A SLIP AND FALL, A COLLAPSED DECK, A BITING DOG – THESE TYPES OF ACCIDENTS MIGHT SEEM RANDOM, AS IF THERE IS NO ONE TO BLAME. THAT THEY’RE THINGS THAT JUST HAPPEN, AND AN INJURED PERSON IS LEFT REELING FROM THE DEVASTATION THEY’VE CAUSED.
You should know that these types of accidents aren’t blameless. In fact, a property owner has a responsibility to keep people on their premises safe. When they fail to do so, they can be held accountable for the injuries that unsafe conditions have caused.
WHAT WE MEAN BY PREMISES LIABILITY
If you are injured on or near property that is owned or controlled by a business or another person, this is known as a potential premises liability case.
In Georgia and most other states, a premises liability lawsuit can be filed against a person or business that failed to keep the premises safe for use by the public, patrons, customer, or tenants.
PREMISES LIABILITY LAW IN GEORGIA
There are many things that can make a business, home or piece of land unsafe for those who visit the premises. It is possible for dangerous conditions to develop because of these types of factors:
- Poor maintenance and general disrepair of a building
- Cracked and uneven sidewalks
- Steps that are unmarked
- Broken handrails and stairs
- Merchandise that falls onto customers
- Smoke alarms that do not function
- Poor fire safety
- Dogs left loose
- Poor security
- Contaminated water in a pool
- Slippery conditions on sidewalks, floors and near pools.
GEORGIA PREMISES LIABILITY LAW STATES THAT THE ACCIDENT VICTIM CAN HOLD THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY LIABLE FOR FAILING TO REPAIR, CORRECT OR WARN ABOUT UNSAFE CONDITIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO WRONGFUL DEATH OR PERSONAL INJURY. IF YOU ARE A DOG BITE VICTIM, YOU ALSO CAN FILE A PREMISES LIABILITY CLAIM AGAINST THE OWNER FOR NOT LEASHING OR CONFINING THE ANIMAL.
Georgia law requires homeowners and business owners to exercise ‘reasonable care’ to ensure their property is kept ‘reasonably safe’ when a person is present, approaching or exiting the property. The responsibility to keep the premises safe is noted in the Georgia statute 51.-3-1.
TYPES OF GEORGIA PREMISES LIABILITY CASES
There are many possible ways that a home or business can be dangerous and lead to personal injury or wrongful death. Some of the most frequent premises liability cases the Mann Law Firm has handled on behalf of injured clients are:
- Slip and Fall: Involves personal injuries where the person falls because a sidewalk, stair, floor, or ramp is not properly maintained, resulting in a slip and fall accident. The surface could be cracked, broken, slippery or uneven. Perhaps a water leak was not repaired, dangerous debris was not cleaned up, a spill was left, or warning signs were not used.
- Dog Bite: A loose or unsecured dog bites or mauls someone because the animal’s owner was negligent and/or failed to give a warning of the dog’s likelihood to cause injury.
- Escalator Accident: Passenger may trip and fall or suffer other injuries because the escalator is defective, improperly installed, poorly maintained or not regularly inspected. An accident could be caused by excessive speed, sudden acceleration or stop, nonfunctional emergency control, or protruding metal parts on which passengers can be injured.
- Elevator Accident: You are hurt or a loved one is killed because the elevator falls or stops suddenly or the elevator door opens and a passenger falls down the shaft. Another common accident is a mis-leveled elevator that creates a dangerous tripping hazard.
- Inadequate Security: You are injured, assaulted or otherwise attacked because the owner of a business does not provide proper security to ensure the facility is safe for guests or patrons.
- Pool Accident: Excessive water near a swimming pool, such as puddles or standing water, can lead to accidents and injury because of inadequate warnings or other factors. Also common are drowning or near-drowning accidents from poor child supervision and inadequately trained lifeguards.
- Falling Merchandise: Head injuries may occur where merchandise on upper shelves falls onto the customer.
- Deck Collapse: You may fall from a deck because of poor construction, poor maintenance, poor inspection processes or overloading. This is a frequent cause of premises liability injury and death. If a loved one has suffered as a result, contacting a wrongful death lawyer can be crucial..
- Poor Child Supervision: An infant or minor has bodily injuries because the child is assaulted, molested or abducted. Can occur at day care, school, dance studio and similar places.
These are just a few of the most common examples, but there are plenty of other ways a business or individual might be held liable for injuries suffered on their property. To learn more about filing a premises liability claim in Macon, we encourage you to contact the Mann Law Firm to schedule a free case evaluation.
FINDING THE RIGHT ATTORNEY FOR YOUR PREMISES LIABILITY CASE
You will first need to make sure that an attorney is licensed to practice in your state, preferably in your region of that state. Then you can narrow the search to attorneys that handle premises liability cases. However, these are only the basic requirements when looking for the right attorney.
