Maryland Premises Liability Law and How to Pursue a Claim for Compensation

A slip and fall on a wet floor in a Prince George’s County grocery store, a trip over a broken sidewalk in Hyattsville, or a fall on an icy parking lot in Bowie can produce injuries that are far more serious than most people expect — fractured hips, traumatic brain injuries, herniated discs, and torn ligaments. Maryland premises liability law allows injured people to pursue compensation from the property owner or business that failed to maintain safe conditions, but these cases carry specific legal requirements that make early legal guidance important. Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers handles slip and fall and premises liability claims throughout Prince George’s County and Maryland, with over $90 million recovered for injured clients since 1996.

What Is Premises Liability in Maryland?

Premises liability is the legal principle that holds property owners and occupiers responsible for injuries caused by dangerous conditions on their property. In Maryland, the duty of care a property owner owes depends on the legal status of the person who was injured: invitee, licensee, or trespasser. Most slip and fall accident victims — customers in stores, visitors in office buildings, tenants in apartment complexes — are classified as invitees, to whom the property owner owes the highest duty of care.

Under Maryland common law, a property owner must inspect the premises for hazards, repair known dangerous conditions within a reasonable time, and warn invitees of hazards that are not immediately obvious. A failure to meet any of these obligations can establish negligence in a slip and fall case filed in Prince George’s County Circuit Court.

What Must You Prove in a Maryland Slip and Fall Case?

To succeed in a slip and fall premises liability claim in Maryland, the injured person must prove four elements by a preponderance of the evidence.

1. The property owner owed a duty of care. For invitees (customers, clients, tenants), the owner must maintain reasonably safe conditions and warn of known hazards.
2. The property owner breached that duty. The owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn visitors. Maryland courts evaluate whether the hazard existed long enough that a reasonable property owner would have discovered and addressed it.
3. The breach caused your injury. The dangerous condition — a wet floor, uneven surface, broken handrail, inadequate lighting — directly caused you to fall.
4. You suffered actual damages. You incurred medical expenses, lost wages, pain, or other compensable losses as a result of the fall.

The second element — proving the owner knew or should have known about the hazard — is often the most contested issue in Maryland slip and fall litigation. Maintenance logs, inspection schedules, surveillance footage, and prior incident reports can all serve as evidence that the property owner was aware of the danger.

How Does Contributory Negligence Apply to Slip and Fall Cases?

Maryland’s contributory negligence rule applies to premises liability cases just as it does to motor vehicle accidents. If the property owner’s insurance company can demonstrate that you were even partially at fault for the fall — by texting while walking, wearing inappropriate footwear, or ignoring a visible warning sign — your claim can be barred entirely under Maryland common law.

Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers approaches every slip and fall case with the understanding that the defense will attempt to shift blame to the injured person. The firm documents conditions at the accident scene, secures surveillance footage before it is deleted, and builds a factual record that demonstrates the property owner’s failure — not the victim’s conduct — caused the injury. Contact Lebowitz & Mzhen to discuss the circumstances of your fall.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Slip and Fall in Maryland?

The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim based on a slip and fall accident in Maryland is three years from the date of the fall under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101. Filing after this deadline typically results in the court dismissing the case.

Evidence in slip and fall cases is especially time-sensitive. Surveillance video from a Prince George’s County shopping center, apartment complex, or restaurant parking lot is often overwritten within days or weeks. Maintenance records may be altered or discarded. The sooner an attorney sends a preservation letter to the property owner, the more evidence remains available to support the claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue a store for a slip and fall in Prince George’s County?

Yes. If a store’s negligence caused the dangerous condition — such as a spill that was not cleaned up, a wet floor without a warning sign, or a broken tile that was not repaired — the store can be held liable for your injuries. You would need to prove that the store knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to address it.

What if I fell on a sidewalk outside a business?

In Prince George’s County, the responsibility for sidewalk maintenance may fall on the adjacent property owner, the business tenant, or the county government, depending on the location and local ordinances. An attorney can investigate ownership records and maintenance responsibilities to determine who is liable for the condition that caused your fall.

Are apartment complexes liable for slip and fall injuries in Maryland?

Apartment complex owners and property management companies have a duty to maintain common areas — stairwells, hallways, parking lots, walkways, and laundry rooms — in a reasonably safe condition. If you fell due to a hazard in a common area of a Prince George’s County apartment complex, the landlord or management company may be liable for your injuries.

Talk to a Prince George’s County Premises Liability Attorney

Slip and fall injuries can result in surgery, months of rehabilitation, and permanent limitations that affect your ability to work and enjoy daily life. The Prince George’s County injury attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have been handling premises liability cases in Maryland for nearly three decades. Both founding partners are recognized in the National Association of Distinguished Counsel’s Top One Percent and hold dual AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell — the highest peer-review rating available. Attorney Sean Harding brings prior insurance defense experience that gives the firm insight into how property owners and their insurers build their cases. Call (800) 654-1949 or contact the firm online for a free consultation. No fees unless you win.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is evaluated on its own facts and applicable law.