The last thing you expect to happen when visiting a Dollar General store is a slip and fall accident. Unfortunately, a slip and fall can happen just about anywhere in Georgia. If the accident was caused by the negligence of the store or its employees, you may be entitled to damages. To know your options for sure, contact a Dollar General slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia.
At John Foy & Associates, we know how unexpected, painful and stressful a slip and fall accident can be. We’re here to help. For over 20 years, we’ve been helping slip and fall accident victims seek the compensation they deserve. We would love to offer you a FREE consultation—there are no legal fees unless we win you money. Call (404) 400-4000 to get started now.
What to Know About Dollar General Stores in Georgia
Touted as “America’s neighborhood general store,” Dollar General was founded in 1939 and has hundreds of locations throughout Georgia. This variety store sells everything from dry and refrigerated grocery items to children’s toys and clothing.
Many people enjoy the very low prices at Dollar General and the ability to fulfill several purchasing needs in one place. However, the store still has a duty to provide a safe shopping experience to the public.
Dollar General, just like all other stores in Georgia, holds a legal duty to “exercise reasonable care” in keeping their premises safe for customers and visitors. If they fail in that duty and it causes injury, they are liable for the damages, according to Georgia Code § 51-3-1 (2018). So, if you suffer a slip and fall accident and are injured in a Dollar General, you may be entitled to compensation.
Common Slip and Fall Accidents at Dollar General
There are a number of potential hazards in Dollar General stores that could lead to slip and fall accidents. Some common hazards include:
- Wet floors, rugs or carpeting
- Slippery floors from spilled beverages or other liquids
- Broken glass in the aisles
- Fallen items
- Boxes, carts or merchandise left out in the aisles
Merchandise poses a particular hazard in stores like Dollar General. Customers are prone to searching quickly through clearance or seasonal bins to find discount items. Items can fall onto the floor and, if not monitored or picked up promptly, they can cause other customers to slip and fall.
Any of these situations may demonstrate negligence on the store’s part. Employees and managers are responsible for knowing about dangerous conditions within a reasonable amount of time and acting on them. They must maintain a safe environment by monitoring and cleaning up as needed. Chances are, if you fell and were hurt in a Dollar General, someone at the store was negligent and you have a case.
Damages You Can Recover from a Slip and Fall Accident
If the store was negligent in your accident, you can file a personal injury claim for damages like:
- Medical bills for doctor visits, tests, and surgeries
- Lost wages from taking time off work
- Physical therapy costs
- Prescription medications
- Pain and suffering
It’s important to consider all the ways in which an accident has affected you. The goal of an injury claim is to compensate you for what you lost. That includes all expenses resulting from the accident and sometimes emotional damages. A Dollar General slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia can help you make sure all costs are accounted for in your case.
How to File a Slip and Fall Claim Against a Georgia Dollar General
To have a successful case against Dollar General in Georgia, you will need to prove that:
- Your slip and fall accident happened in the store
- The store was negligent in your accident
- The accident and the store’s negligence caused your injuries
- Your damages were caused by the accident
You will need the right evidence and documentation to demonstrate that the store was at fault. Once you have calculated your damages and gathered all the evidence to support your claim, you will need to file an injury claim with Dollar General’s insurance company. A slip and fall accident lawyer in Georgia can help you do this.
6 Ways to Strengthen Your Slip and Fall Claim Against Dollar General
Here are some things you should do to strengthen your case after a slip and fall accident.
1. Take Pictures
Right after your accident happens, document the scene as best you can. Use your phone to take pictures of the hazard that caused your fall, the entire accident scene, and any visible injuries. If you have any wet, torn, or bloody clothing from the accident, take pictures of that and keep the clothes as evidence.
2. Talk to Witnesses
If there were other customers in the store when you fell, talk to them. Ask if they saw what happened and/or if they saw the hazard you slipped and fell on. Get the name and contact information of anyone who witnessed any part of your accident. They will be valuable to your case later.
3. Report the Accident
Let the store’s manager know what happened. If they are not nearby, ask an employee to take you to them. Tell them that you slipped and fell and were hurt. Mention the hazard that caused it. Ask for the manager’s name and number.
Don’t let the manager put any blame for the accident on you. Also, don’t apologize or admit to just “being clumsy.” You fell for a reason, likely because the store employees were not being diligent enough in their duties.
4. See a Doctor
Make sure you get medical attention as soon as possible. The insurance company will want to see that you sought medical treatment as soon as possible. If you don’t, they can try to claim that your injuries weren’t as bad as you claimed. If you need help finding a doctor who will treat you for your injuries, contact a Dollar General slip and fall accident lawyer.
5. Keep Track of Expenses
Keep up with all medical bills, receipts, invoices, lost wages and other costs of the accident. You will need proof of these for your insurance claim.
6. Talk to an Experienced Lawyer—Not the Insurance Company
The insurance company may do everything in their power to try and pay you less than your damages are worth. They might ask you to sign something about a settlement or call and ask if you’ll give a recorded statement. Don’t do any of this. Talk to a lawyer first. They can make sure you aren’t taken advantage of and be an advocate for your legal rights.
Talk to a Dollar General Slip and Fall Accident and Injury Lawyer in Georgia for Free
Don’t miss out on your chance at compensation for your damages after a slip and fall accident in Dollar General. If you did not cause your accident, you should not have to pay. Call John Foy & Associates today at (404) 400-4000 to discuss your case and how we can help. Our slip and fall accident lawyers have been representing injury victims in Georgia for over 20 years. To get started today, call (404) 400-4000 for your FREE consultation.