Large settlements in auto accident cases and the differences in jurisdictions

By Ryan J. Foran on January 12, 2010 3:07 PM | No Comments
http://www.foranlaw.com/resources/maryland-auto-accident-lawyer/what-to-do-after-an-accident.htmlIn an accident involving a 2006 crash that killed two people and left a third victim with permanent brain damage, an Illinois county settled the three claims for $ 15.5 million. Apparently, a sheriff's deputy slammed into the automobile being operated by one of the injured parties. Although wrongful death claims vary from state to state, Maryland and the District of Columbia do recognize wrongful death and survival action claims. There are procedurally and substantive differences between the jurisdictions but essentially they are to compensate the estate for any burial expenses, and medical bills, any conscious pain and suffering and in Maryland any grief. Lost wage claims are perhaps more significant in the District of Columbia because Maryland limits those claims from the date of injury to the date of death. The District of Columbia allows lost wage claims for the amount reasonably expected to earn during the lifetime of the deceased. The District of Columbia does not, however, provide for grief claims. There are caps on what is called non economic damages in Maryland. There are no such caps in the District of Columbia. Non economic damages usually are referred to as pain and suffering damages

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