Baltimore slip and fall lawyers

Baltimore Slip and Fall Attorney

Experienced representation for slip and fall injury victims in Baltimore, MD

When you visit a business, the property owner generally must use reasonable care to keep the premises reasonably safe and to address or warn of unreasonably dangerous conditions. This duty to make property safe applies to retail stores such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Costco; restaurants; hotels; gas stations; and convenience stores such as 7-Eleven. The duty also applies to service organizations, hospitals, schools, and other nonprofit or charitable organizations. A homeowner’s duty depends on the visitor’s legal status, and the level of care owed can vary.

At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., we have the experience and resources to hold property owners liable if you slip and fall while on someone else’s property. We can seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. Contact us now to discuss your rights.

How can we help?

When are property owners liable for slip and fall accidents?

To file a slip and fall claim, you must show that the property owner owed you a legal responsibility – a duty of care to protect you – and that the owner breached that duty of care. You must also show that the breach (failure to protect you) caused you to slip and fall, and that the fall caused your injuries.

The duty of care of a property owner depends on your reason (status) for being on the property.

  • Invitees. Invitees are people whom property owners invite onto their property for the owner’s benefit. A common example is a customer visiting a restaurant or retail store. Property owners in Baltimore owe invitees the highest duty of care. Generally, this means the owner must have had actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition or that the risk was reasonably foreseeable, and failed to take reasonable steps to repair the condition or warn of the danger.
  • Licensee. A licensee is someone who has the right to be on the property of another but is not there for the owner’s benefit. Property owners owe licensees a lower duty of care than invitees. Generally, a property owner may be liable to a licensee for known dangerous conditions if the owner fails to warn the licensee or for willful or wanton misconduct. (Note that for 'bare licensees,' those on the property with permission but no invitation, the owner typically owes no duty other than to refrain from willful or wanton injury).
  • Trespasser. A trespasser is someone on the property without the owner's consent. Generally, property owners owe limited duties to trespassers, including a duty to refrain from willful or wanton injury.

Common causes of fall accidents in Baltimore, MD

Slip and fall accidents (and trip and fall accidents) happen for many reasons, including the following:

  • Slippery floors. These accidents often occur at restaurants, convenience stores (such as 7-Eleven), grocery stores, and gas stations where liquids are served or used. Wet floors may also occur anywhere it rains (customers often track rain onto the property), snows, or where floors are cleaned.
  • Uneven surfaces. These slip and fall accidents often happen in parking lots and on sidewalks. Similar accidents occur when outdoor pavement or indoor tiles have cracks or are raised.
  • Staircases. Visitors may slip and fall if railings are loose, the area is poorly lit, a step is wet, or for other reasons.
  • Items on the floor. Customers may slip and fall on loose cables, wires, merchandise, debris, and other objects on the floor.
  • Blocked or narrow aisles. You may lose your balance if you’re not sure where to walk or if someone bumps into you.
  • Other types of accidents, such as escalator and elevator accidents.

Property owner negligence

Property owners may be negligent when they fail to take reasonable steps to keep their premises safe for visitors. Some of the steps that property owners can take to prevent slip and fall accidents include:

  • Responding promptly to complaints or notices of dangerous conditions
  • Conducting routine inspections to actively look for dangers
  • Ensuring that the property is well-lit
  • Understanding the specific types of slip and fall dangers for the owner’s type of business
  • Making prompt repairs
  • Notifying visitors of known dangers until the repairs take place

Workplace accidents

Slip and fall accidents can also happen in workplace settings such as job sites, offices, warehouses, hospitals, and retail stores. Common causes include wet or freshly cleaned floors, cluttered or obstructed walkways, poor lighting, uneven surfaces, and unsafe stairways. When a slip and fall occurs in the course of employment, the claim may be handled through workers’ compensation rather than a fault-based personal injury lawsuit, depending on the circumstances of the accident and the parties involved.

What types of claims do you file when someone has a slip and fall accident?

At Plaxen Adler Muncy, we file different types of slip and fall claims. These claims include the following:

  • Personal injury claims. We can hold property owners liable for injuries caused by their negligence.
  • Nursing home claims. Personal injury claims include claims against nursing homes. Seniors have a high risk of falling. Nursing homes need to protect their residents.
  • Workers’ compensation claims. Employers have a duty to prevent slip and fall accidents from happening in the workplace (whether the workplace is a construction site, an office, or any other location). There is no requirement to prove fault. Employees who slip and fall during the course of their employment may receive payment of all their medical expenses and a percentage of their lost income through a workers’ compensation claim.
  • Wrongful death claims. If a visitor dies in a slip and fall accident, we can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family members.

