If you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall accident caused by a negligent property owner or store owner, you’re probably dealing with injuries, pain, and medical bills. The compassionate Marietta personal injury lawyers from Jones & Swanson are here to help. We will step in to make sure you recover the damages you deserve.
We’re different from the large firms you see advertised on TV. We are a smaller firm by choice, so we have more time to devote to your case. We provide personalized attention and take great pride in forming lasting relationships with our clients.
We’ve won over $50 million for injury victims like yourself. Let our Marietta slip and fall lawyer get the damages you deserve to get your life back on track.
Benefits of Working With a Slip and Fall Attorney From Our Team in Marietta
When you want to pursue damages after a slip and fall accident, you need to find a Marietta slip and fall attorney who goes above and beyond for their clients. There are a lot of things that set our firm apart from other legal teams.
Here’s why accident victims in Georgia prefer Jones & Swanson. We:
- Prioritize personal connections and excellent customer service
- Return phone calls and respond to emails, which many big firms don’t do
- Have a highly experienced and trained staff that provides exceptional support
- Have the resources to handle catastrophic cases, which are often costly and complex
- Are leaders in the bar association, known for our dedication and professionalism
Damages a Marietta Slip and Fall Lawyer Will Pursue for You
A slip and fall injury often results in significant expenses, financial setbacks, and non-monetary struggles that make the recovery process difficult.
Fortunately, when you work with our slip and fall attorneys in Marietta, we’ll pursue damages for all the challenges and financial losses you’re dealing with.
We’ll work directly with you to identify the damages you’re owed and calculate how much your settlement should be. Then, we’ll pursue the following damages either by negotiating a settlement with the insurance company or filing a lawsuit:
- Medical expenses
- Physical therapy costs
- Permanent injuries
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents Our Team Will Investigate
At Jones & Swanson, our slip and fall lawyers in Marietta have over 45 years of combined experience handling cases like yours. We have the legal knowledge and resources required to investigate your accident and gather the evidence we need to maximize your recovery.
We’ll conduct a thorough investigation of the incident, making sure to gather accident reports, video footage of your fall, and other important pieces of evidence. Count on us to file a well-supported claim for a slip and fall incident caused by:
- Food, liquid, or other substances on the floor
- Black ice, snow, or icy conditions.
- Unstable floors, walls, or roofs in buildings
- Falling merchandise
- Uneven curbs or sidewalks, holes, broken handrails, etc.
- Poor lighting
- Hazards that violate property building codes
How Liability Is Determined in Slip and Fall Cases
To get the damages you deserve to cover your bills and move forward after a slip and fall, you must prove that the property owner or manager is legally responsible for your injuries. In Georgia, determining liability in these cases involves establishing the following essential elements:
Duty of Care
Business owners and property owners have a legal responsibility to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. Our slip and fall attorneys in Marietta will demonstrate that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care.
Breach of Duty
A breach of duty occurs when the property owner fails to maintain a safe environment for guests. Our highly skilled team will gather evidence that shows the at-fault property owner failed to uphold a reasonable duty of care. Common examples of a breach of duty include:
- Failing to clean up spills
- Leaving walkways cluttered or obstructed
- Not fixing known hazards, like broken steps or loose handrails
- Neglecting to put up warning signs for wet or hazardous areas
Causation
To get the damages and justice you deserve to move forward with your life, your attorney must also show that the breach of duty directly led to your injuries. We’ll use the following forms of evidence to prove causation:
- Eyewitness testimony that describes the hazard and your fall
- Surveillance footage that captured the incident
- Medical records linking your injuries to the fall
Damages
Finally, your Marietta slip and fall attorney must demonstrate that the fall caused you to suffer damages. Our team will use your medical records, income-related documents, and other forms of evidence to show that the incident has had a significant physical, financial, and emotional impact on you.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident
The steps you take immediately after a slip and fall will significantly impact your claim and ability to recover damages. Here’s what you must do after a slip and fall to protect your health and your right to damages:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, it’s important to get checked by a healthcare professional after a fall. Injuries like concussions and internal damage might not be immediately apparent. Getting medical attention promptly will also show the insurance company that your injuries are legitimate.
Report the Incident
You should also notify the property owner, manager, or supervisor immediately about your incident. Request that they document the incident and provide you with a copy of the report. Your Marietta slip and fall lawyer will use the report to build a strong claim for damages.
Gather Evidence
Take photographs of the accident scene, including the hazard that caused your fall. You should also document your injuries and note the time, date, and location of the incident. If anyone saw your fall, get their names and contact information. Witnesses provide valuable testimony to support your claim.
