Getting hurt on someone else’s property, whether in a business, event venue, or a home, can leave you with questions about who is to blame. You need answers on filing a claim and what to do next, and you should turn to a qualified Atlanta premises liability lawyer for help. They can manage your case while you get your life back on track.
At Munley Law, our personal injury lawyers offer over 65 years of professional, compassionate, and experienced service for clients across the Atlanta area. If you slip and fall, get bitten by someone’s dog, or get hurt by falling merchandise in a store, we are here to guide you through the insurance claim and personal injury lawsuit processes. We provide big-city skills with small-town attention to your needs.
Why Choose Munley Law as Your Premises Liability Lawyer in Atlanta?
Atlanta, GA has no shortage of law firms to choose from when you need legal help. At Munley Law, we believe you should rely on us because our extremely qualified attorneys treat you with dignity, honesty, and respect. You are never just another case number, and we put the full force of our attorneys and staff on resolving every case.
Here are just some of the ways our premises liability lawyers in Atlanta support you during your claim:
We carefully assess your circumstances during a free consultation.
We advise you whether your case is strong enough to pursue and estimate its value.
We offer contingency fee payment plans so you do not pay us until we settle your case.
We gather evidence and interview witnesses to construct your claim.
We manage insurance claims on your behalf, including negotiating a fair settlement.
When necessary, we prepare your case for trial and educate you on what to expect.
We fight fiercely in the courtroom for maximum compensation.
We are available for personal injury questions when you need us.
Premises liability accidents can dramatically change your life, even limiting your ability to support and care for yourself. We believe we are the right choice for you, and we encourage you to review our client testimonials and client victories as proof. Not only have we made a difference in many people’s lives, we have won national recognition from other law firms for our work.
How Our Premises Liability Attorney in Atlanta Resolves Your Case
Suppose you slip and fall in a grocery store on some liquid in the refrigerated section, bumping your head on the edge of the cold case and twisting your ankle. First responders treat you and transport you to the hospital, where they discover you have suffered a brain injury and fractures in your leg. Suddenly, you have tremendous medical bills and are not sure who should pay.
When we accept your case, we help you find medical specialists to fully diagnose and treat your injuries, investigate every aspect of the situation, and interact with insurance companies on your behalf. You can put your energy into getting better, while we put our efforts into identifying who is at fault and how to hold them accountable. We advise you on your options and recommend how to proceed, but you are always in charge.
Your premises liability lawyers in Atlanta from Munley Law use every available tool to strengthen your case, collaborating with experts in various fields to demonstrate who is at fault. If there are multiple liable parties, we work to seek compensation from each one according to how they contributed to your injuries. Above all, our promise to you is that no other law firm will work harder for you than we will.
What Is Premises Liability?
Under premises liability law, all property owners must keep their buildings and acreage in a reasonably safe condition and warn the public of any hazards. Owners must make every effort to repair any problems and prevent individuals from encountering potential dangers. If they fail to do so, those who get hurt have the right to hold the owners liable.
Georgia’s premises liability laws apply to any location that allows members of the public to enter, including an individual’s home. For example, suppose you visit a neighbor’s house for a party and their dog bites you. You are able to file a claim against the friend’s homeowners’ insurance policy for your financial losses.
To do so, you must show there was a danger present, the owner did not fix the issue, and you were hurt as a direct result of their action or inaction. This can be complicated, especially because the owner is your friend. Still, our premises liability attorneys in Atlanta will help you review the circumstances and make the best decisions for your needs.
We Have Experience With a Wide Variety of Premises Liability Cases
Premises liability claims are rarely straightforward. Although property owners must keep their premises safe, those visiting the location must also look out for their own safety. In some instances, you could face claims that you contributed to your injury under Georgia’s apportionment of damages doctrine.
Here are common types of premises liability claims we have worked on in the past:
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Chlorine gas poisoning
Dog bites
Escalator accidents
Power line injuries
Swimming pool accidents
Property owners owe a duty of care to both licensees and invitees, but a lesser duty to anyone who trespasses. An exception is if the trespasser is a minor child. Nonetheless, owners are prohibited from doing anything that might intentionally cause harm to a trespasser.
You can suffer numerous injuries on someone else’s property, including broken bones and fractures, traumatic brain injury, internal organ damage, internal bleeding, spinal cord injury, torn muscles, and lacerations. You may need special treatment and have a lengthy recovery, but your Georgia premises liability attorney will work to secure financial relief for the full value of your case.
We Help You Recover All Possible Damages in Your Premises Liability Claim
Once you begin to heal, you may look at the pile of medical bills and imagine that is the extent of your losses. However, our premises liability attorneys in Atlanta have the skills to identify many costs you may overlook. Beyond your economic damages, which have a specific value, you can seek compensation for your non-economic losses, such as your pain and suffering.
