Augusta Premises Liability Attorneys

Augusta Premises Liability Attorneys

If you or a loved one is the victim of a serious personal injury from a slip and fall on someone else’s property in the Augusta, Georgia area, contact the premises liability attorneys at Nicholson Revell, LLP.

When you are injured by defective or dangerous property conditions, you need a knowledgeable attorney to represent you. With a name in law for more than 80 years, Nicholson Revell LLP has extensive experience helping slip and fall accident victims in almost any scenario. Call the Augusta personal injury attorneys at  Nicholson Revell LLP today. We can be reached at (706) 722-8784 to schedule your free legal consultation.

Why Choose Nicholson Revell, LLP Premise Liability/Slip and Fall Attorneys?

Legal matters involving personal injury can put undue stress on you and your family. As your legal representatives, we understand this anxiety and will do everything possible to make your proceedings easy. We act as your aggressive legal advocates and provide you with the effective, personalized attention you deserve.

  • We get results. Since our law firm’s foundation, we have recovered more than $160 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients. That includes at least $1 million won in over 25 cases.
  • Our lawyers care about each client. We are committed to our clients and fight for them through aggressive litigation.
  • We have experience. Our local law practice in Augusta, Georgia has more than 100 years of combined experience in personal injury law. We have a reputation for excellence.
  • Our attorneys are leaders in the community. We consistently engage in community events and fundraisers. Our law firm is an AV-Rated practice by Martindale Hubbell.
  • We have high standards. We believe in providing high-quality, compassionate legal representation to those who have been harmed through the negligence or intentional actions of others.

Our Augusta accident attorneys regularly travel to meet with clients – even at a moment’s notice – to ensure exceptional service because we care about your needs and keep you informed concerning the best way to achieve them. Nicholson Revell LLP has all the legal and financial resources necessary to make your case our top priority. We are dedicated to serving our community, and we are proud of our trusted local name.

Meet Nicholson Revell, Your Augusta Personal Injury Attorneys

Nicholson Revell attorneys

Cultivating a History of Excellence.

Satisfied clients are our greatest assets. They are also the reason new clients trust our firm to provide the highest quality representation with every case. Over our attorneys combined careers, we have achieved many substantial verdicts and recoveries for our clients. We have a reputation for legal skill and knowledge, and bring a high level of commitment to courtroom advocacy.

Making a Difference in Our Community

At Nicholson Revell LLP, we are devoted not only to the pursuit of justice, but also to the betterment of our local community. We love the Augusta area, and we recognize the importance of giving back to our hometown. Over the years, the attorneys at Nicholson Revell LLP have invested a large amount of time and resources into many local charities and nonprofits. These are some of the organizations they have supported:

Nicholson Revell Community Support

What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

“I ALWAYS FELT THAT THEIR FIRST CONCERN WAS MY WELL-BEING.”

Nicholson Revell helped me manage a very challenging time in my life. While I was incapacitated, they worked closely with me as well as my family. They guided us through some very difficult legal issues. Having the advantage of two generations of experience and legal expertise, I trusted them implicitly. Their advice was solid, and I will never forget the compassion and respect that the entire staff offered to me.

JO M. | Google Review

“THIS IS A FIRST-CLASS LAW FIRM, WELL-CREDENTIALED.”

They helped with all the medical bills from my brother’s near-fatal accident and negotiated down to where we could afford to pay. We’re talking BIG bills. Not ambulance chasers, just dignified and extremely competent. General practice firm, able to handle every need.

S. STEWART | Google Review

“AN INCREDIBLE GROUP OF ATTORNEYS.”

They are passionate and relatable. And most importantly, they are genuine. They truly care about their clients and the community they serve.

CAROLINE C. | Google Review

View More Client testimonials

Relevant Case Results | $160+ Million Recovered

  • Confidential Premise Liability Settlement – Burns and loss of fingers from liquid nitrogen
  • Confidential Premise Liability Settlement – Permanent anoxic brain injury after falling into unguarded, sunken water at mall
  • $460k – Premise Liability Settlement – Mouth injury from machinery striking the face

View More Relevant Case Results.

