Baltimore County Personal Injury Lawyer
A sudden and unexpected injury stemming from a preventable accident seriously disrupts your life. In some cases, you might quickly recover and get back to work and on with your life within a few days. However, an accident can often require months of recovery and, in some cases, your life may not ever return to how it was before the accident.
The Baltimore County personal injury lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen recognize the impact that accidents can have on our clients, which is why we aggressively pursue maximum compensation on behalf of accident victims through strategic settlement negotiations and litigation. We offer free consultations to all prospective clients, during which we will answer your questions, explain the recovery process, and outline your rights. That way, you know your options and what you need to do to enforce your rights.
Baltimore County Personal Injury Cases
A personal injury case is a civil claim brought by an accident victim against the person or entity that they believe is responsible for the accident causing their injuries. In Baltimore County, these cases usually start off with a letter drafted by a Baltimore County personal injury lawyer, asking the responsible party to offer fair compensation for the victim’s economic and non-economic damages. This begins the negotiation process. However, if negotiations do not end in an agreed-upon settlement, your lawyer will file a lawsuit in the Baltimore County Circuit Court.
What Types of Accidents Qualify for a Personal Injury Case?
You can pursue a personal injury lawsuit after any type of accident, such as motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, construction site injuries, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, nursing home abuse or neglect, medical malpractice or even when you’re hurt due to a dangerous or defective product.
How to Prove a Personal Injury Claim in Baltimore
Proving liability in a Baltimore County personal injury lawsuit requires you to establish the four elements of “negligence.” In this context, negligence has a specific legal meaning, which is made up of four elements.
- Duty – The other party owed you a duty of care.
- Breach – The other party violated the duty they owed to you.
- Causation – The other party’s actions resulted in (or contributed to) your injuries.
- Damages – You suffered economic or non-economic damages.
What Damages Are Available Through a Baltimore County Personal Injury Lawsuit?
If you are successful in bringing a personal injury claim in Baltimore, you can recover compensation for your economic and non-economic damages, which may include amounts for the following:
- Past and future medical expenses,
- Past and future lost wages,
- Property damage,
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress, and
- Loss of or damage to familial relationships.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Case in Baltimore, MD?
Under Maryland’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. In cases where the date of injury isn’t clear, such as medical malpractice claims, you may have three years from the date you discovered your injury. However, as a general matter, it is best to consult with an experienced Baltimore County personal injury attorney as soon as possible. This increases the likelihood that your attorney will be able to locate all of the evidence you’ll need to establish your claim.
Types of Cases We Handle
A Baltimore County personal injury lawyer at Lebowitz & Mzhen can help you with just about any kind of personal injury claim imaginable. Some of the cases we handle most often include the following:
Motor Vehicle Collisions
Motor vehicle collisions, including car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents, are among the most common types of personal injury cases. In large part, this is because more people are injured in Baltimore County car accidents than just about any other type of accident. For example, in 2022, there were a total of 20,534 vehicle collisions in Baltimore County. Resulting in 4,405 injuries and 63 deaths.[1]
Motor vehicle collisions in Baltimore County happen for many different reasons; however, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation, the most common causes of accidents include speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. For example, in 2022, there were 764 DUI accidents in Baltimore County, 32% of which resulted in serious injury to at least one person.[2]
Slip and Falls
Falls are the leading cause of injury and death among Baltimore County residents aged 65 and older. In fact, Baltimore’s rate of fall injuries is 13 percent higher than the national average. Falls can occur in a number of ways and do not only affect older residents. For example, it’s common for falls to happen in grocery stores, shopping malls, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, schools and workplaces.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Studies show that nearly 10% of nursing home residents suffer from abuse or neglect. However, many cases of nursing home abuse and neglect go unreported, often due to the residents’ vulnerability and fear of retaliation. Thus, the actual figures of maltreatment are likely significantly higher. Often, nursing home abuse and neglect involve insufficient staffing, inadequate training, and poor oversight.
Nursing home abuse can include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, neglect is the most common type of elder abuse in nursing homes.
In Baltimore County, where nearly 19 percent of the population is over the age of 65, nursing home neglect and abuse are common. Below are a few of the many nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Baltimore County:
- Autumn Lake Healthcare at Homewood Center
- Autumn Lake Healthcare at Loch Raven
- Autumn Lake Healthcare at Loch Raven
- Cheryl’s Place Assisted Living
- Complete Care at Multi-Medical Center
- Esther’s Place at The Park Assisted Living
- God’s Way Only Assisted Living
- Hands Full at Love Assisted Living
- Inspirations Bayside Assisted Living & Memory Care
- Orchard Hill Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
- ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice lawsuits are civil claims against healthcare professionals or institutions for harm caused by negligent medical care. These cases arise when a healthcare provider deviates from the accepted standards of practice in the medical community, leading to a patient’s injury or death. Under Maryland law, a patient must prove that the healthcare provider owed them a duty of care, breached this duty by acting negligently, and that this breach directly caused their injury.
Maryland law requires expert testimony to establish the standard of care and show how it was breached. Additionally, there are specific procedural requirements, such as filing a claim with the Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office before going to court. Maryland also imposes a cap on non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, in medical malpractice cases, which is adjusted annually.
Medical malpractice occurs on a daily basis, even in some of the most well-respected institutions. Some of the largest medical facilities in Baltimore County include:
- Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital
- Baltimore Medical System
- Johns Hopkins Hospital
- MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital
- Medstar Harbor Hospital
- Medstar Union Memorial Hospital
- Mercy Medical Center
- Sinai Hospital
- UMMC Midtown Campus
Of course, instances of medical malpractice can also occur at smaller providers’ offices, as well, such as dental practices, physical therapy centers, and primary care providers.
Wrongful Death
In Maryland, if you lose a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Baltimore County wrongful death cases can be filed by immediate family members such as spouses, parents, or children of the deceased. These cases allow you, as a surviving family member, to seek compensation for your loss.
In a wrongful death claim, you may seek damages for a variety of losses, including lost wages, loss of companionship, emotional distress, and funeral expenses. It’s important to note that Maryland law imposes a statute of limitations, typically three years from the date of the death, within which you must file your claim. The success of a wrongful death claim hinges on proving that the death was caused by the wrongful act or negligence of another party. Seeking the guidance of an experienced attorney can be crucial in navigating the complexities of such a case.
While you can pursue a wrongful death claim after any accident, some of the most common types of wrongful death claims include those involving:
- Car accidents,
- Truck crashes,
- Motorcycle collisions,
- Pedestrian and bicyclist accidents,
- Falls,
- Incidents of medical malpractice and
- Nursing home abuse or neglect.
Speak With a Baltimore County Personal Injury Attorney About Your Injuries Today
If you or a loved one recently suffered serious injuries in a preventable accident, the dedicated Baltimore injury lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen are here to help. With more than 25 years of experience investigating, negotiating, and litigating all types of personal injury cases, we know what it takes to ensure your case receives the attention it deserves. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with one of our Baltimore County personal injury lawyers, give Lebowitz & Mzhen a call at 800-654-1949. You can also connect with us through our secure online contact form.