Prince George’s County Slip and Fall Lawyer
Whether they occur because of wet floors, icy sidewalks, uneven surfaces, broken stairs, or other unsafe conditions, slip and fall accidents are common occurrences that may cause severe injury to those involved. When slip and fall accidents happen on someone else’s property, those injured in the accident may have claims for compensation against the property owner or tenant.
Those injured in a slip and fall accident should consult with a Prince George’s County slip and fall lawyer to determine whether they have a valid personal injury claim. A dedicated attorney at Gelb & Gelb, P.C. could analyze the circumstances leading up to your injuries, identify all parties from whom you could collect compensation for your injuries, and file claims for compensation on your behalf.
Establishing Liability in Slip and Fall Cases
Slip and fall accidents typically occur because of someone else’s negligent actions. When business owners or homeowners fail to maintain their property in a reasonably safe manner and a slip and fall accident results, those injured in the fall may have a valid premises liability claim against the business owner or homeowner.
Premises liability claims are a type of negligence claim. In Prince George’s County, slip and fall premises liability claimants could recover compensation for their injuries if they can establish that:
The property owner or land possessor owed them a duty to protect them from harm on the property
- The property owner or land possessor owed them a duty to protect them from harm on the property
- The property owner or land possessor violated that duty, and
- This violation caused the claimant to slip and fall on their property, resulting in injury
Depending on the circumstances, claimants may be able to assert claims against two or more entities. A skilled slip and fall attorney in Prince George’s County could review claimants’ cases to ascertain which parties, if any, could be held liable for their injuries. A lawyer could then file a claim against the responsible parties on their behalf.
What Types of Damages Could a Person Recover?
A skilled Prince George’s County slip and fall attorney could help claimants maximize the amount of monetary compensation slip and fall claimants receive by fighting for every type of damage that claimants may be entitled to under Maryland law. Slip and fall victims may recover both economic and non-economic damages, including compensation for:
- Costs of past and future medical bills
- Costs of rehabilitative care
- Lost income
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
In some instances, slip and fall claimants may also be able to collect punitive damages if claimants can establish that the at-fault parties acted with actual malice in causing claimants’ injuries.
Limitations on Recovery in Slip and Fall Cases
Although Maryland law permits slip and fall claimants to recover different types of damages from liable parties, some Maryland laws may bar claimants’ right to collect compensation. For example, Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Code § 5-101 requires all personal injury plaintiffs, including slip and fall claimants, to file their claims in court within three years of the accident. If slip and fall plaintiffs do not file their claims within this timeframe, Maryland courts will likely dismiss their case, barring them from recovering compensation.
Additionally, Maryland’s contributory negligence rule prohibits slip and fall claimants from obtaining any compensation if claimants are in any way to blame for causing their injuries.
An experienced slip and fall attorney in Prince George’s County could protect claimants’ rights to recover compensation by filing their claims within the timeframe prescribed by law. An experienced attorney could also defend against defendants’ claims that Maryland’s contributory negligence rule applies, protecting claimants’ right to recover compensation.
Schedule a Consultation with a Prince George’s Slip and Fall Attorney
If you suffered injuries due to a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation. A Prince George’s slip and fall lawyer at Gelb & Gelb, P.C. could work to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries by filing a personal injury claim on your behalf and representing your interests during settlement negotiations or in court. Call to schedule a consultation regarding your slip and fall case today.