Pikesville Premises Liability Lawyer

Advocating for Injured Plaintiffs Throughout Baltimore

Property and business owners have a duty of care to make sure the premises are reasonably safe and usable for visitors. Injuries that occur due to unsafe (e.g., undermaintained, hazardous) conditions may result in a premises liability lawsuit. The Law Office of Justin A. Wallace represents injured clients looking to file a civil lawsuit for damages, such as due to a slip and fall on unrepaired flooring. The success of a civil lawsuit could mean securing a significant amount of damages for your recovery, so it is important to work with an honest and experienced trial lawyer like Attorney Justin A. Wallace. For big firm results with personalized small firm attention, reach out to the Law Office of Justin A. Wallace today.

Schedule your free initial consultation by calling (410) 996-4488 to discuss your next steps for your premises liability case.

Common Examples of Premises Liability Cases

Premises liability includes a broad range of injuries and accident cases, such as:

• Slips and falls
• Negligent security
• Undermaintained facilities
• Loose hand railings
• Unmarked construction areas
• Falling objects
• Toxic chemicals

In general, any injury that occurs due to the unsafe conditions of a facility is a premises liability case that may hold the property owner or business owner liable due to their negligence in making the premises safe to use.

Elements of a Premises Liability Claim

In order to bring forward a premises liability lawsuit, the injured plaintiff will need to prove that the property owner or business organization acted negligently. A premises liability claim should prove the following four elements of negligence:

1. The defendant had a duty of care to the plaintiff (e.g., they had a duty to make sure the invited guest or retail customer could utilize the premises safely).
2. The defendant breached that duty of care (e.g., they did not demarcate an area of the premises that was under construction or unsafe for use).
3. That breach of duty caused the plaintiff’s injuries.
4. The plaintiff’s injuries caused them to suffer damages.

Note that the legal status of the plaintiff is critical for premises liability cases. “Legal status” refers to whether the plaintiff was invited onto the premises (“invitee”), such as a customer of the business establishment or a guest invited to the property. As such, property owners do not have the same duty to look after the safety of trespassers who did not have the legal right to be on the property at the time.

Recovering Damages

Recall that Maryland is a “contributory negligence” state, which means an injured plaintiff may not be able to recover damages if they are shown to be even slightly at fault for the accident. However, the defendant will be required to prove this under a preponderance of the evidence, and most premises liability cases are clearly based on the defendant’s lack of care for maintaining safe premises.

Successful lawsuits will award compensatory damages to the injured victim, which can include:

• Economic damages – medical bills, lost wages
• Non-economic damages – pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship

Keep in mind that Maryland sets a cap on the non-economic damages a plaintiff may recover. As of October 1, 2021, the maximum compensation for non-economic damages is $905,000, and the cap increases $15,000 year to year.

Premises liability cases can be confusing to navigate on your own. If you or a loved one has been injured in a premises liability accident, reach out to an experienced trial lawyer immediately for legal guidance. The statute of limitations for filing a premises liability lawsuit is 3 years from the date of the accident, so it is critical to get started on your case as soon as possible. Attorney Justin A. Wallace is an experienced trial lawyer who will guide you through the litigation process from beginning to end. He will put up a tough fight for your claim for damages.

Focus on your physical and mental recovery while Attorney Wallace handles the legal side. Schedule a free consultation with the Law Office of Justin A. Wallace by calling (410) 996-4488 today to get started.