Structural Collapse Accidents: Liability for Corroded Balconies, Decks, and Defective Stairwells
Imagine standing on a balcony, enjoying a warm Maryland evening, only for the floor to suddenly give way beneath you. It sounds like a nightmare, but structural collapses—from corroded balconies and rotted decks to defective stairwells—happen far more often than they should. When a structure fails, the injuries are almost always catastrophic, leaving victims with broken bones, spinal cord trauma, or worse.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a structural collapse, you shouldn’t have to carry the financial and emotional burden alone. At Murphy, Falcon & Murphy, a dedicated personal injury law firm in Baltimore, we help victims hold reckless property owners accountable. Here is what you need to know about liability when structures fail, and why you need to protect your rights immediately. Call one of our lawyers today.
The Core of Premise Liability
Property owners, landlords, and commercial managers have a legal duty to keep their premises safe. Under Maryland premises liability laws, if an owner invites you onto their property—whether you are a tenant, a hotel guest, or a customer—they must regularly inspect and maintain the property. If they neglect this duty and a structure collapses, they can be held legally responsible for your injuries.
The Danger of Business Negligence
Commercial property owners often cut corners to save money, delaying crucial inspections or ignoring warning signs like rusted supports or soft, water-damaged wood. This level of business negligence is completely unacceptable. When a business prioritizes profit margins over human safety, the law allows you to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Spotting the Signs of Defective Stairwells and Decks
Structural failures rarely happen out of nowhere; they are usually the result of long-term neglect. Common culprits include:
- Rusted metal brackets and corroded fasteners on outdoor balconies.
- Termite damage or wood rot on elevated residential decks.
- Loose handrails, cracked concrete, or improperly anchored steps in stairwells.
If you notice these hazards, report them immediately. If you’ve already been hurt by them, you need to speak with one of our personal injury lawyers right away to preserve evidence.
Overcoming the “Hidden Damage” Defense
After a collapse, property owners and their insurance companies frequently claim the defect was “hidden” or that they had no way of knowing the structure was unsafe. Do not let them trick you. Experienced attorneys know how to look at maintenance records, construction history, and expert engineering reports to prove the owner should have known about the danger.
Why Timing Matters
In Maryland, you have a limited window of time to file a lawsuit after an accident. Furthermore, property owners will quickly clear away the debris, potentially destroying evidence crucial to your case. The sooner an attorney can investigate the scene, snap photos, and interview witnesses, the stronger your claim will be.
Take Action Today
A structural collapse can turn your life upside down in a fraction of a second. Don’t let a negligent lawyer from a cut-rate firm handle a case this complex, and don’t try to negotiate with insurance adjusters on your own. You deserve a team with a proven track record of standing up to powerful corporations. If you think you have a claim, do not wait for the bills to pile up—call a lawyer at Murphy, Falcon & Murphy today for a free consultation, and let us fight for the justice you deserve.