Augusta Premises Liability Resources & FAQs

Why You Need an Augusta Premises Liability Attorney

If you have been injured on someone else’s property, specifically by a slip and fall accident, a slip and fall attorney is necessary for a fair insurance process. Insurance companies are notorious for devaluing claims and offering clients as little money as possible. Most insurance companies don’t take clients seriously until they hire attorneys.

If you do hire a premises liability lawyer, your lawyer can handle complicated legal matters on your behalf, including negotiating a fair settlement. If your case cannot settle, your lawyer can help you go to trial instead.

Maximizing your financial outcome can be extremely important if you have serious or catastrophic injuries. You may be facing months, years, or a lifetime of medical expenses, medications, appointments, and physical therapy. Having a lawyer negotiate for you can give you peace of mind about the future.

What Is Premises Liability Law?

In Georgia, property owners have a legal duty to keep their properties safe from unreasonable dangers. If a property owner does not take the necessary steps to correct the dangerous condition on his or her property and you are injured, you may have a premises liability claim against the owner.

Generally, to prevail in a premises liability claim, an injured person must establish that (1) the owner prior owner had prior knowledge of the danger, and (2) the property owner did not take reasonable steps to correct the hazard. Premises liability claims include many types of accidents caused by defective or dangerous property situations.

Some of the types of premises liability case our firm is prepared to handle include:

  • Hotel or apartment fires
  • Negligent security
  • Landlords’ failure to keep a property in a safe condition
  • Falls on escalators and elevators
  • Swimming pool accidents
  • Slip and fall accident
  • Trip and fall accident
  • Construction accidents
  • Electrocution
  • Improperly maintained store fixtures
  • Falling merchandise
  • Broken stairs or unmarked step downs
  • Balcony collapses
  • Assaults, shootings, or other violent attacks
  • Dog bites

Our Augusta personal injury attorneys understand the legal requirements that property owners (either residential or commercial) are required to maintain. We will help you understand your legal rights and recover damages to compensate you for your injuries. These damages can include lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.

Call today at (706) 722-8784 to schedule a free consultation with an Augusta Slip and Fall Injury Attorney

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Augusta, Georgia

Slip and fall accidents are the most common reason for premises liability claims in Georgia. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, more than one million people visit emergency rooms in the U.S. each year for slip and fall injuries. A slip and fall accident can happen on a property that contains hazards or defects:

  • Ice and snow
  • Spilled drinks
  • Food debris
  • Freshly mopped or waxed floors
  • Grease
  • Lack of Wet Floor warning signs
  • Uneven surfaces
  • Dangerous staircases
  • Cracked sidewalks
  • Crowded aisles
  • Low lighting
  • Exposed cords
  • Loose rugs

Slip and fall accidents are typically preventable. They occur when a property owner or business employee is careless in property maintenance and fails to repair potential hazards. If you slipped and fell over an obstacle or defect that a reasonable property owner would have fixed, you may have grounds for a premises liability claim. Contact an Augusta slip and fall lawyer today.

Common Premises Liability Injuries

The main reason to bring a premises liability claim in Georgia is to seek financial compensation for your injuries. The injuries you sustain because of someone else’s carelessness could cost thousands of dollars in medical expenses alone. If you were not at fault for your accident, you shouldn’t be the person who has to pay the bills.

Some of the most common injuries suffered in premises liability accidents include:

  • Broken bones
  • Hip fractures
  • Wrist sprains
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Herniated disks
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Dog bite injuries
  • Accidental drowning
  • Burn injuries
  • Assault injuries
  • Catastrophic injuries
  • Wrongful death

Premises accident injuries can be extremely serious. They can cause permanent scarring, disfigurement, and disability. Your injuries may take you out of work temporarily or permanently, adding lost wages to your losses. It is important to bring a premises liability claim against a careless property owner if you or a loved one has been seriously injured. A successful claim can help you get your life back on track.

