Have you slipped on an icy sidewalk or freshly mopped floor in Suburban Maryland? Have you tripped on cracked flooring, or fallen down the stairs because of a loose handrail? People often think accidents like these are caused by their own carelessness, but this may not be true. When you experience these types of accidents, often the property owner can be held responsible for the costs associated with your injury. Premises liability laws exist to protect people when unsafe property conditions cause damage.
If you or a loved one has experienced an injury related to unsafe property conditions, you may be eligible for compensation to help with medical bills and other damages. Our experienced suburban Maryland personal injury attorneys can fight for your rights after property owner negligence results in injury. Contact Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP today to schedule a free consultation.
What is Premises Liability in Maryland?
Premises liability is an area of personal injury law. Every property owner has the responsibility to maintain their property in a generally safe state. When someone is injured because of unsafe property conditions, premises liability laws help hold the negligent property owner responsible for the damages.
Premises liability laws apply to a wide range of locations. Common locations for an accident that could lead to a suburban Maryland premises liability lawsuit include:
- Restaurants;
- Stores;
- Hospitals;
- Hotels;
- Office buildings;
- Apartment buildings;
- Public transportation;
- Sidewalks;
- Parking lots.
When accidents in locations like these cause high medical bills and lost wages, the property owner may be legally responsible for providing compensation.
There are many different reasons for showing that a property owner has been negligent with maintaining a property. Common accident causes that are grounds for a premises liability suit include:
- Wet or slippery flooring;
- Cracked or broken flooring;
- Broken stairs or handrails;
- Dim lighting;
- Cluttered walkways;
- Icy or slippery sidewalks or parking lots.
Premises liability laws can apply to a wide range of situations. Consulting with an experienced suburban Maryland premises liability lawyer is the best way to assess whether you have grounds for a case.
Common Injuries in Suburban Maryland
Accidents caused by a property owner’s negligence can range from minor to life-altering. Serious injuries can incur high medical bills, and bring consequences like permanent disability. In the most severe cases, accidents can even result in death.
Common injuries that come out of a premises liability accident include:
- Brain injury;
- Spinal injury;
- Nerve injury;
- Fractures and sprains;
- Bruises and lacerations.
Serious accidents, like brain or spinal damage, can be financially ruinous. These types of injuries incur extremely high medical bills, and frequently require ongoing lifelong medical care.
At the same time, they also rob an individual of earning ability, leaving loved ones with the burden of lost income, high medical debt, and the expense of continuing care.
Compensation for Premises Liability Cases
Holding a property owner responsible for damages requires proving negligence. Negligence is proven by showing that the property owner had a basic duty to keep the property safe, they failed to uphold this duty, and this failure resulted in injuries.
Once negligence is proven, the property owner may be held responsible for both economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are those that cover expenses that can be demonstrated in court. These damages are commonly sought for:
- Medical bills
- Prescription drug costs
- Medical device costs
- Assistive care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning ability
In addition to losses that can be proven, it’s also possible to seek non-economic damages. This money is intended to compensate you for damages that don’t have an attached dollar amount. In serious injuries, non-economic damages can be significant. Examples of common non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Reduced enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship and consortium
These common forms of non-economic damages can provide compensation for issues like chronic pain, loss of sexual function, or altered personality caused by brain trauma.
How a Suburban Maryland Premises Liability Lawyer Can Help
Premises liability cases are particularly difficult in suburban Maryland. Maryland is one of the few states that consider contributory negligence.
This means that if you admit to contributing to the accident, or the other party can prove you bore some responsibility, your chance of compensation is lost. A successful premises liability case depends on the representation of an experienced premises liability attorney.
Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis is an established Maryland personal injury firm. Our experienced premises liability attorneys have a long track record of achieving successful case results for clients, and regularly recover million-dollar settlement amounts.
If you or a loved one has been injured and you believe a negligent property owner may bear responsibility, don’t hesitate to call the premises liability lawyers at Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation discussing how we can help you gain compensation for your injuries.