Baltimore Premises Liability Lawyer

When you suffer an injury on someone else’s property due to unsafe conditions or negligent maintenance, you need experienced legal representation to protect your rights. A Baltimore premises liability lawyer from Iamele & Iamele, LLP can help you navigate the complex legal challenges associated with property-related injuries and pursue the compensation you deserve. Our family law firm has been serving Maryland residents for over 50 years, providing aggressive advocacy and personalized attention to every client we represent.

Property owners throughout Maryland have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors, customers, and guests. When they fail to meet this responsibility, serious injuries can occur, leaving victims facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and long-term physical consequences. The experienced attorneys at Iamele & Iamele understand the devastating impact these injuries can have on your life and are committed to holding negligent property owners accountable for their actions.

Understanding Premises Liability Law in Maryland

Premises liability law governs situations where individuals are injured on another person’s property due to dangerous or defective conditions. Under Maryland law, property owners and occupiers owe different levels of duty depending on the legal status of the person who was injured. The three main categories of visitors include invitees, licensees, and trespassers, each receiving varying degrees of legal protection.

Invitees, such as customers in retail stores or patients in medical facilities, receive the highest level of protection. Property owners must regularly inspect their premises for hazardous conditions and either repair dangers or provide adequate warnings. Licensees, including social guests, are owed a duty to warn of known dangers but not necessarily to inspect for hidden hazards. Even trespassers may have certain protections, particularly when the property owner knows of frequent trespassing or when children are involved.

Common premises liability cases include slip and fall accidents, inadequate security leading to criminal attacks, swimming pool injuries, elevator and escalator accidents, and injuries caused by falling objects or structural failures. These incidents often result from poor maintenance, failure to address known hazards, inadequate lighting, or insufficient security measures.

Proving a premises liability case requires demonstrating that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to take reasonable steps to address it. This involves gathering evidence such as incident reports, surveillance footage, maintenance records, and witness testimony. The legal team at Iamele & Iamele has the resources and experience necessary to conduct thorough investigations and build strong cases for their clients.

Common Types of Premises Liability Cases

There are a number of ways a person can become hurt on another person’s property. The most common of these include:

• Slip and fall accidents: By far the most common type of premises liability case are slip and fall accidents. These accidents result in many different injuries and can occur just about anywhere.
• Animal attacks: Incidents such as dog bites and other animal attacks typically occur in someone’s home or on their property. Victims often suffer from permanent scarring and post-traumatic stress disorder, such as suddenly developing a fear of that animal.
• Elevator and escalator injuries: When elevators and escalators malfunction, they cause serious injuries. These accidents typically occur in shopping malls, office buildings, and hotels.
• Falling debris injuries: Often seen on construction sites, falling debris typically causes traumatic brain injuries, which are some of the most serious injuries.
• Negligent security: When certain properties are not properly protected it can result in assaults, theft, and other criminal activity. Victims can press criminal charges, and file civil lawsuits.
• Swimming pools: Swimming pools pose a great danger to children, which is why in Maryland, there is an attractive nuisance law which states pool owners must ensure children cannot access their pool by installing gates and fences.

Unfortunately, these are just a few of the most common types of premises liability claims. When these or any other accident occurs on someone else’s property, injured individuals should speak to an attorney that can help them file a claim.

Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle

The premises liability attorneys at Iamele & Iamele represent clients injured in various types of property-related accidents throughout the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area. Slip and fall accidents represent one of the most common types of premises liability cases, often occurring due to wet floors, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, or debris in walkways. These accidents can result in serious injuries including broken bones, head trauma, and spinal cord damage.

Inadequate security cases arise when property owners fail to implement reasonable security measures, leading to criminal attacks on their premises. Shopping centers, parking garages, hotels, and apartment complexes have a responsibility to provide adequate lighting, security personnel, and access controls to protect visitors and tenants from foreseeable criminal activity.

Swimming pool and recreational facility accidents often involve inadequate fencing, broken equipment, or lack of proper supervision. These cases are particularly tragic when they involve children and can result in drowning, near-drowning incidents, or serious injuries from defective pool equipment.

Construction site accidents affecting non-workers can occur when contractors and property owners fail to secure work areas properly. Falling debris, open excavations, and inadequate barriers can pose serious risks to pedestrians and neighboring property occupants.

Retail store accidents encompass a wide range of incidents including merchandise falling from shelves, automatic door malfunctions, and parking lot hazards. Large retail establishments have particular responsibilities given the high volume of customers they serve daily.

Proving a Premises Liability Claim

Unfortunately, being injured on another person’s property does not automatically give rise to a personal injury claim. To file a claim for compensation, accident victims must prove that:

• The owner knew, or should have known, about the dangerous condition and that it posed an unreasonable risk of harm,
• The owner failed to take reasonable care to repair the condition or to warn visitors of the dangerous condition, and
• The visitor did not know, or had no way of knowing, of the dangerous condition and the risk it posed.

