Slip & Fall Accident Lawyers in Upper Marlboro

Slip or Trip & Fall Claims in Prince George’s County

Did you slip on a wet floor in a grocery store? Or did you trip while visiting a friend’s house? In either situation or something similar, you could have the right to bring a claim against the property owner for your injuries and damages.

The Farmer & Klopfer in Upper Marlboro can help you understand your rights as someone who was hurt on a different person’s property. We know how to make effective slip and fall accident claims that convince the insurance company to offer a fair settlement. If they are stubborn, then we will be ready to slam them in court with strong evidence of liability. One way or another, we want to be the team that fights for the most compensation possible in your name.

For more information during a free consultation, dial (240) 245-2229.

Causes of Slip & Trips

Anywhere you go, there is a risk of a slip and trip hazard. This is just how common these issues are in day-to-day situations. However, the risk of a slip or trip hazard causing someone to suffer a serious injury increases greatly when a property owner is negligent in their duty to protect visitors from such hazards.

Dangerous slip and trip hazards vary but can include:

What Duty Does a Proprietor Owe to Visitors?

Property owners must take care of slip and trip hazards before they can hurt someone who visits their property. However, the amount of care that a property owner must exercise to identify such hazards depends on the type of visitor on their property. For example, a store owner must look for hazards before allowing shoppers in the store, but a homeowner only needs to warn visitors about potential hazards that they already know about.

Proving Slip & Fall Accident Claims

In Maryland, to succeed in a premises liability claim based on a slip and fall accident, you typically need to prove the following elements:

1. Duty of Care: The property owner or occupier owed you a duty of care. This means they had a legal obligation to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for visitors like yourself.
2. Breach of Duty: You must demonstrate that the property owner or occupier breached their duty of care. This could involve showing that they knew or should have known about a hazardous condition on their property, such as a slippery surface, and failed to take reasonable steps to address it.
3. Causation: You need to establish a causal link between the property owner's breach of duty and your slip and fall accident. In other words, you must prove that the hazardous condition directly caused your injury.
4. Damages: Finally, you must demonstrate that you suffered damages as a result of the slip and fall accident. This can include medical expenses, lost wages due to missed work, pain and suffering, and any other losses directly related to your injury.

It's important to note that Maryland follows a rule of comparative negligence, which means that if the court finds that you were partially responsible for the accident (e.g., you were distracted or not paying attention), your compensation may be reduced accordingly. However, as long as you can prove that the property owner's negligence was a significant factor in causing your injuries, you may still be entitled to recover damages.

Injuries Suffered in Slip & Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are not a “minor” problem. Falling down can cause severe, life-changing injuries. Elders and people with preexisting injuries are especially vulnerable to suffering a catastrophic injury by falling down. If you took a bad tumble, then you should see a doctor right away and get a diagnosis.

Serious injuries that can be suffered in a slip and fall accident include:

Be ready for a legal fight. Call (240) 245-2229 now.