ESPANOL
Georgia property owners need to know and follow safety standards on their property to protect visitors. Property owners in Georgia have many safety standards they must follow to protect visitors to their establishments, which includes conducting regular maintenance. While property owners don’t have a legal obligation to protect you from all dangers on their premises, they may be held liable for injuries or deaths. Such safety hazards can be minimized through appropriate measures.
Georgia property owners need to understand the safety standards that apply to them under the state’s law to avoid liability for injuries on their property. Victims also need to understand the laws to protect their rights and claims. If you slip and fall, suffering injuries on someone else’s property due to negligence, you can file a claim for your damages.
Safety Regulations In Georgia
Georgia has several safety regulations for property owners, including employers. Here are some of the requirements they must adhere to:
- Warning signs: You must be aware of the hazards present in your immediate environment. The presence of caution signs can help protect you from these dangers.
- Safety training: In a work setting, the employer is responsible for providing employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to avoid workplace hazards while performing their jobs.
- Safety equipment: Employers must ensure that all workers use protective equipment. These include hard hats, steel-toed shoes, eye protection, and ear plugs or muffs.
- First aid: Property owners must provide first aid support, including a kit and an emergency response plan. If an accident occurs, you should contact emergency medical personnel quickly to prevent further injury.
- Drug testing: Drug testing may be in place for employees in certain jobs that involve serving the public or handling heavy machinery. For example, this can apply to bus drivers and construction workers.
- Fire protection: This includes having smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits readily accessible on the premises. The law requires property owners to install these items in buildings for everyone’s safety.
- Building structure and exterior envelope: The structure should be sound, secure, and free from damage. In addition, the buildings’ heating systems should be adequate, properly installed, and regularly maintained. There are also requirements for water heaters, carbon monoxide detectors, refrigerators, plumbing systems, and electrical wiring.
In Georgia, when a victim sustains injuries on someone else’s property, that person may have a claim against the property owner or manager for the resulting damages. Property owners must ensure their property is safe for visitors. If there is a breach of duty of care and someone suffers injuries, the property owner may owe them compensation.
Are All Individuals Protected Under Georgia Premises Liability Law?
Trespassers are not protected from property owner negligence in Georgia (O.G.C.A. § 51-3-3), but they can still sue if they’re injured due to wanton endangerment. Trespassing laws can be hard to apply in some cases, so it may be best to speak with a premises liability lawyer if you believe your injury was due to dangerous conditions on another person’s property under these circumstances.
What Compensation Can You Get in a Premises Liability Claim?
Georgia law O.G.C.A. § 51-3-1 provides protection for invitees on Georgia premises, while O.G.C.A. § 51-3-2 protects licensees. These can apply to private, commercial, residential property types.
Suppose you can prove negligence on the property owner’s side. In that case, these laws allow you to seek damages like:
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Hospital bills
- Rehabilitative therapy
- Reduced earning capacity
- Reduced life quality
How Can You File a Successful Premises Liability Claim?
A premises liability lawyer can help you build a claim to prove that dangerous conditions on another party’s property led to your injuries. Some examples of such conditions include:
- Broken glass
- Dangerous animals or insects (including bees and spiders)
- Inadequate lighting
- Slippery floors or stairs
- Uneven ground surfaces (e.g., those with holes or dips)
- Unstable handrails on staircases or porches
- Violent crime such as assault, rape, or murder (although this is rare)
Suppose you’ve experienced any of these conditions on someone else’s property. In that case, your lawyer will launch an investigation to collect all available evidence before filing a claim against the at-fault party.
Contact George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Many people don’t realize that they need to hire a lawyer when they suffer an injury on someone else’s property. A personal injury attorney could help you receive compensation for all your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
At George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers, we can assess your situation and help you understand your options for compensation. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, contact our firm for a free consultation today.