When Are Property Owners Responsible For Injuries?
Property owners have a duty to maintain their property and provide a safe environment for visitors, customers, and tenants. When the property is not safe and someone suffers an accident on the property, the property owner may be liable for damages. This is known as a premises liability lawsuit.
Premises liability claims can include slip and fall injuries, dog bites, or even a drowning accident. If you were injured on someone else’s property, talk to an experienced Georgia premises liability lawyer about your case and if you may be due compensation for your injuries.
Premises Liability in Georgia
The maintenance and safety requirements depend on the type of property and the type of visitor. Under Georgia Code Section 51-3-1, “where an owner or occupier of land, by express or implied invitation, induces or leads others to come upon his premises for any lawful purpose, he is liable in damages to such persons for injuries caused by his failure to exercise ordinary care in keeping the premises and approaches safe.”
An “invitee” would include most people on another’s property for a lawful purpose, including:
- Retail customers,
- Tenants,
- Guests,
- Passengers, or
- Ticket holders.
The owner or occupier is responsible for keeping the premises safe, as well as “approaches,” which may include sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, or stairs. This can even include providing proper lighting and security to the approaches surrounding the building.
Types of Premises Liability Accidents
There are many types of premises liability accidents in Atlanta and Georgia. This could include visits to a friend or co-workers house, retail or business customer, or even public or city property. Examples of premises liability accidents may include:
- Stairway accidents,
- Elevator accidents,
- Slip and fall injuries,
- Cracked sidewalks,
- Icy walkway falls,
- Dog bites,
- Improper lighting,
- Insufficient security,
- Improper fire safety,
- Pool accidents,
- Restaurant accidents,
- Grocery store accidents,
- Torn carpet falls,
- Amusement park accidents,
- Public transit falls,
- Sporting event accidents, and
- Government property injuries.
For example, a customer at a grocery store spills a bottle of liquid detergent on the floor and tells an employee. The employee is about to get off work and forgets to tell another employee or manager about the spill. A little while later, a customer slips on the detergent and injures his neck. The grocery store may be liable for the damages for failing to clean up the slippery surface. Even if the accident was caused by an employee, the employer is generally liable for the employee’s negligence.
Premises Liability Damages
In a premises liability lawsuit, the injury victim is seeking compensation from the property owner or occupier. Damages in an injury accident can include both economic and non-economic damages. Damages may include:
- Medical bills,
- Lost wages,
- Loss of future income/earning potential,
- Future medical care,
- Compensation for disfigurement, and
- Pain and suffering.
Atlanta Premises Liability Lawyer
At The Kaplan Firm, P.C., our premises liability lawyer has decades of experience fighting for our clients against property owners, developers, and the insurance companies. After a slip and fall or other premises accident, you deserve to have someone on your side to fight for you and your family. We work on a contingency basis and will never collect any fees until you get the compensation you deserve. Call us in Georgia at 770-648-4068 or email us to schedule a free initial consultation.