Glen Burnie Premises Liability Attorney

Premises liability laws protect individuals who suffer injuries due to unsafe or defective conditions on another person’s property. Property owners in Glen Burnie, Maryland, are legally obligated to maintain their premises reasonably safe to prevent harm to visitors.

However, determining liability in these cases is not always straightforward. This is why after an accident or injury on someone else’s property, working with experienced Glen Burnie premises liability lawyer John Leppler is essential.

While an injured person may believe the property owner is responsible, property owners and insurance companies often argue that the victim’s negligence contributed to the accident. This can make it challenging to recover compensation without legal assistance.

Whether you slipped on a spilled liquid detergent at Brite Scene Laundromat and broke your hip or your child was tragically injured due to a defective water jet at the North Arundel Aquatic Center, pursuing a premises liability claim can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Leppler Injury Law can help gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and build a strong case to support your claim. Without legal representation, you may face significant challenges in proving the property owner’s negligence and securing the financial recovery you need.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to a property owner’s negligence, acting quickly to protect your legal rights is crucial. Contact a premises liability attorney in Glen Burnie, Maryland, from Leppler Injury Law today to discuss your case and explore your options for pursuing justice and compensation.

Where Are Some Locations Where a Premises Liability Accident Could Occur in Glen Burnie, Maryland?

Premises liability accidents can happen anywhere in Glen Burnie, Maryland, where property owners fail to maintain safe conditions. Whether you’re shopping, dining out, or simply walking through a public space, hazardous conditions can lead to serious injuries. Property owners have a legal duty to ensure their premises are free from dangers, and when they fail to do so, they may be held responsible for resulting injuries.

Retail Stores and Shopping Centers

Retail stores and shopping centers can present various hazards, such as slippery floors, falling merchandise, and uneven walkways. Spilled liquids, poor lighting, and defective automatic doors can cause serious injuries to unsuspecting shoppers. If store management does not take reasonable steps to address these hazards, they may be liable for any resulting injuries.

Restaurants and Bars

Restaurants and bars in Glen Burnie must maintain clean and safe environments for their patrons. Spills, broken furniture, and crowded entryways can create dangerous conditions. Additionally, poorly lit parking areas and inadequate security measures may increase the risk of falls or criminal activity, making property owners responsible for injuries on their premises.

Hotels and Resorts

Guests staying at hotels and resorts expect a safe and comfortable environment. However, common hazards such as slippery bathroom floors, broken handrails, faulty hotel gym equipment, and malfunctioning elevators can lead to accidents. Swimming pool areas and fitness centers are also frequent sites of injuries due to improper maintenance and lack of safety measures. An experienced Glen Burnie premises liability lawyer can help if you’ve been injured in a situation such as this.

Parking Lots and Garages

Potholes, cracked pavement, and inadequate lighting can pose significant parking and garage risks. If property owners fail to maintain a safe environment, slip-and-fall accidents, vehicle collisions, and criminal attacks can occur. Proper signage and routine inspections are necessary to prevent accidents in these areas.

Office Buildings

Office buildings must be kept safe for employees and visitors alike. Common hazards include wet floors in lobbies, poorly maintained stairwells, and faulty elevators. Employers and building managers must ensure that all areas are free from potential dangers to avoid liability for injuries.

Grocery Stores

Grocery stores are another high-risk area for slip and fall accidents. Spilled liquids, cluttered aisles, and broken flooring can all create dangerous conditions. Customers navigating crowded aisles may not notice these hazards, leading to serious injuries.

Staircases and Escalators

Staircases and escalators are standard for accidents due to loose handrails, broken steps, or sudden malfunctions. Property owners must ensure these areas are regularly inspected and maintained to prevent trips and falls.

Public Spaces and Parks

Public spaces like parks and community centers can be dangerous if improperly maintained. Uneven walking paths, broken playground equipment, and poor lighting can all contribute to injuries. Local governments and property managers may be liable if negligence is a factor.

Places of Employment

Workplaces, including warehouses, factories, and office spaces, must follow strict safety regulations to prevent accidents. Wet floors, unsafe machinery, and poorly maintained walkways can all pose hazards to employees and visitors. Employers are responsible for promptly maintaining a safe work environment and addressing potential risks.

Construction Sites

Construction sites are particularly hazardous due to heavy machinery, exposed wiring, and unstable structures. If safety measures are not properly implemented, both workers and bystanders can suffer severe injuries. Property owners and contractors can be held accountable for negligence that leads to accidents.

If you have been injured at any of these locations, speaking with an experienced Glen Burnie premises liability attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for your injuries.

What Are Common Types of Premises Liability Claims in Glen Burnie, Maryland?

Premises liability claims in Glen Burnie, Maryland, arise when property owners fail to maintain a safe environment, leading to injuries. Various types of accidents can occur due to negligence, and understanding these common claims can help victims identify their legal options and seek compensation for their injuries.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are the most common type of premises liability claims. Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths, with 46,653 fatalities recorded in 2022. Over 8.5 million people also sought emergency medical treatment for fall-related injuries that year. These accidents can happen in various locations, including shopping malls, grocery stores, restaurants, and public swimming pools.

