When you are injured on someone else’s property in Georgia, the impact reaches far beyond the initial accident. Medical bills pile up, time away from work creates stress, and property owners or insurance companies may try to deny responsibility. A Georgia premises liability attorney can help you understand your rights and take action when unsafe conditions cause harm.
At Evans Litigation and Trial Law, LLC, we represent people across Georgia who were injured because a property owner failed to keep their premises safe. We approach every premises liability case with trial-ready preparation and a clear focus on protecting our clients, not the insurance company’s bottom line.
What Is Premises Liability Under Georgia Law?
Georgia’s premises liability law exists to protect people who are injured by unsafe property conditions. When a property owner allows a dangerous condition to exist and fails to fix it or provide a warning, the law may hold them financially responsible for the injuries that follow.
Georgia courts evaluate premises liability claims by looking at several key facts. These include the injured person’s legal status on the property, whether the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard, and whether reasonable steps were taken to correct or warn of the danger.
A premises liability lawyer Georgia residents rely on can review these factors and determine whether a property owner’s negligence played a role in your injury.
Common Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle
Dangerous property conditions can appear in places people visit every day. When owners fail to take safety seriously, the consequences can be severe. Our firm represents clients injured in a wide range of premises liability cases.
Slip and fall accidents often occur when spills, uneven flooring, loose carpeting, or poor lighting go unaddressed. These incidents frequently happen in grocery stores, restaurants, apartment complexes, and retail spaces.
Negligent security cases arise when a property owner fails to provide reasonable safety measures despite foreseeable criminal activity. Inadequate lighting, broken locks, or a lack of surveillance can leave visitors exposed to preventable harm.
Unsafe stairways, broken handrails, and defective elevators also lead to serious falls, particularly in multi-story residential and commercial buildings.
Swimming pool accidents, dog bites, falling merchandise, and structural hazards are additional causes of premises liability injuries throughout Georgia. Because every situation is different, working with a premises liability attorney in Georgia helps you get an accurate view of what your case is worth.
Visitor Status and Why It Matters
Not every premises liability case is evaluated the same way. Under Georgia’s premises liability law, your legal rights depend heavily on why you were on the property at the time of the injury.
Invitees, such as customers and tenants, enter the property for business-related purposes. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care and must actively inspect for hazards and address unsafe conditions.
Licensees are social guests or individuals allowed on the property for non-business reasons. Owners must warn licensees of known dangers that are not obvious.
Trespassers are generally owed the least protection, though property owners may still be held responsible in certain situations, especially when children or intentional misconduct are involved.
A Georgia premises liability lawyer can explain how your visitor status affects your claim and what duty of care applies in your situation.
Proving Negligence in a Georgia Premises Liability Claim
To recover compensation, it is not enough to show that an injury occurred. A successful premises liability claim must clearly connect the injury to a property owner’s negligence.
This process begins by identifying the hazardous condition that caused the accident. Common examples include spills, broken structures, or inadequate security measures.
Next, the evidence must show that the property owner knew, or should have known, of the danger through reasonable inspection or prior complaints.
Finally, the claim must establish that the hazardous condition directly caused your injuries and financial losses.
Insurance companies often argue that the injured person should have noticed the danger or that the hazard existed for too short a time to be corrected. An experienced Georgia premises liability attorney knows how to challenge these defenses using documentation, witness testimony, and expert analysis.
Injuries Commonly Caused by Premises Accidents
Premises liability accidents frequently result in injuries that affect a person’s life long after the incident itself. These injuries may include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, severe sprains, and soft tissue injuries.
In more serious cases, victims may face permanent limitations or require ongoing medical treatment. Our firm carefully documents both immediate and future damages so claims reflect the actual cost of the injury, not just the initial medical visit.
Compensation Available in Premises Liability Cases
A premises liability claim may allow you to recover compensation for medical expenses such as emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, and future treatment needs.
Injured individuals may also seek damages for lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. In cases involving particularly reckless conduct, punitive damages may be available under Georgia law.
A Georgia premises liability lawyer can calculate damages accurately and push back when insurance companies attempt to minimize the value of a claim.
Why Choose Evans Litigation and Trial Law, LLC?
Premises liability cases are rarely straightforward. Property owners and insurers often argue that victims were careless or that hazards were unavoidable. These defenses require careful investigation and strategic rebuttal.
Attorney Alfred L. Evans, III, brings more than two decades of litigation experience to every case. His background in insurance defense provides insight into how claims are evaluated and challenged, allowing our firm to anticipate tactics and prepare accordingly.
We prepare every premises liability case as if it will go to trial. This approach strengthens negotiations and positions our clients for the best possible outcome, whether through settlement or courtroom advocacy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Premises Liability Claims
Premises liability claims often raise important questions about deadlines, defenses, and legal responsibility. The answers below address some of the most common concerns we hear from injured individuals across Georgia.
How Long Do I Have to File a Premises Liability Lawsuit in Georgia?
Georgia law generally allows injured individuals two years from the date of the accident to file a premises liability lawsuit. Missing this deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation. Certain exceptions may apply, particularly in cases involving minors or government entities. A Georgia premises liability attorney can confirm the deadline that applies to your case.
What If the Property Owner Says the Hazard Was “Open and Obvious”?
Property owners frequently argue that an injured person should have seen and avoided the hazard. While Georgia law considers whether a danger was open and obvious, this defense does not automatically bar recovery. Courts also examine whether the property owner acted reasonably and whether distractions or other factors limited the injured person’s ability to perceive the danger.
What Evidence Is Important in a Premises Liability Case?
Key evidence often includes photographs or video of the hazard, incident reports, witness statements, maintenance records, and surveillance footage. Medical records that connect your injuries to the accident are also critical. Contacting a Georgia premises liability lawyer early can help preserve this evidence.
Are Businesses Held to a Higher Standard Than Private Property Owners?
Yes. Businesses that invite the public onto their property owe invitees the highest duty of care under Georgia law. That includes regular inspections, prompt removal of hazards, and reasonable security measures when criminal activity is foreseeable.
Do Premises Liability Cases Always Go to Trial?
Many premises liability cases resolve through settlement, but not all. Insurance companies are more likely to offer fair settlements when they know a firm is prepared to go to trial. Evans Litigation and Trial Law, LLC, prepares every case with litigation in mind to protect our clients’ interests.
Speak with a Georgia Premises Liability Attorney Today
If unsafe property conditions caused your injury, you do not have to face the legal process alone. With over 20 years of deep local legal experience, our Georgia premises liability lawyers can review your case, explain your options, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation and learn how we can help protect your rights under Georgia law.