Maryland Injury Law Center

Maryland Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Against Churches

Ronald V. Miller, Jr. — Sun, 18 May 2025 17:10:51 +0000

Miller & Zois’ clergy sexual abuse lawyers help victims of sexual abuse committed by clergy who abused their authority in the worst way imaginable. These lawsuits are against not only church officials but against the churches themselves. The crimes committed in sexual abuse cases do more than violate Maryland law. They involve unimaginable cruelty and evil.

Maryland Clergy Sex Abuse Lawsuit News & Updates

May 10, 2025 – New Amendments Limit Damages Under CVA

Maryland Nursing Home Settlements and Verdicts

Ronald V. Miller, Jr. — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:45:15 +0000

Jury Verdict Research did a study that found that nursing home plaintiffs get a median award of $329,000. Defense lawyers are not eager to try these cases for a reason: plaintiffs win at trial a stunning 63 percent of nursing home jury trials. Even that figure is probably misleading. When a nursing home lets a case go to trial, it is usually because it is a case that cannot be lost. Good nursing home lawsuits settle almost every time.

So, statistically, you are more likely to win at trial a nursing home case than a rear-end accident case. Crazy, right? Why more lawyers are not pushing for nursing home cases is beyond me. They are not as lucrative as they once were because of damage caps but they are still good cases that also, not for nothing, really help protect nursing home patients.

Which Maryland nursing homes are getting sued? A look at lawsuits, ratings, and reviews of Maryland nursing homes

Foot Injury Lawsuits: Settlements and Verdicts

Ronald V. Miller, Jr. — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 02:50:46 +0000

What Is an Open Reduction Internal Fixation Surgical Repair?

An open reduction, internal fixation surgical repair of foot fractures using plates and screws means that the bones and joints are put back into pre-injury position and stabilized. The hope is that repair position will hold for proper healing of the fractures and alignment of joints in anatomical alignment. (The circular fixation method is also an option that has been explored more by foot and ankle surgeons in recent years.

Would You Expect a Discreet Fracture to Have a High Settlement Value?

A discreet fracture can still cause great symptoms to the victim. But, generally, a discreet fracture will have a lower settlement value than other foot fracture cases.

What is the #1 Thing That Drives the Settlement Value of Foot Injury Cases?

The most important thing that drives the settlement value of foot injuries is whether the victim has permanent restrictions on high demand activities such as walking, running, or standing for long periods of time. If the injuries are permanent, the value shoots up dramatically in most cases.

Laundry List of Foot Injury Fracture Our Lawyers See

There are several different types of foot fractures that can occur from trauma, including:

Stress Fractures: These are small cracks in the bone that occur from repetitive stress or overuse. They can also occur from a sudden increase in physical activity. This is the injury we see the least in personal injury car accident claims becaus because there are few stress fractures in the foot from acute trauma.
Avulsion Fractures: This occurs when a small piece of bone is pulled off due to the force of a ligament or tendon. You see this injury in high impact collisions and settlement amount tend to be high for this injury.
Compression Fractures: This occurs when the bones in the foot are crushed, often as a result of a fall or impact. Normally a foot fracture has a higher settlement payout when the victim is young. But older people sometimes get higher compensation for a compression fracture because they heal so poorly compared to younger victims.
Displaced Fractures: This occurs when the bone breaks and is no longer aligned correctly. This type of fracture often requires surgery to realign the bone. Surgery always increase average settlement compensation.
Non-Displaced Fractures: This is when the bone is broken, but remains aligned correctly. These types of fractures often heal with immobilization or casting. Values are less for non-displaced fractures generally although we have seen cases where the long term consequence are more severe.
Open Fractures: This is when the bone breaks through the skin, increasing the risk of infection. These types of fractures require immediate medical attention. High payouts on these cases in no small part because the pictures are usually awful looking.
Closed Fractures: This is when the bone breaks but does not break through the skin. These types of fractures may require immobilization or surgery depending on the severity of the injury.

Our Law Firm Has Handles Scores of Foot Fracture Claims

Our lawyers at Miller & Zois handle a wide variety of food fracture claims. We have gotten big settlements and verdicts in these cases. Call us today at 800-553-8082 or reach out to us online.

Obviously, there are a lot of vexing injuries that occur in car and truck accidents. Foot and ankle injuries rank high on this list of hard to solve accident injuries. There are so many bones in the foot — one-fourth of all of your bones — and the bones are so small. Just too many things can go wrong.

What Is the Average Settlement Value of a Foot Injury Accident Claim?

According to a Jury Verdict Research study, the overall median jury award for foot injuries is approximately $100,000 (maybe slightly less in Maryland). More serious foot injuries see a corresponding rise in value. Multiple fractures to a foot increase the median verdict to $144,000. In foot injury cases where both feet are fractured, the median rises to $296,940. For plaintiffs’ lawyers repeating the “scope property damage does not matter” credo, it is hard to ignore the conclusion that if you have suffered fractures to both of your feet, you were most likely in a serious accident. Another Jury Verdict Research study found that 39% of the foot injury cases that went to verdict were suffered in motor vehicle collisions. A remarkable 11% of serious foot injury cases were in motorcycle accident cases. This stat underscores how dangerous motorcycles are compared to cars or trucks.

One thing I really suggest in foot injury cases is finding an accomplished doctor with a focus on foot and ankle injuries. Baltimore is uniquely blessed in world-renowned foot surgeons. If you have an orthopedic problem with your foot – from a motor vehicle collision or anything else – take advantage of the abundance of riches we have and get yourself someone extremely well-qualified to chart the best path to recovery for you.

Foot Injury Settlements and Verdicts

The following are a few examples of foot injury-related settlements and verdicts:

2025 – New Jersey $50,000 Settlement: The plaintiff, a 14-year-old boy, was pedestrian crossing an intersection controlled by a crosswalk. The defendant made a right turn on a red light and struck the plaintiff inside the crosswalk. The plaintiff suffered significant injuries to his foot and ankle. This was likely a policy limits settlement.

