What are my legal options if a customer slips and falls on my property in Georgia?

If a customer slips and falls on your property in Georgia, you may have legal liability for their injuries. In Georgia, premises liability law governs the legal obligations of property owners to maintain safe conditions on their property and protect visitors from potential hazards. To determine your legal options, several factors must be evaluated, including the circumstances leading up to the accident, the severity of the customer's injuries, and any evidence of negligence or fault on your part.

Under Georgia premises liability law, property owners have a duty to use reasonable care to maintain safe conditions on their property and warn visitors of any potential hazards. This duty applies to both invitees (customers or guests who are invited onto the property for business purposes) and licensees (customers who enter the property with permission but for their own benefit, such as shoppers or patrons). If a customer slips and falls on your property, you may be held liable for their injuries if you breached this duty of care by failing to take reasonable steps to prevent the accident, such as failing to clear away hazardous debris or failing to repair a dangerous condition.

To determine your legal options, you may want to consider the following steps:

1. Seek medical attention for the customer: If a customer slips and falls on your property, their safety and well-being should be your top priority. Call emergency services and seek medical attention for the customer as soon as possible.
2. Document the accident scene: Take photographs of the accident scene, including any hazardous conditions that may have caused the customer's fall. Collect contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident occur.
3. Notify your insurance company: If you are a business owner or property owner, notify your insurance company of the accident as soon as possible. Your insurance policy may provide coverage for any injuries or damages resulting from the accident.
4. Consult with a Georgia premises liability attorney: A qualified attorney can review your case and advise you on your legal options. They can help you determine whether you may be liable for the customer's injuries and, if so, what steps you should take to protect your legal rights and interests.

It's important to note that Georgia law recognizes the legal concept of comparative negligence, which means that if the customer contributed to their own injuries by acting in a reckless or careless manner, their damages may be reduced based on their percentage of fault. For example, if the customer was running in a store and slipped on a wet floor, a court may determine that they were partially at fault for their injuries and reduce their damages to reflect their degree of responsibility.

In summary, if a customer slips and falls on your property in Georgia, you may be held liable for their injuries if you breached your duty of care to maintain safe conditions on your property. To protect your legal rights and interests, seek medical attention for the customer, document the accident scene, notify your insurance company, and consult with a qualified Georgia premises liability attorney.