Common causes of slip and fall accidents include:

Spilled liquids on grocery store floors.
Uneven walkways in shopping centers.
Poorly maintained staircases with loose handrails.
Slippery surfaces around swimming pools.

Property owners may be liable for resulting injuries if they fail to address these hazards.

Dog Bite Incidents

Dog bite incidents are another frequent premises liability claim, often caused by an owner’s negligence in controlling their pet. Approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur annually in the United States, with nearly 1,000 people seeking emergency medical care for dog-related injuries daily. In 2023, homeowners’ insurers paid out $1.12 billion in liability claims related to dog bites.

Children and postal workers are particularly at risk for dog bites, with mail carriers frequently encountering aggressive dogs while delivering mail. Property owners are responsible for ensuring their pets do not harm visitors or passersby.

Construction Site Accidents

Construction sites are inherently hazardous, and serious injuries can occur when property owners or contractors fail to implement proper safety measures. In Maryland, 59 fatal work injuries were reported in 2020, with construction sites being a common location for accidents involving falls, electrocution, and falling objects.

Common hazards on construction sites include:

Unsecured scaffolding.
Falling debris.
Tripping hazards from exposed wiring and equipment.
Lack of protective barriers around dangerous areas.

Bystanders injured due to unsafe site conditions may have grounds for a premises liability claim.

Swimming Pool Accidents

Swimming pools can present numerous dangers, mainly if they are not properly maintained or secured. Common causes of swimming pool injuries include slip-and-fall accidents on wet surfaces, defective pool drains, and inadequate fencing that can lead to accidental drownings.

Inadequate supervision, faulty pool equipment, and improper maintenance can all contribute to swimming pool injuries. Property owners may be held liable if they fail to take reasonable steps to ensure safety.

Elevator and Escalator Accidents

Elevators and escalators are complex machines that require regular maintenance to ensure safe operation. When these systems malfunction due to neglect, serious injuries such as falls, entrapments, and mechanical failures can occur. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), elevator and escalator accidents result in thousands of yearly injuries.

Common causes of elevator and escalator accidents include:

Sudden stops or drops.
Misaligned steps or platforms.
Malfunctioning doors.
Inadequate maintenance inspections.

Property owners must ensure these systems are adequately maintained and repaired to prevent injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to unsafe property conditions, schedule a free consultation with experienced Glen Burnie premises liability lawyer John Leppler today. John can help you explore your legal options and seek the compensation you deserve.

What Are the Different Status Classifications in Maryland Premises Liability Law?

In Maryland, premises liability law classifies individuals who enter a property into specific categories that determine the level of duty a property owner owes them. The four primary classifications are invitee, licensee by invitation, bare licensee, and trespasser. A property owner’s legal obligations vary depending on the visitor’s status.

Invitee

An invitee enters a property for a purpose related to the owner’s business or interests, such as a customer in a store or a client visiting an office. Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees and must:

Regularly inspect the property for hazards.
Take reasonable steps to repair known dangers.
Warn invitees of any unsafe conditions that may not be obvious.

Failing to maintain a safe environment for invitees can result in liability if injuries occur.

Licensee by Invitation

A licensee by invitation is a social guest who is invited onto the property for non-business purposes, such as a friend or family member visiting a home. Property owners must:

Fix known hazards.
Warn the guest of any dangerous conditions they are aware of.
Refrain from creating new hazards.

The duty of care owed to licensees by invitation is lower than that owed to invitees, as property owners are not required to inspect the premises for potential dangers.

Bare Licensee

A bare licensee enters the property with the owner’s permission but for their purposes, such as a door-to-door salesperson. Owners are only required to refrain from causing willful or wanton harm and must warn of known dangers.

Trespasser

A trespasser enters the property without permission. Property owners owe no duty of care to trespassers in most cases except to avoid intentionally harming them. However, an exception applies for child trespassers under the “attractive nuisance” doctrine, which requires owners to secure potentially dangerous features like swimming pools.

To learn more about Maryland premises liability laws, reach out to skilled Glen Burnie personal injury lawyer John Leppler today. John offers free case evaluations and is never too busy to speak with you.

Who Can Be Sued in a Glen Burnie Premises Liability Lawsuit?

In a Glen Burnie premises liability lawsuit, multiple parties may be held responsible for injuries on someone else’s property. Liability depends on who had control over the property and whether they failed to uphold their duty to maintain a safe environment. Identifying the correct defendant is crucial to pursuing compensation.

Property Owners

Property owners are typically the primary defendants in premises liability cases. Whether the property is residential, commercial, or public, owners are legally obligated to ensure the premises are reasonably safe for visitors.

If they fail to address hazardous conditions—such as wet floors, faulty staircases, or poor lighting—they may be held liable for resulting injuries. This applies to homeowners, landlords, business owners, and government entities responsible for public spaces.

