Unsafe Premises: Restaurant Accidents in Georgia

The restaurant industry is huge in Georgia and one of the main drivers of the economy. Restaurants also provide countless jobs for residents and play a significant role in local communities statewide. And for every restaurant there is a owner who is responsible for maintaining the property and keeping it safe for patrons and employees. They are also responsible for providing a warning of some kind if they cannot keep an area safe. Restaurants have many safety hazards but the most common injuries sustained are slip and fall accidents. Anyone who was injured due to this type of accident could be helped by a premises liability settlement to recover the money necessary for medical, lost income or other expenses.

Premises Liability in Georgia

In Georgia, if you are injured in a slip-and-fall accident and wish to bring suit you must meet the following criteria to make it a valid claim:

1. The owner had actual knowledge of the dangerous condition or should have reasonably known through the use of due care that the dangerous condition existed.

2. The injured victim was unaware of the dangerous condition.

Here is an example of what would need to be established. Let’s say a patron of the restaurant slips and falls on a spilled drink. The patron would have to show that it was the restaurant that created an unsafe condition and that the restaurant knew about (or should have known about) this unsafe condition. The patron might show that the spilled drink stayed on the floor for an extended period of time without being cleaned—and the more time the spill was left on the floor, the more likely the restaurant will be found negligent.

Other Types of Restaurant Accidents

Georgia Code § 51-3-1 establishes that the landowner is liable for injuries sustained because of a “failure to exercise ordinary care in keeping the premises safe”. Here are some of the most common accidents or issues that result in unsafe premises claims.

• Poor maintenance
• Handrails broken on staircase
• A falling object
• Fire
• Pool injures
• Foodborne illness
• Animal bites

The fact that you were injured due to unsafe premises does not always mean that someone else is liable. You must consult with a skilled lawyer in Georgia immediately so that you can determine who was at fault and whether or not you have a case-

Safety Tips for Restaurants

While you can never fully prevent accidents, there are some things that can be done to decrease the hazards and promote a safer environment.

• Provide slip resistant mats in areas that tend to be wet.
• Have mirrors installed for blind corners
• Always keep walkways free of clutter
• Use signs that announce the danger such as “Wet Surface” to alert people.
• Do safety checks frequently to make sure areas are clean and dry.
• Install treading on staircases

If you or someone you know sustained an injury due to a restaurant’s negligence, then you must contact an experienced personal injury lawyer immediately. Remember, in any personal injury situation you do not ever want to sign anything with an insurance company before contacting a lawyer. You must make sure your rights are protected and that you get a fair compensation for your injury.