Slipping and falling is always jolting, no matter where it occurs. If it happened on someone else’s property for negligence-related reasons, contact an Upper Marlboro slip and fall lawyer. Property owners owe a duty of care to those lawfully allowed to be there. They face legal claims when they do not observe care regulations and can pay thousands in damages.
Recovering from a slip and fall injury takes time. Enlist a personal injury attorney’s assistance as you focus on healing to remain proactive about your case and avoid statute of limitation problems. According to the Maryland Courts & Judicial Proceedings Code Section 5-101, plaintiffs have three years starting from their injuries to file claims without the risk of dismissal.
Slip and fall injuries can occur at any time of day or night indoors and outdoors for several reasons. The most common outdoor causes include snowy and icy walkways, poor lighting, absent or broken handrails, depressions and holes, and broken, uneven, or cracked sidewalks and driveways.
Some common indoor causes of slip and fall accidents include flooring featuring a slippery or sticky substance, such as oil or cleaning chemicals. Other indoor causes include torn, worn, or raised carpeting, insufficient lighting, uneven flooring, narrow stairs, wet flooring, varying step heights and depths, tripping hazards such as cords, and defective escalators.
Common catastrophic injuries such as:
Maryland uses contributory negligence rules to assign fault in personal injury cases. Comparative negligence laws allow plaintiffs to collect damages if they are 49 percent or less at fault for respective accidents, while modified comparative negligence laws provide plaintiffs with damages no matter what percentage of fault they are assigned. Compensation is reduced due to the fault percentage regarding comparative and modified comparative negligence rules.
Contributory negligence does not allow plaintiffs to recover damages even if the defendants are 98 or 99 percent responsible for the accidents. Working with a competent, experienced slip and fall attorney becomes essential to prove the accident was 100 percent the property owner’s fault. For example, say the plaintiff was a plumbing professional scheduled to work at the owner’s house. If the plaintiff slipped and fell on an icy, poorly-lit walkway, they are not to blame for their injuries and should be able to claim damages. Conversely, if the plaintiff were trespassing or walking in an area labeled off-limits, they could not recover damages for any injuries they sustained.
Typical damages requested in slip-and-fall cases include medical costs, lost wages, emotional distress, mental anguish, and physical therapy expenses.
Slipping and falling on a hard surface can cause injuries that create health complications for the rest of your life. Demand what you rightfully owe the property owner by working with an Upper Marlboro slip-and-fall lawyer. One of the experienced pros at our renowned firm will provide dedicated and tireless representation that hopefully helps you win significant damages. Please reach out to our firm today to schedule your initial consultation. We are here to make your recovery easier.