As Winter Approaches, Watch Your Step
Cold winter weather brings with it snow, ice, and sleet, all of
which make walking conditions hazardous under the best of
circumstances. When a property owner fails to maintain safe
conditions in areas for which the owner is responsible, the
result can devastate people who use the property. Slips and falls
on snowy or icy walking surfaces can result in severe injuries.
If those walking surfaces were not properly cleared, the property
owner could face liability for injuries that ensue.
Injuries suffered in falls that arise from a property owner's
negligence in maintaining safe conditions are no small matter.
Government statistics show that accidental
injuries were the fourth leading cause of death in the United
States in 2014. These accidental deaths include snow- or
ice-related accidents where the property owner failed to take
proper care to ensure safe conditions.
An even greater number of less-serious injuries occur as a result
of falls and other accidents.Government
statistics indicate that property-liability accidents are
among the leading causes of injuries annually, including injuries
suffered as a result of:
- Slips and falls
- Dangerous property conditions
- Negligent or inadequate security
- Inadequate or improper maintenance
- Retail stores or restaurants with hazardous conditions
WHEN IS IT POSSIBLE TO RECOVER DAMAGES FOR A FALL ON
ANOTHER'S PROPERTY?
When you have permission to be on someone else's
property-including a business open to the public or a private
property onto which you were invited-you can hold the owner of
that property liable for injuries you suffer due to negligent
maintenance. Premises liability can apply in instances where:
- The owner or occupant invited you onto the property or
hired you to be there. This includes when you patronize a
business open to the public, even though you were not
personally invited onto the property.
- The owner of the property knew or should have known about
an unsafe condition on the property and failed to correct that
condition, or corrected the condition in such a way that did
not mitigate the danger.
- The failure to correct the condition caused your injury.
In Maryland, as in most states, property owners are
responsible for dangerous conditions of which they were aware.
They are also responsible for dangerous conditions about which
they should have been aware using reasonable diligence, but
failed to correct or provide ample warning.
Perhaps one of the most common examples of premises liability is
when a patron slips, falls, and is injured in an icy parking lot
or sidewalk under the control of the store owner. Private
homeowners also may face liability for accidents on their
properties where they fail to maintain them in safe
ways-including failure to clear icy sidewalks. As always,
liability depends on the circumstances, so consult an expert to
determine if you have legal options to pursue compensation.
IF YOU SUFFERED AN INJURY IN A FALL IN THE BALTIMORE
AREA, CONTACT THE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS OF THE LAW OFFICES OF
G. RANDOLPH RICE JR., LLC
If you were
injured in a fall on someone else's property in the Baltimore
area caused by the property owner's failure to keep the
property in a safe condition, consult a
personal injury attorneyto explore your options and potential
compensation for your injuries. The Law Offices of G. Randolph
Rice Jr., LLC, can help. Reach us at (410) 288-2900 or through
our
online contact
form.
CONTACT:
Law Offices of Randolph Rice
3697 Park Avenue, 2nd Floor
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: 410-844-9500
Email: info@ricelawmd.com
Blog URL:
https://ricelawmd.com/blog/winter-approaches-watch-step/
Website:
https://ricelawmd.com/maryland-criminal/ellicott-city-criminal-lawyer/