Locations Alpharetta Atlanta Canton Dawsonville Roswell Woodstock
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Deck Collapse Attorney

Georgia Deck Collapse Law

According to Atlanta area personal injury lawyer, Casey W. Stevens, A deck collapse is a common example of a premises liability case in the State of Georgia. Although negligence in these types of cases often seems obvious, the truth is that these cases often result in the property owner, or more likely their insurance company, denying any liability at all. While they cannot deny that the collapse or railing failure actually happened, they can deny that they are liable due to ignorance of any structural issues involving the deck, or they may claim that patrons or guests themselves are responsible because they used the deck in a manner in which it was not intended to be used. When we are approached by a potential client to handle their deck collapse injury claim, we hire an expert to evaluate the deck debris, and write a report based upon their findings.

So What Causes a Deck to Collapse?

Old Deck Collapsed in Backyard From one of our case files: This is a deck that collapsed due to a construction defect. It was not adequately secured to the house with the appropriate number of lag bolts. Injuries, including broken bones, required hospitalization.

The most common cause of a deck collapse is age. By some estimates, there are as many as 50,000 wooden decks in the United States that are more than 25 years old. A properly maintained deck can last for years, but a neglected deck is an accident waiting to happen. The failure to seal the wood against the elements can speed the breakdown of the wood, and accumulation of grease and oil under a grill can make rot and decay more possible. Screws, bolts, and nails can also work loose as wood expands and contracts due to the exposure to the elements. According to Georgia Law, the property owner is responsible for inspecting and properly maintaining the deck and insuring that it is safe for visitors.

Another common cause of deck collapses in Georgia is a code violation. There are certain Georgia state specific codes in place that are meant to prevent collapses from happening, but many times building codes are ignored or never even consulted when a deck is being installed. In this era of DIY homeowners, decks are considered a weekend warrior project and, many times, the homeowner has absolutely no idea what the codes are or even how to follow them. There are codes that dictate if a deck is even allowed, the height of the railings, the space between those railings, the acceptable height of the deck, how it should be anchored to a structure, how the deck is supported, etc. Failure to adhere to the Georgia codes can be dangerous, even deadly.

However, one of the most difficult causes of collapse to prove liability is overcrowding. Insurance companies will claim that those who overcrowded the deck are responsible for the collapse, but in truth, the property owner should be aware of the structural integrity of a deck on their property and take precautions to ensure that overcrowding does not occur.

A deck collapse can result in a wide variety of injuries from not just the collapse and resulting fall, but also from other elements that are commonly present on decks. For example, if there were a lit grill on the deck, there may be burns in addition to broken bones, cuts and scrapes, and bruises. A gas grill might even result in an explosion causing further injuries from flying debris.

What can I do if I am Injured in a Deck Collapse?

If you or your loved one has been injured in a deck collapse, you should contact a qualified personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Evidence as to why the collapse occurred is crucial to proving liability and must be collected before repairs are made or the collapsed structure is disposed of.

Georgia attorney Casey Stevens specializes in the handling of deck collapse and defect cases. From one of our Atlanta, Georgia area offices (Woodstock, Suwanee, Dawsonville, Cumming, Atlanta, Alpharetta), or from a location more convenient to you, we pledge to give you the best legal advice available.

Call us today for a Free Consultation at 770-408-6364

Client Reviews
★★★★★
After being involved and a five car accident I contacted Casey Stevens law firm. I was given his number by a fellow coworker at my job who had used him in the past and was very satisfied with his services. The car accident included myself my husband and my son, the accident was determined to be the fault of two drivers involved in the accident. Casey personally came to my home the next day and said down with me and my family at the kitchen table and went over all the events of the accident. There were months and months of physical therapy, doctor visits injections and while my son had to have his mouth wired after having his jaw broke in three places. Casey and his staff worked continuously on our case and after it was all said and done, they where able to get us over $300,000 in damages. I really want to Thank Casey Stevens and his staff for always being available for phone calls and answering any questions I might have. I will continue to recommend potential clients to Casey Stevens law firm. Nina F
★★★★★
Outstanding Attorney. Casey Stevens is outstanding!! Everyone there put me at ease and made me feel that my case was important to them, I was not just another number to them. Their professional staff were always on hand to answer any questions that I had and they sincerely cared about my well being. If I ever need legal help again, you will be my first and only call Susan