Walking is an everyday activity that, unfortunately, can sometimes result in injury. This may happen due to sidewalks that are improperly maintained by those that are obligated to tend to its conditions. When they are not taken care of, sidewalks can cause pedestrians to fall and be injured. Such injuries involve concussions, broken bones, spinal cord damage, brain injuries, and more. While the injured party should seek medical attention immediately, legal action may be sought after.
Examples of Accidents
There are several ways a person could be injured on an unsafe sidewalk. Possible factors may include:
- Sidewalk damages
- Weather conditions (snow, ice, standing water)
- Loose debris
- Hazardous materials
Injuries as a result of these factors must be addressed within a certain time period. Like many other places, Maryland communities provide a period of time regarding cleanup after inclement weather conditions. A successful case may not exist if you are injured during that window, as it was a risk to walk during that time. This is often the case when dealing with snow or ice conditions. If an injury occurs after that window of time, the property owner where the sidewalk is could be held liable for the injury.
Liability
Proving that someone else is responsible for your injury can be a difficult task. It is important to understand who is obligated to care for the sidewalk you were injured on while investigating who is accountable. In Maryland, the owner of a sidewalk is usually the owner of the property bordering it. This may be a private citizen, public store, a private company, or the community itself.
Burden of Proof
In order to have a successful case, the injured party must prove that the property owner was negligent. The injured and their attorney must work together to provide evidence that the property owner knew or should have known about the conditions of the sidewalk and did nothing to fix it. This is what is known as the “burden of proof.” Medical documentation, pictures and/or witnesses may be helpful in assisting your case.
Compensation
If the case is successful, financial compensation may be eligible for the injured party. This may include:
- Lost wages
- Loss of future wages
- Medical bills as a result of the injury
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Contact
If you have been injured in a sidewalk accident and wish to speak with an attorney about your best course of action, contact the Law Offices of Markey & Orsi today.
The legal team at Markey & Orsi has proudly represented clients who have been injured throughout the state of Maryland due to the negligence of another party for nearly 30 years. If you require strong legal representation, contact Markey & Orsi today to schedule a consultation.