Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accident typically involves a situation where a person is injured by slipping, tripping and falling due to a dangerous condition. A fall can take place both inside and outside and can result from bad flooring, wet floors, poorly lighted steps, weather-related conditions, and hidden defects. Icy patches, a crack in a sidewalk, or a pothole are also factors that can cause a serious slip and fall injury. Slip and fall injuries can happen anywhere, and often occur at grocery stores, department stores, in parking lots, and on sidewalks.
While many people, including insurance defense lawyers, tend to make light of a slip and fall accident, the consequences of a fall can be severe. A slip and fall accident may result in a serious injury, such as a head injury, brain injury, spinal cord injury, herniated or bulging discs, fractures, breaks, broken bones, neck injury, back injury, shoulder injury, knee injury, and muscle and ligament injury.
Our slip and fall attorney, with offices in Baltimore, Maryland, handles slip and fall cases that are typically caused by:
- Broken stairs, broken steps, and dangerous stairwells or landing areas
- Dangerous sidewalks, cracks in the sidewalk, and potholes
- Defective lighting, inadequate or inoperative lighting
- Failure to warn of hazardous or dangerous conditions
- Failure to correct hazardous or dangerous conditions
- Slippery or wet floors
- Tenant slip, trip and fall injuries caused by landlord negligence
Please contact us today to dicuss your slip and fall. 410-234-2621
Legal Support After a Slip and Fall Accident
Every slip and fall claim has its own set of facts and circumstances, but at its core, it comes down to one question: Did someone fail to fix or warn about a dangerous condition that caused harm? In Maryland, property owners have a duty to maintain safe environments for those lawfully on their premises. That means keeping walkways clear, fixing known hazards, and addressing weather-related issues promptly. The law may entitle them to compensation if someone slips on an unmarked wet floor or trips over broken stairs. A slip and fall lawyer can help determine if the conditions that led to your injury were legally actionable.
In many cases, the hazard could have been addressed long before the incident—loose handrails, dim stairwells, uneven pavement, and icy entrances are all common culprits. Notice deadlines apply for injuries that happen on public property or in government-managed spaces, and the legal process becomes even more technical. Having a slip and fall attorney who knows the difference between a store’s liability and a city-owned sidewalk is essential to handling these cases the right way.
How Fall Injuries Can Disrupt Daily Life
People often underestimate how life-altering a fall can be—until it happens to them. Broken hips, wrist fractures, head trauma, or herniated discs can leave someone unable to work or even manage daily routines for weeks or months. The recovery process may involve surgery, rehab, follow-up care, and mounting medical bills. A slip and fall lawyer helps put the entire cost of the injury into perspective by documenting not only your medical expenses but also lost income and how your quality of life has changed.
Falls that affect older adults or individuals with pre-existing conditions tend to be especially serious, sometimes requiring long-term care or causing permanent mobility loss. Claims involving these injuries must account for future treatment, home accommodations, and personal care. A slip and fall attorney who understands how these consequences unfold over time can help develop a claim that reflects the full scope of loss.
How Local Law Affects Your Right to Compensation
Maryland applies a strict contributory negligence rule, meaning if you’re found even one percent responsible for your own injury, you could lose the ability to recover anything. That’s why it’s critical to act quickly to preserve evidence and avoid giving insurance companies an opening to shift blame onto you. By contrast, the District of Columbia uses a comparative fault rule, allowing for reduced compensation even if the injured person shares some fault. Knowing which system applies can make or break your claim.
If your fall occurred on a rental property, the landlord’s obligations come into play. A Baltimore-based slip and fall lawyer can investigate whether your landlord failed to repair common areas or ignored prior complaints. For injuries in government buildings or on public sidewalks, shorter notice deadlines and different procedures apply.
Steps That Strengthen or Weaken Your Case
What you do immediately after falling matters more than most people realize. Failing to report the incident or take photos of the hazard can severely limit your claim later on. Seeking prompt medical attention is another crucial step, not just for your health, but to connect the injury to the fall. If you wait too long, insurance adjusters may argue that your injuries aren’t related.
Another misstep is giving a recorded statement to the other side’s insurance company. These calls often happen within days of the incident, before you’ve had time to understand the full extent of your injuries. Instead, speak with a slip and fall attorney who can protect your interests from the beginning and help secure necessary evidence like surveillance footage or maintenance records before they’re erased.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time do I have to file a claim in Maryland?
You usually have three years, but shorter deadlines may apply for government-owned properties or agencies.
What if I were partly responsible for the fall?
In Maryland, any degree of fault on your part can block compensation. D.C. allows partial recovery depending on the percentage of fault.
Do I need a lawyer to handle my case?
Legal support is strongly recommended, given how quickly evidence can disappear and the strict legal standards that apply.
What documentation is helpful for my case?
Photos of the scene, medical records, incident reports, and witness statements are all valuable.
How much does it cost to consult a lawyer?
Many personal injury lawyers offer free consultations and only get paid if you win your case.
What should I do right after falling?
Get medical care, report the incident to the property owner or manager, take photos, and don’t speak to insurance adjusters without legal advice.
Contact Us for a Complimentary Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, don’t wait to get the legal support you need. These cases can be complex, and early action is critical to preserving evidence and protecting your rights. Contact our Baltimore slip and fall attorneys today for a free consultation and take the first step toward securing the compensation you deserve.