Riverdale Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you suffer an injury because of a tripping accident on another’s property, you may have the right to compensation. However, just because an injury happens on another’s land does not mean that the landowner is automatically responsible.
Slip and fall claims are just one part of a larger group of personal injury claims called premises liability. To win these cases, it is necessary to prove that you had a right to be on the land at the time of the incident and that a property owner failed to provide adequate protection. This complex legal analysis can frustrate many unrepresented plaintiffs who attempt to make pursue claims by themselves.
A Riverdale slip and fall lawyer may be able to help you press a strong claim for damages against the responsible party. They can help to establish your legal rights as a visitor, evaluate the actions taken by landowners that led to your injuries, and fight for fair compensation. En Español.
Visitors’ Rights to Protection
All landowners have a responsibility to maintain their land in a way that keeps it safe for certain visitors. To establish a person’s rights as a visitor, state laws create three classes of people who enter others’ property:
- Under O.C.G.A. §51-3-3, trespassers are people who enter onto another’s land without the owner’s permission. Landowners must refrain from causing any intentional or wanton damage to trespassers, so accidental harm is not grounds for a claim.
- Under O.C.G.A. §51-3-2, licensees are people who are not trespassers, servants, or customers. A social guest in a private home is a prime example. Much like trespassers, licensees only enjoy protection from wanton or intentional harm.
- Under O.C.G.A. §51-3-1, invitees are business guests. Clear examples include shoppers in a mall or tenants in an apartment complex. Landowners must exercise “ordinary care” to protect invitees on their property.
A Riverdale slip and fall attorney could evaluate an injured individual’s rights under state law depending on their reasons for being on the land at the time of the incident.
Evaluating Whether a Landowner Exercised “Ordinary Care”
Invitees who suffer injuries from slip and fall accidents on others’ property cannot automatically collect payments for their losses. Property owners must exercise “ordinary care” to protect their guests from harm, and it is the obligation of plaintiffs in these cases to demonstrate that a landowner failed in this duty.
Whether a defendant is liable depends on the particular circumstances of the case. For example, an obvious hazard such as a missing stair or broken floor tiles may only require a landowner to place a warning sign. Other problems, such as an accumulation of ice or a clear liquid spill, may require a property owner to take more aggressive steps to prevent an injury.
Ultimately, it is up to a jury to determine whether a defendant took ordinary care to prevent injuries. A Riverdale trip and fall lawyer could help plaintiffs build a case long before the claim gets to court to push for a fair settlement. However, if a trial is necessary, an attorney is prepared to present evidence in court to protect your rights following a tripping injury.
Find Out How a Riverdale Slip and Fall Attorney Could Help
All landowners have the legal obligation to keep their property safe for invited guests. If an injury occurs on their land, owners may be liable to provide compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma.
However, pursuing a claim for damages following a slip and fall accident can be surprisingly complex. Without knowledgeable legal representation, you may find it difficult to obtain the compensation you need.
Fortunately, a Riverdale slip and fall lawyer is available to help. They can assist with every part of a case, from gathering evidence concerning your rights as a visitor to pressing a claim for fair payments. Contact an attorney today to schedule a consultation.
