Unique Challenges After Being Injured In A Shopping Center

Unlike standalone stores, shopping centers often involve multiple parties responsible for maintaining different areas of the property. So, if you’ve been injured at a Maryland shopping center, you may be surprised at how complex your case can become. Determining who is liable can be confusing for victims seeking justice. Thankfully, a Baltimore personal injury lawyer can guide you through the recovery process.

Common Hazards in Malls and Retail Plazas

In shopping centers, liability is not always clear-cut. For example, the store where you were shopping may be responsible for keeping the aisles clear, but the mall management company could be in charge of common areas like parking lots, hallways, and restrooms. In some cases, a third-party contractor might be hired to handle security or maintenance.

This distribution of responsibility can lead to finger-pointing between parties, making it more difficult for injured individuals to secure compensation without legal guidance. A legal expert can help investigate the circumstances of your injury and determine which party (or parties) may be legally liable.

Responsibility will depend on the specifics of a case. For instance, poor lighting can create a dangerous environment for shoppers, especially at night. Insufficient visibility increases the risk of trip-and-fall accidents and even criminal activity. The shopping center’s owner or management company is typically responsible for maintaining adequate lighting in outdoor and common areas.

But when it comes to wet floors in a store, either due to recent cleaning or rainwater tracked inside, the store owner may be liable. And if an injury is connected to uneven pavement, cracked sidewalks, or broken handrails in stairwells, the danger is the responsibility of whoever is tasked with property maintenance. This could be the mall owner, a tenant, or a third-party contractor.

Proving Negligence in a Shared Premises

To establish liability, you must prove that the responsible party knew, or should have known, about the dangerous condition and failed to address it. This often requires gathering evidence such as surveillance footage, maintenance logs, witness statements, and incident reports. In a shopping center setting, this can become complicated if different parties control different sections of the property.

Injury recovery can involve multiple insurance companies. An attorney familiar with Maryland law can help cut through the confusion, identify all liable parties, and build a strong case for compensation. Whether you were hurt in a dimly lit parking lot, slipped on a slick floor, or tripped over uneven pavement, it’s important to act quickly and seek legal guidance.

Navigating a premises liability case on your own is tough, especially when dealing with powerful corporations and their insurers. Support is available. With a Baltimore personal injury lawyer on your side, you can focus on healing while your attorney fights for the compensation you deserve.

Have you wondered how you will pay off your injury-related bills? Following harm in a MD shopping center, connect with the skilled legal team at Iamele & Iamele, LLP. It may be possible to hold a landlord or store owner liable. Contact us to book your confidential appointment.