To make sure you get compensation that reflects the costs you’re facing, you need an attorney that is willing to devote time and energy to your case. You want an attorney that you feel comfortable with, who will respond to your calls and take the time to address your concerns.
WHY CHOOSE US?
Caring and Understanding Professionals
David Mann has a reputation for getting exceptional results for clients, but he also builds relationships with them. Our firm wants to know how an injury has disrupted your life, so we can get you the help and payment you need.
We believe in the ability of our firm to deliver for our clients. We know that when a client comes to us, they are trusting us to do right by their case, and we take that trust seriously. When looking for an attorney to handle your case, we encourage you to contact the Mann Law Firm and schedule a free consultation. Let us tell you how we can help.
KNOWING WHAT TYPE OF CASE YOU HAVE
If you’re considering filing a premises liability claim, you might be asking yourself the following questions…
- What type of case do I have?
- How much should I ask for in a premises liability claim?
- Who should I name in a premises liability claim?
- Who is responsible for paying for my injuries?
These are all reasonable questions to ask, but it’s important to know that you don’t need to know all the answers to these or any other questions before filing a claim. Finding out the answers to these questions can be a complicated task that requires knowledge of premises liability law in Georgia.
All you need to know is that you suffered serious, costly injuries and that those injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence. If you know those two things to be true, then you should start exploring your legal options.
The Mann Law Firm offers free consultations so we can learn more about your case and tell you about our services. Once we accept a case, we answer all the questions mentioned above. We find out who should be held accountable and how much you should be paid. You should be able to focus on your recovery and getting your life back to normal, while we do the work of filing your premises liability claim.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PROPERTY OWNER
A property owner or manager has a responsibility to keep that property safe. This means inspecting the property for any hazards like loose flooring, slick surfaces, low-hanging objects, unstable or missing railing, and the presence of dangerous or toxic substances. These hazards present a threat to anyone that comes onto a property and should be addressed immediately.
The Mann Law Firm does not settle for subpar compensation for any of our clients.
WHEN YOU’RE THE VICTIM OF VIOLENCE
If someone owns or operates a business, they also have an obligation to make sure that people are safe on their premises. Negligent or inadequate security is best thought of as a type of premises liability case. If you are in a restaurant or bar, you shouldn’t be in danger of violence from others. If you are in a parking garage, you shouldn’t be worried about being attacked while walking to your car.
Unfortunately, these acts of violence do happen. In some cases, you can hold the property owner responsible for the injuries and emotional trauma you’ve suffered. David Mann has represented clients that have been attacked in establishments like bars, restaurants and other businesses, and he knows how to hold these businesses accountable for a lack of adequate security measures.
IF YOU ARE HURT IN ONE OF THESE TYPES OF ACCIDENTS, IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CONTACT THE MANN LAW FIRM TODAY.
A review by the Jury Verdict Research organization found recently that the median verdict for premises liability cases was more than $98,000. So, it is to your benefit to at least talk to an experienced personal injury attorney about your case.
The value of a claim can vary, depending on how seriously you were injured, the costs of your medical care and the extent to which the injury has impacted your work and personal life. These factors will be weighed by your attorney to determine how much you should seek in a claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We’ve got answers and guidance. Contact our team to discuss any issue related to your case.
Do I really need a lawyer to represent me?
You are more likely to get what you are truly owed with a lawyer than without. Lawyers compel insurance companies to pay up or be subject to a much higher verdict in court.
How much money do I need up front to start my case?
No upfront payment is necessary at the Mann Law Firm. When we take your case, we don’t receive payment until the end of your case, and that’s only if we win.
How long will my case take to resolve?
There is no way to tell how long your case will take without reviewing your case. Each case comes with unique facts that influence its duration. At the Mann Law Firm, we work hard to get our clients compensated promptly.
What is the statute of limitations for premises liability claims?
The statute of limitations in premises liability cases is two years in Georgia under most circumstances. If a settlement is not possible, you must initiate a lawsuit within two years of the date of your injuries. If you don’t, your right to compensation ends. Certain exceptions may apply in some cases, such as with minors and victims of crimes — including misdemeanors.
If you have more questions, call our office to get the answers you need.
GET LEGAL HELP FROM A GEORGIA PREMISES LIABILITY ATTORNEY TODAY
Help and Hope for the Future
Were you or a loved one injured or killed in a premises liability accident? If so, you should know that you are well within your rights to explore legal action. You should never pay for someone else’s mistakes, but you will not be offered the payment you deserve without first demanding it. At the Mann Law Firm, we know how to get results for our clients with our experienced pedestrian accident lawyer.
The Mann Law Firm helps Macon and Middle Georgia residents who have suffered serious personal injuries get the compensation they are entitled to. Our attorneys can help you to get payment for your medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.

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