a paper trail documenting all the medical costs you may have incurred due to the slip and fall. Everything from hospital bills to doctor visits and prescriptions should be covered if you successfully prove your case.
In addition, if you’re filing a claim against a property owner for a slip and fall injury that occurred on their premises (who is not your employer), the following damages may also be available:
- Pain and suffering. The simplest definition of “pain and suffering” is the general discomfort, pain, unhappiness, and missed opportunities that result from a personal injury such as a slip and fall. Courts will sometimes assign a dollar value to these damages and offer it as part of your slip and fall settlement.
- Wrongful death. Slip and fall injuries are embarrassing at best and fatal at worst. A settlement will do little to ease the emotional distress caused by the loss of a loved one due to a slip and fall. However, an experienced Albany lawyer can help you claim those damages to cover your family’s financial concerns and help give you closure.
Contact an Albany, GA slip and fall lawyer
Slip and falls may seem harmless in the moment, but they can be just as hazardous as anything else. If you or a loved one have been hurt, trust an experienced Albany lawyer to help you file an injury claim. For over 50 years, our team of professionals at Westmoreland, Patterson, Moseley, & Hinson are ready to fight so you don’t have to settle for less. Visit one of our three locations in Macon, Albany, and Warner Robins.
Were you or a loved one injured in an accident?
Call 1-800-688-1651 or contact us online for legal help now.
Documenting details after your accident is crucial. The trauma of an accident can make remembering all of the details of the crash difficult. Keep a post-accident journal to help document your case.