Slip and Fall Accidents in Baltimore Stores and Restaurants: Who’s Responsible?
A stop at the local grocer’s or your favorite restaurant in Baltimore shouldn’t end with a trip to the emergency room. Yet every year, people of all ages and throughout the city suffer painful slip and fall injuries in public places. Wet floors, cluttered aisles, uneven pavement, and other common hazards can turn a normal outing into a life-changing event.
If you were in a slip and fall accident in Baltimore, who would cover the costs? Property owners and managers must maintain customer safety. Our experienced Maryland slip and fall accident lawyers explain how, when they fail, you have the right to seek compensation.
Hazards That Make Slip and Fall Accidents in Baltimore More Likely To Happen
The Maryland Department of Health reports that slip-and-fall injuries send more than 130,000 people to hospital emergency rooms across the state each year. They are a leading cause of serious personal injuries and, while children and older adults are at high risk, they can impact victims of all ages.
Baltimore slip and fall accidents are common at local stores and restaurants, and often happen because someone didn’t take basic precautions to protect customers. Under Maryland premises liability law, property owners and managers have to maintain the premises and warn customers of dangers.
If they don’t, serious personal injuries can result. Common hazards that make these slips and falls more likely:
- Wet or freshly mopped floors without warning signs;
- Cluttered walkways and aisles;
- Uneven flooring or loose carpeting;
- Poor lighting.
Failure to address these hazards or warn visitors is negligent and could leave them liable in a Baltimore slip and fall accident claim.
Steps to Take After a Baltimore Slip and Fall Accident
If you get hurt in a local store or eatery due to a Baltimore slip and fall accident, what you do next can make or break your claim. Take these steps:
- Report it immediately to the owner or a manager and request a written incident report.
- Take photos of any visible hazards, spills, or warning signs.
- Get info from witnesses who saw what happened.
- Seek medical attention right away and follow all treatment instructions.
- Keep copies of all bills and records, including prescriptions and physical therapy notes.
- Avoid discussing the incident with the business or its insurance company without legal advice.
Insurance adjusters often try to shift blame by claiming the hazard was “open and obvious.” Having an experienced Baltimore slip and fall accident lawyer on your side helps ensure your case is built on strong evidence and clearly shows the property owner’s negligence.
Contact Our Office Today To Consult Our Experienced Maryland Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers
Slips and falls may seem relatively minor, but the injuries they cause can impact your health and financial security for years afterward. At Maryland Injury Lawyers, we help you get the compensation you deserve. To consult our experienced Maryland slip and fall accident lawyers, contact our office today.
Sources:
health.maryland.gov/phpa/OEHFP/Injury/pages/eip_falls.aspx
mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcj§ion=5-401&enactments=false
