Summer 2021
Court Systems are Returning to the New Normal After COVID
By Jennifer A. King
The COVID-19 Pandemic and the judicial system’s response thereto has changed the way of civil litigation. Remote proceedings largely kept the judicial system running throughout the pandemic. These remote proceedings combined with permissible electronic signatures and widespread use of electronic filing has increased the efficiency of the judicial system. Although…
Recent Developments - Maryland
Maryland High Court May Get New Name
Unlike 48 of her sister states, Maryland’s highest court is not called a “Supreme Court.” Rather, since colonial times, Maryland’s highest court has been known as the “Court of Appeals.” That will change if voters approve a proposed amendment to the state constitution in November 2022 to change the name…
Maryland Court Tosses $20M Jury Verdict for Breach of Nondisclosure Agreement
The Maryland Court of Special Appeals recently considered the evidence that must be proven in order to support an award for damages for breach of a nondisclosure agreement (NDA). In Adcor Industries, Inc. v. Beretta U.S.A. Corp., gun manufacturer Beretta was interested in producing its own version of the M-16…
Store Not Responsible for Injury Caused by Deliveryman
In Giant of Maryland LLC v. Webb, the plaintiff filed suit against a supermarket operator, Giant Food, for injuries she allegedly sustained when she was hit by a cart being pushed by a deliveryman. 249 Md. App. 545 (February 25, 2021). It was later determined that the deliveryman was employed…
Recent Developments - Virginia
New Laws Coming Down the Pike
Senate Bill 1241, “Personal Injury Claim: Disclosure of Insurance Policy Limits,” was signed by the Governor and went into effect July 1, 2021. The new law changes the insurance policy limit disclosure requirement. Previously, the requirement applied to an alleged tortfeasor who was convicted of the offense of driving under…
Recent Developments - District of Columbia
A Judgment Creditor is Entitled to the Same Financial and Legal Rights as the Judgment Debtor Under an Automobile Liability Insurance Policy
This case arises from a claim filed against Defendants, Asals & Nationwide, for negligently striking and killing a pedestrian in Northwest D.C. In this case, the trial court entered a directed verdict as to the issues of negligence and contributory negligence, and a jury awarded the Estate of George F.…
About the Firm
About the Firm
DeCaro Doran is very pleased to announce that Steven C. Bergeron and Elaine R. Wilford have both joined the firm as Of Counsel. Steve Bergeron received his undergraduate degree from Ithaca College and his law degree at the American University School of Law. He is originally from upstate New York…