An  unreported opinion last week by the Maryland Appellate Court in the case of Carpenter v. Jenkins holds significant implications for the understanding and application of adverse possession law within the state. This case meticulously explores the stringent criteria that claimants must satisfy to successfully assert ownership over disputed land through adverse possession, a legal principle that allows a person to claim ownership of land under certain conditions over time. The appellate court’s detailed examination of the evidence against the backdrop of established legal standards provi ..read more

In Ceron v. Kamara, the Appellate Court of Maryland addressed an appeal following a motor vehicle accident in Montgomery County.  The big issue on appeal is the trial court’s decision to permit the defendant’s counsel to introduce reasoning for expert consultation during closing arguments, which was not previously in evidence, questioning the fairness of this action. The appellate court – to my surprise, anyway – affirmed the trial court’s judgment, despite assuming potential error. I get it, the court is trying to find balance between the wide latitude given to attorneys in closing argum ..read more

In a recent unreported decision by the Appellate Court of Maryland, Arrow Parking Corp., et al. v. Cade, a civil action stemming from a premises liability claim sheds light on pivotal legal doctrines, including the duty of care in negligence, jury instructions, evidence admissibility, and the preservation of issues for appellate review. This case offers a comprehensive overview of how appellate courts approach these legal concepts, especially in the context of negligence and premises liability. Facts of Arrow Parking v. Cade The post Arrow Parking v. Cade appeared first on Maryland Lawyer Blog ..read more

In a recent unreported opinion by the Maryland Appellate Court, the case of Sarpong v. Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company (Case No. CAL21-09252), the court, presided over by Judges Reed, Ripken, and Salmon, upheld a previous decision by the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County. This decision confirmed the Maryland Insurance Administration’s (MIA) ruling that supported Nationwide’s denial of Mr. Sarpong’s insurance claim. The claim was filed following the loss of his personal property during an eviction. MIA Appeals Process The post New Maryland Insurance Administration Appeal Decisio ..read more

In the case of “Greenmark Properties, LLC v. Parts, Inc.,” heard by the Maryland Appellate Court, the key issue revolved around the validity of two real estate sale contracts for a property owned by Parts, Inc. (“Parts”). The case is unreported, but it is interesting. So I am summarizing it here. Facts of Greenmark Properties v. Parts The case concerns two conflicting contracts for Pilot’s Cove Farm, a 129-acre farm in Charles County, Maryland, owned by Parts, Inc. Greenmark entered into a sale agreement with Parts on July 30, 2019, for $850,000, additional financial benefits, and a five-year ..read more

Navigating the complexities of vehicle window tinting laws in Maryland is necessary if you do not want to keep getting pulled over by police.  These regulations try to strike a delicate balance between personal aesthetic preferences, privacy needs, and vital safety considerations. But most people in Maryland who are interested in tinting their windows find our laws excessive. But everyone should acknowledge that overly dark window tinting can lead to decreased visibility, particularly in conditions of low light or nighttime, that can cause car accidents.  Our lawyers have seen this f ..read more

In Maryland, as in many other states, the regulations regarding lunch breaks are an essential aspect of employment law. These laws are designed to ensure that workers receive adequate rest periods during their workday, contributing to their overall well-being and productivity. The specifics of Maryland’s lunch break laws provide a framework for both employers and employees to understand their rights and responsibilities. Legal Framework of Lunch Break Law The post Law on Lunch Breaks in Maryland appeared first on Maryland Lawyer Blog ..read more

In a new Appellate Court of Maryland decision, the court addressed municipal liability for injuries sustained due to potentially negligent maintenance of public infrastructure. The court examined the concepts of contributory negligence, where a plaintiff’s own negligence might offset the defendant’s liability, and the assumption of risk, assessing whether the plaintiff knowingly and voluntarily exposed himself to a known hazard. Additionally, the court addressed the sufficiency of the City’s notice regarding the potential danger of the storm grate and the relevance of past similar incidents ..read more

A new unreported case caught my eye, Mock v. Patterson, that involved a topic near and dear to my heart: collecting baseball cards.  There are some interesting hearsay issues here in this conversation case that are worth looking at more closely.  The entire appeal focused on what the defendant claimed was hearsay that should not have come into evidence. Facts of Mock v. Patterson The defendant faced allegations of taking possession of a portion of a renowned baseball card collector’s collection. Following the collector’s passing, a complaint was filed by the individual serving as the ..read more

In Romeka v. RadAmerica II, LLC, a new Maryland Supreme Court opinion, a radiation therapist, sued her former employers, including names we know like MedStar and Helixcare Medical Group. The basis for her lawsuit was that she was fired and she was fired because she was a whistleblower under the Maryland Health Care Worker Whistleblower Protection Act (HCWWPA). The circuit court granted summary judgment in favor of the employers, which was affirmed by the Appellate Court of Maryland. She then petitioned for a writ of certiorari, which was granted by the Supreme Court of Maryland. The post New W ..read more