Work With a Slip-and-Fall Attorney that Has a Proven Record of Winning
If you suffer an injury after falling, our Atlanta slip-and-fall lawyers are ready to help. Thousands of slip-and-fall injuries each year result in life-altering problems for the victims.
If your fall occurred because of a property owner’s negligence, you might have a case to seek compensation for your injuries.
Most people have slipped and fallen at some point in time. Thankfully, you can often dust yourself off and move on with your day (maybe even chuckling at your clumsiness in the process). Other times, though, a slip-and-fall accident can lead to broken bones, head injuries, and other injuries that could leave you with lingering pain and suffering.
These incidents aren’t always a result of innocent clumsiness. Negligence on the part of a property owner can create situations where a trip-and-fall accident becomes unavoidable. People need to understand their rights when it comes to these types of accidents and injuries on another party’s property.
At The Stoddard Firm, our slip-and-fall attorneys handle these kinds of cases regularly. Our experienced legal team is here to fight for your right to receive the settlement you deserve. Schedule a free consultation with us today by calling 678-737-8587.
Why You Should Choose the Stoddard Firm
We Can Help Maximize Your Settlement
After suffering an injury in a slip-and-fall accident that was not your fault, it can feel like no one is on your side. An insurance adjuster handling your case may try to convince you that he or she is working on your behalf. But this is likely untrue.
Insurance companies attempt to maximize their profits by limiting the payouts they have to make to victims. So even though you may have suffered a number of injuries, the insurer might not treat you with the respect you deserve. This can be extremely frustrating, as you simply want to win a fair judgment as quickly as possible.
Our slip-and-fall lawyers provide compassionate and professional representation.
You deserve to have someone who is on your side and is working only for you. Our team will provide the advice you need to make informed decisions about how to move forward with your case. Understand that the final decision on how we proceed and on whether to accept an offered settlement always resides with you.
Don’t feel like you have to go through this process alone. When you choose to hire us, we will stand by your side from the beginning of the case to the end. We do not let a bullying insurer intimidate us. We take pride in our ability to prepare for all eventualities in slip-and-fall cases. This preparation gives us the edge.
For a free review of your case, please call our Atlanta slip-and-fall lawyer at The Stoddard Firm as soon as possible at 678-737-8587. Georgia state law gives victims up to two years to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party. However, we recommend contacting us as early as possible to start the process. This will allow us to perform the most thorough investigation.
How Our Slip and Fall Attorneys in Atlanta Can Help You
We Make Life Easier by Taking Care of Everything
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, it may seem as if your life is out of control. Your recovery can be painful and time consuming; simply getting through the day and managing your responsibilities can be a struggle. The idea of filing a lawsuit and managing the associated legal process is just too much to handle.
This is where we can add value. The legal process is complicated; handling it correctly requires experience with personal injury law and the local court system and time. These are three things that you just don’t have . . . but we do.
Our Atlanta slip and fall lawyer will assume responsibility for the entire legal process. We know what to do and how to do it. Engaging our team removes a lot from your overflowing plate.
Some of the individual actions that comprise our client-focused, full-service approach include:
Investigating: Knowledge is power; the more information we have, the better we can represent you. Our team will gather photos of the accident scene, accident reports, and videos (if they are available). We will also review all witness statements and interview them again if we feel it would be valuable. Finally, we will research past safety issues where you were injured to see if there is any type of pattern.
Filing: The paperwork associated with slip and fall cases in Atlanta and the surrounding area is considerable. We will assume responsibility for completing it all appropriately and submitting it in a timely fashion.
Communicating: The number of phone calls and emails that go back and forth throughout a slip and fall case is staggering. We will communicate on your behalf, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks. Our team knows what to say and what not to say to protect your best interests.
Calculating: Determining the totality of your damages is critical — you don’t want to omit anything. We will make sure to accurately account for all of your losses and costs, including those which may extend into the future.
Negotiating: Our goal is to settle your claim in the negotiations phase. Our slip and fall attorney is a skilled negotiator who can effectively approach the process.
Litigating: On those occasions where we cannot reach an acceptable settlement, we will not hesitate to litigate in court. In instances like this, we have access to expert witnesses should they be necessary to help prove your case.