2024 – Washington $75,000 Settlement: The plaintiff was shopping at the defendant’s retail store when she was struck by a large metal stocking cart on wheels being pushed by a store employee. The plaintiff suffered trauma to her left ankle and foot as well as lacerations and headaches.

2020 – Washington $5,000 Award: A 40-year-old mechanic at Boeing was a passenger in a rear-ended vehicle. He claimed that the driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing her to collide head-on with a non-party vehicle. The man suffered injuries to his right ankle and foot. Specifically, he suffered pain and swelling to his Achilles. The man noted his ankle became tender, which necessitated future ankle surgery. He now experienced difficulties walking long distances and standing for more than five minutes. The man can no longer wear taller shoes or boots. He received a $5,000 award.

2019 – Oregon $350,000 – Settlement: A man was struck while riding his bicycle in the bike lane in Portland. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, facial lacerations, chipped teeth, and collapsed lungs. He also suffered fractures to his ankle, foot, right hand, pelvis, and ribs. Besides the driver, the man sued the State of Oregon and the City of Portland for the design and maintenance of the bike lane. He claimed that the city and state negligently designed a bike lane that crossed an interstate highway. The man further noted that they were negligent in failing to post signs to warn drivers of a bike lane crossing. This case settled for $350,000.

2019 – Nevada $1,370,000 – Settlement: A minor suffered multiple injuries because of his driver’s negligence. He suffered kidney trauma, head injuries, ankle, foot, right hand, and right tibia. The minor settled with the driver and her husband for $1,250,000. He then settled with his father’s UIM carrier for $120,000. The entire settlement totaled $1,370,000.

2019 – California $1,207,500 – Settlement: A 49-year-old man was injured on the job as a foreman after being struck by a backing asphalt transfer vehicle. He suffered fractures to his foot, ankle, right tibia, and fibula. The man underwent open reduction and internal fixation surgery to his right ankle. He also underwent a fasciotomy of his right foot and leg. The man also wore a short leg splint for a while. Months later, he would undergo an arthroscopy to his ankle. He noted that he would need fusion surgery in the future. The man sued the truck’s driver and his employer for negligence. He noted that the driver failed to keep a lookout for pedestrian workers and his back up alarm did not make a sound because his vehicle was in neutral. The driver denied traveling in neutral at the time of the collision. This case would settle for $1,207,500.

2018 – New York $85,000,000 – Verdict: A double-decker tour bus struck a 50-something New York Times reporter who walked across a Manhattan crosswalk. The bus dragged him for several feet before stopping. He suffered foot injuries and lacerations as well as a fractured shoulder. He underwent ten surgeries to his left foot and one to his shoulder. The man claimed that he suffered permanent pain and would need a brace on his left shoulder for the rest of his life. A jury awarded the man $85,000,000.

2018 – Washington $2,356,669 – Verdict: A married couple suffered multiple injuries after a cement truck struck their vehicle. The husband suffered fractures to his fingers and ribs. He also suffered a knee injury, a hip contusion, facial abrasions and lacerations, and a neck sprain. The wife suffered multiple injuries to her right foot. Specifically, she suffered a fractured third toe, turf toe to her big toe, and bruising on the top of her foot. She also suffered contusions on her lower abdomen from her seatbelt, which caused a hernia in her left groin. Both of them claimed permanent injuries. The jury awarded a verdict that totaled $2,356,559. This consisted of $1,700,000 in non-economic damages and $99,305 in specials for the husband, and $465,000 in non-economic damages and $92,364 in specials for the wife.

What Is an Open Reduction Internal Fixation Surgical Repair?

Would You Expect a Discreet Fracture to Have a High Settlement Value?

A discreet fracture can still cause great symptoms to the victim. But, generally, a discreet fracture will have a lower settlement value than other foot fracture cases.

What is the #1 Thing That Drives the Settlement Value of Foot Injury Cases?

Laundry List of Foot Injury Fracture Our Lawyers See

There are several different types of foot fractures that can occur from trauma, including:

Stress Fractures: These are small cracks in the bone that occur from repetitive stress or overuse. They can also occur from a sudden increase in physical activity. This is the injury we see the least in personal injury car accident claims becaus because there are few stress fractures in the foot from acute trauma.
Avulsion Fractures: This occurs when a small piece of bone is pulled off due to the force of a ligament or tendon. You see this injury in high impact collisions and settlement amount tend to be high for this injury.
Compression Fractures: This occurs when the bones in the foot are crushed, often as a result of a fall or impact. Normally a foot fracture has a higher settlement payout when the victim is young. But older people sometimes get higher compensation for a compression fracture because they heal so poorly compared to younger victims.
Displaced Fractures: This occurs when the bone breaks and is no longer aligned correctly. This type of fracture often requires surgery to realign the bone. Surgery always increase average settlement compensation.
Non-Displaced Fractures: This is when the bone is broken, but remains aligned correctly. These types of fractures often heal with immobilization or casting. Values are less for non-displaced fractures generally although we have seen cases where the long term consequence are more severe.
Open Fractures: This is when the bone breaks through the skin, increasing the risk of infection. These types of fractures require immediate medical attention. High payouts on these cases in no small part because the pictures are usually awful looking.
Closed Fractures: This is when the bone breaks but does not break through the skin. These types of fractures may require immobilization or surgery depending on the severity of the injury.

Our Law Firm Has Handles Scores of Foot Fracture Claims

Our lawyers at Miller & Zois handle a wide variety of food fracture claims. We have gotten big settlements and verdicts in these cases. Call us today at 800-553-8082 or reach out to us online.

Average Verdicts in Motorcycle and Bicycle Accident Cases

Ronald V. Miller, Jr. — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 12:20:00 +0000

According to a recent Jury Verdict Research report, plaintiffs on motorcycles receive higher awards for collisions than bicycle plaintiffs. Makes sense. They are driving much faster and frequently roads where speed is more of an issue.

Their analysis, based on plaintiffs’ verdicts rendered from October 1999 to October 2006, examines motorcycle and bicycle categories involving collisions with other vehicles, objects, and pedestrians. The study found that the award median for motorcycle accidents was $73,700 compared to $40,912 for bicycle plaintiffs.

