Legal news for Maryland Premises Liability attorneys–Firefighters rescue pedestrian who fell through metal grate on Calvert Street in Baltimore, Maryland.
Baltimore, MD (NewYorkInjuryNews.com) – Baltimore firefighters rescued a pedestrian who was walking on the downtown side walk, when he fell 15 feet into the ground when the metal grate gave way on Tuesday morning, October 27, 2009, announced the Baltimore Sun.
The area was taped off while firefighters worked to pull the man up from out of the hole between Saratoga Street and N. Calvert Street, reported Fire Chief Kevin Cartwright.
The injured pedestrian was identified as 29-year-old Thomas Harrison, who was trapped beneath the sidewalk 15-feet below before fire rescue officials rescued him after a half an hour. Emergency medical services (EMS) transported Thomas to Maryland Shock Trauma Center to be treated by doctors and nurses.
The Fire Chief said that the man appeared to not be in life-threatening condition. Thomas was just walking across the grate when it collapsed, and Thomas plummeted to the ground. Amazingly, Thomas was released from the hospital after treatment, which was announced by a Shock Trauma official.
Police were not aware of what made the grate collapse. Officials reported that the building owner on 225 N. Calvert Street was the one responsible for repairing the front of the building including the grate. Official investigators reported that the grate was more than 30 years-old dating back to 1967. The building owner of Calvert Parking Corp. was given a permit to put in place a private structure where people had the right of way. The permit has no maintenance requirements.
Baltimore Department of General Services spokeswoman Cathy Powell, said that if there is a new building owner, the permit still applies and it automatically transferred and renewed. The renewed permit contract covers Baltimore City in any case when a person might suffer an injury. Therefore, the owner is solely responsible.
The representative for the property management corporation, Jones Lang LaSalle, declined to comment about the injury. The investigation continues.
Bridget Hom
www.NewYorkInjuryNews.com