Athens Premises Liability Lawyer

Injured on Someone Else's Property? Speak With an Athens Premises Liability Lawyer

When you visit a store, restaurant, apartment complex, or other property in or around Athens, you expect the premises to be safe. At least you don't expect to be injured because someone failed to address dangerous conditions on their property.

But hazards may exist for many reasons, such as neglected maintenance, poor security measures, faulty construction, or a failure to warn visitors of potential dangers. These risks can lead to serious injuries, leaving victims with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and lasting emotional trauma.

If you’ve been hurt due to dangerous conditions on someone else’s property in Athens, Georgia, an Athens premises liability lawyer can help you pursue compensation.
At Hall & Collins Injury & Accident Lawyers, LLC, we’ve been standing up for injured Georgians since 2003, recovering more than $75 million for our clients. We know how devastating an injury can be, and we’re here to help you hold negligent property owners accountable.

What Is Premises Liability in Georgia?

Georgia premises liability law requires property owners to keep their spaces reasonably safe for visitors. This includes not only fixing hazards but also regularly inspecting the property, warning guests of potential dangers, and taking proactive steps to prevent foreseeable accidents. Failing to address unsafe conditions—such as broken stairs, inadequate lighting, security failures, or structural defects—can make a property owner legally responsible for injuries that occur on their premises.

To have a valid premises liability claim, you must establish several key legal elements.

• The property owner had a legal responsibility to keep the premises safe.
• The owner failed to address a dangerous condition.
• That negligence directly led to your injuries.
• You suffered damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering—similar to pain and suffering for a car accident.

Premises liability cases can be complex, and insurance companies will try to minimize payouts. Having a dedicated premises liability lawyer by your side is the key to obtaining fair compensation for your injuries and other damages.

Common Premises Liability Accidents We Handle

Hazards on a property aren't always obvious, and accidents can happen in ways you might not expect. A wet floor, a broken stair, or even poor lighting can turn a routine visit into a life-changing injury. Below are some of the most common types of cases we handle:

Slip and Fall Accidents

A simple fall can cause broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and other serious injuries. Common causes include:

• Wet or slippery floors
• Uneven sidewalks and other surfaces
• Poor lighting in stairwells
• Loose rugs or flooring
• Cluttered walkways or tripping hazards
• Ice or snow accumulation on entryways

Negligent Security Injuries

Property owners must take reasonable steps to protect visitors from foreseeable crimes. If they don’t, and you’re assaulted, robbed, or otherwise harmed, they may be liable. Some examples of negligent security include:

• Lack of security personnel 
• Absence of video surveillance
• Broken locks on entryways allowing unauthorized access
• Inadequate parking lot lighting leading to assaults

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

Dog owners in Georgia are responsible for keeping their pets under control. If a dog bites you due to the owner's negligence, you could have a claim for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. Additional types of animal-related injuries include:

• Unrestrained pets causing bicycle or pedestrian accidents
• Attacks from exotic or dangerous animals kept by private owners
• Failure to warn visitors about an aggressive pet

Swimming Pool Accidents

Drownings and slip-and-fall accidents around pools can be deadly. Property owners must secure pools with fences and ensure that pool areas are free of hazards. Other swimming pool-related dangers include:

• Defective pool drains causing entrapment injuries
• Lack of lifeguards or proper warning signs at public pools
• Slippery pool decks leading to severe falls

Escalator and Elevator Accidents

Malfunctioning escalators and elevators can cause severe injuries. Property owners must regularly inspect and maintain these devices to ensure public safety. Potential hazards include:

• Sudden stops or speed malfunctions
• Misalignment causing trips and falls
• Defective elevator doors trapping individuals

Parking Lot and Parking Garage Accidents

Parking areas present unique hazards that can lead to serious injuries. Some of the most common dangers include:

• Potholes and cracked pavement causing trips and falls
• Inadequate lighting that increases the risk of assaults or pedestrian accidents
• Poorly designed traffic patterns leading to vehicle collisions
• Lack of proper signage or markings resulting in pedestrian injuries

Structural Hazards and Building Code Violations

Defective property design and structural hazards can pose serious risks. These cases often involve:

• Collapsing balconies or stairwells
• Fire hazards due to faulty wiring
• Unstable shelving or falling objects in stores
• Inadequate emergency exits violating safety codes

Who Is Liable in a Premises Liability Case?

