Property owners, occupants, and other responsible parties in Bethesda have a duty to protect their guests and visitors from harm. Unfortunately, they sometimes fail to make necessary repairs, address hazards, or warn their guests of potential threats to their safety, and innocent people suffer harm as a result.
If a property owner or other responsible party fails in this duty and someone gets hurt, the injured person may be entitled to recover compensation by filing a premises liability claim.
If you suffered injuries in an accident on someone else’s property in Bethesda, you may be facing a lengthy physical recovery and overwhelming medical expenses. A Bethesda premises liability lawyer at Marks & Harrison can help you seek the maximum compensation you deserve. We have a lengthy track record of successful claims for our clients, including a $985,000 premises liability settlement in a case involving a man who fell down an elevator shaft.
Contact a Bethesda premises liability attorney at Marks & Harrison today for a free consultation to share your story and learn more about your legal options and how we’ll fight for justice.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is the legal concept that property owners are responsible for maintaining safe premises and preventing harm from coming to people visiting their property. Depending on the circumstances, property owners, property managers, business owners, landlords, and tenants are some of the parties who can be held liable for accidents that occur on a property. Premises liability applies to residential, commercial, and public properties.
Negligence is the key element in a Bethesda premises liability claim. An injured party must show that a property owner or other liable party failed in their responsibility to address unsafe conditions on their premises or warn of the hazard and that they suffered injuries and losses as a result.
What Are the Most Common Types of Premises Liability Cases in Bethesda?
Premises liability accidents can occur in a variety of locations, such as private homes, office buildings, retail stores, restaurants, entertainment venues, government buildings, and public spaces, for example. The location and context of the accident can also determine the property owner’s legal responsibility.
Some of the most common types of premises liability accidents in Bethesda include:
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Trip-and-fall accidents
- Dog bites and other animal attacks
- Inadequate security leading to assaults
- Swimming pool accidents
- Elevator or escalator accidents
- Falling objects from shelves or construction sites
- Fire or electrical accidents
- Exposure to toxic chemicals or substances
- Unsafe staircases or balconies
Each of these incidents can result in significant injuries, including fractures, sprains, or even more severe conditions like traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage.
Will the Property Owner Always Be to Blame in a Premises Liability Accident Case?
While property owners have a legal obligation to maintain a safe environment, they are not always the only parties that can be held responsible in a premises liability claim. Other entities, such as property managers, tenants, or even contractors who performed maintenance work, may share liability for accidents that occur on the premises.
Determining fault hinges on various factors, including whether the property owner or other responsible party took reasonable steps to address hazardous conditions or adequately warn visitors of potential dangers. Additionally, the specific nature of the incident and the level of control that different parties had over the property can affect liability. In some cases, multiple parties may be responsible, which can complicate claims.
The status of the visitor can also affect liability issues. For example, property owners and others generally owe a lesser duty of care to people who come on the property for their own benefit (licensees) than to people on the premises for the property owner’s benefit (invitees). Adult trespassers are owed only a minimal duty.
Our Bethesda premises liability attorneys are ready to thoroughly investigate the accident’s circumstances and identify all potentially liable parties. Contact our Bethesda premises liability lawyer today.
How Can I Prove Who Is at Fault in a Premises Liability Claim?
Proving fault in a premises liability case involves collecting various types of evidence to establish negligence on the part of the property owner or other responsible parties. Some critical pieces of evidence that could support your claim include:
- Photographs of your injuries, the accident scene, and the hazardous conditions
- Witness statements from individuals present during the incident
- Medical records detailing your injuries and treatment
- The property’s maintenance records or safety inspection reports
- Incident reports filed with property management or local authorities
- Surveillance videos capturing the accident
- Relevant signage or lack thereof
Our experienced premises liability lawyers are ready to handle the entire investigative process for you. We can collect and analyze evidence, interview witnesses, and obtain the necessary documentation to build a strong case. You can focus on your recovery by entrusting this work to a legal professional. Our lawyers have the skills and resources to present your claim effectively and comprehensively to maximize your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
What Types of Damages Could I Receive in a Premises Liability Case?
If you file a successful premises liability claim against a negligent property owner, you may recover economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover tangible losses, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Rehabilitation costs
- Home or vehicle modifications
Non-economic damages address the intangible effects of your injuries, such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality and enjoyment of life
The specific amount and types of damages you may be able to recover will depend on the circumstances of your case, including the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life. A premises liability lawyer from Marks & Harrison can thoroughly investigate the accident to calculate an amount of compensation that would fully compensate you for your injuries, expenses, and losses and pursue that total amount through negotiation and, if necessary, a lawsuit.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Premises Liability Claim in Maryland?
The statute of limitations for premises liability injury claims in Maryland gives you three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit against a negligent property owner. If you fail to file a lawsuit within three years, the court will likely decline to hear your case. Contacting our attorneys as soon as possible following a premises liability accident gives us time to investigate the accident and file your claim before the deadline.
Contact a Bethesda Premises Liability Lawyer
When facing the aftermath of a preventable accident on someone else’s property, you need skilled and experienced legal representation to pursue the compensation, justice, and accountability you deserve. For over a century, Marks & Harrison has fought for and recovered millions in compensation for people hurt by other parties’ negligence.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your premises liability case.
