Who Is Liable For Accidents At A Maryland Apartment Complex?

Statistics indicate that around one-third of Americans lease their living space, though the exact figures vary by state. According to the US Census Bureau, over 32 percent of people in Maryland live in rented housing for several benefits. You can rely on your landlord for repairs and maintenance, many costs are worked into your rent, and you have access to a range of amenities. In exchange for paying rent, you expect that your apartment complex will be safe for you, your family, and your guests.

Despite this legal duty, many owners and operators fail to keep residential spaces free from foreseeable hazards. Accidents and criminal activity are more likely when they ignore their responsibilities, but Maryland law does provide legal relief for victims. These cases fall into a subcategory of personal injury cases, which an Owings Mills premises liability attorney can explain in more detail. You can also check out some important information on who is liable for accidents at an apartment complex.

Basics of Maryland Premises Liability Laws: The underlying theory of liability behind personal injury cases is negligence, and the elements are very specific for premises liability. To recover compensation, you must prove that an accident on the property happened because the owner did not exercise reasonable care to keep it safe. The classic example is a slip and fall, but victims can be hurt whenever property owners breach the duty of care.

Premises liability laws apply to owners of residential housing, including apartments, condos, single-family homes, HOA units, and many others. Based upon the lessor-lessee relationship, a tenant could hold a landlord accountable for accidents caused by:

• Failure to make repairs or correct hazards;
• Not conducting inspections to look for dangerous conditions in need of repair;
• Neglecting to put up warning signs when repairs cannot be arranged immediately; and,
• Inadequate security is the failure to implement appropriate security measures considering criminal activity.

Steps in the Legal Process: Apartment complex owners and operators carry liability insurance for victims of accidents on property, so you will first need to file an injury claim. Many claims settle with the insurance company, but keep in mind that they are protecting their bottom line during settlement negotiations. The insurer may offer a lowball amount, at which point you must go to court to enforce your rights. The litigation process includes court hearings, motions, discovery, depositions, and eventually the trial.

In a premises liability claim for an accident at an apartment building, damages for victims may include:

• Medical costs for treatment;
• Lost wages for missed work;
• Pain and suffering;
• Emotional distress; and,
• Many others.

Our Maryland Premises Liability Lawyers Will Take on Important Legal Tasks

While knowing these steps is helpful, you will need skilled legal representation to go after a negligent landlord or apartment complex owner. Our team at Furman | Honick Law is ready to assist, so please contact our offices in Owings Mills or Baltimore. You can set up a free case assessment by calling 410-844-6000 or visiting us online.

Source:

census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/MD/HCN010217