Atlanta Personal Injury Law Blog

Avoiding accidents on the escalator

On behalf of Isenberg & Hewitt, PC posted in Premises Liability on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

Georgia residents can generally feel confident that they are safe while riding an escalator. However, it is possible to get into an accident by not paying attention to the escalator itself or other riders. To get onto the escalator safely, riders should first look to see which direction it is going. Parents should have a firm grip on their child's hand prior to taking the first step. The other hand should be kept free to grip the guardrail.

When a person reaches his or her destination, it is important to get off in a prompt and smooth manner. Hesitating could cause a person to slip or trip as the escalator itself will keep moving. It is also important to remain aware of other passengers who may be trying to exit at the same time. While on the escalator, it is important to remain aware of loose clothing or other objects that could get caught in the steps.

Remain alert when you are shopping this season

On behalf of Isenberg & Hewitt, PC on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

As frantic as you may feel as the holidays get closer, there are others in Georgia who are even more desperate. They are willing to harm you to get what they want from you, whether it is your packages, your money or yourself. Some may even have the sinister goal of getting to your child.

You can never be too cautious when you are alone in a shopping center parking lot, especially at night or in a particularly isolated area. However, some criminals are not shy about making their moves in broad daylight in a crowd.

When to clear a roof of ice or snow

On behalf of Isenberg & Hewitt, PC posted in Negligent Maintenance on Thursday, November 29, 2018.

While Georgia may not see a lot of snow, it doesn't mean that a snowstorm can't occur in a given winter season. It is also possible for ice to accumulate and put stress on a roof. Therefore, it is worth knowing how much weight a roof can handle before it needs to be cleared off. Generally, a roof in good condition can handle up to 20 pounds per square foot. Roofs that are built in snowier climates may be built to withstand heavier loads.

For every 10 to 12 inches that fall, a roof will experience about 5 pounds of weight per square foot. An inch of ice will weigh roughly the same as a foot of snow. Those who are curious about what their home's roof can handle should check with local building authorities or have it inspected. As a general rule, ice and snow tends to accumulate faster on roofs that have low or no slope.

How dog bite liability is determined

On behalf of Isenberg & Hewitt, PC posted in Premises Liability on Tuesday, November 27, 2018.

Georgia, like every state, has laws on dog bite liability. Dog owners may be held liable for any injuries that their pets cause. In addition, business owners, daycare providers, landlords and others who are responsible for the safety of a property can also be subjects of a lawsuit. The following is an outline of how most negligence laws work.

The laws in some states operate on a "first bite" premise, which means that dog owners are not necessarily to blame if a dog with no prior history of aggressive behavior bites someone. Of course, the owner will not be immune after that first incident. Other states have "strict liability" laws; dog owners are always to blame for all injuries their pets cause regardless of prior history.

Shooting in bar leaves 13 people dead

On behalf of Isenberg & Hewitt, PC posted in Inadequate Security on Friday, November 16, 2018.

Some people in Georgia may have heard that there was a shooting at a California bar on Nov. 7 that left 13 people dead. One was the gunman, who shot himself, and one was a sheriff's deputy who entered the bar to try to stop the shooting.

Police responded to the incident at around 11:20 p.m. Before that, there were reportedly around 200 people in the bar. The man allegedly walked in and threw smoke bombs as well as shooting a firearm although a bomb squad sent in later did not locate any devices. People broke windows to escape or to help others get away and hid in the attic and the bathroom.

The factors in a slip and fall settlement

On behalf of Isenberg & Hewitt, PC posted in Premises Liability on Thursday, November 8, 2018.

There are many factors that must be taken into consideration when settling a slip-and-fall case. For instance, it is important to consider whether a Georgia property owner was at fault for the incident occurring. This may be true if there was no sign warning an individual of a wet floor or if there was no rug to help keep the floors dry. Awards in this type of a case are classified as general and special damages.

Special damages are items such as medical bills incurred or lost wages because of the accident. General damages include lost future earnings or compensation for a lower quality of life after the accident. Depending on the facts of the case, an individual may be allowed to pursue punitive damages, which are designed to punish defendants for their inability to keep a person safe.

Poor maintenance could result in escalator and elevator injuries

On behalf of Isenberg & Hewitt, PC on Thursday, November 8, 2018.

It's that time of year again. The holiday shopping season is just around the corner, and many Georgia residents still like to go to stores in order to do their shopping rather than doing it online. If you are one of them, then you may make your way to the mall at some point. These establishments are often filled with crowds of people looking for that perfect gift for someone they care about or love.

As a customer, you expect that the mall and its stores will take the necessary steps to protect your safety while you are on the premises. This includes making sure that the escalators and elevators are in good working order and safe. If your trust is misplaced, you could end up with serious injuries that will not only interrupt your holiday plans, but also your life -- possibly for some time.

Las Vegas mass shooting case is not yet settled

On behalf of Isenberg & Hewitt, PC posted in Inadequate Security on Saturday, November 3, 2018.

The horrific events of October 1, 2017 stunned the country when a lone gunman fired into a crowd of outdoor concertgoers at the Route 91 festival. Many Georgia residents were among the more than 50 people killed, with hundreds more sustaining gunshot wounds or injuries from the panic that ensued. In trying to make sense out of a seemingly senseless event, many victims and their families looked to MGM Resorts International, the owner of Mandalay Bay where the concert took place and the perpetrator had a room from where the assault took place.

MGM's response to the initial lawsuit was a countersuit seeking to be relieved of any liability for the incident. This resulted in a public outcry as many contend that MGM was at least partially responsible for the tragedy. Both sides have now agreed to suspend the pursuit of their respective actions and enter into mediation in an effort to resolve the matter.

Trees can be as dangerous as they are beautiful

On behalf of Isenberg & Hewitt, PC on Thursday, November 1, 2018.

While you may not consider yourself a tree expert or arborist, you may still appreciate getting out and lying under the shade for some relaxing time or finding the best restaurant that provides outdoor seating shrouded in trees. Though the fall season has hit Georgia, temperatures often still allow for time outside.

However, those trees you may seek out for shade or to provide a nice view could pose a considerable threat to you. If property owners do not make sure that their trees remain healthy and free from hazards, you could end up suffering serious injuries in an unexpected accident.

Partygoers injured in floor collapse

On behalf of Isenberg & Hewitt, PC posted in Premises Liability on Thursday, October 25, 2018.

Georgia residents may have heard about the collapse of an apartment floor in South Carolina that sent about 30 people to the hospital. The accident happened at a private party near Clemson University on Oct. 21. Not long after midnight, ambulances went to the scene in response to a call for help.

The clubhouse had been rented for a private function. According to witnesses and video of the accident posted on social media, people were out on the floor dancing when the floor gave way. One witness described a loud "boom" before people fell to the basement below. Another said that some victims appeared to have broken legs and ankles. Yet another witness said people were trying to climb out and many were bleeding.