Premises liability law comes into play in cases where a person is hurt or killed while on property owned or managed by another individual or company. In Chatham County, an injured individual can file a premises liability lawsuit against a landlord, business franchise, homeowner, retail store, property manager, or in some cases even a government agency if that entity failed to keep the premises plausibly safe for use by those invited onto the property, including customers and tenants.

Liability can arise from unsafe conditions or from failing to provide adequate security which enables others to commit crimes against invitees. Either way, a seasoned attorney may be able to help. If you suffered an injury on property owned or managed by another person and are not certain whether you have standing to file suit, consider consulting with a Chatham County premises liability lawyer who could evaluate your situation and advise you of your options for obtaining compensation.

Many Different Situations Can Give Rise to Premises Liability

Although a property owner cannot be held liable for every conceivable accident occurring on the property, they may be held liable under certain circumstances. Specifically, in cases where the owner or manager failed to take reasonable action to prevent harm to those visiting the property, and that failure was the proximate cause of an incident leading to injury, the injured party may have grounds for a civil suit.

Common Incidents Leading to Premises Liability in Chatham County Include:

• Building code violations, including broken stairs, missing handrails, and unlit stairs
• Slippery floors
• Unmarked changes in floor height
• Broken smoke alarms
• Falling store merchandise
• Cracks in sidewalks or flooring
• Improperly maintained elevators and escalators
• Lack of property security measures including lighting, fencing and security cameras

Premises liability law in Georgia allows those suffering harm due to a property owner’s failure to fix or warn about such dangerous conditions to recover compensation. Specifically, O.C.G.A. §51-3-1 states that when a property owner invites others onto the property for any lawful purpose, that owner is liable in damages to such persons for injuries caused by [their] failure to exercise ordinary care in keeping the premises and approaches safe.

Different Liability for Different Visitors

Generally, an individual is considered to be invited onto property if they are entering the property as a patron or specifically invited as a guest. The standard of care owed to someone not invited onto the property—in other words, a trespasser—is somewhat different.

Furthermore, it is important to note that in Georgia, the duty to exercise ordinary care in keeping property safe covers not only building interiors but also approaches to buildings such as sidewalks, outdoor stairs, and parking lots. A Chatham County premises liability lawyer could provide further clarification about the degree of liability a property owner may hold in an individual case.

When the Victim’s Own Negligence Contributes to the Accident

In some premises liability cases, it is determined that the accident was caused by a combination of factors. For instance, an individual who sustained injuries after slipping on a spill in a grocery store aisle might be considered to be 15 percent at fault if they were looking at a cell phone while walking instead of paying attention to what was ahead of them.

Generally, as long as an injured person’s own negligence accounts for less than 50 percent of the fault, that person may still recover in Chatham County. However, any award received would be reduced by the amount of personal liability. In the previous example, the injured party’s final damage award would be reduced by 15 percent to account for their own comparative negligence. For more information, get in contact with a Chatham County premises liability lawyer.

How a Chatham County Premises Liability Attorney Could Help

If you suffered an injury and believe the negligence of whoever owned or operated the property where the injury occurred is to blame for your being hurt, you may be entitled to monetary damages to cover past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and to compensate for pain and suffering and other consequences from the incident. To learn about how to obtain the full amount of compensation to which you may be entitled, contact a Chatham County premises liability lawyer for a free case evaluation.