Determining liability in a premises liability case depends on multiple factors, including the relationship between the injured party and the property owner, the type of hazard involved, and whether the property owner took reasonable steps to prevent harm. In Georgia, visitors to a property generally fall into one of three legal categories:

• Invitees – Invitees have explicit or implied permission to be on the property for business purposes, such as store customers, hotel guests, and apartment complex tenants. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care, which includes regularly inspecting the premises, fixing hazards, and providing adequate warnings when dangers do exist.
• Licensees – Licensees are social guests or others who enter a property with the owner’s permission but not for business purposes. While property owners do not have to inspect for hidden dangers, they must still warn licensees of known hazards that may not be obvious.
• Trespassers—Property owners generally do not owe trespassers a duty of care. However, there are exceptions, particularly for children. Under the attractive nuisance doctrine, property owners may be held liable for injuries to children if a hazardous condition, such as an unfenced swimming pool or abandoned structure, is likely to attract them.

Property owners and their insurers often dispute liability in premises liability accidents. They may argue that the injured party was responsible for their accident or that the hazard was obvious and avoidable. 

Given the complexities of proving liability, working with an experienced Athens premises liability lawyer can make a critical difference in your case. Our Athens premises liability attorneys thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your injury, gather key evidence, and build a strong claim to hold negligent property owners accountable.

Compensation for Premises Liability Victims

Suffering an injury on someone else’s property can result in overwhelming physical, emotional, and financial hardships. If your injury was caused by a property owner’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for the losses you’ve endured. Understanding what damages can you claim is essential, as it helps clarify the types of compensation available based on your specific premises liability case.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover the financial costs directly related to your injury. These can include:

• Medical expenses – Coverage for emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescription medications, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care.
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity – If your injuries prevent you from working temporarily or permanently, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income and future earnings.
• Home modifications and assistive care – If your injury results in long-term mobility issues, you may be compensated for home modifications such as wheelchair ramps or in-home nursing care.
• Out-of-pocket expenses – Costs for transportation to medical appointments, medical equipment, and other injury-related expenses.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate for the physical and emotional toll of your injuries, including:

• Pain and suffering – Compensation for chronic pain, discomfort, and emotional distress caused by your injury.
• Mental anguish – Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological effects that result from the accident.
• Loss of enjoyment of life – If your injuries prevent you from engaging in hobbies, sports, or daily activities you once enjoyed.
• Permanent disability or disfigurement – If your injury leads to long-term impairment, amputation, or visible scarring, you may receive damages for the lasting impact on your quality of life.

Punitive Damages

In some cases, the court may award punitive damages when the property owner’s negligence was especially reckless or willful. These damages are meant to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior from happening. 

Wrongful Death Damages

If a loved one died due to a premises liability accident, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim to recover damages such as:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support the deceased would have provided
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support
• Medical expenses incurred before death

Compensation in premises liability cases varies depending on the severity of the injuries, the extent of negligence involved, the evidence supporting the claim, and other factors. An experienced Athens premises liability lawyer at Hall & Collins Injury & Accident Lawyers, LLC can assess the full impact of your injuries and fight to maximize your financial recovery.

