Can you sue the city of Baltimore for a sidewalk slip and fall?
Slipping and falling on a sidewalk is on one hand embarrassing and the other something could potentially cause some serious injuries. During the winter months especially sidewalks can be disaster areas for those trying to simply walk to their cars. Those who are unfortunate enough to suffer an accident could suffer back injuries, broken bones, and other potentially serious injuries. Can you sue the city of Baltimore for a sidewalk slip and fall though? With the guidance of the law offices of Nick Del Pizzo, a personal injury lawyer in Dundalk, we can take a closer look.
Answering The Question: Can you sue the city of Baltimore for a sidewalk slip and fall?
Whom do you sue for Injuries on a Sidewalk?
When you slip and fall because of dangerous surfaces, or other dangers on the ground or floor, the property owner is often responsible. Property owners all over Baltimore owe guests to their property a duty to repair hidden dangers and clean up surfaces to prevent injuries. On a sidewalk, you might think the City of Baltimore is responsible for clearing snow, but the owner or operator of the building next to the sidewalk is actually the person responsible for keeping the surface safe in many instances.
When you are injured outside a house or business because you slipped and fell on a snowy or icy sidewalk, it is usually the homeowner or business owner who is responsible, not the City of Baltimore.
Can you sue the city of Baltimore for icy sidewalks?
Some sidewalks are in odd places where there is no building precisely next to the sidewalk. In these locations, it often is the city that ends up taking responsibility for shoveling and plowing. However, this doesn’t mean you can sue the government of the city of Baltimore for your injuries. Even if you can, you may be limited in how much you can recover.
Typically, governments cannot be sued for things that they do wrong unless they have explicitly allowed the lawsuits by writing laws or ordinances to allow the suit.
Even if the government would be the right party to sue, the case might run into some problems because governments in Maryland (state and local) place caps on how much you can claim in damages in lawsuits against the government. There may also be other procedural limitations and requirements our attorney can help you meet to file your case.
About The Law Offices of Nicholas J Del Pizzo
At The Law Offices of Nicholas J. Del Pizzo, III P.A. in Baltimore, Maryland, we make ourselves available for our clients when they are facing foreclosure of their home, bankruptcy, personal injury or medical malpractice. When you have a consultation at our law office, you meet with Nick Del Pizzo, a Baltimore lawyer, the founder of our firm. Your case is not passed off to a paralegal or less-experienced associate. You get the personalized attention you need from a local law firm. Whatever your legal need is, we are there for you, seven days a week. Your case becomes our cause, and we will seek the best resolution possible.
Ready to Speak to an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer in Baltimore?
Have you or a loved one been hurt due to someone else’s negligence? Contact The Law Offices of Nicholas J Del Pizzo. As your personal injury lawyer in Baltimore, you will be working with an experienced and dedicated attorney who recognizes that people have legal needs that simply do not coincide with regular business hours. We will work hard to ensure that you recover fair compensation for your car accident, medical expenses, lost wages, or benefits associated with your injury.