Premises liability claims frequently include a personal injury claim as well. The premises liability facet has to do with who is responsible for the injury that occurred on the premises. These claims can be quite complex and need to be handled by experienced Baltimore personal injury attorneys who are astute in premises liability. The law offices of Murphy, Falcon & Murphy have specific attorneys who help injured clients with premises liability cases recover the damages they are entitled.

Premises Liability Cases

When an injury occurs on property owned by another person or entity, they may bear some responsibility for your injuries. Examples of this type of case can include:

  • Falls. Unless a person has a medical condition that affects their balance, it’s unusual to slip or trip and fall for no reason. There is usually a condition of some sort that acted as the catalyst for the fall. Wet floors are a common reason to slip. Uneven pavement on a walkway can lead to tripping.
  • Inadequate security. Parking lots or garages, hotels, and other commercial properties may have poor or non-existent security or lighting. This can create the opportunity for sexual assault, rape, mugging, or other violent crime.
  • Electrocution or fire. Malfunctioning sprinkler systems and poorly maintained wiring are examples of negligence that can cause electrocution or fire. This can also lead to more severe injuries if fire exits or routes are blocked or insufficient.
  • Playground or school accidents. When adults such as teachers and yard duty personnel don’t properly supervise children, serious injuries can happen on the playground. Poor hiring practices can result in the employment of a teacher or other school personnel who sexually abuse children.

Responsible Parties

People and entities who own property are responsible for keeping the property in a condition that’s safe for authorized visitors to the property. When the owner is negligent in this duty and an injury takes place, they can and should be held financially responsible for the injury.

Generally, three elements need to be proven in a premises liability claim in the state of Maryland:

  1. The property owner should have been aware of the condition that led to the injury. There needs to be reason to believe that they should have known that the current condition of the property posed a risk of harm to visitors.
  2. The owner of the property did not do what was reasonably necessary to correct the situation, so it would be safe for the visitor. Or they did not take action to warn the visitor about the unsafe condition and the risk it presented.
  3. The plaintiff did not know about the unsafe condition and it is not reasonable to assume that they should have known.

Property owners are required to take reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of their visitors. Visitors can include: business invitees, customers, employees, or social guests. They must maintain their property to protect visitors from physical harm, criminal activity, and accidents. This responsibility begins when you arrive on their property and continues until you leave the property. Their property may include driveways and parking lots. In some cases, it may also include the sidewalk area in front of the property.

If you or someone you love has been injured on private or commercial property, it’s important to document as much as you can of the accident area as soon as possible. Pictures of the property that show the catalyst to the injury can be very helpful. This can include pictures of uneven pavement or broken security cameras.

Murphy, Falcon & Murphy’s Baltimore office has a team of attorneys with the proven experience and determination needed for a successful outcome in premises liability cases. Call today to find out more about the legal implications of your case.