Walgreens Slip and Fall Accidents in Georgia
Walgreens is one of the largest pharmacy store chains operating in the United States. Even though the stores’ focus is on health and wellness information, some hazards on store premises are possible.
Slip and fall accidents can cause various injuries, some minor and some severe. The stores are expected to maintain a clean and safe environment. When they fail that obligation, and someone gets hurt, they could be held liable.
If you or a loved one were hurt in a slip and fall accident in any Atlanta Walgreens, you should contact a slip and fall attorney as soon as possible. Our Walgreens injury lawyers are ready for your call: 404-596-8044. Free consultations available.
Why Choose Our Walgreens Slip and Fall Lawyers?
Finding the right Walgreens slip-and-fall lawyer can mean all the difference in getting the financial compensation you deserve after an accident.
The Champion Difference:
- $90,000,000+ in personal injury settlements and verdicts
- We help get the compensation you need through either settlement or trial
- We value good communication and will keep you updated each step of the process
What Causes Slip and Falls at Walgreens?
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, but oftentimes, stores like Walgreens experience them because of store conditions or employee neglect.
Like other stores, the aisleways need to be kept clear of trip hazards, and employees need to clean up slippery liquids after they’re reported.
Other common causes of slips, falls, and trips in Walgreens:
- Cluttered aisleways
- Lack of Wet Floor warning signs as staff clean the floors
- Slippery floors during high traffic periods, especially due to inclement weather
- Bunched, uneven, or loose rugs or carpets
- Uneven walking surfaces
- Electrical cords
- Merchandise waiting to be shelved
- Unstable shelving or display cases
Common Injuries in Walgreens Slip and Fall Accidents
Whenever someone slips, trips, or falls, there’s a chance they could injure themselves. If they’re falling onto a hard surface with force, they could fracture or break bones.
Other slip and fall injuries include:
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Concussion
- Cuts or abrasions
- Hip fractures
- Knee injuries
- Neck and head injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Sprained wrists or ankles
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
Severe slip and fall accidents in Walgreens could cause fatalities. These accidents are especially dangerous for people aged 65 and up: according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, millions of elderly people fall annually — about one in four.
Georgia Laws that Apply to Walgreens Slip and Falls
When someone is hurt on someone else’s property, that injury falls under Premises Liability law. In Georgia, property owners have a duty of care to their guests and customers to keep common areas reasonably safe.
Walgreens employees should keep the pharmacy clear of hazards and dangers to ensure the store is safe for shoppers.
Walgreens Must Uphold Their Duty of Care
Under Georgia law, Walgreens has a duty to protect its customers. The company must exercise reasonable care to keep the store and the parking lot safe for shoppers.
Liability in a Walgreens Slip and Fall Claim
Under O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1, Walgreens is only responsible for accidents that happen in the store if:
- The dangerous condition that caused the fall was due to the actions of the store's employees.
- Store employees knew of the dangerous condition and did not fix or remedy it.
- The hazard existed for long enough that store employees should have known about it.
- There were no cautions or warnings to let customers know about the hazard.
Not every fall is Walgreens’ responsibility. For example, it may not be the store’s fault if you came in with wet shoes because of rain and failed to use the store’s entry mat to wipe your feet (unless the store neglected to put down a floor mat or wet floor sign). Nor would it be Walgreen's fault if you or another customer dropped a bottle of water and fell in it before the employees were informed of the spill.
Negligence in a Walgreens Slip and Fall Case
For a slip-and-fall case to be successful, the plaintiff needs to prove that the business owner had a duty of care to its shoppers, but the company neglected that duty and that neglect caused the slip and fall injury.
If you’re working to prove Walgreens caused your slip and fall, you’ll need to prove:
- Walgreens owed you a legal duty
- The store neglected that duty
- That negligence caused your slip and fall accident
- That accident caused your injuries
Proving Walgreens had a legal duty to prevent your accident can be challenging. You need evidence from the scene, like photos or videos, plus eyewitness statements that support your claim.
You also need to show that Walgreens knew or should have known about the hazard that caused your accident, and that employees failed to act in time. You will also need to show that the accident caused your injuries, resulting in medical bills, lost wages, or other losses.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall in Walgreens in Georgia
If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident at Walgreens, you should act quickly. This will help ensure your legal rights are protected and that you’ll receive the compensation you deserve for your losses.
