Premises Liability

Businesses and property owners have an obligation to keep their property safe for people who are legally on the property: customers, clients, visitors, invited guests, and so on. The law calls this the “duty of reasonable care.” While a property owner isn’t required to protect against every possible risk, they must take action to protect people against reasonably foreseeable harm. For instance, if a floor in a business has just been mopped, “wet floor” signs should be placed to warn people to avoid the area or watch their step. Otherwise, it is easy to foresee that an unwary patron could slip and fall on a wet floor.

Businesses and property owners are generally required to properly maintain their premises, repair dangerous conditions as soon as possible after they become aware of them, and to warn visitors of existing dangers (such as wet floors or uneven sidewalks) so that they can avoid being injured.

When an owner or manager of property fails to take these reasonable measures, and someone suffers an injury as a result, the property owner can be held liable for the damages suffered. These include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Attorney Matthew A. Ericksen, Sr. can help you determine whether you have grounds for a premises liability claim, evaluate your likely damages, and pursue the recovery you need to help put your life back together.

Understanding Premises Liability Cases

Premises liability cases are commonly referred to as “slip and fall” cases because so many cases do involve a person slipping or tripping on a hazardous condition that the property owner failed to correct. However, there are many situations in which a property owner or manager may be held legally responsible for a dangerous condition, including:

  • Wet and slippery floors
  • Poorly maintained equipment or appliances
  • Failure to maintain sidewalks, stairways, or parking lots
  • Accumulations of ice and snow
  • Debris obstructing aisles or walkways, creating a trip hazard
  • Exposure to toxic chemicals
  • Insufficient security
  • Insufficient outdoor lighting that invites criminal activity or creates a risk of trips or falls
  • Unsafe swimming pools
  • Lack of handrails
  • Failure to warn of dangerous conditions

In order to hold a business responsible for a premises liability accident, it is usually necessary to prove that:

  • That business owed you a duty of care because you were lawfully on property under their control;
  • There was a dangerous condition on the property;
  • The business knew, or should have known, of the dangerous condition;
  • The business failed to take reasonable measures to correct or warn of the dangerous condition; and
  • You were injured and suffered damages as a result of the dangerous condition.

The owner of a property is often the responsible party in a premises liability case, but if the owner leased the property to a business the business might also be liable. These cases are all very fact-specific and you need an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney to evaluate any potential claims.

Work with an Experienced Georgia Premises Liability Attorney

Matthew understands the important details and complexities in a Georgia premises liability cases. He has spent years defending corporations and major retailers in premises liability cases. In addition to having an in-depth knowledge of the law in this area, Matthew also knows the strategies used by the best defense attorneys in premises liability actions—and how to effectively counter them. Your choice of lawyer matters and not all personal injury lawyers are the same. The difference between hiring a great lawyer instead of trying to represent yourself may ultimately make a difference of thousands of dollars, or even millions, depending on the circumstances.

Matthew founded The Ericksen Firm because he genuinely wanted to help people who have been seriously injured. He understands that people who have suffered a serious injury are typically hurting financially as well as physically and mentally. Matthew never charges a legal fee in an injury case unless and until you receive a settlement or other financial recovery.

It costs you nothing to call The Ericksen Firm and speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case. Never accept a settlement without first speaking to a lawyer whose priority is your needs, and who is committed to working hard to get you the best possible financial recovery.

To learn more about Georgia premises liability law and your options if you have been injured, contact The Ericksen Firm today.