WGK Personal Injury Lawyers | January 16, 2026 | Personal Injury

What Happens if a Handyman Gets Hurt on Your Property?

Hiring a handyman to fix a leaky faucet, repair a roof, or remodel part of your home is common. Most people assume the job will be quick and uneventful. But when a handyman gets hurt on your property, things can become complicated fast. 

Questions about liability, insurance, and responsibility often arise. The answers to these questions depend on how the injury happened and who was at fault. 

This article explains how Maryland law handles injuries to handymen, who may be liable, how compensation is pursued through insurance, what damages might apply, and how a personal injury lawyer can help. 

Who May Be Liable if a Handyman Gets Hurt on Your Property?

Liability depends on several factors, including the handyman’s legal status on your property, the cause of injury, and whether anyone acted negligently. 

Homeowner Liability 

Under Maryland law, a handyman is often considered a business invitee. That means: 

  • The homeowner owes a duty to keep the property reasonably safe 
  • The homeowner must warn about known hazards 
  • The homeowner must fix dangerous conditions that they should reasonably know about 

A homeowner may be liable if: 

  • They knew about a dangerous condition and did nothing 
  • They failed to warn the handyman of hidden hazards 
  • They created an unsafe situation 

Ultimately, whether a homeowner is legally responsible for a handyman’s injuries depends on the specific facts of the situation. 

Handyman Liability 

Sometimes the handyman’s own actions cause the injury. For example, the handyman may be responsible if they: 

  • Use tools improperly 
  • Ignore safety procedures 
  • Take unreasonable risks 

The handyman themself may bear some or all responsibility for the accident. Maryland follows a strict contributory negligence rule. If the injured person is even slightly at fault, they may be barred from recovering compensation. 

Third-Party Liability 

A third party may be responsible when someone else caused the danger, such as: 

  • A manufacturer of defective tools or equipment 
  • A contractor who left unsafe conditions 
  • A property management company 

In these cases, the injured handyman may pursue claims against those third parties. 

How Insurance May Apply 

Insurance often plays a major role when a handyman is injured. 

Homeowner’s Insurance 

A homeowner’s liability insurance may cover: 

However, coverage depends on: 

  • The policy terms 
  • Whether the handyman was considered an employee or an independent contractor 
  • Whether the injury resulted from the homeowner’s negligence 

In practice, insurance coverage will depend on how the policy defines covered injuries and relationships, as well as the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Handyman’s Insurance 

Some handymen carry their own: 

  • Liability insurance 
  • Workers’ compensation coverage (if they have employees) 

If the handyman is an employee of a company, workers’ compensation may apply first. 

How To Pursue Compensation

If a handyman is injured, compensation may be pursued by: 

  • Filing a claim with the homeowner’s insurance 
  • Filing a workers’ compensation claim 
  • Filing a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent party 

The path the plaintiff can choose will depend on: 

  • Who caused the injury 
  • The handyman’s employment status 
  • Whether negligence can be proven 

The appropriate method for pursuing compensation depends on the specific circumstances of the injury and the parties involved. 

What Types of Damages Might Apply? 

If a handyman can pursue a personal injury claim, damages may include economic and non-economic damages. 

Economic damages are measurable financial losses, such as: 

Non-economic damages compensate for the human impact of an accident, including: 

A lawyer can give you a better idea of what damages may apply. 

Common Reasons a Handyman Gets Hurt on Your Property

Handyman injuries often result from unsafe conditions or poor communication. Common causes include: 

  • Falls from ladders or roofs 
  • Slipping on wet or uneven surfaces 
  • Electrical shocks 
  • Tool or equipment malfunctions 
  • Falling objects 
  • Structural collapses 
  • Inadequate lighting 
  • Exposed hazards like holes or loose boards 

Many of these accidents are preventable with basic safety measures. 

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Cases involving injured handymen are rarely simple. Insurance companies often deny responsibility or blame the injured person. 

A personal injury lawyer can help by: 

  • Investigating how the injury occurred 
  • Identifying all responsible parties 
  • Reviewing insurance policies 
  • Preserving evidence 
  • Negotiating with insurers 
  • Filing lawsuits when necessary 

Homeowners facing these challenges often seek the help of a skilled attorney. A lawyer can help to ensure that liability is properly assigned when injuries occur during home or property work. 

When a handyman gets hurt on your property, the legal consequences depend on who caused the danger and whether anyone acted negligently. Understanding liability, insurance coverage, and legal options is essential for both homeowners and injured workers. 

If a handyman is injured on your property in Dundalk, Maryland, don’t hesitate to get legal help. Contact WGK Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. The proper legal guidance can make a major difference in resolving the situation fairly.  

For more information contact the Baltimore personal injury law firm of WGK Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation.

WGK Personal Injury Lawyers
14 W Madison St, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
(410) 837-2144

WGK Personal Injury Lawyers – Dundalk Office
7329 Holabird Ave Suite 3, Dundalk, MD 21222
By appointment only
(410) 970-3080