I assume they base the difference in the fact that motorcycles generate greater speeds that lead to more serious accidents. Interestingly, Jury Verdict Research provided average verdicts> with this data, which it rarely does. To underscore the difference between median and average, the average motorcycle accident case was $561,065 and the average bike accident case was $500,353.

Allstate Claims in Maryland

Ronald V. Miller, Jr. — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 18:11:06 +0000

If you polled Maryland personal injury lawyers who handle car accident cases, most would choose Allstate as the “worst of the worst” among insurance companies to deal with on accident claims.

Personally, while I would not put Allstate at the top of my list of insurance companies I want to draw, I would not put them last, either. Don’t get me wrong. They are awful, and I hate them. Our lawyers sue them and their insureds all the time. But we are speaking in relative terms? Who are the worst three insurance companies to deal with in Maryland? Allstate is not on my list.

This post gives practical thoughts about Allstate claims in Maryland and includes a plug of why you should – in serious injury cases, anyway – hire a lawyer for your Allstate injury claim.

Ankle Fracture Settlement Amounts

Ronald V. Miller, Jr. — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:12:32 +0000

On this page, I will look at the average settlement payout value for ankle injuries in accident cases. I think I have a good handle on the settlement value of ankle fracture cases. My law firm has handled many foot and ankle injury cases over the years. My first foot and ankle case was 17 years ago when I sued the New England Patriots and their team doctors, which ultimately settled. I probably met with a half dozen of the best foot and ankle surgeons in the country in connection with that case. Since then, Miller & Zois has handled scores of foot and ankle injury cases and procured millions of dollars for our clients in these cases. My last ankle injury verdict in Prince George’s County was the 6th biggest verdict that year, according to Washingtonian Magazine. (Here is a video providing the story of that case.) I’m not trying to brag. My point is we know the science of these cases. We know how to maximize the settlement and trial value of these claims.

What Is the Average Compensation for an Average Ankle Injury Settlement?

What kind of success are other lawyers having in fracture ankle cases? Apparently, they are having very little success. The median settlement values for ankle fracture injuries are:

District of Columbia	$66,000
Virginia	$21,700
Maryland	$88,000

Our law firm has successfully handled scores of foot and ankle serious injury accident cases. If you want someone to fight for you, lawyers who know these cases, call 800-553-8082 or get a free Internet consultation.

It is amazing how low these are. These are from a few years ago. But I think the number has not changed in 2025. Sure, some ankle fractures can be treated with conservative care if the fracture displacement is two millimeters or fewer or if there is no talar shift. But I can’t imagine getting less than six figures in the vast majority of these cases. I don’t know how much insurance policy limits came into play in these cases. Either way, these compensation payout numbers are just way too low. The loss of enjoyment of life and emotional distress from these injuries are often extreme, even before we talk about how painful they are. One problem is not distinguishing between a good result and a good outcome for the patient. A good result for an orthopedic surgeon is a good-looking x-ray. The fracture is healed, mobility is good and the ankle joint is where it’s supposed to be. But you can have a good x-ray and still have a permanent injury, particularly when there is hardware is keeping the broken ankle together.

How Much Should I Settle for a Broken Ankle with Surgery?

I know I wrote the question. But I hate the question. There are so many variables – that I lay out below – that drive settlement compensation payouts. There is no way to put a settlement amount on a case with such a vague description.

Two Take-Home Messages from These Ankle Settlement Statistics

Two more points of interest in this data. First, don’t get a broken ankle fracture in Virginia. It is amazing to me how low these Virginia verdicts are. I have to think this data is screwed up in some way. Second, it is interesting that Maryland ankle fracture verdicts are 33% higher than Washington, D.C. verdicts, given that the Maryland median was much less than Washington, D.C. for both fractured shoulder and rotator cuff verdicts. The Federal Tort Claims Act News wrote an article about how Jury Verdict Research Case Evaluation Software was predicting the value of claims in a particular slip and fall case with an ankle fracture. In this case, the jury predicted a probable verdict of $117,600 with only a 33% chance of success on liability (maybe a tough slip and fall case on liability). I just struggle to see how a case with a good fracture could be valued so low. As a point of comparison, it provided the following JVR nationwide analysis of ankle injuries:

Award Median	$91,925
Probability Range	$40,000 – $248,223
Award Range	$1 – $5,250,804

One more point: median settlement values are the midpoint of the data, not the average. So included in the math are many awful cases that probably never should have been filed in the first place. So why not just quote the average? Well, the high range of these ankle verdicts is $5,250,804. That also distorts the statistics. The take-home message: settlement and verdict statistics are invariably misleading.

What Are the 21 Factors That Impact Your Ankle Injury Settlement?

These are 21 factors that drive the trial and settlement value of your ankle fracture case:

Surgery
Surgery with internal fixation (hardware)
Open reduction surgery
Complex fracture
Displace bone
Continued ankle swelling (synovitis)
Synovitis with chondral changes
Signs of arthritic changes
Arthrofibrosis
Chondral injuries
Loose bodies
Nerve Damage
An ankle replacement
Walking with a limp
Non-weight-bearing ankle
High past and future medical bills
Permanent ligament or tendon damage
A crush injury
Ankle ligament damage
Permanent instability
Amputation

All these factors lead to the question of how the ankle injury is permanent and, if so, how severe is the permanency. The cases that do not do as well are preexisting ankle injury cases and soft tissue injury cases where there is no objective finding on a diagnostic test.

Are There Sample Verdicts and Settlements in Ankle Injury Cases to Compare My Case?

Below is another path to look at the settlement value of ankle injury cases: sample verdicts and settlements. I think these are helpful. But please remember that no two cases are alike and you cannot figure out the value of your case just by comparing your case with a similar case. No two cases are the same and someone’s verdict is just a poor predictor of what the outcome in your case will be. Certainly, along with other tools, it sheds light on the settlement value of your case. No question. But you just cannot put too much into it. Also, remember these are not workers’ compensation cases but third-party ankle injury cases. The average payout for a workers’ comp ankle injury claim will be less.

