Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Possession of Illegal Drugs in Maryland
The subject for exploration today centers on the possession of illegal drugs and other controlled substances in Maryland. To gain a full appreciation of this legal issue, the following sections will examine key definitions and penalties for this offense. Possession of Illegal Drugs Under Code of Maryland Section 5–601, it is illegal to obtain… Read More »
Criminal Case vs. Civil Lawsuit for Crime Victims in Maryland
Criminal cases and civil lawsuits are not the same. In light of this, the following examines six differences between criminal cases and civil lawsuits for crime victims in Maryland. Purpose The purpose of a criminal case is to punish the perpetrator for violating state criminal law. The perpetrator is responsible to the state, not… Read More »
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits Under Maryland Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation is a legal doctrine that governs injuries that arise out of employment. After suffering a qualifying work-related injury, the employee can obtain compensation and benefits. That being said, the injury must arise in the course of employment to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. In certain cases, an employee suffers an injury so… Read More »
Maryland Transportation Authority Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MTA) just paid out $900,000 to settle a wrongful death lawsuit that stemmed from a high-speed chase, reported The Baltimore Sun. The incident in question occurred in December 2015. At that time, MTA police officers attempted to stop a Hagerstown man near the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Kane Street… Read More »
Exploring Negligent Security Claims in Maryland
Negligent security is a facet of personal injury law that addresses liability for criminal conduct on commercial properties. Essentially, the law requires commercial property owners to keep their premises in a well-maintained and safe condition. When there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of criminal activity on a commercial property, owners must enact adequate security… Read More »
Viral Video Leads to Baltimore Police Misconduct Investigation
A police misconduct investigation is underway after a viral video surfaced of a brutal assault at the hands of a Baltimore police officer, reported The Baltimore Sun. The incident in question occurred on Saturday, August 11th, near the 2600 block of East Monument Street in East Baltimore. At that point, two police officers stopped… Read More »
Maryland Medical Malpractice and the Reasonable Person Standard
A fascinating case involving medical malpractice and the standard of care is playing out in the Maryland courts at the moment. On a larger level, this case could have a widespread impact on how juries evaluate medical malpractice claims in the future. In order to make sense of this legal development, the following sections… Read More »
4 Key Stages of the Legal Timeline for Crime Victims in Maryland
Today’s blog entry will focus on the legal timeline for crime victims in Maryland. The following sections will explore four key stages of the post-crime process: Crime Reporting; Case Prosecution; Sentencing Hearing and Post-Sentencing Proceedings. Victim Reports the Crime to Law Enforcement There are certain rights that come into play after the victim reports… Read More »
Wrongful Death Lawsuit Dropped After Maryland Federal Court Decision
A Maryland court ruled that the language of an insurance policy specifically excluded wrongful death stemming from criminal conduct, according to an unpublished decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. In terms of background, this case began in 2010 with the tragic death of a female college senior. On May… Read More »
Maryland Workers’ Compensation and the Going and Coming Rule
The Maryland Court of Appeals recently decided a workers’ compensation case that revolved around an employee’s commute to an offsite training. The employee sustained an accidental injury during the commute and sought assistance through workers’ compensation programs. Workers’ compensation laws exist to protect employees when they sustain an injury at the workplace or while… Read More »