Property Managers

In many cases, a property owner hires a property management company to oversee the maintenance and safety of the premises. Property managers may be held responsible if they neglect their duties, such as failing to repair known hazards or conducting regular inspections.

Tenants or Occupiers

If a tenant is leasing a property, they may be liable for injuries within the leased area. For example, a store owner renting a space in a shopping mall could be responsible for hazards inside their store, while the mall owner may be liable for common areas like hallways or parking lots.

Contractors and Maintenance Companies

Businesses often rely on third-party contractors for maintenance, cleaning, or repairs. If a contractor’s negligence, such as improper construction or failure to clean up spills, leads to an accident, they may be named in a premises liability lawsuit.

Determining liability in a premises liability case requires a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties and ensure victims receive the compensation they deserve.

How is Liability Proven in a Premises Liability Claim in Glen Burnie, Maryland?

Proving liability in a premises liability claim requires demonstrating that the property owner or occupier was negligent in maintaining a safe environment. Maryland law follows a strict contributory negligence rule, making it essential for injured parties to establish that they were not at fault in any way. To succeed in a premises liability claim, the injured person must prove four key elements of negligence.

Proving Negligence

To establish liability, the following elements must be demonstrated:

A Dangerous Condition Existed: The plaintiff must show that a hazardous condition existed on the property. Hazards could include slippery floors, broken handrails, uneven sidewalks, poor lighting, or aggressive animals.
The Property Owner Knew or Should Have Known About the Hazard: It must be proven that the property owner was aware—or reasonably should have been—of the dangerous condition. Evidence such as maintenance records, surveillance footage, or witness testimony can support this claim.
Failure to Remedy the Hazard: The plaintiff must demonstrate that the property owner had sufficient time to fix the issue but failed to take appropriate action, leading to the injury.
Causation of Injury: It must be shown that the hazardous condition directly caused the plaintiff’s injuries. Medical records and expert testimony may be used to establish this link.

Contributory Negligence in Maryland

Maryland follows the strict doctrine of contributory negligence, meaning that if the injured party is found to be even 1% responsible for their accident, they are completely barred from recovering compensation. This legal standard makes it crucial to gather strong evidence that proves the property owner’s negligence and eliminates any suggestion of fault on the victim’s part.

Due to the challenges posed by contributory negligence, working with an experienced premises liability attorney can help ensure that your case is thoroughly prepared to meet Maryland’s strict legal requirements.

To learn more about Maryland negligence laws, contact an experienced Glen Burnie premises liability attorney at Leppler Injury Law today.

What is an “Attractive Nuisance”?

An attractive nuisance is a legal concept that holds property owners responsible for hazardous conditions on their property that are likely to attract children and cause harm. Even if a child trespasses, the property owner may still be liable if they fail to take reasonable steps to prevent injuries.

Examples of Attractive Nuisances

An attractive nuisance must be an artificial condition, meaning it was added to the property by the owner. Common examples include:

Swimming pools: Unfenced or unsupervised pools can easily attract children.
Playground equipment: Unsecured swings, slides, and jungle gyms can pose risks.
Trampolines: Trampolines without proper netting or barriers can lead to injuries.
Construction sites: Tools, materials, and heavy machinery may entice children to explore.
Machinery and landscaping equipment: Unattended lawnmowers or power tools can be dangerous.
Old vehicles: Abandoned cars or trucks may attract children who see them as play areas.
Treehouses: Unsafe or poorly maintained can lead to falls or injuries.
Water features: Fountains, artificial ponds, or decorative wells can pose drowning hazards.
Dangerous animals: Aggressive dogs or exotic pets may draw children’s attention and pose risks.

Property Owner’s Responsibility

To prevent liability, property owners should take reasonable precautions to safeguard their premises, such as:

Installing fences and gates around potential hazards.
Posting warning signs to deter unauthorized access.
Locking or securing dangerous equipment and materials.
Regularly inspecting the property for potential dangers.
Keeping dangerous chemicals, tools, or machinery out of reach.

Children and Trespassing in Maryland

While property owners generally owe little duty of care to trespassers, children are an exception. Maryland law treats children drawn to attractive nuisances with the same protection as guests, as they may not understand the risks of trespassing. Property owners can be liable if their negligence directly leads to a child’s injury.

Taking proactive steps to secure a property can help prevent tragic accidents and protect property owners from legal liability.

Knowledgeable Accident and Injury Law Firm in Glen Burnie, Maryland

If you or a loved one has been injured due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, John Leppler and his team at Leppler Injury Law are here to help. With extensive experience handling premises liability cases in Glen Burnie, John Leppler understands the complexities of Maryland law and is dedicated to fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Whether your case involves a slip and fall, negligent security, or another premises-related injury, you can trust him to provide personalized legal guidance. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward justice.

In addition to Glen Burnie, John Leppler handles premises liability claims in Towson, Baltimore, Pikesville, Timonium, Owings Mills, Parkville, and more.