Factors That Impact Settlement Value in Ankle Injury Cases

Ankle injury settlement amounts depend on various factors, each contributing to the ultimate payout. Understanding these factors is critical for plaintiffs to ensure they receive the full settlement compensation they deserve. Let’s break down the key considerations that can drive settlement payouts, whether the case involves a trimalleolar ankle fracture, a bimalleolar fracture, or other severe injuries.

Age of the Plaintiff

Age plays a pivotal role in determining settlement values. Younger plaintiffs often secure higher compensation because their injuries affect their lives for decades. For instance, a 30-year-old facing lifelong complications from a trimalleolar fracture requiring surgery will likely receive a higher payout compared to a retiree with similar injuries. Settlement calculations heavily weigh future earnings potential, physical limitations, and quality of life.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Insurance companies frequently attempt to reduce settlement values by pointing to pre-existing conditions, but this strategy can be challenged. If an accident worsens a pre-existing ankle injury, such as arthritis or prior fractures, the defendant remains responsible for the aggravation. Lawyers specializing in ankle fracture compensation cases must emphasize how the new injury exacerbates existing issues to secure fair settlements.

Comparative Negligence

In states like Maryland, contributory negligence laws mean that even minor fault on the plaintiff’s part—such as a misstep on an icy sidewalk—could eliminate their right to compensation. This makes having a skilled attorney essential in cases involving complex injuries, such as trimalleolar ankle fractures or crush injuries. An experienced ankle fracture attorney can argue against baseless claims of negligence to protect the plaintiff’s settlement.

Cost of Medical Care and Surgery

Ankle injuries often lead to significant medical expenses, including surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment. A trimalleolar fracture requiring multiple surgeries or hardware, such as screws and plates, comes with steep costs. The average settlement for fractured ankle cases must account not only for immediate medical bills but also for long-term care, such as ankle fusion surgeries or adaptive devices.

Injury Characteristics That Drive Higher Settlements

The type and severity of the ankle injury can significantly influence settlement payouts. Common factors include:

Displaced or Complex Fractures: Injuries requiring open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) often result in higher settlements due to invasive procedures and prolonged recovery periods.
Permanent Hardware and Instability: If an ankle requires hardware for stabilization or remains permanently unstable, the compensation reflects the long-term impact on mobility and daily life.
Nerve Damage: Loss of sensation or chronic pain from nerve injuries dramatically increases settlement values.
Severe Crush Injuries: These cases often involve complications like compartment syndrome or amputation, leading to some of the highest settlements for ankle injuries.

Maximizing Compensation

Settlements for ankle injuries—whether it’s a bimalleolar fracture settlement value or a payout for broken ankle surgery—must fully reflect the physical, emotional, and financial losses endured by the plaintiff. Defense strategies will absolutely downplay the severity of injuries or inflate the role of pre-existing conditions, but an attorney who knows how to negotiate and try a case can protect you and help you get a settlement that makes sense. Settling for less should not be an option when the stakes are this high.

