Jody D. Peterman, LLC | Attorney at Law

A Fierce Litigator Securing Outstanding Results For Clients Since 1995

A serious slip-and-fall accident can change your life

On Behalf of | Jun 19, 2017 | Catastrophic Injuries, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Slip-And-Fall Accidents |

Many people think that slip-and-fall accidents aren’t serious. After all, media often shows people falling dramatically and recovering with nothing but bruised pride. In the real world, a sudden slip on a wet floor can have dire consequences for someone. Depending on how you land, you could end up with severe injuries. Your injuries could prevent you from returning to work for some time.

In cases of head or spinal injuries, you may find yourself permanently disabled to some degree. That could keep you from working or even require full-time care. A slip-and-fall accident can be quite serious.

You should report the accident to a manager as soon as possible. Insurers will often require a report of the accident. Generally speaking, businesses should maintain safe premises. That means clean, dry and even floors to ensure people can move safely within a business. When a business or property manager fails to address an issue, like a leak or a spill, it can result in serious injuries. The liability incurred in this scenario, called premises liability, is when you become responsible for injuries in your space. That’s why business owners typically carry liability insurance for their premises.

Slip-and-falls are both serious and common

Thanks to cultural representations of these accidents, you may feel embarrassed if you are seriously hurt in a slip-and-fall. You shouldn’t be. Slip-and-fall accidents are a major cause of injury in the United States. Every year, as many as one million people visit emergency rooms for medical care after a slip-and-fall accident.

The extent of injuries can range from broken bones and strains or sprains to concussions and even spinal damage. In some cases, you will need surgery and physical therapy for a full recover. That means your slip-and-fall can quickly become a very expensive accident.

You will likely miss work after your accident, and you shouldn’t have to worry about medical bills and lost wages at the same time. The business where you got hurt or the insurer for the premises are likely responsible for your losses. In some cases, you could receive a settlement offer quickly. Other times, the owner or manager of the place where you were hurt will try to avoid responsibility. Whether you get offered a settlement or need help obtaining compensation, an attorney can help.

Help matters after a slip-and-fall injury

Working with an experienced Georgia premises liability attorney can help you after a slip-and-fall accident. Your lawyer can help you determine if a settlement offer is reasonable, given the extent of your injuries. If the offer is too low, your lawyer can negotiate on your behalf. If the business is trying to shirk its responsibility, you will have help on how to properly deal with that, as well.

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