Maryland Personal Injury Laws
Maryland retains the harsh contributory negligence doctrine, meaning any fault on the plaintiff's part — even 1% — bars recovery entirely. The state caps non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases (currently around $890,000, adjusted annually). Despite the contributory negligence rule, Maryland's proximity to Baltimore and Washington D.C. fuels a robust personal injury litigation market.
Statute of Limitations
3 years
Fault Rule
Contributory Negligence
Non-Economic Damages Cap
No Cap
Fault Rule: Contributory Negligence
If you are even 1% at fault for your injury, you are completely barred from recovering any damages. This is the strictest fault rule in the country.
Average Settlement Amounts in Maryland
Settlement amounts vary based on injury severity, liability, and other factors. Below are estimated average settlements for common injury types in Maryland.
| Injury Type | Average Settlement |
|---|---|
| Car Accident | $21,000 |
| Slip and Fall | $17,000 |
| Dog Bite | $31,000 |
Key Maryland Personal Injury Statutes
- •Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101 (statute of limitations)
- •Harrison v. Montgomery Cnty. Bd. of Educ. (contributory negligence doctrine)
- •Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-2A-09 (med mal non-economic cap)
Damage Caps in Maryland
Maryland does not impose a general cap on non-economic damages in personal injury cases. This means there is no statutory limit on pain and suffering awards in most cases.
For medical malpractice cases specifically, Maryland caps damages at $890,000.
Injury Claims in Maryland
Learn more about specific injury types and how Maryland law applies to each.
Major Cities in Maryland
Personal injury attorneys in Maryland serve clients in Baltimore, Columbia, Germantown, Silver Spring, Waldorf, and surrounding areas. If you have been injured in any of these cities, the same state laws described above apply to your claim.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed personal injury attorney in your state.