Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere and at any time due to negligence. The resulting injuries can be severe, resulting in astronomical medical bills. If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, please continue reading to learn who can be held responsible for your damages and how an experienced Prince George’s County Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer can assist you during these tough times.
How Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen?
Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents occur every day. These incidents often arise from a property owner’s failure to maintain their property or failure to warn others of potential dangers. Some of the common hazards that can result in a slip and fall accident include, but are not limited to the following:
- Wet surfaces
- Uneven surfaces
- Debris on the floor
- Weather conditions (rain, snow, ice, and sleet)
- Cracked pavement
- Missing handrails
- Broken steps
- Exposed wiring
- Inadequate lighting
Most people brush off these incidents as merely embarrassing events. However, they can be incredibly harmful, resulting in devastating injuries and mounting medical bills.
Who is Responsible for Paying My Medical Bills After a Slip and Fall in MD?
Following a slip and fall accident, your health insurance will cover your medical bills. Depending on your policy, your insurance may cover a significant portion of the medical care you need. However, if your damages exceed your insurance coverage, you can pursue legal action against the negligent party to recoup the remaining funds for your losses.
In most cases, the property owner where a slip and fall accident occurs can be held liable for compensating damages resulting from the incident. Under premises liability law, property owners are obligated to maintain a safe environment for their visitors. If they fail to keep their premises free of hazards they can be held legally responsible for any injuries that occur as a result of their negligence.
To succeed in a claim, you must prove that the property owner either knew or should have reasonably known about the dangerous condition that caused your fall. In addition, you must prove that the property owner had ample time to address the hazard and failed to do so, resulting in your injuries.
You should note that the level of care owed to an individual depends on their status as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser. Property owners owe the greatest duty of care to invitees. These individuals enter a premises for business purposes like a customer in a store. As such, property owners are required to regularly inspect and address potential hazards. Those who enter a property without consent are considered trespassers. Property owners don’t owe a duty of care to trespassers. They are only liable in very limited circumstances, such as if they intentionally caused harm. Therefore, if you are trespassing on a property and that is the cause of your damages, you will likely not have a valid claim.
As you can see, proving negligence when pursuing compensation after a slip and fall injury is not always straightforward. That’s why it’s in your best interest to contact a determined attorney from Timian & Fawcett, LLC who can examine your case, advise you on the damages you could pursue, and help you collect evidence to build a strong case against the negligent party. Connect with our firm today to discuss your legal options.
