Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common, and most misunderstood, areas of personal injury law. Many assume these cases are minor, but in reality, they often involve serious injuries, complex liability disputes, and aggressive denials from property owners and insurance companies.
If you were hurt in a fall on someone else’s property, you may be facing medical bills, lost income, and lasting pain. You don’t have to face this alone. At MPG Trial Law, our Atlanta slip and fall attorney, Mary Paige, provides the diligent preparation and aggressive trial advocacy needed to hold negligent property owners accountable.
With a proven record of substantial recoveries, our Atlanta, Georgia slip and fall law firm is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.
What is Considered a Slip and Fall Accident Under Georgia Law?
In Georgia, slip and fall accidents fall under the broader category of premises liability law. This area of law holds property owners and occupiers accountable for maintaining their premises in a reasonably safe condition for invited guests and lawful visitors. A slip and fall claim typically arises when:
- A hazardous condition existed on the property
- The property owner or occupier knew or should have known about the hazard
- The hazard was not corrected or properly warned against
- The hazardous condition caused the victim to slip, trip, or fall, resulting in injury
It is important to note that not every fall creates liability. Georgia law distinguishes between a natural accident and an accident caused by a property owner’s negligence. For example, if someone trips over their shoelaces in a store, there may be no liability on the part of a property owner, but if that same person with untied shoes slips on a puddle of spilled milk that employees ignored for hours, the store may be held accountable. Though this is a simple example, these distinctions can be complex and this is where an experienced Atlanta premises liability lawyer makes the difference.
Under O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1, owners and occupiers must “exercise ordinary care” to keep their premises safe for invitees. The law requires proof that the hazard existed long enough for the owner to reasonably discover and fix it or that the owner directly caused the dangerous condition.
This makes slip and fall cases particularly fact-intensive. Our Atlanta slip and fall lawyers at MPG Trial Law invest their skills and resources in collecting evidence to prove the hazard was known or should have been known by the defendant. Clients choose our personal injury law services because they trust we will fight for them just as we would for ourselves.
Common Locations Where Slip and Fall Accidents Occur
Slip and fall accidents can happen virtually anywhere in a bustling city like Atlanta, but some locations are particularly prone to dangerous conditions. In our experience, slip and falls commonly occur at:
Grocery Stores and Retail Shops
Spilled liquids, dropped food, or freshly mopped floors without warning signs can quickly create hazards at grocery stores. Retail stores may also create risks with cluttered aisles, poorly placed merchandise, or uneven flooring.
Restaurants and Bars
Atlanta’s unparalleled dining scene comes with risks. Drinks spilled near bars, greasy kitchen floors extending into customer areas, or dim lighting can all contribute to serious falls.
Office Buildings and Workplaces
Slip and fall accidents in office settings may result from loose carpeting, poorly maintained staircases, faulty elevators and escalators, clutter, or spills. Property managers must take proactive measures to ensure workplace safety.
Apartment Complexes and Residential Properties
Landlords and property managers are responsible for maintaining common areas like stairwells, walkways, and parking lots. Broken railings, icy sidewalks, or poor lighting can result in catastrophic injuries for tenants and visitors alike. Landlords are also responsible for keeping private residences habitable, and slip and falls may be pursued in certain instances when a property manager or owner has failed to repair rotten floorboards, water damage, termite-infested decking, or any number of hazards that keep an apartment or rental house safe.
Hotels and Resorts
Guests at Atlanta hotels expect safe premises, but falls often occur in lobbies, near pools, or in hallways with worn carpeting. These cases often involve large corporate defendants with dedicated legal teams or significant legal budgets.
Public Sidewalks and Parking Lots
Even public property can give rise to liability in certain cases. Uneven pavement, potholes, or inadequate lighting can create risks. However, claims involving government property require specialized legal strategies due to sovereign immunity laws and strict notice requirements.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Atlanta
Some of the most common causes we see include:
- Wet or slippery floors from spills, rainwater, or freshly mopped surfaces without warning signs
- Poor lighting in stairwells, hallways, or parking lots that prevents visibility of hazards
- Cluttered walkways with cords, merchandise, or debris obstructing safe passage
- Defective staircases or railings that collapse or fail when weight is applied
- Uneven flooring such as cracked tiles, loose carpeting, or warped hardwood
- Unsafe elevators and escalators due to mechanical failures or poor maintenance
- Potholes or broken pavement in parking lots that create tripping hazards for pedestrians
- Improperly placed rugs or mats that curl up, slide, or shift when stepped on
- Inadequate drainage systems that allow water to pool in entryways or high-traffic areas
- Construction zones without proper barriers or warnings that expose visitors to uneven surfaces or hidden dangers
- Negligently stacked merchandise or displays in stores that topple over and create sudden slip or trip risks
Our experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney, Mary Paige, carefully investigates not just how the accident occurred, but why the dangerous condition existed in the first place and how it could have been prevented.
