It’s that time of year when, even in Atlanta, the white stuff starts to fall from the sky. Not only does snow make for a difficult commute, but it can also make it dangerous to walk. Whether you’re in a parking lot or grocery store, you need to be extremely careful. The last thing you want to do is slip and fall and hurt yourself. If that happens, you’ll be on the phone with a slip and fall lawyer in Atlanta within days.
Even though most people who fall in a public place don’t suffer serious injuries, that doesn’t mean they don’t get hurt. You could break your arm or leg. You could even sustain a head, neck or back injury. This could land you in the hospital for a few days. You may need surgery or physical therapy. Either way, you’ll probably miss a few days from work. Nobody can afford that right now. With everything else that’s going on, the last thing you need is more bills.
That’s why it’s important that you call a slip and fall attorney in Atlanta as soon as possible after your injury.
Why Are Slip and Fall Cases So Common in Winter?
People slip and fall all the time. Sometimes it’s their own silly fault. Maybe they aren’t watching where they’re going, and they trip on a curb. Or they’re carrying laundry down the stairs and don’t hold on to the railing. But winter is when people tend to fall while out in public. You should be able to trust that public places, like a grocery store, keep their floors safe and dry. The truth is that most do try their best to make this happen. But they are only human, and people make mistakes.
You’ve probably been in a store at some point and noticed that the floor is wet. the first thing you look for in a plastic yellow signing warning you to be careful. These signs even have it written in English and Spanish just to be safe. Sometimes a wet floor escapes the attention of a manager. And not all employees care enough to let their manager know that there’s an unsafe condition at the store. When this happens, people fall and get hurt. If that happens to you, then you’re going to need the assistance of a skilled slip and fall lawyer in Atlanta.
You May Suffer Very Serious Injuries in Your Slip and Fall Case
As mentioned earlier, not all slip and falls end up causing serious injuries. But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. It all depends on the situation. If you already have a medical condition, there’s a good chance you could hurt yourself worse when you fall. Or maybe your mom falls and she’s a bit older. Her bones are fragile and can’t withstand any sort of slip and fall. In cases like this, you very well could end up in the hospital. Your attorney is going to have to work hard to get you compensation for your injuries.
The Defendant May Claim You Were Partially at Fault
As with any other case, there’s a chance the defendant or their lawyer will try to claim you were at fault. Sometimes, this works. Let’s consider a situation where a plaintiff is wearing high heels and is paying no attention to where they’re walking. They’re texting with one hand and holding their open coffee cup with the other. They don’t see the yellow warning sign letter her know that the floor is wet.
In a situation like this, the defendant will likely have a good argument that the plaintiff was partially at fault. If this is the case, your claim is going to be reduced. The court will reduce them by whatever percentage you were at fault. This is because of something called the comparative negligence rule. So, if you had a claim for $100,000 and you were 20% at fault, it’ll be reduced by $20,000.
Contact an Experienced Slip and Fall Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia
If you or your loved one fall this winter, you will need the services of a good slip and fall lawyer in Atlanta. Call right away and schedule your free, initial consultation. Sit down with someone who will give you their honest opinion as to whether you have a valid claim. The consultation is free and you don’t pay a dime until your case is settled.