How to Prove a Slip and Fall / Premises Liability Case in Augusta

Before you can obtain financial compensation for a slip and fall or premises liability accident, you or your Augusta slip and fall accident lawyer must prove the necessary legal elements. The burden of proof – the responsibility to prove someone else’s fault – rests with the injured party (plaintiff) in a premises liability lawsuit. It is up to your lawyer to preserve, collect and present evidence that proves four elements as more likely to be true than untrue:

  1. The defendant was the legal owner or controller of the property. The person you are claiming is liable for your injuries must have been the party in charge of controlling, caring for, and maintaining the property. This gives the person a duty of care to use the property in a safe manner and take basic steps to minimize danger to others.
  2. The defendant failed to fulfill his or her duties of care in maintaining the property. A property owner’s duties of care change according to the classification of the visitor. Owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees, a slightly lesser duty of care to licensees, and no duty of care to trespassers.
  3. The plaintiff suffered an injury. You must have suffered an injury and/or compensable losses to bring a premises liability lawsuit in Georgia. These losses can include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and out-of-pocket costs. These are the losses for which you can recover financial compensation with a successful claim.
  4. The defendant’s carelessness was a substantial factor in causing the plaintiff to be injured. The defendant’s breach of the duty of care must be what gave you an injury. The harm you suffered must have been foreseeable due to the defendant’s carelessness in maintaining the property.

Evidence in a premises liability claim in Augusta can take the form of photographs of the property defect, video surveillance footage of the accident, eyewitness statements, accident reports, medical records, and expert testimony. Your lawyer can help you gather clear and convincing evidence in a thorough investigation of your accident. Then, your lawyer can present this evidence to an insurance company or courtroom on your behalf.

Damages Available in Georgia Premises Liability Claims

Through a slip and fall or premises liability lawsuit, you can recover compensation for the losses you sustained due to the property owner’s failure to maintain safe premises. Under Georgia law, you are eligible to collect two types of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages refer to your tangible financial losses, while non-economic damages involve your physical and emotional pain and suffering.

Common types of damages available in Georgia premises liability cases include the following.

  • Past and future medical expenses, including hospitalizations, surgeries, and medications
  • Lost wages during your recovery period and loss of future earnings if your injuries prevent you from returning to work
  • Disability accommodations, such as mobility equipment or home and vehicle modifications
  • Specialized treatments, such as rehabilitation and physical therapy
  • Physical pain and suffering, such as chronic pain, disfigurement, scarring, and permanent disability
  • Emotional pain and suffering, such as emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and mental anguish
  • Loss of quality and enjoyment of life
  • Property damage you sustained in the accident

Schedule a free consultation with an Augusta premise liability attorney. Call today at (706) 722-8784.

Comparative Negligence in Slip and Fall or Premises Liability Cases

Although you may be able to establish your right to compensation, property owners often try to defend themselves by claiming you share liability for the accident. The owner may claim that you were distracted by your phone, traveling in a restricted area, trespassing, or even wearing inappropriate shoes at the time of the accident. He or she may also claim that he or she was unaware of the hazard and did not have adequate time to respond to it.

If the court or insurance company believes that you are responsible for the accident, your award could be at risk. The insurance adjuster assigned to your case may use this information as justification to deny or reduce your settlement.

During a lawsuit, Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rules will apply. Under these laws, your award will be reduced by the amount of liability you share. If you are 50% or more at fault, you will be barred from recovering compensation.

For example, say that you are injured when you slip and fall on a puddle of oil in a grocery store. You file a lawsuit against the store for $40,000. However, security footage shows that you were texting on your phone before slipping and falling. The owner claims that if you had been paying attention at the time of the accident, you would not have suffered injuries.

The court accepts his or her claim and assigns you 30% of the liability. Out of your original $40,000 award, you will only receive $28,000. If the court had assigned you 60% of the liability, your award would be reduced to $0.

