Baltimore Premises Liability Lawyer
A fall on a slick grocery aisle, a trip over a torn carpet, or an injury in a poorly maintained parking garage can turn into weeks of medical visits and missed work.
Premises liability cases often feel confusing.
The accident happened on someone else’s property, yet the injury and disruption affect you and your family. Premises liability injuries can require extensive medical treatment, time away from work, lost income, and, in cases of severe injuries, limitations on your ability to return to work.
Maryland law gives injured people the right to seek financial compensation when they suffer injuries due to someone else’s negligence or disregard for safety.
The premises liability claims process demands clear proof that the property owner knew or should have known about the unsafe condition and failed to correct it. An experienced premises liability lawyer at Greenberg Law Offices knows the evidence needed to prove a property owner’s negligence and to demand fair compensation after a premises liability accident.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is the area of personal injury law that focuses on unsafe conditions on property.
Property owners and managers must take reasonable steps to keep property safe for customers, tenants, and guests.
Many premises liability cases come down to a core idea: a danger existed, the person in control of the property failed to address it, and someone got hurt as a result.
A premises liability lawyer will focus on when the hazard occurred, who knew about it, how long it remained, and whether simple steps such as repairs, cleanup, reasonable security measures, or posted warnings would have reduced the risk of injury.
Common Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle in Baltimore
Unsafe conditions show up in many ways. Property issues in Baltimore can involve heavy foot traffic, older buildings, inadequate security, or crowded public areas.
Common examples include the following:
- Slip and fall hazards from spills, tracked in water, ice, or uneven flooring.
- Trips caused by broken steps, torn carpeting, loose mats, or damaged sidewalks.
- Poor lighting in stairwells, hallways, parking areas, or entryways.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Premises Injuries in Maryland?
Liability can fall on more than one party, especially in commercial spaces. Ownership alone does not determine liability.
The responsibility for unsafe property conditions can rest with a landlord, a business tenant, a property management company, or a contractor hired to handle repairs, cleaning, or security.
A strong claim identifies the party that was legally obligated to fix the problem or warn about it. An experienced premises liability attorney will work to identify the at-fault party and hold them accountable for failing to address the hazard.
Duty of Care in Maryland Premises Liability Cases
The premises liability duty of care depends on why you were on the property.
Customers usually receive the highest level of protection because businesses invite them onto their premises for commercial purposes. Social guests on private property also have a right to safe conditions. Trespassers usually receive limited protection except in special situations.
The premises liability duty of care is important because it defines what a property owner or manager is legally responsible for. A premises liability attorney will examine the legal status and purpose of the injured person on the property, the type of hazard, and whether the danger was open and obvious or hidden.
How Fault Is Proven in a Baltimore Premises Liability Case
Developing a premises liability lawsuit often starts with an examination of the hazard itself.
Clean-up logs, maintenance tickets, inspection records, prior complaints, and video footage can show how long a problem existed and whether staff responded reasonably.
Strong cases usually show the at-fault party had notice of the property hazard in one of two ways. A dangerous condition can be proven as known because someone reported it.
It can also be proven as something the property owner or manager should have discovered through reasonable inspection. Your premises liability lawyer will work to show how the hazard led directly to your injury.
Maryland’s Statute of Limitations for Injury Claims
Deadlines matter because a case can fail even when the facts are strong. Maryland’s general rule allows three years to file many personal injury lawsuits, measured from the date of injury.
However, taking action promptly helps prevent evidence from deteriorating or being lost. Video camera recordings can be overwritten, witnesses can move, and the unsafe condition can be repaired before photos or measurements capture the hazard.
A premises liability attorney from our law firm will work to preserve what matters before evidence is lost.
Contributory Negligence in Maryland Premises Liability Cases The property owner’s insurance company might use the Maryland contributory negligence rule to argue that an injured party failed to take reasonable care for their own safety.
For example, the insurer could claim the injured person disregarded a clear warning sign or chose an unsafe path when a safer route was available.
Greenberg Law Offices will focus on what the property controller did, what the injured person could reasonably see or avoid, and whether the hazard blended into the surroundings. A premises liability lawyer at our firm will anticipate and respond aggressively to the defense’s attempts to shift the blame.
Common Injuries in Baltimore Premises Liability Cases
Premises liability injuries often include sprains, broken bones, head injuries, back injuries, and shoulder injuries, along with cuts and bruising.
The setting can shape the types of premises liability injuries. A fall down steps can cause different injuries than a fall on a flat surface. A crush injury from a falling object can affect nerves and joints.
If you have a valid claim, an experienced premises liability attorney at Greenberg Law Offices will be prepared to explain how the property owner’s negligence caused your injury and changed your daily life.
Damages You Can Claim in Maryland Premises Liability Cases
Damages are monetary compensation for the losses resulting from the injury.
You may seek compensation for medical bills and lost income. You also may be entitled to demand compensation for future medical treatment needs, reduced ability to work, and the impact of pain and emotional distress.
Many claims also involve out-of-pocket costs that people forget at first, such as transportation to appointments or medical equipment. We will organize medical bills and records clearly to support a claim for full compensation.
What Factors Influence the Value of Your Premises Liability Case?
Case value depends on the severity of your injuries and on the insurance coverage available to provide compensation. Clear evidence of a long-lasting impact, strong medical support, and documented income loss can increase a claim’s value.
It’s also crucial to choose an experienced premises liability lawyer to provide legal representation. Maryland’s contributory negligence can affect the value.
The defense may argue that an injured person shared fault for the accident to undermine the personal injury claim. An effective premises liability attorney will present solid evidence to prove negligence and overcome the insurance company’s defense.
