Partlow v. Kennedy Krieger Institute

Nov 13, 2019

OUTCOME: $1.8 Million dollar verdict for Plainitff

Smith v. Sugarman

Apr 29, 2015

OUTCOME: $9.3 Million verdict for Plainitff.

Lead paint poisoning case against a Baltimore City landlord. Plaintiff was born into the subject house and all his blood-lead levels occurred while residing at the property. His highest blood-lead leve ... l was 10 micrograms per deciliter. Plaintiff successfully proved that he was poisoned in Defendants' property as a result of their failure to comply with the Baltimore City Housing Code.

Butler v. S&S Partnership

Nov 26, 2013

OUTCOME: Trial court and Court of Special Appeals reversed.

The Maryland Court of Appeals (the State's highest court) held that the trial judge abused her discretion in ruling, with no party having first requested that she do so, that Plaintiff's medical expert ... would not be permitted to testify at trial.

Jackson v. Dackman

Oct 24, 2011

OUTCOME: Judgment of the Court of Specail Appeals Reversed.

Immunity provision of Reduction of Lead in Housing Act held to be invalid under the Maryland Declaration of Rights.

Carter v. Housing Authority of Baltimore City

Oct 07, 2010

OUTCOME: $20.8 M Verdict for Plainitff

Plaintiff brought suit against Housing Authority of Baltimore City for lead-paint poisoning. Plaintiff alleged permanent brain-damage as a result of lead-paint exposure. Defendant denied the property c ... ontained lead, denied that it was negligent and denied the the Plaintiff was injured. There was no direct evidence of lead in the property, but Plaintiff proved this with circumstantial evidence. This was the first lead-paint case where a Plaintiff obtained a verdict with circumstantial evidence.

Allen v. Dackman

Mar 22, 2010

OUTCOME: Judgment of Court of Special Appeals Reversed

Lead paint poisoning case involving interpretaiton of the Baltimore City Housing Code. The Court of Appeals held that he trier of fact could hold a member of a limited liability company (“LLC”), person ... ally liable for lead paint-related injuries allegedly suffered by children who occupied a dwelling that the LLC owned. First, the relevant version of the Baltimore City Housing Code (“Housing Code”) imposed a duty on those who “own, hold, or control” the title to a dwelling.The Court held that the trier of fact could find that the LLC member controlled the title to the dwelling at issue because the respondent may have made decisions regarding the purchase and sale of the dwelling. Second, a member of an LLC may be held liable for torts that he or she personally commits, inspires, or participates in, even though performed in the name of the LLC. The trier of fact could find that the respondent personally committed, inspired, or participated in the tort alleged in this case because he may have made decisions regarding maintenance of the dwelling. Third, the Housing Code was explicitly intended to protect all occupants of dwellings, including children who might be injured by flaking, chipping, or peeling lead paint. If the respondent was an “owner” of the dwelling under the Housing Code, he therefore had a duty to the children who occupied the dwelling even if he never intended to lease the dwelling and the children had no legal right to possess the dwelling.

Justice v. Housing Authority of Baltimore City

Mar 26, 2008

OUTCOME: Verdict for Plaintiff ($5.4M)

Lead-Paint poisoning case. Personal injury included brain-damage resulting from exposure to lead at the defendant's residential property. The jury found that the plaintiff was exposed to lead and inju ... red as alleged. A judgment was entered in the amount of $5.4M.

USAA v. Riley

Jun 01, 2006

OUTCOME: Affirmed

Insurance Coverage dispute. Maryland Court of Appeals held that liability insurance policies "stack" across multiple policy periods.