How Our Atlanta Slip and Fall Lawyer Proves Liability
In a personal injury case involving slip and fall, Georgia law demands evidence that the property owner was negligent. At MPG Trial Law, our team employs a thorough, evidence-driven approach to build a strong case.
Surveillance Footage
Many businesses in Atlanta have security cameras. Obtaining this footage quickly is critical, as recordings could be overwritten within days. This evidence can show how long a hazard was present and whether employees ignored it.
Incident Reports
If a fall occurred on commercial property, management may complete an incident report. These documents can provide valuable admissions or timelines regarding when the hazard was noticed.
Maintenance and Inspection Records
We may subpoena maintenance logs, cleaning schedules, and inspection reports to show whether the property owner was actively monitoring for hazards. A gap in inspection schedules can be powerful evidence of negligence.
Eyewitness Testimony
Bystanders, employees, or other customers can provide critical accounts of the hazard and the property owner’s failure to address it. In slip and fall cases, just like car accident claims, eyewitness testimony can make a key difference.
Expert Witness Testimony
We may work with accident reconstructionists, safety experts, engineers, or medical professionals who can explain how the hazardous condition caused the fall and how the injuries relate directly to the accident.
Medical Records and Bills
Documenting the full scope of a slip and fall victim’s injuries helps us recover fair personal injury compensation, particularly in cases involving head injuries, spinal cord injuries, or wrongful death. We collect hospital records, test reports, and expert medical opinions.
By pursuing every avenue, our firm builds a compelling personal injury claim to establish the property owner’s negligence and make it difficult for them to dispute liability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit?
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing a slip and fall personal injury claim is generally two years from the date of the accident, but other factors may effect how quickly you need to act. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to recover compensation, no matter how strong your case is. Acting quickly allows our team to preserve evidence and build the strongest case possible.
What If My Slip and Fall Happened on Government Property?
An Atlanta personal injury claim against city, county, or state entities may have shorter notice deadlines than standard cases. Filing procedures are also more complex, requiring strict compliance with Georgia’s ante litem notice requirements. Missing these deadlines could bar your claim entirely, so it is critical that you reach out to MPG Trial Law as soon as possible if you were injured on government property or due to government negligence.
Can I Hold a Third-Party Contractor Liable for My Fall?
Yes, in some cases, liability may extend beyond the property owner if someone else’s negligence is involved. Third parties may include cleaning companies that left wet floors without signs or contractors responsible for unsafe repairs. Identifying all responsible parties helps in the recovery of fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. In many instances, multiple entities are responsible, and seeking recovery against all at-fault parties helps maximize your recovery. At MPG Trial Law, we go after each and every responsible party.
Our Atlanta Slip and Fall Lawyer, Mary Paige, Takes on Powerful Corporations on Behalf of our Clients
Slip and fall cases in Atlanta often involve large corporations, national retailers, or powerful insurance companies that aggressively deny liability. Their legal teams may argue that the victim was distracted, careless, or that the hazard was “open and obvious.” These tactics are designed to minimize payouts and intimidate injured individuals into accepting low settlements.
This is where having an experienced trial lawyer like Mary Paige becomes invaluable. At MPG Trial Law, we are not intimidated by large corporations or their insurers. We know the playbook they use, and we prepare every case with the expectation that it will go to trial. This trial-ready approach positions us to secure stronger settlements, once the defendant recognizes our ability to take the legal battle to court.
Our record speaks for itself. With more than $16,000,000 recovered by our team members, including a $4,000,000 jury verdict, we have demonstrated that we can take on the most powerful defendants and win. We combine high-powered advocacy with personalized client service, ensuring that our clients are supported throughout the process. To schedule your free consultation, call us at 404-260-6330 or contact us online.