As the weather starts to cool down, many people are either excited for the reprieve from the summer heat or dreading the first snowfall of the year. Whether you love or hate the snow and cold, it’s right around the corner, so understanding how the weather can impact your premises case in Maryland is critical. Unfortunately, these situations can be complex to navigate, so it’s in your best interest to contact Baltimore County slip and fall attorneys to discuss your options when injured on another person’s property in bad weather.
What Role Does Weather Play in a Slip-and-Fall Case?
When you’re injured because you slip, trip, and fall due to a weather-related condition on someone else’s property, it’s essential to understand whether or not you can hold the property owner liable for the injuries you’ve sustained. Unfortunately, this can be complex, as many factors are necessary to determine if negligence occurred.
If you are on commercial property, such as the walkway leading up to a retail location, and it is covered with snow or ice, causing you to slip and fall, the property owner will likely be held liable for injuries. This is because it is their responsibility to ensure walkways are clear of hazards. However, if it just started snowing, and the precipitation is barely covering the path, they may not face liability. This is because they are granted a reasonable amount of time to respond to the hazard after the weather event has occurred.
Additionally, if the sidewalk belongs to a private citizen, you’ll need to file a suit against them. This is because property owners in Maryland are responsible for maintaining and, in this case, shoveling, the sidewalk adjacent to their property. Again, property owners are granted a reasonable amount of time after the weather event has concluded to clear the walkway of debris.
How Should I Proceed if Injured?
If you are injured as the result of a negligent property owner’s failure to respond to a weather event in a timely manner, it’s imperative to ensure you take the necessary steps to collect evidence to prove premises liability. The most important thing to do is contact emergency services to receive medical treatment as soon as possible. This is imperative to establishing medical care and ensuring your injuries are treated to prevent further pain.
Next, you’ll want to take photos and videos of the scene where your injury occurred. If it’s no longer snowing and the sidewalk you tripped on is the only one that hasn’t been cleared, capturing this on video is essential.
Finally, it’s imperative to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Markey & Orsi as soon as possible. Unfortunately, many people are unfamiliar with the importance of hiring legal representation in these matters, opting to navigate the process on their own, leading to unfavorable outcomes. Don’t wait to contact us. Reach out today to learn how we can help you in these instances.
