After being the victim of an unexpected accident which has caused long term, or short term, suffering many people want to be compensated. They want justice for the pain that they have suffered and any money that they have lost as a result of being unable to work. While running to a personal injury lawyer in Maryland might be your first thought it is important to think things through. The laws in Maryland for personal injury can be unforgiving if you are not careful.
| Maryland Personal Injury Laws | |
|
Statute of Limitations |
3 Years |
| Damages Recoverable | Lost wages, cost of household help, future earning ability, medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering |
| Strict Liability | Product manufacturer may be liable for injuries caused by a consumer product |
| Joint Liability | Each defendant liable for percent of damages as determined by court |
| Contributory Negligence | Pure Contributory Negligence: If plaintiff is found even partly at fault, no damages will be awarded |
It is important that you take some time to plan out exactly what you want to do and what you hope to accomplish. Write down what occurred and your reasons for believing that you deserve to be compensated. Try to determine how much money you have lost because of your injury and any emotional suffering you or your family might have gone through. Be honest and be realistic.
Being honest is probably one of the most important parts of preparing any claim in the state of Maryland. Think about the entire events that surrounded your injury. Was there absolutely anything that you could have done differently? Did you do anything that seriously contributed to your own injury?
In many personal injury situations the victim is just that, a victim. In others the injured person was nearly as careless as the ones who did most of the damage. While some states will make certain allowances Maryland is extremely strict and keeps to the pure form of contributory negligence. If you are found to have contributed in any way to your own injury then you will not be able to receive compensation at all. Keep this in mind when you are getting ready to file in order to save time and avoid embarrassment.
In many states there is only a very small window of time to file a lawsuit for personal injury and negligence. Maryland is one of the few states that actually give the injured party three years to file a lawsuit. This will give you time to decide whether or not you want to file a claim, and it will also give your lawyer time to work out a settlement arrangement for you. If, after two years, you have been unable to get a reasonable settlement offer then you should file a lawsuit to avoid going past the statute of limitation.
For more information about your specific case, contact a Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer.