Liability Issues In Maryland’s Rural Properties And Farm Venues

Maryland’s rural landscapes are home to working farms, scenic estates, and agritourism destinations that attract visitors from across the region. From pumpkin patches in the fall to weddings in restored barns, these venues offer a unique charm, but they can also present distinct hazards.

When accidents occur on rural properties, the legal questions surrounding liability can be more complex than those involving urban or suburban settings. It is important to receive a full and fair amount to settle injury expenses if you are hurt on someone else’s property. Discuss your situation with a Baltimore personal injury lawyer to explore possible paths forward.

Premises Liability and Agritourism

Under Maryland law, property owners owe varying duties of care depending on the legal status of the person on their land. Invitees (such as paying customers at a farm stand or guests at a booked event) are owed the highest duty. Property owners must take reasonable steps to maintain safe conditions and warn of known hazards.

On rural properties, hazards may include:

• Heavy equipment such as tractors, augers, or harvesters that may be in operation near public areas.
• Uneven terrain including gravel paths, muddy fields, or hidden holes.
• Unmarked obstacles like low-hanging wires, irrigation lines, or livestock fencing.
• Animals that could cause injury if not properly contained or supervised.

While many of these conditions are inherent to rural life, property owners still have a responsibility to minimize risks and inform visitors about potential dangers.

Agritourism activities like hayrides, corn mazes, or farm tours, have grown in popularity across Maryland. State law provides some liability protections to agritourism operators if they post specific warning signs and take other safety measures. Yet these protections are not absolute. If a visitor is injured due to a hazard the property owner knew about but failed to address liability may still apply.

How Liability May Differ in Rural Settings

One key difference in rural premises liability cases is the presence of open and obvious hazards. Courts may find that certain risks, like muddy ground after rain, are foreseeable to visitors in an agricultural environment. This does not give property owners a free pass, but it may influence whether a claim is successful.

Additionally, rural property owners may argue that a visitor assumed the risk of certain activities, particularly if the visitor signed a waiver. Even so, waivers do not automatically prevent recovery, especially if the owner’s negligence created an unnecessary danger.

If you’ve been injured on a Maryland farm, rural property, or agritourism venue, an experienced Baltimore personal injury lawyer can investigate the conditions that led to your injury, determine whether the property owner breached their duty of care, and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Were you hurt in a country setting? Rural charm should not come at the cost of visitor safety. When negligence disrupts a day in the countryside, the law can help restore balance. The attorneys at Iamele & Iamele, LLP can connect you with compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To book a confidential appointment, contact us.