Md. Lawmakers debate HB113, push for better compensation

MARYLAND. – In Maryland, if you file a lawsuit for pain and suffering, or a wrongful death, the most compensation you can expect to receive is $950,000.

But Delegate Natalie Ziegler is pushing back, by introducing House Bill 113.

“The law, to me, is really, really unfair. It puts our legislative finger on the scale for the perpetrator and not the victim,” said Del. Ziegler.

If signed into law, the bill would repeal the current cap on non-economic damages and instead allow the judiciary system to determine how much someone is owed in a suit.

Some business owners have voiced opposition, fearing liability insurance rates will go up if the cap is done away with. But Del. Ziegler said this bill will level the playing field.

“Victims have the right to a trial by a jury and it is the jury’s job to determine what the damage award should be,” said Del. Ziegler. “If the jury comes up with some crazy number, which does happen sometimes, a judge can always lower that number.”

Looking at the bill through an attorney’s lens, Thomas Maronick Jr., with Maronick Law LLC., said this law will incentivize insurance companies to pay out victims fairly and avoid taking cases to trial.

“I think that what will happen is that the insurance companies will want to resolve more cases than not risk trials, and I think it’s actually going to make for a much more even playing field, and a much more reasonable solution across the board,” said Maronick.