Silver Spring property owners, managers, occupiers, and tenants are required by law to make their property reasonably safe for visitors. Otherwise, visitors are at risk of slipping and falling, being assaulted because of a lack of security, or getting attacked by animals on the property. When this happens, injured visitors can pursue a premises liability claim against the responsible party.
If you were hurt due to the property owner’s or occupier’s negligence while lawfully visiting their property, the Silver Spring premises liability lawyers at Marks & Harrison can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
We have secured millions in compensation for injury victims since we opened over 100 years ago – including $9 million for a skull fracture and brain injury from a premises liability accident. Past clients have called their experience with us “peaceful and worry-free.” Contact us today for a free consultation so we can get started on your case right away.
What Injuries Can Happen in a Premises Liability Accident?
Some of the common injuries that guests can sustain in a premises liability accident include:
- Arm, leg, and hip fractures
- Head and traumatic brain injuries
- Severe cuts and bruising
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Hip dislocation
If you’ve suffered these or other injuries because of a negligent property owner, you can seek compensation with the help of an experienced premises liability attorney in Silver Spring.
What Are Silver Spring’s Premises Liability Laws?
Premises liability laws in Silver Spring, MD, address the responsibilities of property owners or occupiers to eliminate unsafe property conditions such as slippery floors, chipped stairways, uneven walking surfaces, and poor lighting. Ultimately, lawful visitors and guests should be able to do their business or visit the property without risk of harm. When property owners and occupiers are negligent in the maintenance of their premises, they can be held liable for any injuries those lawful visitors and guests suffer as a result. Our Silver Spring premises liability attorney can help.
What Is Meant by “Duty of Care?”
“Duty of care” is simply the responsibility that a property owner or tenant owes to visitors on the property. This obligation requires them to keep reasonably safe conditions on the property.
In Maryland, the specific duty of care a property owner or occupier owes a visitor depends on why that visitor is on their property. The state recognizes the following four classes of visitors:
- Invitees – These are individuals who are allowed on the property for the property owner’s financial benefit. Examples include customers, clients, and event attendees. Property owners and occupiers owe this group of people the highest duty of care. They must regularly inspect their premises for dangers and correct them in a timely fashion.
- Licensee by invitation – These are individuals allowed on the premises for personal reasons, such as a social guest. The owner must inform them of known hazards on the property the guest wouldn’t easily discover on their own. However, they don’t need to inspect the property and fix unknown hazards for a licensee.
- Bare licensee – These visitors have permission to be on the property but are there for their own purposes, such as salespeople. Property owners owe them a lesser duty of care. They cannot intentionally harm the licensee or create new hazards without warning the licensee.
- Trespassers – These are people who enter a property unlawfully or without permission. While the person in charge of the property has the most minor duty to this group, they must refrain from intentionally harming or trapping the trespassers.
If the property owner’s or occupier’s negligence causes injuries to someone in the first two visitor categories, they can be held responsible. However, if the injured victim is a bare licensee or trespasser, they may not be able to file an injury claim unless the property owner or tenant intentionally hurt them or created hazards. There are some exceptions, though, such as when a trespassing child drowns in a swimming pool that doesn’t meet regulations.
When Can a Property Owner or Tenant Be Held Liable in a Premises Liability Case?
A property owner, manager, business, tenant, or other negligent party can be responsible for the injuries others sustain on a property if:
- They were aware or should have been aware of the hazards on the property.
- They didn’t warn visitors about the hazards or fix the dangerous conditions.
- A lawful visitor was injured because of the hazardous conditions.
However, whether the at-fault party is liable will depend on what type of visitor you were to the property. A skilled Silver Spring premises liability attorney can help establish that the property owner or occupier failed to uphold the duty of care they owed you, resulting in your injuries and losses.
Can I Be Compensated for My Injuries?
You can pursue compensation after a Silver Spring premises liability accident for losses such as:
- Medical expenses
- Long-term healthcare costs
- Lost income
- Reduced earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
However, Maryland follows a contributory negligence system. This means if you were in any way to blame for your injuries, a court may prevent you from recovering compensation. An at-fault property owner or occupier might try to use this rule to get out of paying you fairly, arguing that you should have noticed the hazard and avoided it. Don’t put your case at risk – get help from an experienced Silver Spring premises liability lawyer and demand the fair recovery you deserve.
Does Maryland Have a Time Limit for Filing a Premises Liability Lawsuit?
Maryland’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases means you have three years from the date of the incident or discovery of injury to file a premises liability lawsuit. Missing this deadline could result in the court dismissing your lawsuit.
Contact a Silver Spring Premises Liability Lawyer
Have you suffered a slip and fall, a dog bite, an assault, or other injuries due to inadequate security or maintenance at someone else’s property in Silver Spring? If so, Marks & Harrison can help you seek compensation for the harm you’ve endured.
We’re prepared to independently investigate the accident, gather evidence proving the property owner’s or occupier’s liability, and demand they compensate you fairly. While we’ll negotiate aggressively for an out-of-court settlement, we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial if that’s the best way to get you the money you deserve.
Contact us for a free consultation with a premises liability lawyer in Silver Spring, and let’s get started on your case today.
