A slip and fall action is a type of personal injury lawsuit filed by a plaintiff who has been injured by a slip and fall, usually on the defendant’s property. The plaintiff in slip and fall cases must usually show that the owner of the property had notice or knowledge of the condition, and failed to clean it up and rectify it within a reasonable amount of time.
As Maryland personal injury attorneys, we know that slip and fall claims have many causes. Below are a few common examples:
- Slippery substances on floors
- Raised, worn, or torn carpeting
- Poor lighting
- Defective escalators
- Stairs of varying heights and depths
- Cracked, broken, or uneven pavement
- Holes or depressions
- Snow and ice that is not removed and/or treated
Barriers to a Slip and Fall Action
Unfortunately, Maryland slip and fall actions are subject to Maryland’s contributory negligence rules. As we mentioned in a previous blog post, Maryland is one of the few remaining states that follow the traditional common law doctrine of contributory negligence when it comes to most personal injury lawsuits. This means that if your negligence contributed to your your fall in any way, you will likely not succeed in your Maryland claim.
Additionally, if the plaintiff has knowingly encountered a hazard, then he or she may have trouble holding the defendant liable under the doctrine known as “assumption of the risk.”
The personal injury attorneys of Hyatt & Weber, P.A. understand the potentially devastating impact of a serious accident or medical mistake. If you or someone you love has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, we are here to help. Our Maryland personal injury attorneys are experienced and dedicated to pursuing the compensation you deserve.
To better understand your rights, contact us today at leads@hwlaw.com or 410-777-5707 for a free consultation.
