General Tort Liability Claims
Intentional Torts
Vollmerhausen v. Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free & Accepted Masons of Maryland,
Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland. Summary judgment granted in favor of fraternal
organization in case involving allegations that a teenage boy was molested in connection
with activities relating to a young men's organization known as DeMolay, after Plaintiff
failed to establish that there was an adequate connection between the Masons and DeMolay,
and failed to establish any act of negligence on the part of the Grand Lodge.
Rhone v. Mack Trucks, Circuit Court for Washington County, Maryland. Defense of
defamation claims arising out of investigation of employee theft.
Poletynski v. Diversified, Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Obtained summary
judgment and affirmance on appeal in claim involving existence and scope of employment,
where alleged employee, who had done various odd-jobs for waitresses and had agreed to
stay in restaurant to protect a particular waitress during the late night shift, shot and
severely wounded customer he believed was threatening that waitress.
Schwartz v. Giant, Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Defended grocery against
claim by customer that he was wrongfully arrested. Dispute focused on question whether
Plaintiff has signed an acknowledgement of guilt before leaving store premises. Plaintiff
denied that his signature was valid, but Plaintiff’s handwriting expert eventually
admitted that the signature was in his opinion valid.
Woodall v. Sunkler, Circuit Court for Cecil County, Maryland. Plaintiff claimed
to have been injured in fist fight that followed effort by Defendant to have
Plaintiff’s car towed. Plaintiff filed suit, claiming civil assault. Verdict for
Defendant.
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Premises Liability
Wise v. Enterprise, Circuit Court for Washington County, Maryland. Obtained jury
verdict on primary negligence in defense of slip and fall claim with substantial
injury/causation questions. Plaintiff fell on a patch of ice in front of Defendant's
store, which Defendant conceded was present and which had been result of a continuing
condition, but which it had taken steps to alleviate. Plaintiff had numerous surgeries
following the fall.
Scheipe v. Red Horse Tavern, United States District Court for the District of
Maryland. Plaintiff fell on ice while leaving Defendant restaurant, fracturing hip and
requiring multiple surgeries. Plaintiff won verdict, but for amount which barely exceeded
his medical bills.
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Auto/Transportation
Werdann v. B & J Trucking, United States District Court for the District of
Maryland. Obtained defense verdict on behalf of trucking company. Defendant's truck had
broken down on shoulder of I-95 coming from Philadelphia. Plaintiff claimed that his truck
had clipped rear portion of Defendant's trailer because the back of the trailer was into
the traveled portion of the roadway. Case had been tried by counsel from another firm
previously, and a verdict for Plaintiff was returned. After appeal, case was retried by
counsel for GDLD, and a defense verdict won after less than an hour's deliberations.
Richardson v. Teter, Circuit Court for Allegany County, Maryland. Defense
verdict in case involving allegation by Plaintiff passenger that he had sustained severe
injury and substantial wage loss claim when car Defendant was driving struck a deer moving
across highway.
Wilder v. Enterprise, Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Defense verdict in case involving allegations that Defendant had moved car while Plaintiff
was still getting in, dragging him by head and shoulder across parking lot.
Davis v. Goewy, Circuit for Baltimore City. Plaintiff claimed need for knee
replacement in admitted liability action. Jury found that Plaintiff’s knee problems
resulted from undiagnosed disease of joint lining.
Howell v. Harris, Circuit Court for Cecil County, Maryland. Defendant admitted
to consuming a bottle and a half of peppermint schnapps in two hours before he pulled in
path of teenaged plaintiffs on Route 40, resulting in severe impact. Primary issue was
whether jury would award punitive damages under then existing standard. Jury returned
verdict for less than Plaintiffs’ medical bills.
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Construction
Briscoe v. Bryn Awel Corp., Circuit Court for Baltimore County, Maryland.
Despite a $14 million plaintiff’s verdict following a highway truck accident in a
construction zone, our client, a road contractor, was held not negligent and paid no
damages.
Miller v. Elkton, Circuit Court for Cecil County, Maryland. Judgment for
Defendant at end of Plaintiff’s case, on alleged failure of city to maintain a
sidewalk area during on-going construction.
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