Personal injuries can occur anywhere, and premises liability cases are some of the most common types of personal injury cases. In Maryland, there are specific laws that apply to premises liability cases. These laws outline the responsibilities that property owners have to ensure the safety of their visitors.
If you have been injured on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. However, navigating Maryland’s personal injury laws can be complicated, so it is important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney.
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What is Premises Liability?
Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility of property owners to maintain a reasonably safe environment for their visitors. If a property owner fails to do so and someone is injured as a result, the property owner may be held liable for the damages suffered by the victim.
Examples of premises liability cases include slip and fall accidents, dog bites, and injuries caused by defective or dangerous conditions on the property. Property owners have a duty to identify and correct hazards on their property and to warn visitors of any potential dangers.
The Duty of Care
Under Maryland law, property owners owe different levels of duty of care based on the type of visitor they are hosting. There are three categories of visitors: invitees, licensees, and trespassers.
Invitees
Invitees are people who have been invited onto the property for a commercial or public purpose. Property owners owe the highest level of duty of care to invitees. They must take reasonable measures to ensure that their property is safe and they must warn invitees of any potential hazards.
Examples of invitees include customers in a store, delivery personnel, and public safety personnel.
Licensees
Licensees are people who have been invited onto the property for a social or personal purpose. Property owners owe a lower level of duty of care to licensees, but they still have a duty to warn them of any known dangers.
Examples of licensees include dinner guests, family members, and friends.
Trespassers
Trespassers are people who enter the property without permission. Property owners owe no duty of care to trespassers, except in certain circumstances. If the property owner is aware of the presence of trespassers, they must take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm.
Examples of trespassers include burglars and children who wander onto a property.
Contributory Negligence
Maryland operates under the doctrine of contributory negligence. This means that if the victim contributed to their own injury in any way, they may not be able to recover damages from the property owner.
For example, if someone is looking at their phone while walking and they trip over a hazard on a property, they may be considered partially at fault for their injury.
Statute of Limitations
In Maryland, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury. This means that if you do not file your claim within three years, you may lose your right to recover damages.
Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been injured on someone else’s property, it is important to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can help you determine your legal rights and options, negotiate with insurance companies, and advocate for you in court if necessary.
A skilled attorney can also help you navigate Maryland’s complex personal injury laws and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the legal process.
Conclusion
Premises liability cases can be complex, and the laws governing these cases can vary by state. In Maryland, property owners have a duty to maintain a reasonably safe environment for their visitors, and victims may be entitled to compensation if they are injured as a result of a property owner’s negligence.
If you have been injured on someone else’s property, it is important to seek legal counsel from an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.