In these situations, an Augusta premises liability attorney at Nicholson Revell, LLP can help. Your lawyer will gather the evidence necessary to defend you against accusations of shared fault and protect your award from reduction.

What to Do After an Injury on Someone Else’s Property in Augusta

If you are injured on someone else’s property, it is important to remain calm and seek help as soon as possible. The moments immediately after your accident will be some of the most crucial to your future claim. Take the following actions after your accident to collect evidence, protect yourself, and initiate the first steps toward filing your claim.

  • Seek medical attention immediately, even if you do not feel injured. You may have underlying injuries that you may not feel immediately after the accident. Your medical records will also serve as valuable pieces of evidence in your claim. While receiving treatment, save as much evidence as possible related to your injuries and medical care.
  • If you are able, document evidence at the scene. Take as many photographs as possible of your injuries, the hazard that caused your accident, and the area around the accident scene. Save any pieces of physical evidence related to your accident, such as pieces of clothing or your shoes.
  • File an incident report, if possible. If your accident took place in a business, such as a grocery store or shopping mall, there will likely be a process in place to file a report about the incident. If your accident occurred during an act of violence, such as a physical assault, call 911 and report the accident to the police.
  • Exchange information with witnesses and relevant parties. Collect the name, contact information, and insurance details from the property owner. Keep these interactions brief and do not make any statements about the accident. Ask any witnesses in the area for their names and contact information; these individuals could provide valuable testimony in your future case.
  • Do not speak with an insurance adjuster. A representative from the insurance company may contact you and ask for a statement to resolve the claim. However, providing a statement too early can harm your future case. Decline this request and do not interact with the insurance company before speaking with a lawyer.

After you receive treatment for your injuries, contact a premises liability attorney as soon as possible. A slip and fall/premises liability attorney from Nicholson Revell, LLP can handle all conversations with the insurance company on your behalf and advocate for your best interests throughout your case. Your lawyer can also evaluate your accident and help you identify your path to optimal compensation, crafting a compelling case for your right to recovery.

Should You Speak to an Insurance Company After an Accident?

After your accident, a representative from the property owner’s insurance company may contact you and ask for a statement. He or she may claim that providing an early statement will help resolve your case quickly and provide you with compensation faster. You should always decline this request and avoid speaking with an insurance representative before contacting a lawyer.

Insurance companies have a goal to protect their bottom lines, and providing maximum compensation is not in their best interests. If you provide a statement too early in your case, you may not understand the full extent of your injuries or losses. As a result, you can receive an insufficient settlement to meet your needs, leading to financial hardship later on.

These companies sometimes flag inconsistencies between claimants’ stories, using changing details as proof that a claimant is being untruthful. If you discover new information about your accident after providing an early statement, the company could use discrepancies between your statements as justification to deny your claim. To protect your right to compensation, wait to speak with an insurance representative before speaking with a lawyer.

What Is the Time Limit for Filing?

Under Georgia Code Section 9-3-33, an injured person has no more than two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim. This means the clock on your right to file starts ticking on the date of your premises liability accident and ends two years later. If you wait longer than two years to try to file, the courts in Georgia will most likely dismiss your case. Speak to an injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident to make sure you meet your deadline.

Contact a Premises Liability/Slip and Fall Attorney Today

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident or another type of premises liability incident in Augusta, Georgia, contact us right away for a free consultation. Our lawyers want to help you pursue justice and fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Find out how we can help you today.

Our Personal Injury law firm in Augusta also provides:

Areas We Proudly Serve Around Augusta, GA

Including but not limited to:

Adamsville | Apple Valley | Augusta | Berzelia | Blythe | Evans | Forest Hills | Fort Eisenhower | Goshen | Grovetown | Harlem | Hephzibah | Martinez | McBean | Pepperidge | Pinetucky | Thomson | Walton Hills | Waynesboro | Woodbridge