Personal Injury Deposition in Maryland
A deposition is sworn out-of-court testimony taken during the discovery phase of yourMaryland personal injury case. What you say in a deposition is legally binding and can significantly impact your settlement outcome.
For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney.
Contributory negligence
Fault System
$15,000 – $70,000
Avg Settlement
3 years
Filing Deadline
Deposition Tips for Maryland Injury Cases
Tell the Truth
You are under oath. Inconsistencies between deposition testimony and trial testimony destroy credibility and can sink your case.
Listen Carefully
Only answer the question asked. Do not volunteer information. If you do not understand a question, ask for clarification.
Take Your Time
Pause before answering. Your attorney can object before you respond. Never rush.
Say "I Don't Know"
If you genuinely do not remember or know, say so. Guessing can be used against you.
Review Records First
Review your medical records, accident report, and prior statements with your attorney before the deposition.
Fault Is Key
Under contributory negligence, any admission of fault can reduce or eliminate your recovery.
Maryland Law Overview
Maryland is one of the last four states to maintain the strict contributory negligence rule, which completely bars any recovery if the plaintiff bears any degree of fault. This harsh doctrine is tempered only by the last clear chance doctrine in certain circumstances. Despite this challenging environment for plaintiffs, Maryland courts in Baltimore and surrounding jurisdictions produce significant verdicts in appropriate cases. The statute of limitations is 3 years for most personal injury claims. Maryland does not require no-fault PIP coverage. The state's proximity to Washington D.C. and a large government workforce create significant claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act alongside state law cases. Maryland caps noneconomic damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases at a sliding scale beginning around $920,000 (indexed annually for inflation). Medical malpractice claims have the same noneconomic cap and require a certificate of qualified expert at filing. Government claims require strict notice compliance.