Common damages in premises liability claims can include:
Ambulance or life flight transport to a hospital
ICU, ER, and surgical care
All medical bills associated with your injury
All follow-up care
Physical and mental health therapy
Medications, medical devices, and mobility aids
In-home nursing care or rehabilitation center fees
Lost income, benefits, retirement contributions, and bonuses
Home services, such as cleaning, maintenance, and cooking
Mental anguish, anxiety, and depression
Diminished quality of life
Permanent disability
Scarring and disfigurement
Insurance claims primarily pay only economic losses, but if you have substantial non-economic damages or the insurer will not meet your settlement demands, you may need to file a lawsuit. It is essential that you speak with an attorney soon after your injury, since Georgia’s statute of limitations only gives you 2 years to begin filing the paperwork for a lawsuit. Our team at Munley Law can manage this process for you.
Demonstrating Negligence Is Key in Premises Liability Cases
Because it is possible for you to get hurt on someone’s property without their direct action against you, it can be difficult to prove their negligence and how it caused your injury. You must present evidence that shows they owed you a duty to keep the premises safe and failed to do so. You must also establish that their failure directly caused your injuries and that you have losses as a result.
Your premises liability lawyer will seek evidence to support this claim, including items such as:
Photos of your injuries, the property, the hazard, and other factors
Your medical records and scans
Witness statements
Property maintenance and repair logs
Rental and lease agreements
Reports of toxic substance violations
Store accident reports
Video footage from security or other cameras
Expert testimony
If the other side claims you are partly or fully at fault, our lawyers will work to minimize this when possible. For example, if you cut your foot on broken glass while apple picking in Northeast Georgia, but you were wearing flip flops at the time, the court may find you are 40% at fault. We will push back to demonstrate that the owner should have been aware of the broken glass and removed it in a timely manner to keep you safe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Premises Liability
This area of law is confusing to most people, since it hinges on showing that an owner knew or should have known about a danger and failed to fix it. The problem of who is an invitee, licensee, or trespasser can also be confusing. Here are some common questions our premises liability lawyers encounter:
What Does “Attractive Nuisance” Mean?
An attractive nuisance is something dangerous on private property that is likely to draw the attention of children who do not recognize the risk. Because children are naturally curious and may not understand potential hazards, property owners have a duty to take reasonable steps to secure or remove these dangers.
Common examples of attractive nuisances include:
- Swimming pools or hot tubs
- Trampolines or playground equipment
- Abandoned vehicles or appliances
- Construction sites or machinery
- Unfenced ponds or wells
How Does Premises Liability Handle Dog Bites and Animal Attacks?
While most premises liability accidents happen on the property itself, dog bites and animal attacks fall under this law even if the incident happens somewhere else. You can file a claim against the homeowners’ insurance policy for compensation. An animal is considered a household item in these cases, so if a dog bites you or knocks you down in a park, the owner is still at fault.
Most dog bite or attack cases fall under strict liability, meaning the owner is responsible for all damages their pet causes. This is especially true if the animal is known to be dangerous, with a history of hurting people. Georgia has a modified “one-bite rule,” where the owner is at fault if they knew the dog had bitten before, or the owner did not control their animal.
What if I Am Hurt at a Concert in Atlanta?
The city is famous for its vibrant music scene, but these crowded venues can quickly turn into dangerous gatherings. Fans rushing the stage or overfilling contained areas can lead to a crowd surge, injuring you if you fall or cannot get enough air. You may also get hurt if there is poor security, insufficient sanitation, or poor lighting.
If you are injured during a concert or other public event, you have the right to seek compensation from the property owner, as well as other parties. This may include other attendees who hurt you, contractors providing services to the event, and maintenance companies that failed to make repairs.
Who Is an Invitee, Licensee, or Trespasser?
An invitee is someone invited onto a property for business or mutual benefit, and the owner must keep the property safe for them. A licensee has permission to enter for personal reasons, and the owner must warn of known dangers. A trespasser enters without permission, and the owner generally only has to avoid intentional harm—except when children are involved under the attractive nuisance doctrine.
Our Atlanta Premises Liability Lawyer Is Ready to Help
Managing the details of a lawsuit or insurance claim while you are injured can be overwhelming. Instead of adding to your stress, contact an Atlanta premises liability lawyer at Munley Law to schedule a free consultation. We are prepared to listen to your story and build a robust case against those at fault.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
1764 Rockland Dr SE
Atlanta, GA 30316
(404) 949-8249
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