Slip and Fall Accidents

According to recent data published by National Floor Safety Institute slip and fall accidents result in emergency room visits by over one million slip and fall injury victims per year. Negligent property owners, storekeepers and businesses must protect their patrons from being hurt. Here at the Ferguson Law Group, our slip and fall accident attorneys strive to provide thorough, honest and skilled legal advice to slip and fall injury victims 24/7.

Common Causes of Slip & Fall Injuries

Slip and fall accidents and premises liability cases may arise from a variety of scenarios. These include:

• Wet floors and liquid spills
• Inadequate lighting
• Uneven or cracked surfaces
• Damaged pavement
• Loose or torn carpet
• Defective or narrow stairways

While the facts of these case vary, the important thing to remember is that you need to contact our slip and fall accident attorneys immediately after an accident occurs so that we can provide you with a free evaluation of your claim.

Do I have a Slip and Fall Claim?

The rules regarding slip and fall accidents vary from state to state and are slightly different in both Georgia and Alabama.  However, generally speaking you must prove that the property owner or business owner negligently caused the problem which led to the accident or negligently failed to prevent the slip and fall accident from happening.

For example, if a store owner knows that there is an exceedingly large crack in a sidewalk and fails to warn passersby or fix the problem, the store owner may be held responsible if a customer trips or slips and falls resulting in injury. Likewise, if a store employee negligently drops oil on the floor in an area where it cannot be readily seen by customers and injury to a customer results, the customer may have a valid slip and fall claim.

Note that negligent business owners who face these claims frequently argue that the accident was the fault of the customer. It is frequently argued that the customer acted more carelessly than the business owner or that the hazard that resulted in injury was open and obvious and, thus, should have been avoid.  The point to take away here is that slip and fall accidents are very fact-specific and a complete assessment of your case can only be performed by a skilled and experienced slip and fall accident attorney.

Why Should I Hire a Slip and Fall Attorney Immediately After an Accident?

Time is of the essence in slip and fall accident cases for many reasons including:

Preservation of Evidence

Evidence is frequently destroyed in these cases.  Videos get erased, witness statements get lost, employees get fired and documents are destroyed.  A skilled and experienced slip and fall accident attorney can take steps to prevent this if they get involved in a case early enough.

The Need for Expert Opinions

Slip and fall accidents often require the use of expert engineers and accident reconstructionists. For example, a case involving injuries resulting from a cracked piece of sidewalk may require and expert to determine whether the raised piece of concrete violated local or state-wide building codes.  If the evidence is destroyed, repaired or removed before the expert can conduct an investigation this will hurt your case.

Proper Medical Treatment

It is important to obtain proper medical treatment immediately following a slip and fall accident. Do not delay reporting the claim to the business owner and proceeding immediately to a medical provider of your choice to document and treat your injuries. Slip and fall injuries frequently require ongoing treatment. You should not let a lack of health insurance or time off of work prevent you from seeking care for your injuries. Instead, contact our slip and fall accident attorneys for a free, no-cost evaluation 24/7.