Ankle Injury Verdicts and Settlements

From sprains to severe fractures requiring surgery, ankle injuries can have a significant and lasting impact on your life. Below, you’ll find a list of settlements and verdicts from real cases involving ankle injuries. These examples illustrate how courts and insurance companies value such cases, considering factors like medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These examples are provided for informational purposes only. The outcome of any individual case depends on its unique circumstances, including liability, the severity of the injury, medical treatment, and the long-term effects on the victim’s life. Past results do not guarantee or even suggest the settlement amount you should see for your claim. But they can offer insight into how these cases are resolved. 2024 – Washington $37,296 Verdict: In this classic slip and fall premises liability case, the plaintiff was grocery shopping at the defendant’s grocery store. She was walking down an aisle towards the cashier when she slipped in a puddle of liquid and fell. There were no caution signs. The plaintiff’s primary injury was a high ankle sprain, which allegedly left her hobbled and unable to work for a time. This case gives a good idea of the value of an ankle sprain injury in an accident case. 2024 – Pennsylvania $6,000 Settlement: The plaintiff, a minor, was seated at a table located outside a restaurant with his mother when a vehicle operated by the defendant reversed from the adjacent parking lot, traveled quickly backwards, jumped the curb and crashed into the restaurant. The plaintiff suffered right foot and ankle sprains only. 2024 – New York $15,000 Settlement: The plaintiff, 14 years old, reportedly was riding his bicycle on a roadway when he was struck by a motor vehicle driven by the defendant as she proceeded behind him. The plaintiff allegedly suffered injuries that included a right first toe fracture and a left ankle sprain. The parties agreed to a settlement and sought court approval of the settlement. 2023 – Illinois $150,000 – Verdict: The plaintiff reportedly tripped and fell while climbing/ascending a steep exterior stairway that was cut into the side of a hill, leading up from a stone patio on residential property owned by the defendants. The plaintiff suffered a compound fracture of her left ankle. 2023 – New Jersey $25,000 – Settlement: The plaintiff allegedly slipped and fell while getting off a bus owned by the defendant because of water on the bus steps. The plaintiff allegedly suffered an osteochondral fracture of the lateral talar dome of her left ankle,along with injury to her neck. The case was eventually settled. 2022 – Washington $2,600,000 – Verdict: plaintiff, 91-year-old female, was walking down a sidewalk when a four-foot high plywood construction barrier fell on her foot and ankle. She suffered a fracture ankle which required fusion surgery. Jury awarded $2.6 million which included $636,000 for medical expenses. 2022 – Oregon $133,000 – Verdict: plaintiff, 48-year-old female social worker, suffered trimalleolar ankle fracture requiring surgery with hardware when she slipped and fell on ice in the parking lot of a mall. She sued the mall alleging that is was negligent in failing to remove the icy condition in the parking lot. 2021 – Louisiana $50,000 – Bench Verdict: A 58-year-old man walked with his bike. He was struck by a truck that ran over his ankle. The man suffered an ankle fracture. Two months later, he underwent an ankle repair that included the placement of screws. The man alleged negligence against the truck driver. He claimed he negligently drove against traffic. Following a bench trial, the jury awarded the man a $50,000 verdict. 2021 – Missouri $615,000 – Settlement: A woman tripped on concrete rebar in her apartment’s parking lot. She suffered a right ankle fracture. The woman underwent ankle surgery. She developed complex regional pain syndrome. The woman alleged negligence against the apartment owners. She claimed they failed to inspect for dangerous conditions and properly maintain the premises. This case settled for $615,000. 2021 – New York – $925,000 – Settlement: A man tripped on a sidewalk. He sustained a dislocated ankle fracture. Nine days later, the man underwent an open reduction internal fixation procedure. He subsequently underwent physical therapy for 12 months. The man now used a cane for prolonged walking. He alleged negligence against the City of New York. The man claimed it failed to maintain safe premises and address the defective sidewalk. This case settled for $925,000. 2021 – Connecticut – $1,325,000 – Settlement: A 61-year-old man casino patron walked along a concourse. He slipped and fell. The man fractured his left ankle and tore his right meniscus. He also suffered the aggravation of his pre-existing lumbar, thoracic, and left ankle injuries. The man underwent an open reduction internal fixation procedure. He also underwent physical therapy. The man experienced residual pain. He also found it difficult to walk and stand for extended periods. The man could no longer work as a dentist. He alleged negligence against the casino. He claimed it failed to clean up a liquid substance and warn patrons of the dangerous condition. This case settled for $1,325,000. 2021 – Virginia – $437,500 – Settlement: An 18-year-old passenger was ejected from a vehicle that struck an embankment. He suffered right ankle and thoracic fractures. The man alleged negligence against his driver. He claimed he excessively sped and failed to control his vehicle. This case settled for $437,500. 2021 – Missouri – $775,000 – Settlement: A woman was sideswiped. She suffered ankle, wrist, and rib fractures and head, elbow, and knee lacerations. The woman alleged negligence against the at-fault driver. She claimed he made a negligently left turn and failed to maintain an appropriate lookout. This case settled for $775,000. 2020 – Missouri – $225,000 – Settlement: A woman broke her ankle after slipping and falling on an icy patch in a department store’s parking lot. A sub-contractor plowed around the parking lot but piled snow around the front of the store. The temperatures were chilly enough for icy patches to appear. Doctors performed open reduction and fixation surgery on the woman’s broken ankle. The case settled for $225,000. 2020 – Washington – $266,500 – Verdict: A 29-year-old petroleum inspector was gauging a barge at a refinery. After doing so, he crossed a gangway and fell to the hard surface below. He suffered a herniated disc and ankle, foot, and neck injuries. The man sued the barge’s owner for negligence. He also claimed that he lost his job because of his injuries. The jury awarded him $266,500. 2020 – Florida – $720,000 – Verdict: The 56-year-old bank manager fell as she exited a mixed-use building. She suffered an ankle fracture. The woman underwent multiple surgical procedures and months of physical therapy to treat her injuries. She sued the premises’ owner for negligently creating dangerous conditions. The jury assigned 90 percent liability to the premises’ owner and 10 percent liability to the woman. They determined that the damages totaled $720,000, but the woman could only recover $648,000 based on comparative negligence. 2020 – Virginia – $1,980,000 – Settlement: A passenger was injured after the vehicle they were in went off-road and struck an illegally parked tractor-trailer. They suffered fractures to their sternum, ribs, and ankle. The passenger sued both their driver and the trucker. They received a $1,980,000 settlement. 2019 – Pennsylvania – $475,000 – Verdict: Our lawyers see a lot of ankle injuries in nursing homes. Here, a woman’s foot became wedged under the bed, causing a fracture that required an ankle fusion. She went through all of this while in the nursing home because she was recovering from a stroke. 2018 – New York – $2,400,000 – Verdict: A 69-year-old woman contended that her landlord would not fix her shower, requiring her to leave a drain uncovered. She fell on the drain and suffered a bimalleolar ankle fracture, which is a tough ankle injury that often causes the victim permanent problems. An angry jury awarded $2.4 million. 2014 – Maryland – $96,789 – Verdict: The plaintiff was driving on a two-lane road when another car hit him head-on. He suffered a comminuted ankle fracture because of the crash. The plaintiff had to have two screws permanently implanted in his leg and developed a permanent limp because of his injuries. The jury awarded him $96,789. This is one of those cases I’m talking about, right? A permanent limp is only worth $96,000? 2014 – Pennsylvania – $847,362 – Verdict: As the plaintiff was exiting her apartment when she slipped and fell on icy steps. She sued the property owner, claiming they negligently maintained the steps by failing to remove snow and freezing rain. The plaintiff alleged that the defendants failed to inspect the property over the previous night, which led to the hazardous condition. She suffered an ankle fracture, which required the implementation of screws in her ankle, leading to arthritis. She also alleged that her ability to stand was compromised. 2014 – Pennsylvania – $225,000 – Settlement: The plaintiff was crossing a street at a crosswalk when she stepped into an uneven asphalt patch. This caused her ankle to roll, leading to a fracture. She sued the city, alleging that they failed to maintain a dangerous condition. She had to receive surgery, where two screws were implanted in her ankle. The plaintiff had to undergo physical therapy and claimed that she suffers pain and swelling during prolonged periods of standing. The defense claimed that the alleged injuries were fully healed. Still, the parties reached a pretrial settlement. 2014 – Virginia – $2,000,000 – Verdict: The plaintiff was a 59-year-old shipyard worker who slipped and fell on a patch of black ice while taking his car in for service. He sued the dealership, alleging that they failed to maintain a lesser-used sidewalk and that they knew that it commonly iced over. He suffered an ankle fracture and claimed that the injury aggravated a pre-existing back injury. He had to receive surgery to repair his ankle and additional surgery to alleviate back pain. The defendants claimed that he had previously inquired about the back surgery prior to the fall. The jury awarded him $2,000,000. 2013 – Maryland – $260,506 – Verdict: When the plaintiff was inside a Taco Bell restaurant, a fight ensued, and the plaintiff was struck in the face by an employee. He fell backward in the fight, which caused his ankle to become fractured. He had to receive two surgeries to fix his ankle and developed an infection. Additionally, he claimed that he had limited mobility in his ankle. The insurance company contended that he provoked the fight. The jury awarded him $260,506. 2010 – North Carolina – $80,000 – Settlement: In this motor vehicle accident case, a woman was struck by the at-fault driver trying to enter the roadway from a cross-street. She suffered an ankle fracture from the car accident. The parties eventually settled for $80,000.

