Maryland’s Non-Economic Cap-Cases Other Than Medical Negligence CAUSES OF
ACTION ARISING1 PRIOR TO JULY 1, 1986 ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 1986 ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 1994 ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 1995 ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 1996 ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 1997 ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 1998 ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 1999 ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2000 ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2001 ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2002 ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2003 ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2004 ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2005
PERSONAL INJURY CASES
NONE $350,0002,3 $500,000 $515,0006 $530,000 $545,000 $560,000 $575,000 $590,000 $605,000 $620,000 $635,000 $650,000 $665,000 $750,0005
WRONGFUL DEATH CASES
NONE NONE4
$500,000 - 1 claimant - 2 or more claimants $515,000 - 1 claimant
$772,500 - 2 or more claimants $530,000 - 1 claimant
$795,000 - 2 or more claimants $545,000 - 1 claimant
$817,500 - 2 or more claimants $560,000 - 1 claimant
$840,000 - 2 or more claimants $575,000 - 1 claimant
$862,500 - 2 or more claimants $590,000 - 1 claimant
$885,000 - 2 or more claimants $605,000 - 1 claimant
$907,500 - 2 or more claimants $620,000 - 1 claimant
$930,000 - 2 or more claimants $635,000 - 1 claimant
$952,500 - 2 or more claimants $650,000 - 1 claimant
$975,000 - 2 or more claimants $665,000 - 1 Claimant
$997,500 - 2 or more claimants Robert R. Michael, Esquire, Shadoan, Michael & Wells, LLP (3/21/08)
1 2 3 4
A cause of action arises when the facts to support each element of the cause of action exist and not when the cause of action is discovered. Owens-Illinois v. Armstrong, 326 Md. 107, 604 A.2d 47, 506 U.S. 871, 113 S. Ct. 204, 121 L. Ed. 145 (1992).
The cap is not applicable to intentional torts, Cole v. Sullivan, 110 Md. App. 79, 676 A. 2d 85 (1996); nor is it applicable to punitive damages, see MD. CODE ANN., CTS. AND JUD. PROC., ‘ 11-108(a)(2)..
There is no separate cap for consortium which is a “derivative” claim, Oaks v. Connor, 339 Md. 24, 660 A. 2d 423 (1995); see also MD. CODE ANN., CTS. AND JUD. PROC., ‘ 11-108(b)(3)(i).
Although argued by some as contrary to the intent of the Maryland Legislature, the original cap was held not applicable in wrongful death cases, United States v. Streidel, 329 Md. 533, 620 A.2d 905 (1993). Remedial action was adopted effective October 1, 1994, but it is not ret- roactive.
5
The cap applies to all plaintiffs not each plaintiff in a wrongful death action. Bartucco v. Wright, 746 F. Supp. 604 (1). Md. (1990). Where there are two or more claimants, the award may not exceed 150% of the individual amount. See MD. CODE ANN., CTS. AND JUD. PROC., ‘ 11-108(b)(3)(ii).
6 The cap is increased $15,000 per year each year beginning on October 1, 1995. 28 Trial Reporter Spring 2008
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66