Consult a Marietta Slip and Fall Lawyer
Aside from seeking medical attention, hiring a skilled Marietta slip and fall attorney is one of the most important steps to take after an accident. Having a lawyer on your side will ensure your rights are protected, safeguard you from dishonest insurance tactics, and give you an excellent chance at getting the damages you deserve for your injuries and losses.
Challenges in Slip and Fall Cases We Will Overcome
Slip and fall claims are notoriously difficult to prove. Property owners and their insurance companies often dispute liability, making it incredibly important to have experienced legal representation. Our team has decades of experience handling cases like yours.
Count on our skilled team to overcome the following challenges and get the results you deserve:
Liability Disputes
Property owners might claim that there was no safety hazard or argue that the wet floor or other hazard was clearly marked. In some cases, they might say you were distracted or not paying attention. Our team has fought these claims before and will present evidence that shows the property owner should be held responsible for the incident.
Comparative Negligence
Georgia follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning your damages will be reduced if you are found partially at fault. For example, if you were texting while you were walking and slipped on a spill, the property owner could argue that your inattention contributed to the accident.
Our team will work tirelessly to show that the accident was not your fault. Alternatively, if you did contribute to the incident, we’ll do everything in our power to get as much money for you as possible.
Lack of Immediate Evidence
Hazards are often quickly cleaned up or repaired after an accident, making it challenging to document the hazardous condition that caused your fall. That’s why it’s important to act fast and collect evidence before the accident scene changes.
Our lawyers are skilled at anticipating these challenges and will get started on the investigation process quickly. We’ll take a diligent and detailed approach to investigating your case, ensuring we get all the necessary evidence to file a winning insurance claim or lawsuit.
Evidence Management in Slip and Fall Cases
Proper evidence management is key to a successful slip and fall claim. Our team’s attention to detail and organizational skills will go a long way in ensuring all available evidence is collected and preserved for your claim.
Our slip and fall lawyers in Marietta will handle the following evidence management tasks for you while you focus on healing:
Securing Surveillance Footage
We will promptly request copies of any available video recordings from the accident site. Property owners often delete footage after a short time, especially if it’s in their best interest to limit the amount of evidence you have for your claim. Therefore, you must hire a lawyer soon.
Preserving Physical Evidence
If there was a loose floorboard, broken step, or another tangible safety hazard that caused your fall, we will document it by taking photographs and securing any remnants to support your claim. Count on us to gather the physical evidence required to prove your case.
Gathering Medical Records
Detailed medical documentation not only supports your injury claim but also shows the extent of your injuries and your suffering. We will work with healthcare providers to compile comprehensive records, showing insurers that you deserve full damages for your treatment expenses and physical pain.
Expert Analysis
Sometimes, accident reconstruction experts or safety professionals provide insights into how the fall occurred and why the hazard was dangerous to your safety. Their opinions are invaluable in court because they add credibility to your case.
Our proactive approach to evidence management ensures that your case is built on a solid foundation. By meticulously documenting every detail, we will be more than prepared to counter any defense strategies.
Filing Deadline for Slip and Fall Lawsuits in Georgia
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall incident, the last thing you want to do is wait too long to hire an attorney and miss Georgia’s filing deadline for personal injury suits. According to Georgia Code § 9-3-33, you have two years from the date of your fall to settle your claim or file a lawsuit against the negligent party.
While not all slip and fall cases will require a civil suit, it’s always best to play it safe and plan for that possibility. If you miss the two-year filing deadline, you could be prevented from pursuing your damages further.
Instead of jeopardizing your recovery, reach out to a slip and fall attorney from Marietta today. If you get in touch with our firm soon, we’ll work quickly and make sure you don’t miss the deadline.
We Go Above and Beyond to Make Your Life Easier
At our firm, we go above and beyond to address all the issues you’re facing and make the legal process as simple as possible. We’re not like other firms that barely give you the time of day. We listen to your needs and do everything possible to make your life easy and your recovery process stress-free.
One way we do this is by representing slip and fall victims on a contingency fee basis. This means that there is no upfront cost to hire us, and unless a settlement or verdict is obtained for our clients, no fees will be charged. We understand your need for affordable representation and will be with you every step of the way.
In addition to offering our services on a contingency fee basis, we will also help connect you with the medical care you deserve to recuperate from your injuries.
If you don’t have health insurance or the money to cover your medical costs, our Marietta slip and fall attorneys will help you find a provider who will work with your current situation.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Dedicated Slip and Fall Attorney
At Jones & Swanson, we believe in taking a holistic approach to the claims process, remembering that we represent real people with real injuries facing real-world challenges.
We’ll take comprehensive legal action on your behalf, handling every part of the legal process and pursuing an outcome that meets your unique needs while you focus on getting better.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Marietta slip and fall lawyer. We’ll meet with you to discuss your slip and fall incident, determine if you have grounds for a claim, and answer any questions you have about the claims process.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