In short, we handle every part of your case, from beginning to end. Our responsibility is to not only manage the entire process, but also to keep you informed as to our progress.
We will communicate with you regularly and will always be available to answer your questions.
Our team will work tirelessly to prove negligence, substantiate your damages and maximize your settlement. We are 100% on your side and share your goals for success.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Your Slip and Fall Case
Our Slip and Fall Attorney in Atlanta Addresses Your Most Common Concerns
While we recognize that each slip and fall case is unique, the one thing that remains a constant within our client base is the fact that they have many questions. This is no surprise, as nobody expects to be injured in an accident, and the necessary legal process is complicated. Below we have shared some of the most often raised questions, along with our responses.
Do I need to engage a personal injury lawyer or can I handle my case myself?
The value of hiring a slip and fall lawyer is significant. These professionals understand the intricacies of the complex laws and can provide you the best opportunity to maximize your settlement.
How long do I have to file my lawsuit?
For personal injury lawsuits in Georgia, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the injury but there are sometimes exceptions making this period longer or shorter. Contacting an attorney immediately is wise as it leverages the time they have to prepare and build a strong case for you.
An insurance company representative contacted me to offer a settlement; what should I do?
Do not engage; simply refer that individual to your slip and fall lawyer. We know how to communicate without damaging your case and can also evaluate all offers on your behalf.
Will I have to testify in court?
Whether the case goes to trial is almost always your decision. We prepare every case for trial, but we are almost always offered a significant settlement sum. It then your choice to accept that settlement or to take the case to trial and hope for a verdict that is larger than the settlement. If the case does go to trial, you will need to testify.
I have been contacted by the insurance company offering a slip and fall settlement. What should I do?
Immediately refer the insurance company representative to your slip and fall law firm. Do not speak with them, provide any information on what occurred, or sign anything. The insurance company’s goal is to get you to settle for as little as possible and to gather evidence to later use against you. Let your attorney communicate on your behalf.
Hopefully, you find this information helpful. That said, we recognize that you likely have more questions, including many that are specific to your case. Contact us today at 678-737-8587 to schedule a consultation. During this meeting we can learn more about what happened to you and share how we believe we can help.
Common Causes of Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Accidents Versus Negligence: Understanding the Difference
Injury-causing slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents usually fit into one of two categories. Some are simply accidents that no one anticipated, leaving no chance of prevention. These most frequently will occur at your home to you or a family member.
Other times, these accidents occur on another person’s property, leading to injuries for you. If the other person failed to warn you of a hazard or failed to fix a hazard in a reasonable amount of time, this is a potential instance of negligence. That’s where our slip-and-fall injury attorneys can play a role in the case. We want to help you receive the judgment you deserve.
Some of the most common types of slip-and-fall accidents where negligence is a possibility include:
Slippery floors inside a business
Wet or icy entryways to a building
Boxes or debris in an aisle at a business
Broken steps
Torn carpeting
Broken handrails
Broken retaining walls
Broken sidewalks
Holes in flooring
Uneven flooring
Insufficient lighting
The property owner is responsible for all maintenance issues. They should have rectified these dangerous conditions to keep visitors to the area safe. Our slip-and-fall law firm knows how to study the facts in your case to determine when one of these conditions rises to the level of negligence.
Common Locations of Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Accidents Happen Everywhere
When a slip-and-fall accident happens at a business, the property owner could be liable. For example, grocery stores sometimes have wet floors after a spill or melted ice from a broken freezer compartment, leading to a slip. In a case like this, the store owner should have cleaned up the spill or placed a sign near it to warn visitors.
Similarly, at an arena parking lot, the property owner needs to install adequate lighting in the lot. People using the parking lot at night need to be able to see where they are walking to avoid possible slipping hazards. A burned-out light could be a sign of negligence.
Finally, at an outdoor mall or city park, the property owner needs to ensure that all stairways, railings, and sidewalks are in working order. Any broken items in these areas that could result in a tripping hazard require immediate repair to protect guests on the property.
These are just a few of the many locations where slip and fall accidents can occur.
