Determining liability in slip-and-fall accidents

When a person is injured on another individual’s property, it can be difficult to determine who is considered liable for that injury. Slip-and-fall accidents affect thousands of people every year across the country, including some right here in Maryland. While some of these accidents result in only minor injuries, some may have more serious outcomes. In these cases, it is only natural to question factors that may have contributed to the incident.

In some situations, a premises liability claim may be an appropriate legal remedy for slip-and-fall cases. If a claim of this sort is pursued, it will be important to show that certain elements exist. Some of the elements of a successful premises liability claim include:

• The property owner and/or his or her employee should have been aware of dangerous conditions.
• The property owner and/or manager knew and failed to repair the problem.
• The property owner, manager or employee caused the dangerous conditions.

Just as property owners are required to maintain and provide reasonably safe conditions, those who are on the premises are also required to make reasonable decisions. Comparative negligence is often considered in these cases. Legal representatives for property owners will do all they can to prove that the victim is responsible for his or her own injuries.

Maryland residents who have been injured in slip-and-fall accidents may be entitled to compensation. While these cases can sometimes be difficult to prove, it doesn’t mean they are impossible. A personal injury attorney can review the circumstances surrounding the incident and file any applicable legal claims in pursuit of the maximum compensation available under state laws.

Source: FindLaw, “Proving Fault in Slip and Fall Accidents“, Dec. 15, 2014