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The decision to initiate a divorce is a hard one in many cases. Before you file, you need to create a plan to stay on top of the process. A divorce is a long process that is emotional and expensive, so be prepared for any problems that may arise. The following are some steps you can take as you prepare to initiate a divorce.

If you have reached a point in your marriage where you know that divorce is imminent, it is important that you retain as much control as you can throughout the process. Fortunately, there are ways you can do this and keep your case out of the court and keep the decisions out of the hands of a judge. To determine which type of alternative dispute resolution may be right for you, review the pros and cons of each.

When you hear the words personal injury accident, your mind might jump automatically to car collisions and truck accidents. But slip and fall accidents are nearly as common as car accidents, and believe it or not, they can often result in similarly devastating injuries, especially if the fall causes a concussion or spinal injury.

Below, we'll help you get familiar with slip and fall accidents, including what injuries they cause and what to do if you experience a slip and fall personal injury.

1. Slip and Fall Injuries Can Be Severe

Slipping and falling might paint a comical, cartoonish image in your head, but a serious fall isn't a laughing matter. Some common slip and fall injuries include:

• Head injuries, including concussions
  
• Spinal cord injuries, including broken backs
  
• Broken, sprained, or fractured bones
  
• Fractured hips
  

Fractured hips from falls are primarily a problem for the elderly, who may have osteoporosis or other conditions that make them more prone to broken bones. However, slips and falls can happen to people of any age, and depending on where and how you fall, you could experience severe injuries regardless of how old or young you are.

Slip and fall injuries can even result in fatalities, especially if you slip and fall on the job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 11 percent of worksite fatalities for men and 5 percent of worksite fatalities for women directly resulted from slips and falls.

2. Slip and Fall Injuries Can Happen Year-Round

Slip and fall injuries are most commonly associated with winter, and for good reason — property owners who fail to clear snow and ice away from their walkways or dry up water from heavy rainstorms create very dangerous hazards for all of their patrons. However, slips and falls can also be caused by things like spilled water in the kitchen or grocery store aisle, uneven sidewalks, or trip hazards like loose extension cords.

While it's important to be on your guard during the winter season and take safety precautions like wearing boots with dependable treads, remember that just because the sun is out doesn't mean you're entirely free of potential slip and fall threats.

3. Property Owners Aren't Always Liable for Slips and Falls

Like all other types of personal injury suits, slip and fall cases rest on the victim's ability to demonstrate that another person's negligent behavior caused their injury. In the case of a slip and fall, the victim would have to prove that another person — usually a property owner — was aware of a hazard and failed to take the necessary measures to protect visitors, customers, or houseguests from that hazard.

However, the property owner likely won't be held liable for your slip and fall injury if:

• You were trespassing at the time of the accident.
  
• You ignored slip and fall signage posted around the hazardous area.
  
• You were behaving dangerously when the accident occurred.
  

If you were obeying all rules at the time of the accident and behaving responsibly, and if the property owner was aware of the slip and fall hazard and did nothing to address it, you have a higher chance of winning your suit after a slip and fall injury.

4. A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

If you were injured on another person's property when you slipped and fell, get in touch with a personal injury lawyer today. Your lawyer will assess your case and use evidence like medical records, accident reports, and eyewitness accounts to show that the negligent party is liable for your accident and should cover any medical expenses.

Are you in the Savannah area? Donaldson & Bell Attorneys at Law are here to support you after your slip and fall accident. Get in touch online to schedule your initial consultation today.

Most probationary periods require the individual to follow specific rules that were established because of the crime they were found guilty of committing. The individual must also avoid breaking any additional laws during this period of time. In some cases, there could be severe consequences for violating the conditions of probation even if they were unintentional.  

Learn the common probation mistakes and how to avoid them.

If you were injured in accident where the at-fault driver was intoxicated, you have every right to seek damages to cover your medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. However, while you can collect payment from the at-fault driver, there may be more people who are legally responsible for your injuries.

Many states, including Georgia, recognize that even though a drunk driver is mostly responsible for the accidents they cause, other parties directly contribute. Bars, clubs, restaurants and other vendors who serve alcohol can influence who they choose to serve and how much patrons drink. Social hosts for private parties can also sometimes be partially liable for accidents.

As such, there are a series of laws commonly referred to as "dram shop laws" or "social host liability laws" that help to define whether or not a business, vendor or host is liable for the injuries caused by a drunk driver. Here's what you need to know about how these laws can affect your personal injury case.

When a couple goes through a divorce, parental visiting rights are often a priority in divorce proceedings. In addition to the parents of the children, their grandparents also hold rights to seeing the children. The state of Georgia allows grandparents to establish a reasonable visitation plan after a divorce.

Car accidents are never convenient. No one wants to be involved in one and emotions can be high following the incident. However, it is important to remain calm and follow a few simple steps to help your insurance company with the claim as well as any legal repercussions that may follow.