What happens if you’re injured on someone else’s property? In most situations, you expect the negligent property owner to step up and take financial accountability—but that doesn’t always happen. If someone is giving you the runaround, let a Lanham premises liability lawyer stand up for your rights.
Your first meeting with GDH Law is always free. Because we don’t think that access to information about your legal rights should ever come with a price tag.
GDH Law—Handling a Wide Range of Premises Liability Claims With Compassion
Trip- or slip-and-fall accidents are widely used as the butt of jokes on TV and in movies. But the reality of an unexpected accident is much more serious than what popular forms of entertainment would have you believe.
Our compassionate legal team handles all types of premises liability claims, including those involving:
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Elevator accidents
- Escalator accidents
- Negligent security
- Swimming pool accidents
- Dog bites
- Amusement park accidents
- Parking lot accidents
It is important to preserve evidence as soon as possible in a premises liability claim. That’s why we recommend taking pictures and videos of the accident scene or dangerous conditions that caused your injury. And if you choose to work with a law office, your lawyer can also ensure that property owners don’t delete or destroy essential evidence, such as security footage.
What Maryland Property Owners Owe Visitors
Anyone who owns a property, whether it’s a residential home or store that is open to the public, must maintain it in a way that is reasonably free from dangerous conditions. When an owner can’t immediately address or fix a dangerous condition, they should do everything they can to warn visitors of the hazard. This can include hanging warning signs, placing wet floor signs, and blocking access to certain areas.
The duty of care that a property owner owes someone depends on the type of visitor that they are.
- Invitee – A visitor who is lawfully on a property with the express or implied consent of the owner. For example, a customer shopping at a grocery store or a contractor working on a home.
- Licensee – A person who visits a property for their own enjoyment or for social reasons, not necessarily for the benefit of the owner. For example, an individual using a store’s restroom (without shopping) or a friend attending a social gathering.
- Trespasser – A person who is unlawfully on another person’s property, without the permission of the owner. For example, a hunter using land without permission or crossing through a field they do not own.
Property owners owe the greatest duty of care to invitees and licensees. Typically, owners have no duty of care to protect the safety of trespassers, although they are not allowed to do anything that would purposely harm them, such as setting traps.
In order to avoid liability, many insurance companies will claim that victims were on the property illegally at the time of the accident. If this happens to you, a Lanham personal injury lawyer from GDH Law will work to collect evidence that proves your lawful visitor status.
Proving Negligence for a Premises Liability Accident
Accidents happen—it’s simply part of life. So how do you prove that what happened to you was the result of negligence, and not just another accident?
To recover compensation in a premises liability claim, you must prove that the following four elements of negligence were present:
- The property owner owed you a duty of care.
- Through an act or omission, the property owner violated their duty of care.
- The violation of the duty of care caused you to suffer a related injury.
- You suffered verifiable financial losses as a result of your injury.
You don’t have to do this on your own. You’re hurting and still in the process of recovering. At GDH Law, our dedicated team of experienced lawyers will work to collect, analyze, and present evidence on your behalf. We’ll create the strongest possible case that proves you were lawfully on the property and that the owner engaged in negligence, ultimately causing your injuries.
Let a Lanham Premises Liability Lawyer Strengthen Your Case
GDH Law is a results-driven law office built on a foundation of professionalism. As a boutique law firm, we have the resources to craft personalized legal representation for each and every client that we work with.
We hold property owners accountable for their negligent actions and omissions. With a commitment to open communication, we handle cases with the care and attentiveness we know our clients deserve.
We’re here to help. You can speak with a Lanham premises liability lawyer for free to learn about your legal options. These informational meetings are also commitment-free, which means there’s no obligation to hire or work with our law office. So contact us today and we’ll schedule you for a free case evaluation at your earliest convenience.