It is critical to prove these elements in most premises liability cases. However, in some cases, such as in certain dog bite cases, accident victims do not have to prove these elements. Instead, owners can be held strictly liable.

The Impact of Premises Liability Injuries

According to the most recent available data from safety organizations, property-related accidents result in millions of injuries annually across the United States, with significant numbers requiring emergency medical treatment. These injuries can have profound and lasting effects on victims and their families, extending far beyond the initial medical treatment.

Physical injuries from premises liability accidents range from minor cuts and bruises to catastrophic conditions such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and severe fractures. Many victims require extensive medical treatment including surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term rehabilitation. Some injuries result in permanent disabilities that affect a person’s ability to work, enjoy recreational activities, or perform daily tasks independently.

The financial impact of these injuries can be overwhelming. Medical expenses often accumulate rapidly, particularly when specialized treatment or long-term care is required. Lost wages compound the problem, as injured individuals may be unable to work for extended periods or may need to change careers due to permanent limitations. Property-related accidents can also result in emotional trauma, particularly in cases involving violent crimes due to inadequate security.

At Iamele & Iamele, both Domenic Iamele and Anton Iamele understand that the long-term implications of accident injuries often do not become apparent until well after the initial occurrence. Their comprehensive approach to premises liability cases ensures that all current and future damages are properly evaluated and included in compensation demands.

Why Choose Iamele & Iamele for Your Case

The attorneys at Iamele & Iamele bring over five decades of combined legal experience to premises liability cases throughout Maryland. As a family practice, Domenic Iamele and Anton Iamele provide personalized attention that larger firms cannot match. They become personally involved in most aspects of each case, ensuring that clients receive the dedicated representation they deserve.

Domenic Iamele began his legal career with the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted criminal matters from misdemeanors to capital offenses between 1970 and 1975. This prosecutorial experience provides valuable insight into the legal system and courtroom advocacy. Anton Iamele graduated cum laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law and had the honor of clerking for Chief Judge Joseph F. Murphy, Jr. of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, giving him extensive exposure to appellate review of civil and criminal cases throughout Maryland.

The firm’s trial capabilities have proven essential to achieving positive results for clients over the years. Their aggressive approach to litigation and superior courtroom skills have resulted in significant verdicts and settlements, including a $2,000,000 recovery for a client injured when a crowd surge caused him to be pushed under a Light Rail train, demonstrating their ability to handle complex premises liability cases.

Operating as a small firm that emphasizes client service allows Iamele & Iamele to provide the close, personal attention that clients need during difficult times. They understand that dealing with serious injuries while navigating the legal system can be overwhelming, which is why they handle all aspects of the legal process while keeping clients informed every step of the way.

Baltimore Premises Liability FAQs

What should I do immediately after a premises liability accident?

Seek medical attention first, even if injuries seem minor. Report the incident to the property owner or manager and request that an incident report be filed. Take photographs of the accident scene, the hazardous condition, and your injuries if possible. Collect contact information from any witnesses and avoid making statements about fault or responsibility.

How long do I have to file a premises liability lawsuit in Maryland?

Maryland generally provides three years from the date of injury to file a premises liability lawsuit. However, certain circumstances can affect this timeline, so it is important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and preserve important evidence.

Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault for my accident?

Maryland follows a harsh contributory negligence rule, which can bar recovery if you contributed to your own injury in any way. However, there are exceptions and defenses available, making it crucial to have experienced legal representation to evaluate your case and protect your interests.

What types of compensation are available in premises liability cases?

Victims may recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving wrongful death, family members may be entitled to additional damages for their loss.

Do I need to prove the property owner knew about the dangerous condition?

You must typically show that the property owner either knew about the hazardous condition or should have known about it through reasonable inspection and maintenance practices. This can be established through various forms of evidence including maintenance records, previous complaints, and the nature of the condition itself.

How much does it cost to hire a premises liability lawyer?

Most premises liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless they successfully recover compensation for your case. Initial consultations are typically free, allowing you to discuss your case without financial obligation.

Serving Throughout Baltimore

• Federal Hill
• Inner Harbor
• Fells Point
• Canton
• Hampden
• Mount Vernon
• Charles Village
• Riverside
• Bolton Hill
• Little Italy

Contact a Baltimore Premises Liability Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been injured on someone else’s property, do not wait to seek legal representation. The premises liability attorneys at Iamele & Iamele, LLP are ready to provide the aggressive advocacy and personal attention your case deserves. We serve clients throughout Baltimore, Howard, Anne Arundel, and Prince George’s counties, offering evening and weekend meetings to accommodate your schedule. Contact our Baltimore premises liability attorney team today for a free confidential consultation to learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward with your life.