Does the Lawyer Make a Difference in the Outcome?

Obviously, the quality of your lawyer makes a big difference at trial. But it also makes a huge difference at the settlement table, particularly in ankle injury cases. Why? Because the settlement value of the EXACT SAME ankle injury will vary wildly depending on who your lawyer is. Too many accident attorneys do not understand the real value of these lawsuits. The result is a settlement below the true value of the case that fully compensates the victim for all the harm that has been done.

Ankle Injury Medical Literature

Lewis, S. R., et al. (2024): Rehabilitation for Ankle Fractures in Adults, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. This study reviews rehabilitation interventions for adults recovering from ankle fractures, focusing on early versus delayed weight-bearing, removable versus non-removable ankle supports, and various physical therapy interventions. Findings show that early weight-bearing and removable ankle supports may improve outcomes in terms of ankle function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) within six months of injury. However, these differences are often not clinically significant. The effectiveness of physical therapy interventions compared to usual care remains uncertain due to low-certainty evidence. This is a good article if a defense expert tries to directly or indirectly blame the post-operative treatment the patient received for why there is no further improvement to the ankle.
Cunningham, B, et al: 2021: Immediate Weightbearing After Operative Treatment of Bimalleolar and Trimalleolar Ankle Fractures: Faster Return to Work for Patients with Nonsedentary Occupations. J Foot Ankle Surg. Jan-Feb 2021;60(1):11-16. Bimalleolar fractures are breaks of the lateral malleolus and the medial malleolus. This article suggests that putting weight on these fractures earlier helps the long-term recovery process and gets patients back to work more quickly. Bimalleolar fractures are probably the most common open fractures in traumatic injury cases. Our attorneys’ experience with these cases is that even if surgery improves the patient’s outcome, a common result is permanent stiffness and weakness that will likely get worse over time.
Coles, C, et. al: (2019): Orthopaedic Trauma Association Members and Evidence-Based Treatment Recommendations. Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma: September 2019 – Volume 33 – Issue 9 – p e318-e324. This article underscores how the treatment of ankle surgery is sometimes more art than science which leads to a great deal of disagreement in the literature on how to treat these fractures (and the lack of consensus can drive patients to frustration).
Xing, W., et al: 2018: The application of intraoperative ankle dislocation approach in the treatment of the unstable trimalleolar fractures involving posterior ankle comminuted fracture: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Surg 18, 23 (2018). This study looks at the different treatment options for trimalleolar fractures. Our lawyers have seen a good number of trimalleolar fracture cases. These are tough injuries and you have to bake into the average settlement payout calculus the likelihood of post-traumatic arthritis that may develop. We have had clients who needed physical therapy, bracing, intra-articular injections, or even further surgery long after the original injury.
Hong, C.C., et al. (2014): “Impact of Trimalleolar Ankle Fractures: How Do Patients Fare Post-Operatively?” Foot and Ankle Surgery, 20(1), 48-51. DOI:10.1016/j.fas.2013.10.001. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the outcomes for patients undergoing surgery for trimalleolar ankle fractures. Using a retrospective review of 31 cases, it assessed clinical and functional outcomes at one year post-operatively. The findings revealed that dislocations are more likely to occur with trimalleolar fractures, and residual pain, stiffness, and swelling are prevalent even a year after surgery. Specifically, 52.4% of patients experienced residual pain, 61.9% reported ankle stiffness, and 47.6% reported swelling. Additionally, only 33.3% of patients involved in sports pre-injury were able to return to their activities, with 25% unable to participate in sports entirely. Importantly, increasing the size of the posterior malleolar fragment was correlated with poorer functional outcomes. This research is highly relevant to personal injury cases as it highlights the significant long-term impact of trimalleolar fractures, particularly in terms of functional limitations, chronic pain, and lifestyle changes. These factors are critical in calculating damages for pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and future medical costs. This is important in cases where future arthritis is a component of pain and suffering damages.

Different Types of Ankle Injuries in Car Accidents

I put this part last because if you have an ankle injury, how much do you really care about how many different types of ankle injuries our car accident lawyers see? But people are looking at this page for many different reasons this is Here are some common ankle injuries our attorneys see in car accidents:

Sprains: A sprain occurs when the ligaments that support the ankle stretch or tear. Ankle sprains can range from mild to severe. A mild sprain might cause minor swelling and pain, while a severe sprain can involve a torn ligament and require weeks or months of recovery. Settlement amounts on sprains are not very high.
Strains: While a sprain affects ligaments, a strain involves the muscles or tendons. An ankle strain is less common than a sprain but can still result from the trauma of a car accident. Similarly, settlement payout with this as the focal injury are generally low.
Fractures: An ankle fracture occurs when one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint break. Commonly fractured bones in the ankle include the tibia, fibula, and talus. The severity of a fracture can vary, with some fractures being minor and others requiring surgery.
Dislocations: A dislocation happens when the bones of a joint are forced out of their normal positions. In the context of the ankle, a dislocation would involve the bones of the foot and the lower leg.
Crush Injuries: These occur when the foot and ankle are compressed or trapped, such as during a head-on collision where the front of the vehicle crumples. This can result in a combination of fractures, sprains, strains, and soft tissue injuries. These claims have very high settlement payouts, obviously.
Contusions or Bruises: Direct impact or trauma can cause the soft tissues in the ankle to become bruised. These might be minor, and you don’t get a lot of money for a bruise, obviously.
Lacerations or Cuts: Broken glass, metal shards, or other debris from a car accident can cause lacerations or deep cuts around the ankle. Usually not a big deal.
Compartment Syndrome: This is a severe condition where swelling and bleeding within the muscles can increase pressure to dangerous levels, potentially damaging nerves and blood vessels. It requires urgent medical attention.

