Legal Question in Personal Injury in Maryland

Hand in urine at local store fitting room

While trying on clothes at the local 'mart' I placed my hand and personal property on the bench where somone had urinated on. Spoke with a nurse and she said that even though urine is usually sterile, disease such as hep. c can be passed through. She asked if I had any open wounds or cuts in which I do have a small cat scratch on my right hand. What are my rights?


Asked on 6/26/01, 8:56 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

Re: Hand in urine at local store fitting room

Merchants have a duty to their customers to use reasonable care to keep their establishments clean and safe for patrons. This means that they must clean and repair problems that they are aware of and those they should be aware of if they inspect the premises with regularity. The problem with your scenario is that you don't know when the problem developed and how long the urine had been on the bench when you happened upon it. Unless you can prove that the condition had existed for any appreciable period of time and that the people responsible for maintaining the area had an opportunity to take care of it and failed to do so, the store has no legal liability.

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Answered on 7/02/01, 5:16 pm


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