Did you get injured at a shopping center in Savannah? Or maybe a dog bit you at a neighbor’s house? You could be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries and financial losses through a premises liability claim.
At Spiva Law Group, we can advise you on your legal options if you suffered injuries on someone else’s property. Let a Savannah premises liability attorney from our law firm explain the claims process in a free consultation. Call or contact us today.
What are Common Premises Liability Accidents?
In Georgia, property owners must keep their premises free from hazards that could injure or kill others. If an individual gets hurt on the property due to a dangerous condition, the owner or party controlling the property could be held liable under premises liability law.
The experienced premises liability lawyers at Spiva Law Group represent clients injured due to:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Elevator/escalator accidents
- Stairway accidents
- Dog bites
- Inadequate lighting
- Negligent security
- Amusement park accidents
Where Do Premises Liability Accidents Happen?
Premises liability accidents can happen anywhere. Whether someone sustains an injury at a private residence or a shopping mall, the property owner owes their guest or customer a specific duty of care. If they do not take the necessary steps to protect someone from harm, they may be liable to pay the injured customer’s medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related losses.
Some places where premises liability accidents happen include:
- Stores
- Office buildings
- Homes
- Public areas
- Parks
- Private property
- Shopping malls
- Restaurants
- Grocery stores
- Construction sites
- Sporting arenas
- Hotels
- Dockyards and storage areas
What Injuries Frequently Result from a Premises Liability Accident?
All premises liability claims are unique, and the type of injuries sustained depends on the nature of the accident. For example, if you were injured in an accident at a grocery store, you could suffer broken bones, muscle strains, sprains, or even a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Swimming pool accidents can range from minor injuries to devastating spinal cord injuries or a fatal drowning. Dog bites could result in puncture wounds, nerve damage, and painful scarring and disfigurement. Regardless of the type or the severity of the injury you sustained in a premises liability accident, our Savannah premises liability lawyer is well-equipped to handle your case from start to finish, seeking maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
What Should I Do After a Savannah Premises Liability Accident?
If you suffer injuries on public or private property, consider taking these steps to preserve your premises liability claim:
- Seek medical attention – Get medical treatment as soon as possible. Tell the medical provider the accident occurred on someone else’s property. This will link the incident and your injuries in your medical records.
- Report the incident – Immediately inform the property owner or their agent — such as a store manager or landlord — about what happened. They will likely create an incident report. Get a copy. The report will be crucial evidence in your premises liability case.
- Gather evidence and keep a file – If you can, document the accident scene by taking photographs of the hazard that caused your injury. Note whether any warning signs were placed near it. Get eyewitness’s names and contact information. Anything from the scene can help bolster your injury claim.
- Contact a personal injury attorney – A knowledgeable premises liability attorney can start building your case as soon as you hire them. They will gather the evidence needed to establish the property owner’s liability and handle settlement negotiations with the insurance company, leaving you space to focus on healing.
How Do I Determine Who is At Fault in a Premises Liability Claim?
The best way to know whether you have a valid premises liability claim is by consulting a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. The lawyer can examine the facts of the case to determine who is at fault.
To establish the liability of a property owner, you must prove:
- A dangerous condition existed on the property.
- The owner knew (or should have known) about the condition.
- The owner failed to address the hazardous condition or provide proper warning.
- The unsafe condition resulted in the accident and your injuries.
In some cases, accident victims share the blame for an accident. You may still collect compensation in Georgia if you are less than 50 percent responsible for the incident.
What are the Different Types of Visitors to a Property?
The status of the visitor injured on someone else’s property dictates their legal rights on the property and impacts what money they may be eligible to recover from the property owner. The types of visitors to a property can be categorized as follows:
- Invitee – An invitee is invited to the owner’s property, such as a retail customer. Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees.
- Licensee – A licensee can be a social guest who enters the owner’s property for their purposes rather than for the property owner’s benefit. The property owner must warn licensees of any hazards, but they do not have the same obligation to inspect and maintain the property.
- Trespasser – Someone who unlawfully enters someone else’s property without their consent is a trespasser. Property owners owe trespassers the lowest duty of care, but they cannot intentionally cause them harm. Further, they must warn them of any dangers if they know the trespasser is on the property.
What Compensation is Available in a Savannah Premises Liability Injury Case?
Property owners may owe injured victims compensation for losses like:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Does Georgia Have a Time Limit for Filing a Premises Liability Claim?
Yes. You have only two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit for injuries sustained in a premises liability accident. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this time frame, you will likely forfeit your right to compensation.
Although two years may seem like a long time, it’s wise to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. Your attorney will need time to gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and calculate your losses to place a fair value on your case. Our Savannah personal injury lawyer can help.
Contact a Savannah Premises Liability Lawyer
At Spiva Law Group, we take a strong and strategic approach to demanding maximum compensation and the best possible results for accident victims. If you were injured on someone else’s property, call us today for a free case review with a Savannah premises liability lawyer.