Premises Liability

DeCaro, Doran consists of many experienced attorneys who possess more than thirty five years of experience defending the interests of business owners in actions where a patron has been injured on their premises.  Whether a patron claims to have sustained serious injury as a result of slipping/tripping and falling, falling merchandise or other defective condition on the premises, or the selling of defective merchandise or food product, our attorneys are well-versed in premises liability law and have built a reputation of successfully protecting the interests of shop owners. Our attorneys are regularly invited to lecture throughout the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. region on premises liability issues. Additionally, our attorneys are skilled in defending commercial establishments in claims of false arrest and false imprisonment by patrons. 

Dram Shop Liability

The State of Maryland does not recognize dram shop liability.  Specifically, the Court of Appeals has concluded “that a restaurant or tavern owner has no duty to protect the general public from the actions of its patrons.”  However, dram shop law does exist in the District of Columbia, creating significant exposure to owners and operators of restaurants and bars.  Over the past twenty years, partner, Christopher R. Dunn, has successfully defended restaurant establishments, bar owners, and other public and private venues serving alcohol in actions that have been brought by individuals who are harmed by a third party.  Our attorneys regularly handle cases involving: 

• Slip/Trip and Fall
• False Arrest
• Malicious Prosecution
• Falling Merchandise
• Dram Shop Liability
• Bed Bug Claims
• Social Host Liability