Partner Allan M. Siegel obtained over $1.9 million for individuals injured in premises liability cases in 2025. A premises liability case arises when an individual is injured as a result of a dangerous condition on a person’s or business’s property. These cases may also involve injuries that occur on public land owned by the United States or by a state, city, or county government.
Common examples of premises liability cases include ice that was not properly removed by a landowner; defective sidewalk or parking lot conditions; defective store displays; loose carpeting in public spaces; and the failure to provide adequate handrails in violation of building codes. Each of these examples reflects real cases in which Mr. Siegel successfully obtained settlements in 2025.
Premises liability cases are particularly challenging in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia because all three jurisdictions apply the doctrine of contributory negligence. Only four states—and the District of Columbia—still follow this rule, with the other two states being North Carolina and Alabama. Under contributory negligence law, if a property owner can prove that an injured person was even 1% at fault, the injured party is barred from any recovery.
This stands in contrast to states that apply comparative negligence laws. Under comparative negligence, an injured person may still recover damages even if they share some responsibility for the incident, though the recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if an injured party is found to be 25% at fault, they may still recover 75% of the verdict.
Because contributory negligence presents such significant legal hurdles, many lawyers in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia decline to take premises liability cases. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has always been willing to take on these difficult cases and has been highly successful in securing fair recoveries for clients, as demonstrated by Mr. Siegel’s results in 2025.
These issues are especially important as winter approaches. Snowstorms, ice storms, and freezing rain can cause sidewalks, parking lots, and other walking surfaces to become hazardous. Even days after a storm, melting and refreezing snow or ice can create treacherous conditions that are often preventable. Falls resulting from these conditions frequently cause life-altering injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and spinal injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a fall, please contact our office for a free consultation.