How Our Athens Premises Liability Lawyers Can Help You

Navigating a premises liability claim on your own can be tedious and risky, especially when you’re dealing with physical and emotional pain and financial stress.  An experienced Athens premises liability lawyer can be your advocate, handling the legal process while you focus on healing. Here’s how we can help:

• Conduct a thorough investigation – A strong case starts with gathering the right evidence. We will collect surveillance footage, maintenance records, incident reports, and witness statements to establish property owner negligence.
• Identify all liable parties – In some cases, more than one party may be responsible for your injuries. We can determine whether the property owner, a third-party maintenance company, or another entity shares liability.
• Negotiate aggressively with insurers – Insurance companies prioritize their bottom line, often offering low settlements that fail to cover the full extent of your damages. Just like in cases where car accident settlements work against injured victims, insurance adjusters will look for any reason to deny or undervalue your claim, often shifting blame onto you or downplaying the severity of your injuries. Our experienced Athens premises liability lawyers will handle all communications and negotiations with insurers to safeguard your claim and fight for fair compensation.
• Consult medical and safety experts – Establishing the long-term impact of your injuries may require expert testimony. Your attorney can work with medical professionals, engineers, or security specialists to strengthen your claim.
• Prepare a compelling case for trial – If the at-fault party’s insurance company refuses to make you a fair settlement offer, our skilled premises liability lawyers will take your case to court, presenting evidence and legal arguments to secure the compensation you deserve.

At Hall & Collins Injury & Accident Lawyers, LLC, we are committed to protecting the rights of injury victims in Athens. We understand the tactics insurance companies use to reduce payouts, and we are prepared to fight back on your behalf. 

Our team takes a personalized approach to every case, ensuring that you get the dedicated legal representation you need. If you've been injured due to unsafe property conditions, you don’t have to face this battle alone—our firm is here to help every step of the way.

FAQs About Premises Liability in Georgia

How long do I have to file a premises liability claim in Georgia?

Georgia’s statute of limitations for premises liability claims is two years from the date of injury. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation.

What if I was partially at fault for my accident?

Georgia law follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you were less than 50% at fault, you can still recover compensation, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

How much does it cost to hire a premises liability lawyer?

At Hall & Collins Injury & Accident Lawyers, LLC, we believe everyone should have access to top-notch legal representation regardless of their financial situations. That is why we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. You only pay for our services if we win your case.

Steps to Take After a Premises Liability Accident

The actions you take after a premises liability accident can significantly help protect your claim for damages.  

• Get medical attention – Your health and safety should be your top priority. Even if your injuries seem minor, seek medical care immediately. Some injuries, such as whiplash brain injuries, internal bleeding, and organic damage, may not show symptoms right away but could worsen over time. Additionally, medical records serve as important evidence in your claim.
• Keep all medical appointments – Keeping your follow up appointments, medical exams, and treatments creates a record of your injuries and demonstrates your commitment to recovering.
• Report the accident – Notify the property owner, manager, or security personnel about the incident as soon as possible. Request a written incident report and ensure it accurately describes what happened. If the property owner refuses to document the accident, take detailed notes yourself.
• Take photos and gather evidence – Visual documentation is one of the strongest forms of evidence in a premises liability case. Take clear pictures of the hazardous condition that caused your injury, such as a wet floor, broken stairs, poor lighting, or missing safety features. Also, capture photos of your injuries and any visible property damage.
• Get witness contact information – If anyone saw the accident occur, ask for their name and contact details. Witness statements can provide additional credibility to your claim and counter any disputes from the property owner or insurance company.
• Consult a lawyer – A skilled Athens premises liability attorney can evaluate your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. At Hall & Collins Injury & Accident Lawyers, LLC, we handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on recovery.

Taking these steps can strengthen your case and help prove the property owner's negligence. The sooner you take action, the better your chances of securing fair compensation.

Contact an Athens Premises Liability Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to unsafe property conditions, don’t wait to seek legal help. It matters who you choose to represent you, and our Athens personal injury lawyers want you to feel confident that you’re making an informed decision. That’s why we offer free, no-obligation consultations. To schedule yours, contact our office online or call (706) 351-6055.