Getting a Lawyer for Your Ankle Injury Case

If you have an ankle fracture case in Maryland or Washington, D.C., call me at 800-553-8082 or fill out this claim form online. We can help you bring your personal injury claim and get compensation. If you are outside of the Baltimore-D.C. area and you have a serious ankle fracture, call me or find my bio and email me. I can (probably) help you find the right personal injury lawyer to maximize the value of your ankle fracture claim.

New School Bus Camera Law in Maryland

Ronald V. Miller, Jr. — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 16:37:46 +0000

Local municipalities may now use cameras to catch motorists speeding past stopped school buses. Violators will get a ticket with a penalty of up to a $250 fine but no points on their driving records. Montgomery County has had cameras in a place for a while. But they were just giving out warning tickets. This bill has some teeth, albeit little baby teeth, with no points attached.

This Law in Action in PG County in 2021
Anne Arundel in 2022
Ron DeSantis signs school bus camera law in 2023
Baltimore County puts in new school bus cameras in 2024

History of School Bus Cameras

School bus cameras have been around for several decades. In the early 1990s, a school district in San Antonio, Texas, introduced a pilot program that installed video cameras on the exterior of school buses to capture motorists who passed stopped buses. The program was successful, and other districts began to follow suit.

By the mid-2000s, school bus camera systems had become more advanced, with cameras installed inside buses to capture footage of student behavior and to aid in investigations of accidents or incidents on buses. Today, school bus camera systems are standard in many districts across the United States, including Maryland. There are privacy concerns, sure. But no one doubts that they have improved safety for students and bus drivers.

History of School Bus Cameras in Maryland

In 2011, the Maryland General Assembly passed a law allowing local jurisdictions to install automated cameras on school buses to capture images of drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses. The goal of the law was to protect school children who are often endangered by drivers who fail to stop for the flashing lights and extended stop arm of school buses.

The cameras are mounted on the outside of the bus and activate when the bus comes to a stop, and the red lights begin flashing. They capture images of the license plates of cars that pass the bus illegally, and the drivers of those cars are issued citations.

Maryland’s first school bus camera program was launched in Montgomery County, and other counties soon followed suit. Since then, the use of school bus cameras has expanded throughout the state and has been credited with improving safety for school children.

In 2019, the Maryland General Assembly passed a law that increased the fines for drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses. Under the new law, drivers caught on camera passing a stopped school bus can be fined up to $500 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for a second offense. The law also allows local jurisdictions to impose additional fines and penalties for repeat offenders.

Maryland School Bus Camera Timeline

2025: Maryland establishes the “Workgroup to Study School Bus Safety” with HB200, tasked with enhancing school bus safety by identifying issues related to the behavior and safety of students and bus drivers. The group is directed to provide a detailed report with findings and recommendations to local and state governing bodies by June 30, 2026.
2024: The Maryland State Department of Education begins releasing quarterly reports on the school bus camera program data, enhancing transparency and providing stakeholders with more frequent updates. These reports show a significant decrease in violations, indicating the effectiveness of the surveillance measures.
2023: Maryland advances its school bus safety program by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technology into the bus cameras, allowing for automatic detection of traffic violations and improving the accuracy of citations. Additional funding is allocated to support technological upgrades and the expansion of this initiative.
2022: After overcoming initial resistance, Anne Arundel County begins to actively cite vehicles that illegally pass public school buses, marking a significant enforcement step within the region.
2020: Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signs legislation that increases fines for drivers who pass stopped school buses illegally. The new law mandates that school bus cameras capture clear images of the vehicle’s license plate, and allows for the reinvestment of collected fines into school bus safety programs.
2019: The Maryland General Assembly responds to ongoing safety concerns by significantly increasing fines for drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses. The new legislation sets fines up to $500 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses, with local jurisdictions empowered to impose additional penalties on repeat offenders.
2018: The Maryland State Department of Education distributes $3.6 million in grants to local school systems to facilitate the installation and operation of school bus camera programs, significantly bolstering the state’s commitment to student safety.
2017: An annual report released by the Maryland State Department of Education confirms the efficacy of school bus cameras in enhancing student safety, helping to build public confidence in the technology.
2016: The Maryland State Police initiate a pilot program utilizing body cameras to capture images of drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses. This program aims to complement the existing external bus camera system.
2015: Comprehensive guidelines for the operation of school bus camera programs are issued by the Maryland State Department of Education, covering aspects such as motorist notification, video review, analysis, and data reporting procedures.
2014: Statewide operation of school bus camera programs is authorized through new legislation, which requires adherence to specific operational guidelines set by the Maryland State Department of Education.
2012: Montgomery County becomes the first in Maryland to implement a school bus camera program, using external cameras mounted on buses to capture images of vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses.
2011: Maryland enacts initial legislation permitting local school boards to install and operate automated cameras on school buses, aimed at capturing images of vehicles that illegally pass stopped buses, laying the groundwork for subsequent enhancements in student transportation safety.

Drivers Ignore Buses

This bill was precipitated partly by a Maryland State Department of Education study that found that thousands of drivers are passing school buses with their stop arms extended and red lights flashing. A total of 7,028 violations were recorded on a single day last month, with most drivers ignoring school bus stop signs.

Nearly 4,000 (3,997) of those motorists were oncoming drivers who ignored the stop arm, 2,665 drivers moved past a stopped bus on the bus driver’s side of the vehicle, and 366 drivers passed a stopped bus on the door side, right where you would expect a child to be walking. Baltimore County drivers are the worst offenders, followed by Montgomery County, Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, and Prince George’s.

(Now keep in mind, all of this data comes from school bus drivers who, as a breed, think we are all idiots and don’t belong on the road. So let’s say they are exaggerating by a factor of 10. It is still a staggering number.)

Updated Statistics

According to data from NASDPTS, there are an estimated 17 million stop-arm violations each school year in the United States. Good golly. In Maryland, school bus drivers recorded 3,194 violations in a single day in 2019. Every time a driver illegally passes a stopped school bus, they put a child at risk.

