Maryland is one of the smallest states in the US and it ranks 16th amongst the states in the US for number of asbestos mesothelioma lawsuits filed.
Maryland courts and legal system tend to favor the plaintiffs in the asbestos related suits, about 9 of twelve recent cases decided in favor of the plaintiff, and about 5 of them getting verdicts of 1 million dollars and above.
Determination of Liability
Courts in Maryland adopt a pure contributory negligence system to determine Liability. Under this system, a plaintiff is not allowed to get compensation if it is determined that they contributed to their own injury in any way whatsoever.
Thus, if a jury determines that a plaintiff's own negligence contributed to his or her injuries in any way, even if it is only 1% of the fault, the plaintiff {asbestos victim} will not get any compensation for his or her injuries.
Maryland legal system also makes their courts to adopt the common law doctrine of joint and several liability in case with multiple defendants. Under joint and several liability, each defendant may be held responsible for the entire amount of judgment given, regardless of his/her fault in the injury.
Maryland Asbestos Litigation - Recent examples
Copland and Alford v. Sparrow's Point Steel Mill (Bethlehem Steel): A Baltimore County Circuit Court awarded a total of $3.925 million to the estates of deceased brake workers in the first brake asbestos case in Maryland
Hunter v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas: A Baltimore City jury awarded $4.3 million in non-monetary damages to an electrician who died of mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos in Kaylo, pipe insulation made by Owens-Corning Fiberglas. His wife was awarded $2 million for loss of consortium.
1996 - MD - in a landmark suit, Ford Motor Co. ordered to pay more than $14 million to widows of two brake mechanics who were exposed to asbestos while working on brake linings in Ford motor vehicle
This is a list of recommended Baltimore-Maryland Mesothelioma Lawyers:
1-MacDonald Law Office, LLC www.macdonaldlaw.com
2-Martell, Donelly,Grimaldi,Gallagher www.martelldonellyva.com
3-Steven Cooper, Chartered www.Steven cooperlaw.com
4-Law office of Robert A.Deport www.robertdeportlaw.com
5-Law office of Paul V Bennet, PC www.PaulV.Bennet.com
6-Law office of Christopher Marts PC www.Christmartslaw.com
7-Find Legal Connection www.Legal connection.com