Proving negligence in a lawsuit for a Baltimore slip and fall injury claim

Our Baltimore slip and fall lawyers take many steps to show how your accident happened and who is responsible. Sometimes, the responsible parties may also include parent companies of the owners, tenants, maintenance companies, and other parties. The steps we take to prove negligence include:

  • Investigations. We can work with investigators who examine the place where you fell and speak with witnesses.
  • Discovery. We can question the defendants and everyone who knows about the accident or your injuries – in person and in writing.
  • Reviewing many different types of evidence. This evidence may include prior complaints, insurance policies, building code violations, repair requests, maintenance records, and other communications. Our review may also include examining the slip and fall prevention policies of the property owner and the various contracts/arrangements the owner has with other businesses.
  • Working with your doctors. We can review with your treating doctors what injuries you have, what medical treatments you will need, the cost of your care, and every way your injuries are affecting every part of your life.
  • Preparing a demand letter. When we complete our investigation, we typically prepare a formal demand letter that explains why the defendant is liable and what we believe your case is worth.
  • Negotiation. We understand what arguments the insurance carrier will likely make to deny or reduce the amount of your claim. We can work to counter those arguments and pursue a just and fair settlement.
  • Trial. If your case doesn’t settle, we can work to present a compelling case based on the evidence before a local Baltimore judge and jury.

Challenges in slip and fall lawsuits in Baltimore

Some of the challenges in slip and fall cases include insurance company arguments that the owner did not reasonably know of the danger, that someone else (such as a maintenance company) is responsible, and that your injuries aren’t that serious. We can work to show those arguments have no merit.

Contributory negligence in Baltimore slip and fall cases

In a slip and fall case, a property owner may also argue that you are partially responsible because you should have seen the danger or weren’t careful for other reasons. We work to show that the owner is at fault.

What to do after a Baltimore slip and fall accident

Our Baltimore slip and fall lawyers recommend the following steps:

Seek medical attention

Your priority is your health. You, a property owner or supervisor, or someone with you, should arrange for your transport to an emergency room. You should also see your family doctor and follow the care recommendations from a hospital or doctor.

Take photographs

If you’re able, you or someone with you should take photos of the accident site. For example, if you fell where it’s wet, it helps to show that the water was dirty (that indicates it was there for a long time), or that you fell over something on the floor, or that some other dangerous condition was present.

Report the incident

You or someone with you should immediately notify someone in charge, such as a manager or supervisor, about the slip and fall accident.

Contact our Baltimore slip and fall accident lawyers

We can answer your questions, explain your rights, discuss your priorities, and advocate for the full compensation you deserve.

What injuries do slip and fall accidents cause?

Our Baltimore personal injury lawyers handle all types of serious injuries (catastrophic, permanent, chronic, or severe), including the following:

How much is my slip and fall accident case worth in Maryland?

At Plaxen Adler Muncy, we can work with your doctors, employers, and other experts to value your damages. We can also review with you all the daily difficulties and pain that you have. Our review covers potential complications, your short-term needs, and your long-term requirements.

We may pursue compensation for all your past and future damages, including the following:

  • Medical bills of every nature by every provider
  • Lost income, including wages, business income, benefits, and long-term compensation
  • Daily physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Scars and disfigurement
  • Loss of bodily function
  • Loss of life’s pleasures
  • Loss of consortium (marital enjoyment, companionship, and intimacy)

We can also seek wrongful death damages if a loved one dies, and workers’ compensation damages if you have a workers’ compensation claim.

Punitive damages may be available in rare cases where the defendant acted with actual malice, such as an intent to harm.

Do you have a Baltimore slip and fall accident lawyer near me?

Yes. Our Baltimore office is located at 575 S Charles St., Suite 504. We also consult with new clients by phone and online video. If your injuries prevent you from traveling, we can make alternate arrangements to meet you.

Our lawyers can guide you through each step of your claim.

Get a free consultation from our Baltimore slip and fall accident lawyers

We understand the pain you’re experiencing. Instead of enjoying your life, you’re busy seeing healthcare professionals, worrying about your bills, and wondering what the future holds. At Plaxen Adler Muncy, we’ve helped many accident victims pursue strong recoveries. Please contact us to schedule a free appointment. We handle slip and fall accident cases on a contingency fee basis.

We have offices throughout Maryland.