Employee Spotlight December 2016

We want to congratulate Norma Guevara, a paralegal in our Spanish Department, who was just married. She has been with Portner & Shure for 9 years and we are all so happy for her and her husband. Norma already has two kids and recently adopted a third child. All three of them are happy for their mom and very excited about the marriage. Norma and her husband, Pedro, celebrated their honeymoon on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. Congratulations Norma and Pedro!

Recent Case Result November 2016

Recently, Portner & Shure attorney, Kevin Ruby, obtained an excellent result in a serious rear-end accident caused by a drunk driver. Our client was a passenger in a vehicle that was rear-ended by a drunk driver while stopped at a red light at the intersection of Route 40 and Ridge Road.  Our client suffered more than $25,000 in medical expenses, as well as a significant amount of lost wages. He endured nearly four years of treatment for his injuries in the accident. The liability insurance company did not make an offer to settle the case. We proceeded with trial in the Howard County Circuit Court. The jury awarded our client $260,000.00. 

Punitive Damages are Possible in a Building Explosion Case

            The Silver Spring community is still recovering from the devastating apartment building explosion from last week.  The cause is still under investigation, but many suspect a gas leak to be a contributing factor. Just weeks before this horrendous explosion, residents reported smelling gas. A personal injury case resulting from an accident like this can yield not only the standard compensatory damages for pain and suffering, but also punitive damages. If it can be proven that the property management for the apartment complex were aware of a gas leak and elected to do nothing in order to save some money, punitive damages, or damages meant to punish the defendant for their inaction, may be appropriate. 

             Punitive damages are meant to punish a party for their inaction or for not taking the appropriate action.  In cases where a party had notice of a dangerous situation where it was foreseeable great harm could result, punitive damages are likely to result.  The cause in the Silver Spring apartment explosion has yet to be determined.  It will certainly be interesting to see when that determination is made.

             If you or a family member have been injured or killed in a Maryland building explosion caused by the negligence of another person and would like to consult an experienced personal injury attorney for free, contact our office at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations throughout Maryland or visit us online athttp://www.portnerandshure.com/Personal-Injury/

Fatal Accident in Clarksburg, Maryland

            Early this morning on I-270 in Clarksburg, a fatal car accident occurred.  There was a disabled vehicle stopped in the lanes of travel on the highway.  Another car hit the disabled vehicle from behind, which resulted in the death of the disabled vehicle’s driver.  The driver of other vehicle was injured in the collision, but suffered non-life threatening injuries.  Police investigation into the exact cause of the crash continues.  At this point, alcohol does not appear to be factor in the accident.

            

            Disabled vehicles always pose a danger on the road to themselves and to other drivers.  It does not matter whether the vehicle has made it to the shoulder or is stopped in a lane of travel; it is still dangerous.  Darkness at night and inclement weather make it even more dangerous if your vehicle becomes disabled on a highway because other drivers might not see you or will not be able to stop to avoid a crash.  If your vehicle becomes disabled, you should always make sure your lights are on and your hazard lights are flashing so that other cars can see you and avoid an accident. 

            

            Remember, if you are injured in an accident, you should seek medical attention immediately to treat the injuries you sustained.  It is also important to call the police to the scene to document that the other driver was at fault and to collect information on all parties involved and any witnesses to the crash.  Finally, it is important to hire an accident injury attorney to get involved and fight for the compensation you deserve.

If you or a family member have been injured or killed in a Maryland car accident and would like to consult an experienced personal injury attorney for free, contact our office at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Columbia or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Personal-Injury/

Maryland Auto Accident Lawyers: Fatal Accident in Bethesda Kills 3, Seriously Injures Another

            Saturday night, a horrific accident occurred in Bethesda on Pyle Road.  Two cars were involved in the accident, a Chevrolet Volt and a BMW sedan.  There were 4 passengers in the Volt and they were the ones struck with tragedy.  Three of the passengers did not survive the crash, and the fourth passenger suffered life-threatening injuries.  The young driver of the BMW only suffered minor injuries.

            

            The cause of this devastating crash has not been determined yet.  Since it was a Saturday night, it is always possible that alcohol played a role.  Based on accident scene pictures, the Chevrolet Volt suffered significantly more damage than the BMW.  Whatever the cause may be, it is likely that one of the parties was at fault.  This area of Bethesda is a residential area, therefore, with the amount of damage to the Volt vehicle, speed is a likely factor in the crash.

Remember, actions you take immediately after a car accident will affect your personal injury recovery!

Most crash victims do not understand that an auto accident entails complicated issues, including:

   ·         What should never be discussed with the Adjuster;

   ·         The two critical guidelines to follow when seeking medical treatment;

   ·         The method to “get more” for your property damage and an immediate rental car;

   ·         The one document always needed for your lost wage recovery, and other critical accident related         proof;

   ·         The three essentials for building and evaluating the case for pain and suffering compensation.

If you or a family member have been injured or killed in a Maryland pedestrian accident and would like to consult an experienced personal injury attorney for free, contact our office at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Rockville or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Personal-Injury/

Maryland Car Accident Attorney: What You Need to Know About Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress

All over the United States, courts disagree about whether claims for negligent infliction of emotional distress should be recognized.  Many states choose not to recognize this type of claim unless there was a physical injury as well, or at least an impact.  Other states will allow a person to make this type of claim if they can show that their emotional distress resulted in a physical injury.  The courts further disagree on what signs or symptoms qualify as a physical injury.

Maryland has quite a permissive rule on claims for negligent infliction of emotional distress.  Years ago, Maryland courts used to require a strict physical injury to result from the emotional distress.  Later, the modern rule was adopted which held that the “injury” resulting from the emotional distress could be a “mental state capable of objective determination.”  To succeed in a negligent infliction of emotional distress claim in Maryland, typically you need to show that the effect on the individual’s functioning was extremely severe, or in the nature of posttraumatic stress syndrome.

Virginia, on the other hand, requires strict proof of a physical injury or actual physical manifestation of emotional distress.  Virginia courts go further to require that the physical manifestation not be a typical or expected result of mental distress.  This means that things like anxiety attacks and uncontrollable crying do not qualify.