Commercial sites such as shopping centers, office buildings, and warehouses attract thousands of visitors and employees every day. Property owners and managers have a legal duty to ensure these spaces are reasonably safe. When that duty is ignored, hazardous conditions can lead to catastrophic injuries with lasting consequences. In Georgia, proving property negligence is often the key to holding businesses accountable for the harm that occurs on their premises.
Understanding Property Negligence in Georgia
Property negligence occurs when owners or operators fail to maintain safe conditions or warn visitors of known hazards that pose a risk to their safety. This can include structural issues, inadequate security, or poorly maintained equipment. Unlike minor hazards, unsafe conditions on commercial properties often cause life-altering harm, including spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and even fatalities.
Georgia law requires property owners to exercise ordinary care in maintaining safe premises for their guests. When they fail to meet this standard, injured parties may pursue claims for medical costs, lost wages, and other damages.
Common Causes of Severe Commercial Property Injuries
Many factors contribute to serious injuries on commercial sites.
Some of the most common include:
- Slippery surfaces. Spilled liquids or freshly mopped floors without warnings.
- Structural defects. Broken stairways, uneven flooring, or collapsing ceilings.
- Falling objects. Merchandise is stacked unsafely, or equipment is stored improperly.
- Inadequate security. Failure to provide lighting, alarms, or trained personnel in high-risk areas.
- Unsafe equipment. Escalators, elevators, or machinery that are poorly maintained.
Each of these hazards represents a preventable danger that could have been corrected if the property had been properly inspected and maintained.
How Negligence Leads to Severe Harm
Unlike minor slip-and-fall incidents, injuries on commercial sites can be catastrophic due to the nature of the environment. For example, a fall from an elevated walkway may result in permanent paralysis, or merchandise falling from a height could cause a traumatic brain injury. Inadequate security in parking garages and common areas may also leave patrons vulnerable to violent crime.
These risks underscore the importance of prioritizing safety measures and the need for accountability when negligence leads to severe injuries.
Proving Liability in Georgia Premises Cases
To hold a property owner responsible, an injured party must prove that the owner knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to take reasonable steps to address it. Evidence may include surveillance footage, maintenance logs, prior complaints, or testimony from employees. Expert witnesses can also help establish that industry standards for safety were ignored.
Demonstrating these facts requires swift action, as property owners may attempt to fix the hazard or remove evidence after the incident. Legal guidance ensures that critical documentation is preserved and liability is clearly established.
Why Legal Representation is Essential
Severe injuries from property negligence often lead to long-term medical care, loss of income, and permanent changes in quality of life. Insurance carriers representing commercial sites are quick to minimize these claims, arguing that victims were careless or that the hazard was unavoidable. Our experienced Georgia premises liability attorneys can challenge these defenses, gather expert testimony, and pursue damages that reflect the actual impact of the injury.
Contact Ashby Thelen Lowry Today
If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury on a Georgia commercial property, you deserve Atlanta attorneys who will hold negligent owners accountable. At Ashby Thelen Lowry, we have the skill and resources to investigate property negligence and build cases that reflect the full scope of our clients’ harm. Contact us today at (404) 777-7771 or online for a complimentary consultation and discover how we can help you move forward.