SLIP AND FALL ATTORNEY SERVING SAVANNAH

Slip and fall accidents happen every day in Savannah and our firm prides ourselves on our history of advocating for injury victims across Chatham County. To prepare for your potential injury lawsuit, we have put together a primer that outlines the basics of a Savannah slip and fall case.

WHAT IS A SAVANNAH SLIP AND FALL CLAIM WORTH?

There is no simple formula to calculate the exact worth of a Savannah slip and fall claim. The value of these claims depends on a number of factors, including the extent of your injuries and the steps the property owner took to prevent the risk of a fall. Many of the elements that go into the value of a Savannah slip and fall accident claim are below:

1. Extent of Your Injuries:Generally speaking, the value of a claim increases with the severity of the injury. For example, a fall that leads to severe spinal injuries or life-long disability is typically worth more than a claim involving a broken wrist. This is logical, as more serious injuries require a higher level of medical care. Ultimately, the most important thing is that you recover the damages you are entitled to.
2. Fault of the Property Owner:The success or failure of many Savannah slip and fall cases hinge on whether the property owner or manager was at fault for the fall. Proving that a fall was the fault of a property owner requires your attorney to prove that the owner knew or should have known about the hazard the caused the slip and fall. It is possible to prove a property owner had constructive knowledge of the hazard even when they had not technically been on notice. Constructive knowledge is evidenced by a hazard on the owner’s property existing long enough that a reasonably careful owner would have noticed the hazard prior to your fall. Many slip and fall cases require expert testimony to show that an owner or manager should have known of a potential hazard.
3. Comparative Fault:Under Georgia law, you are not completely barred from recovering damages in your case even when you are partially at fault for the accident. Under Georgia’s comparative fault law, a jury will assign the percentage of fault for an accident, and you can recover as long as you are less than 50% at fault for the fall. If a jury assigns 50% or mare fault to the fall victim, he or she will recover nothing. Comparative fault is a complicated issue, and an inadequate attorney may not know how to prove that property owner is primarily responsible at fault for your injuries.

WINNING A SAVANNAH SLIP AND FALL CLAIM

The key to winning a Savannah slip and fall lawsuit is taking the necessary steps to protect your legal rights from the moment the accident occurs. Below, we discuss the steps necessary to recover damages in a slip and fall claim.

First, it is imperative that you not only receive the medical treatment you need but also that you document every aspect of your treatment. Your Savannah attorney will need your medical bills in order to succeed at trial. Your records are important as they provide the evidence needed to establish your damages. If your injuries are not documented in your medical records, it is unlikely that you will be successful in obtaining compensation.

Next, it is important to give the property owner or manager notice of your injury claim. Upon request, the property owner is obligated to preserve any evidence related to your fall. That includes any security footage, photos, or written reports collected from the incident. Time is of the essence, however, as evidence like security video footage is often only retained for a matter of hours or days. Once it is gone, it is gone forever. The property owner may face additional consequences if your attorney can show they negligently or intentionally destroyed the evidence you asked them to preserve.

Finally, hire a slip and fall lawyer for your case as soon as reasonably possible. Do not waste any time because every injury lawsuit in Georgia must be filed within strict deadlines called the Statute of Limitations. Once you find the best  attorney for your slip and fall case, he or she will need to get to work immediately to gather the evidence in your case and file a lawsuit before the deadline expires.

CONTACT A WILLIAMS ELLEBY LAWYER FOR YOUR SAVANNAH CASE TODAY

If you suffered an injury in a slip and fall accident around Savannah, reach out to one of our seasoned personal injury attorneys right away for a free no-obligation consultation. If you are in no condition to travel to us, we are prepared to come to you. Call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter at 833-LEGALGA (833-534-2542) to schedule your free consultation.