Frequent Defendants in Slip-and-Fall Cases
Our slip-and-fall attorneys in Atlanta have seen cases that frequently involve certain defendants in the Atlanta area. Some of the most common defendants in our service area include grocery stores, apartment complexes, cities, MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority), and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Additionally, the City of Atlanta frequently finds itself as a defendant in trip-and-fall cases. Cities have a responsibility to properly maintain the sidewalks on public property. The quality of a sidewalk must match what’s required in city of Atlanta statutes, both for private property owners and for the city’s public property.
However, the city of Atlanta is a clear and frequent violator of this statute. For example, a Georgia Tech study found that cities like Atlanta have recently paid out millions of dollars in compensation for trip-and-fall injuries related to poorly maintained sidewalks. The Stoddard Firm has multiple wins for its clients in these types of cases.
MARTA and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are some of the other common defendants in the area in slip-and-fall cases. Our slip-and-fall law firm has multiple wins for our clients against these entities, too. With all of the foot traffic MARTA and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport have, repairing fall hazards should be a bigger priority for their premises.
Types of Settlements Our Slip-and-Fall Injury Attorneys Can Win
When you choose to bring a lawsuit against a negligent property owner, you can win payment for a variety of items related to your injuries, including:
Emergency medical care bills
Bills for surgery
Prescription drugs
Ongoing hospital and doctor care
Physical therapy bills
Rehabilitation bills
Lost wages
A judgment for pain and suffering
Reimbursement for in-home health care
It is important to remember that you did not do anything wrong, and you should not have to pay these costs yourself. The negligent property owner’s insurance company should pay your bills.
Our personal injury lawyer knows how to evaluate the facts in the case to convince the insurer to give you the judgment you deserve. We recognize that your injuries can impact you far into the future. Thus, we want to help you win a settlement that reflects both the short- and long-term issues you are facing.
Winning Compensation for Your Slip-and-Fall Injuries
Some Injuries are Life Changing
Our slip-and-fall attorneys in Atlanta have seen a wide variety of injuries after these types of accidents. Those who have suffered debilitating injuries that cause a significant change in their lives will have a greater chance of winning a large settlement than someone with minor injuries. That said, even minor injuries can result in costly medical care.
Should you hit your head after tripping on a broken sidewalk, for example, you could suffer a life-altering traumatic brain injury. A TBI may leave you unable to enjoy the same activities you did before the accident. You also may be unable to continue to work. Our brain injury lawyer will fight to help you win a judgment that reflects the changes to your personal life and professional life.
Multiple other types of injuries are possible after falling, including:
Broken bones
Back and neck injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Torn ligaments
Facial trauma
Broken teeth or jaw
Nerve damage
Even if you believe you suffered only a minor injury in the accident, you should always see a doctor. Only a medical professional can officially diagnose your injuries. Without a diagnosis and a plan for your recovery in hand, you cannot win a slip-and-fall lawsuit.
The Stoddard Firm Can Help You
Call Our Atlanta Slip-and-Fall Lawyers for a Free Consultation
After you suffer an injury on someone else’s property, you may wonder if you have a case. Our slip-and-fall lawyer in Atlanta is ready to meet with you to discuss your situation. Contact us at 678-737-8587 for a free consultation today.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we do not require payment ahead of time to secure our services. We do not receive payment if we do not win a settlement amount for you. Our fee comes from a percentage of the final award in the case.
Once you choose to hire us, we will represent you every step of the way. We will negotiate with the insurer for the negligent property owner, seeking a settlement that truly compensates you for your injuries. Should we be unable to reach a fair settlement through negotiations, we will be ready to go to trial to present your side of the case.
We appreciate that time is important. Our team is ready to begin work on your case immediately.
Attorney Matt Stoddard
Matt Stoddard is a professional, hardworking, ethical advocate. He routinely faces some of the nation’s largest companies and some of the world’s largest insurers – opponents who have virtually unlimited resources. In these circumstances, Mr. Stoddard is comfortable. Mr. Stoddard provides his strongest efforts to his clients, and he devotes the firm’s significant financial resources to presenting the strongest case possible on their behalf. Matt understands that his clients must put their trust in him. That trust creates an obligation for Matt to work tirelessly on their behalf, and Matt Stoddard does not take that obligation lightly. [ Attorney Bio ]
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