The Maryland personal injury attorneys at Penn Law Firm represent victims and their families in injury and negligence lawsuits. We fight on behalf of our injured clients to get them the best possible result based on their individual needs. Sometimes that means fighting a case all the way to trial, and sometimes that means negotiating a fair and quick settlement.
The lawyers at Penn Law Firm have extensive experience in personal injury litigation. What separates us from other personal injury firms is our direct, hands on approach to client representation. Many personal injury firms are like factories where clients get minimal personal attention and little or no direct communication or interaction with the actual attorneys. At Penn Law Firm, our lawyers work directly with clients through every step of the process. We keep out clients updated and informed on the status of their case and we give them the final say in what happens next.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle
The personal injury attorneys at Penn Law Firm handle all type of injury and death cases as long as there is a viable opportunity to get compensation. We handle everything from complex medical malpractice cases to simple auto accident and “slip and fall” lawsuits. Below is a brief summary of the various types of personal injury cases that we handle.
Medical Malpractice
We represent victims of medical malpractice in lawsuits against doctors, nurses, hospitals, nursing homes and all other types of licensed health providers. Common types of medical negligence include failure to diagnose (or delay in diagnosing), surgical errors, medication mistakes, and birth injuries.
Premises Liability
Premises liability lawsuits can be filed against a business or property owner when a visitor or customer is seriously injured on the property due to some unsafe condition. The most common example of a premises liability case is a “slip and fall” lawsuit where a customer slips and injures themselves on a wet floor. Premises liability cases can also be based on negligent security, where a guest is raped or assaulted due to a lack of adequate security on the premises.
Sex Abuse Lawsuits
Victims of sexual abuse or sexual assault can file civil lawsuits and get monetary compensation. Sex abuse lawsuits can be filed not just against the individual who committed the sexual assault, but also against companies, schools, churches, or organizations that enabled the abuse to occur. A new law in Maryland has lifted the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits involving child sex abuse. This means that abuse victims can sue the church, school or other organization for abuse that occurred decades ago.
Auto Accidents
The Maryland injury lawyers at our firm handle represent victims who have been seriously injured in car accidents and truck accidents that were caused by the other driver’s negligence. Anyone who suffered physical injuries in an auto accident can file a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver and get financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering resulting from the accident. Our injury lawyers can help you get the maximum financial settlement for your auto accident case.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
When someone dies as a result of negligence, their surviving family members can bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible parties and get financial compensation for the loss of their loved one. Wrongful death cases can be based on auto accident, medical malpractice, premises liability, product liability, and other types of negligence. Wrongful death lawsuits can also be brought when someone is intentionally killed.
Nursing Home Negligence
Nursing homes are notorious for negligent care resulting in injuries and premature death of elderly residents. Our firm regularly handles lawsuits against negligent nursing homes who fail to provide adequate care for residents, resulting in serious injuries. If you or a family member was the victim of nursing home negligence (or abuse), you may be able to get financial compensation from the nursing home.
Sexual Harassment
Our lawyers also handle wrongful termination and sexual harassment lawsuits. If you were fired or forced to leave your job because you were the victim of sexual harassment or because of gender or racial discrimination, you may be able to bring a wrongful termination lawsuit against your former employer and get financial compensation.
Injury Settlement Payouts
The potential settlement value of a personal injury lawsuit in Maryland depends on a variety of different factors. Assuming the defendant’s liability can be proven, the most significant factor that determines the settlement value of a personal injury case is the severity of the plaintiff’s injuries. Cases involving more serious physical injuries have a much higher value. The table shows the general settlement value range for personal injury cases in Maryland based on injury level.
| INJURY LEVEL | AVG. SETTLEMENT |
|---|---|
| LEVEL I (Minor) | $17,500 – $29,000 |
| LEVEL II (Moderate) | $46,000 – $134,000 |
| LEVEL III (Severe) | $180,000 – $520,000 |
How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit?
The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Maryland is 3 years. In most cases, the 3 year limitation period begins to run from the date that the accident or injury occurs. For example, in a car accident injury case, the 3 year SOL period begins to run from the date of the accident. So if you get in an accident on January 1, 2023 you would have until January 1, 2026 file a lawsuit. In more complicated types of injury cases (such as medical malpractice lawsuits) Maryland follows the so-called “discovery rule” for determining when the 3-year SOL period begins. Under this rule, the 3-years does not necessarily begin when the injury or accident occurs. Rather, the SOL period does not start to run until the plaintiff knew or should have discovered that they had a potential claim.
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Maryland personal injury attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. This fee arrangement hinges on the case’s outcome, be it successful or unsuccessful. If the case results in a financial recovery—money secured through a settlement or court order—the lawyer receives a percentage as their fee. Conversely, if there’s no financial recovery (a zero verdict), the client isn’t obligated to pay the attorney for their services or the firm’s expenses.
The standard contingency fee in the legal industry for personal injury cases typically amounts to 33% in settlements and 40% if a lawsuit is filed. You might wonder why the fee increases when a lawsuit is involved. The reason is that litigating a case demands more time and effort from the law firm. This may involve legal motions, complaints, hiring experts, depositions, accident reconstruction, and the duration needed to present the case before a judge or jury.
For instance, if a law firm secures $100,000 in a settlement, the legal fee will be 33%, amounting to $33,000, leaving the injured client with $67,000. However, if a lawsuit is necessary, resulting in a similar recovery, the legal fee would be 40%, equating to $40,000, and the client would receive $60,000.
Evidence to Collect in Personal Injury Cases
If you are thinking about bringing a personal injury lawsuit you will need to be prepared to gather and present evidence to support your allegations. Evidence plays a crucial role in proving fault and assessing the extent of your damages. If you have some evidence up front, it also helps our Maryland personal injury lawyers asses whether you have a valid case. Good personal injury cases that result in decent financial settlements always require some level of evidence. Below is a list of the types of evidence you should try to collect in a personal injury case.
ACCIDENT REPORTS
After an incident leading to an injury, an accident report might be generated, such as a police report for a car accident or an incident report filed in a business setting. These reports contain crucial information that could be instrumental in demonstrating another person’s negligence.
Generally, an accident report includes the names of involved individuals, witness details, and a narrative describing the event. If you possess a copy of your accident report, we encourage you to bring it when you meet with one of our Maryland personal injury attorneys. If you don’t have a copy, we’ll assist you in obtaining one.
MEDICAL RECORDS
To get compensation for your injuries in a personal injury claim, having medical documentation detailing the type and severity of your injuries is crucial. These records substantiate the nature and extent of your injury, offering insights such as your doctor’s prognosis and the anticipated duration of recovery.
Nevertheless, your medical history might have implications for your case. Insurance providers and defense attorneys often review your medical background to ascertain any pre-existing conditions. A proficient personal injury attorney will strive to safeguard your privacy and restrict access to specific medical records.
PICTURES OR VIDEOS
Pictures or videos can sometimes be extremely valuable forms of evidence, especially in cases involving accidents. Visual evidence holds considerable sway. Having photographs of an accident taken immediately afterward could offer crucial details for your case.
Sometimes, accident victims can take pictures using their phones or other devices. Additionally, there might be traffic or surveillance cameras nearby that captured the incident. To preserve any video evidence, it’s important to contact an attorney promptly before it gets erased.
MEDICAL BILLS
Establishing that you’ve sustained an injury is only one aspect of the process. Seeking compensation for medical expenses and associated costs is equally important. Hence, it’s vital to collect all your medical bills, statements, and relevant records connected to your care. This encompasses transportation expenses incurred for traveling to and from medical appointments.