Winter 2015
Do the Liability Limits of Foreign Motor Vehicle Insurance Policies “Deem Up” in Maryland?
By Mark A. Kohl
Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Act provides for minimum limits of $15,000 for third-party property damage and $30,000 (per person)/$60,000 (per occurrence) for liability coverage. Maryland, Transportation Code, §17-103(b). These limits clearly apply when a policy is sold, issued, or delivered in Maryland. Maryland Code, Insurance, §19-504. However, the available…
Recent Developments - Maryland
Hiob, et al. v. Progressive American Insurance Company, et al.
This case considered when a final judgment occurs that would start the 30-day clock for filing a notice of appeal. In this case, there were multiple plaintiffs and defendants. All of the plaintiffs had claims against one defendant, but that defendant was awarded summary judgment in October 2009 as to…
Asphalt & Concrete Services, Inc. v. Perry
Morgan Perry was struck by a dump truck and suffered significant injuries. He sued the driver, the owner of the dump truck, and Asphalt & Concrete Services, Inc. (“ACS”). The dump truck was carrying materials on behalf of ACS at the time of the accident. The driver did not have…
State v. Joseph William Payne & Jason Bond
During a murder investigation, detectives recovered a scrap of paper from the bedroom of the victim, Glen Stewart, containing two names and associated phone numbers. From one of those names and the related phone records, detectives identified numbers associated with other people, including the two defendants in this case. This…
Recent Developments - Virginia
Lasley v. Hylton
A social host does not breach the duty of care in allowing a minor to participate in a dangerous activity if the minor’s parent is present, supervising the activity, and the potential danger is open and obvious. In this case, the minor Plaintiff was a social guest who was riding…
Fiorucci v. Chinn
The Supreme Court of Virginia held that a patient’s awareness of the risks involved in a dental procedure was not a defense to a dental procedure negligently performed. As such, informed consent was neither relevant nor material to the standard of care. Plaintiff had been referred to the Defendant health…
Hyundai Motor Co. v. Duncan
In this case, involving allegations that the placement of an airbag sensor was unreasonably dangerous, the lack of a foundation for expert opinion testimony resulted in reversal of a jury verdict in favor of the plaintiff/motorist. The Plaintiff, Zachary Gage Duncan, alleged through his guardian and conservator that he sustained…
Recent Developments - District of Columbia
Robinson v. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
Robinson sued WMATA, alleging that its driver’s negligent operation of the bus caused her injury. Robinson boarded the bus and was still standing when the bus approached the next stop sign. When the bus decelerated, she lost her grip on a handrail and fell, injuring her back. Robinson’s basis for…
Night and Day Management, LLC v. Butler
While in the VIP section of Fur Factory Nightclub, one of the Plaintiffs knocked over a bottle of vodka belonging to another patron and an altercation ensued. Plaintiffs filed suit against Night and Day Management, LLC, the owner of Fur Factory Nightclub, and its principal, claiming that the nightclub was…
Did You Know...
Electronic Filing Rolled Out in Maryland
Although Baltimore City Circuit Court has used an electronic filing system for the asbestos docket for a number of years, all other matters have used a paper filing system from the dawn of time. That is now changing. The Maryland Electronic Court (“MDEC”), which made its debut in Anne Arundel…
About the Firm
About the Firm
The Partnership is pleased to announce that James S. Liskow is the newest partner at DeCaro, Doran, Siciliano, Gallagher & DeBlasis.James started with the firm in 2007 as an associate attorney. Prior to joining the firm, James served as a law clerk to the Maryland Office of the Public Defender,…