404-636-4900 When an accident occurs on someone else’s property in Columbus, the property owner may be legally responsible for your injuries. This is because premises liability laws hold property owners accountable for maintaining a safe environment for visitors.
At Deming Parker, we have 50+ years of experience in premises liability law, and we can help you with all aspects of your case: from building a case to representing you in negotiations with insurers or in court.
Suffered an Injury on Someone Else’s Premises? Our Columbus Premises Liability Lawyers Are at Your Service
If you’ve suffered an injury on someone else’s property, pursuing legal action through a premises liability claim will take you a step closer to securing rightful compensation. Here, our attorneys can help you by:
- Investigating the accident: We’ll thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine liability and gather evidence to support your claim.
- Handling paperwork: Our lawyers will take care of preparing and submitting all required legal documents, adhering to the requirements and deadlines stipulated by law.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: We’ll negotiate on your behalf to prevent lowball offers and unfair claim denials, ensuring you receive fair compensation.
- Representing you in court: If it isn’t possible to reach a fair settlement, we can represent you in court and fight for your rights.
- Helping you understand your rights: We’ll explain your rights under Georgia’s premises liability laws and ensure you’re treated fairly throughout the process.
Our team of personal injury lawyers is committed to guiding you through every step of the legal process, fighting for your rights, and achieving the best possible outcome for your case.
Common Injuries Sustained in Our Claims – Trust Our Decades of Experience Helping Injured People in Georgia
In our over five decades of experience, we’ve seen many premises liability cases, but some of the most common types of injuries include:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Sprains and strains
- Head and brain injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries
Depending on the injuries’ severity, sometimes they can have devastating effects on an individual’s life, including long-term consequences that demand continuous medical assistance or drastic changes to one’s lifestyle.
We understand the impact premises liability accidents can have, and, to set realistic expectations and help you understand the potential value of your claim, we invite you to review some of our case results to get a sense of the compensation our clients received in similar situations.
Proving Negligence After an Accident – Understanding Premises Liability Law in Georgia
According to Georgia’s premises liability laws, the duties of property owners are different depending on the types of visitors:
- Invitees: When a property owner invites others onto their premises, either by express or implied invitation, they’re responsible for ensuring the safety of those individuals. O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1 states that if the owner fails to maintain safe premises, resulting in injuries to the invitees, they can be held liable for damages.
- Licensees: According to O.C.G.A. § 51-3-2, a property owner is only liable to a licensee (someone who doesn’t have a contractual relationship with the property owner, and is allowed to enter the premises for their own interests) for willful or wanton injury. This means they aren’t required to keep the premises safe for licensees.
- Trespassers: Lastly, O.C.G.A. § 51-3-3 states that a lawful possessor of land is not obligated to exercise care towards a trespasser, except to avoid causing intentional or reckless harm.
So, if you were injured as an invitee, you may have grounds to claim compensation. To succeed in a premises liability claim, we’ll need to prove the property owner was negligent and the accident directly caused your injuries.
Damages You Can Recover in a Premises Liability Case in Columbus, GA
When seeking damages, our lawyers work to prove the property owner was 100% at fault for your injuries. This is because the O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33 states that if you were partly responsible for the incident, your total compensation amount is reduced based on your percentage of fault.
Moreover, if you’re found to be 50% or more responsible for damages, you’ll not receive any compensation, which may include:
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover financial losses directly related to the injury:
- Medical expenses: Past and future medical bills, including hospital stays, surgeries, and rehabilitation costs.
- Lost wages: Wages you’ve lost due to your inability to work, as well as any future lost earning capacity.
- Property damage: Compensation for any property damaged in the accident.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for non-financial impacts of the injury, such as:
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional pain caused by the injury.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation for the impact your injury has had on your quality of life.
- Loss of consortium: Damages awarded to the injured person’s spouse for loss of companionship.
Punitive Damages
Lastly, although not common, punitive damages are awarded in cases where the property owner’s conduct was particularly egregious or reckless. These damages aren’t intended to compensate the plaintiff, but instead to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Let Us Help With Your Premises Liability Case in Columbus – Contact an Attorney at Deming Parker Today
If you think you have a premises liability case, don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation with us. We can guide you through the entire legal process, from building the case to fighting for your best interests with insurers or in court. To take the first step towards securing rightful compensation, please contact us today.
