blog home Premises Liability Can You File a Claim for a Slip-and-Fall on Public Property in Columbus, GA?

Can You File a Claim for a Slip-and-Fall on Public Property in Columbus, GA?

By Butler Prather LLP on May 2, 2025

Slip-and-fall accidents can happen anywhere—on a sidewalk, in a public park, or inside a government building. But can you really sue the city or a government agency for your injuries?

The answer is yes. Under the Georgia Tort Claims Act (GTCA), you can seek compensation if you’re injured on public property. But filing a claim against a city or another government entity in Georgia involves a very different process than a typical personal injury case.

At Butler Prather LLP, we’ve filed several successful premises liability claims and lawsuits in Georgia, including cases involving government property injuries, and we can help you.

Understanding Premises Liability on Public Property in Georgia

Under Georgia law, property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe premises for visitors. This includes government entities and public spaces such as:

  • Sidewalks
  • Government offices
  • Libraries
  • Public parks
  • Recreational facilities
  • Courthouses
  • City-owned parking lots

If you experience a trip and fall or public park injury due to hazardous conditions like broken pavement, poor lighting, wet floors, or other negligence, you may have grounds to file a claim. However, special rules apply when the property owner is a city, county, or state agency.

Sovereign Immunity and How It Affects Your Claim

One of the biggest hurdles in cases involving government property injuries is a legal doctrine known as sovereign immunity. In Georgia, government entities are generally immune from lawsuits unless they have specifically waived that immunity.

Thankfully, under the Georgia Tort Claims Act (GTCA), there are circumstances where the government allows individuals to seek compensation for personal injuries caused by negligence. This includes many situations involving unsafe public property.

The GTCA imposes strict rules and deadlines that are very different from standard personal injury cases.

Steps for Filing a Claim Against the City in Georgia

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall on public property in Columbus, GA, you must follow a precise legal process to preserve your right to compensation.

Identify the Correct Government Entity

Was the property owned by the City of Columbus, Muscogee County, or a state agency? Determining who is responsible is critical because each entity has its own procedures for handling claims.

Provide Timely Notice of Your Claim

Before you can file a lawsuit, Georgia law requires that you submit an official ante litem notice, which is a formal notification of your intent to seek damages. For city or county claims, you generally have six months from the date of the injury to file this notice. For state claims, the deadline is 12 months.

Failing to meet this deadline will almost always result in your claim being dismissed, no matter how strong your case is.

Detail the Facts of Your Injury

Precision in your ante litem notice is critical, as errors or omissions can invalidate your claim. Your notice must include:

  • The date and location of the incident
  • A clear description of what happened
  • The nature of your injuries
  • The amount of compensation you are seeking

Wait for a Response

The government entity will review your claim and decide whether to settle or deny liability. If denied, you may then proceed to file a formal lawsuit.

Common Causes of Trip-and-Fall Claims on Public Property

Some of the most frequent hazards leading to trip-and-fall claims or public park injuries include:

  • Cracked or uneven sidewalks
  • Poorly maintained stairways or ramps
  • Slippery surfaces due to spills or weather
  • Inadequate lighting in public areas
  • Obstructions or debris in walkways
  • Broken handrails or guardrails

For you to file a successful claim, you must prove that the government knew—or should have known—about the dangerous condition on the property and failed to fix it within a reasonable time.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

If your claim is successful, you may be entitled to compensation for:

It’s important to remember that under Georgia law, damages in claims against government entities may be capped depending on the circumstances. This makes it essential to work with an experienced lawyer who understands how to maximize recovery within these legal limits.

Why Slip-and-Fall Claims Against the Government Are More Complex

While a typical Georgia premises liability case against a private property owner might be straightforward, claims involving public property require:

  • Responding to sovereign immunity laws
  • Meeting strict notice deadlines
  • Identifying the correct liable entity
  • Complying with procedural rules under the Georgia Tort Claims Act

How Butler Prather LLP Can Help

At Butler Prather LLP, we bring over three decades of experience handling serious injury cases, including those involving slips and falls on public property in Columbus, GA.

We understand the nuances of filing a claim against the city or other government entities and know how to build a compelling case for compensation.

We handle every aspect of the process, including:

  • Conducting a thorough investigation of the accident scene
  • Identifying prior complaints or maintenance failures
  • Preparing and submitting accurate ante litem notices
  • Negotiating with government attorneys and insurance carriers
  • Taking your case to court if a fair settlement isn’t offered

What to Do If You’ve Been Injured on Public Property

If you suffer a trip and fall or some other injury on government property:

  1. Seek medical attention immediately. Your health comes first, and medical records will support your claim.
  2. Document the scene, including photos of the hazard, and gather witness information if possible.
  3. Report the incident to the appropriate city, county, or state office.
  4. Contact a premises liability attorney before deadlines expire.

Speak with a Columbus, GA, Premises Liability Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall on public property in Columbus, GA, you don’t have to face the complicated claims process alone. Butler Prather LLP is one of the most acclaimed personal injury law firms in the nation. In fact, our firm has a proven track record of holding powerful entities accountable for negligence.

Call our Columbus premises liability lawyers today at (706) 322-1990 to schedule your free consultation. Our legal team can help you find the best legal strategy to seek the compensation you deserve.

Posted in: Premises Liability


I was in a complex premises liability case involving a multinational corporations. Mr. Butler & his associates were always three steps ahead of these defendants. When they say they are "exceptional trial lawyers," this is not just a slogan but it is a way of life.”
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