Make sure you follow these steps:
- If your injuries are serious, call 9-1-1 to request emergency medical treatment
- Take pictures and video of the accident scene
- Take photographs of your injuries
- Get contact information of any eyewitnesses
- Keep all medical bills and records
- Maintain records of wages lost and time missed from work
- Document how the injury impacted your life and those around you
Having enough evidence can protect and support your claim. If you don’t get enough evidence, the court may rule in Walgreens’ favor, like they did in Indiana.
Walgreens Locations in Atlanta, GA
595 Piedmont Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-685-9665
On the southeast corner of Piedmont & North
25 Peachtree St SE
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-260-1038
On the northeast corner of Peachtree & Decatur
2893 Peachtree Rd
Atlanta, GA 30305
404-841-5605
On the northeast corner of Peachtree & Delmont
Find other Walgreens here
Walgreens Will Try to Defend Itself
Once you’ve filed a claim, Walgreens’ legal department will do anything it can to reduce or remove responsibility for your slip and fall accident. An employee may ask you to complete an accident report and release of liability. You should speak to a Walgreens slip and fall attorney before you sign anything from Walgreens. Your Walgreens injury lawyer can protect and defend your rights.
The company may offer a quick settlement. These offers are usually lower than what you need to fully recover after your accident. Your attorney can calculate the value of your case and pursue the maximum compensation.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer for a Walgreens Slip and Fall?
Walgreens is a huge chain, and its legal team will have access to more resources than you. They will work to shirk responsibility for your claim: they’re looking to pay you the least amount of money possible.
A Walgreens slip-and-fall lawyer can:
- Evaluate the value of your case properly
- Communicate with the Walgreens legal department and insurance team
- Help you get medical treatment and take care of other needs
- File a personal injury claim and lawsuit
- Take your case to court if Walgreens refuses you a fair settlement
What Compensation is Available in a Walgreens Slip and Fall Case?
After a slip and fall accident, you could potentially recover:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Funeral expenses after a loved one dies from a slip-and-fall accident
Negotiating a Settlement Vs. Suing Walgreens
Quick settlements might seem appealing: your bills are piling up, and you haven’t been able to work, so why not take any money available? Accepting initial offers isn’t always a good choice.
These offers are usually too low to cover your bills or other losses adequately. If Walgreens won’t negotiate or make a fair offer, you might need a personal injury lawyer to file a lawsuit.
After filing a lawsuit, your Walgreens injury attorney can gather evidence during the discovery process. Both the plaintiff and the defendant will exchange the evidence they plan to present, then prepare for trial. The company may try another offer. Many personal injury cases settle before going to court.
How to Prove Negligence in Walgreens Slip and Fall Cases
Successful slip and fall claims rely on proving the at-fault party neglected their duty of care and caused your damages. Basically, your attorney must prove Walgreens was in the wrong for your accident and should have taken actions to make a safe environment or protect its customers.
To prove negligence, your Walgreens injury attorney may need to obtain records from Walgreens, which can be challenging. Working with a knowledgeable and experienced attorney can improve your odds in a slip-and-fall case. You want an attorney who has experience working with large companies.
Walgreens Slip and Fall FAQs
What If I Fall in the Walgreens Parking Lot?
Walgreens is responsible for keeping the entire property safe, which includes the parking lot. If Walgreens fails to keep the parking lot safe, and you’re injured in that area, the company could be held responsible.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Case Against Walgreens?
Slip and fall accident cases can take anywhere between a few months to several years to conclude. It all depends on the circumstances surrounding the accident and whether you have to take the case to court. The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. has the time and resources needed for these types of cases, and we are prepared to be your support team and best advocates.
What If an Employee Said It’s Your Fault?
One of the techniques that companies or insurance teams use to try and reduce their liability is to argue that you caused your own slip-and-fall accident. If Walgreens tries to blame you for the accident, have them contact your attorney. They will handle all communications with Walgreens and its insurer.
Contact Our Walgreens Injury Lawyers Today
Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries, financial woes, and other significant changes to your life. It’s important to have an experienced Walgreens slip-and-fall attorney advocating for your case, so you can concentrate on your health and well-being.
If you or a loved one were injured while shopping at Walgreens, contact The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. today at 404-596-8044.