Maryland Transportation Code § 21-706 (2024)

This is the Maryland law in 2023 regarding passing school buses that are flashing red lights.

(a) Driver to stop on meeting or overtaking stopped school vehicle — In general. — If a school vehicle has stopped on a roadway and is operating the alternately flashing red lights specified in § 22-228 of this article, the driver of any other vehicle meeting or overtaking the school vehicle shall stop at least 20 feet from the rear of the school vehicle, if approaching the school vehicle from its rear, or at least 20 feet from the front of the school vehicle, if approaching the school vehicle from its front.

(b) Driver to stop on meeting or overtaking stopped school vehicle — When vehicles may proceed. — If a school vehicle has stopped on a roadway and is operating the alternately flashing red lights specified in § 22-228 of this article, the driver of any other vehicle meeting or overtaking the school vehicle may not proceed until the school vehicle resumes motion or the alternately flashing red lights are deactivated.

(c) Exceptions. — This section does not apply to the driver of a vehicle on a divided highway if the school vehicle is on a different roadway.

(d) Penalty for violation of section. — A person convicted of violating this section is subject to a fine not exceeding $ 1,000.

Maryland Transportation Code § 21-706 has not been addressed by Maryland appellate courts in nearly 60 years, but it was updated in 2019.

Cases Interpreting Maryland Transportation Code § 21-706

There have been two Maryland cases interpreting this law. In Chackness v. Board of Education of Harford County, 120 A.2d 392 (1956), a guy driving a Cadillac convertible passed a bus and hit a child on Route 1 in Bel Air. Awful. I have a black-and-white image of the whole thing in my head.

Anyway, this Caddy driver tries to bring in the bus driver (who Google tells me died in 2010 and has a son who is a lawyer) and a 14-year-old school bus safety, claiming they were also negligent. The argument? The ole “sudden stop” claim. The court dismissed the claim pretty quickly. The bus driver was defended by William B. Somerville of Smith Somerville & Case fame.

The second case, Jubb v. Ford, 157 A.2d 422 (1960), is an odd case involving a “sort of” school bus that was not large enough to be a school bus and did not have flashing red lights. The court found that it did not seat 10 or more kids because there was no evidence that its carrying capacity was more significant than eight and would violate the law if the vehicle used red flashing lights. This case also had Smith, Somerville & Case defending the case and Judge Frank Cicone representing the plaintiff. These old cases feel like a who’s who of Maryland legal history.

Modern School Bus Cameras

Of course, artificial intelligence is all the rage, and that is driving advancements in school bus camera technology to detect and enforce violations of stop-arm laws. Modern systems now incorporate artificial intelligence to automatically detect vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses. These AI-enabled cameras can analyze vehicle movement in real time, reducing the need for manual review and increasing the accuracy of violations. Many systems also include high-definition video capabilities, allowing for clear capture of license plates and vehicle details even in low-light conditions or adverse weather, ensuring reliable evidence for citations.

Some jurisdictions have integrated real-time alerts into their camera systems, notifying law enforcement immediately when a violation occurs. This rapid communication enables quicker responses and reinforces the seriousness of these infractions. By streamlining enforcement, these technological advancements reduce administrative burdens on school districts and law enforcement, allowing them to focus resources on prevention and education. This technology improves citation accuracy and also acts as a deterrent, sending a strong message to drivers about the importance of obeying school bus safety laws.

Of course, not every is happy with the technology. The use of AI in school bus cameras has raised concerns among some about privacy and surveillance. Critics worry that increased reliance on AI and constant video recording could lead to overreach, with fears of “Big Brother” watching drivers’ every move.

So despite the clear benefits, the use of school bus cameras has stirred debate among residents and policymakers alike. Concerns primarily focus on privacy implications and the extent of surveillance. Critics argue that while the cameras significantly enhance safety, they also increase the potential for privacy invasion. Proponents, like us, say put this stuff aside and let’s try to protect children.

Even more thoughts on speeding ticket cameras
In 2025, school bus camera tickets are all the rage. This article discusses Howard County’s efforts to put cameras on the back of buses to prosecute violations of this law.

Depo-Provera Lawsuits

Ronald V. Miller, Jr. — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:08:44 +0000

Depo-Provera is a contraceptive injection, often referred to as the “birth control shot,” that has been available for many years. Recent scientific research has linked Depo-Provera to an increased risk of brain tumors.

Women who used Depo-Provera and later developed a brain tumor may be eligible to file product liability lawsuits and seek financial compensation from the drug’s manufacturer, Pfizer. This new evidence is expected to trigger a surge in Depo-Provera lawsuits nationwide.

This page will discuss the Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits, including information on potential settlement values.

How to Admit Photographs Into Evidence

Ronald V. Miller, Jr. — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 14:11:49 +0000

Pictures often become pivotal pieces of evidence in personal injury cases, especially in car and truck accident litigation. But how those photos are used—and whether they can be tied to the plaintiff’s injuries—can significantly sway a case.

This page is a guide to admitting photos into evidence. Our focus here is admitting property damage photographs into evidence. But you lay the foundation the same way for any photographs.

Admitting a photograph may seem straightforward, but the foundation must be carefully laid. Questions must confirm the photograph’s authenticity and accuracy, as well as rule out alterations or misleading representations. From the initial, “Are you familiar with this photograph?” to the final request to admit the image as evidence, this process is all about laying the proper foundation and ensuring the jury can trust what they see.

Truck Wreck Settlement Value Statistics

Ronald V. Miller, Jr. — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 02:47:30 +0000

On this page, we will look at the settlement payout value of truck accident personal injury cases.

Truck Accident Settlement Statistics

A recent Jury Verdict Research study of trucking accidents found that truck accident victims recover damages in 60% of personal injury trials and receive a median compensatory award of $90,000. I find the 60% number a surprise. With all the weapons plaintiffs’ lawyers have now to prove a case — and figure out if we have one in the first place — it is hard to fathom how we can lose 40% of these cases.