What are my legal options if a customer is injured on my business premises in Georgia?
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As a business owner in Georgia, it is important to be prepared for the possibility of a customer being injured on your premises. In the event of such an incident, there are several legal options to consider.
First and foremost, the injured customer may be entitled to compensation through a lawsuit filed under premises liability law. Under Georgia law, property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. If a hazardous condition on your property causes injury to a customer, you could be held liable for any resulting damages.
To defend against a premises liability claim, it is important to maintain a safe environment for visitors by regularly inspecting your property for hazards, repairing any hazards that are discovered promptly, and posting warnings of any known hazards that cannot be immediately repaired.
In addition to premises liability law, Georgia law also allows injured customers to pursue compensation through a negligence claim. Negligence claims require the injured party to prove that the business owner breached their duty of care by failing to act reasonably and safely in the situation.
If a customer is injured on your property, the first step should be to seek medical attention for the customer as necessary. You should also take steps to document the incident by obtaining witness statements, collecting any relevant paperwork or incident reports, and preserving any video surveillance footage that may be available.
It is important to promptly notify your insurance carrier of any such incidents, as they may be responsible for providing coverage and defending against any resulting lawsuits. Your insurance policy may also require that you notify them of any incidents within a specified time period; failure to do so could result in denial of coverage.
In summary, if a customer is injured on your business premises in Georgia, you could be held liable under premises liability or negligence law. To protect against such claims, it is important to maintain a safe environment for visitors and promptly respond to any incidents that occur. If you do face a lawsuit, notify your insurance carrier promptly and seek legal counsel to defend against the claim.
