Slip-and-fall accidents can occur in everyday places such as grocery stores, apartment complexes, and parking lots. Understanding the common causes of slip and falls in Augusta can help you recognize how unsafe property conditions may contribute to an accident. When property owners fail to maintain safe conditions, you may be left facing injuries, medical bills, and uncertainty about what to do next.
At Barrios Virguez Attorneys: Accident & Injury Law, we understand how an injury can affect your entire family. Our bilingual team focuses on defending what matters most to you, and an experienced slip and fall attorney from our firm can help you understand your legal options and next steps.
Wet Floors and Slippery Walkways
Wet floors are a frequent cause of slips and falls on both commercial and residential properties in Augusta. Spilled drinks in stores, freshly mopped floors without warning signs, and rainwater tracked inside entrances can create dangerous walking conditions. When businesses or property managers fail to clean up spills promptly or to alert visitors to hazards, people may slip and sustain injuries.
The law requires property owners to use ordinary care to keep their premises safe for visitors. Georgia Code § 51-3-1 provides that an owner or occupier of land who invites others onto their property must take reasonable steps to maintain safe conditions. When hazards remain unaddressed, injured visitors may have grounds to pursue compensation.
Our attorneys review cleaning schedules, maintenance procedures, and surveillance footage to determine whether the property owner knew about the dangerous condition and failed to correct it within a reasonable time.
Poor Lighting and Hidden Hazards
Dim stairwells, poorly lit parking lots, and dark walkways can make it difficult for visitors to see hazards such as uneven pavement, loose flooring, or unexpected steps. Inadequate lighting is another common factor in people slipping or tripping on properties throughout Augusta, as it limits a person’s ability to notice dangerous conditions before encountering them.
Property owners must inspect their premises and address safety risks in low-light areas. This may include replacing broken lights, repairing damaged stairs, or clearing walkway obstructions. When handling premises liability slip-and-fall claims, our team can review maintenance records and inspection practices to determine whether the property owners should have discovered and repaired the hazard.
When Are Property Owners Liable for Slip and Falls?
Not every fall automatically results in legal responsibility. In many cases, an injured person must demonstrate that the property owner knew, or reasonably should have known, of the dangerous condition and failed to address it. Evidence such as incident reports, photographs, or witness statements often plays an important role in determining liability.
State law follows a modified comparative fault rule outlined in Ga. Code § 51-12-33. This rule allows courts to divide fault for an accident among the parties involved. If an injured person is partially responsible for the fall, the court may reduce their compensation by their percentage of fault.
Our Augusta slip and fall accident attorneys can investigate the circumstances of your incident, review property maintenance practices, and determine whether the property owner’s negligence contributed to your injury.
Call an Augusta Slip and Fall Attorney About Your Accident and Its Causes
Understanding the common causes of slip and falls in Augusta can help you recognize when unsafe property conditions may have contributed to an injury. If you suffered harm on someone else’s property, learning your legal options may be an important step toward protecting your rights.
At Barrios Virguez Attorneys: Accident & Injury Law, our lawyers take a compassionate approach to injury cases because we know how an injury can affect your family. Contact our team today to schedule your free consultation and learn how we focus on defending what matters most to you.
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