Maryland Slip and Fall FAQ

Slip and fall accidents usually come under the category of personal injuries. They occur when someone trips, slips, stumbles, or falls in a way that causes injury. If the incident occurs due to hazardous and dangerous conditions that aren’t the fault of the injured victim, there could be premises liability involved. Generally speaking, a slip and fall accident can’t be the victim’s own fault to win damages, so injured victims must prove someone else’s liability.

No person or organization is automatically responsible for your injuries, but a negligent party can be held accountable through an insurance claim or lawsuit. To cover your medical bills and other costs, you may have a claim with a health insurance policy, a homeowner’s/renter’s policy, a government entity, a business, or an individual. Your slip and fall lawyer can help you sort through the issue of liability and understand your options.

Having someone blame you for slipping and falling is common because it’s an easy way to deny liability and avoid paying for your injuries. Maryland is a contributory negligence state, which means people can’t win compensation after causing their own injury.

When someone is putting the blame on you, it’s time to hire a Maryland slip and fall lawyer who knows how to gather the evidence you need to prove the injury wasn’t your fault. This is your best route to putting the responsibility where it belongs and gaining compensation.

One of the top causes of slip and fall accidents is poorly-maintained flooring, including worn, loose, crumbling, and slippery flooring materials. Other common hazards include floor clutter, spilled food and drinks, unsecured rugs, and debris like broken concrete, leaves, and trash. Environmental hazards such as black ice and other weather-related conditions can contribute, so can poor lighting, missing handrails, and poorly-designed ramps and stairways that are slip and fall accidents waiting to happen.

In Maryland, it’s more challenging to prove liability for a slip and fall than most people realize. These are not open-and-shut cases, in part due to Maryland’s contributory negligence law that says you can’t receive compensation if you’re even partially at fault for your own injuries.

Having the right lawyer makes a huge difference. An experienced slip and fall lawyer knows how to put one of these cases together and understands what it takes to make the strongest possible argument for compensation.

Generally speaking, your damages in a slip and fall case are comprised of your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You are more likely to secure these damages if the other party created or failed to address a hazard and suffered a permanent or severe injury. Talk to your slip and fall lawyer about the potential damages involved and the overall value of your claim.

The most common complication in a Maryland slip and fall claim is that the other side is saying the injured person is partially at fault, which can destroy your case. Alternatively, the property owner may say they tried to address the hazard, they didn’t have time to fix the hazard, they were unaware of the hazard, that you didn’t receive the injury in question from your fall, or that it’s a matter of an “act of God” or other extraordinary situation. All of these complications are surmountable with the help of a talented slip and fall lawyer who knows how to assemble a strong case on your behalf.

The most common injuries from slip and fall accidents are bone fractures, hip injuries, hand and wrist injuries, and concussions. Falls can also cause much more serious injuries like spine and back injuries, deep lacerations from falling into sharp objects, organ damage from crushing blows, and traumatic brain injuries.

Protect your health and protect your rights. Seek emergency health care immediately and follow the doctor’s instructions about your care. Save all paperwork related to your case. Don’t tell people about this situation and don’t post anything about it on social media. Talk to a Maryland slip and fall lawyer about filing an insurance claim or starting a lawsuit. And most importantly, don’t wait too long to take action or you could miss the legal time period and lose your opportunity to get your bills paid after a slip and fall injury.