Factual Background

This matter stems from a fatal industrial accident at a recycling facility. The worker was monitoring an industrial machine when it discharged a piece of shrapnel that struck him, causing fatal injuries. Following the worker’s death, the surviving mother sought dependent death benefits from the state workers’ compensation commission. The commission granted compensation, and the mother subsequently entered into a final settlement agreement with the employer and its insurer for a lump-sum payment.

Later, the surviving mother, acting individually and as personal representative of the worker’s estate, filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Allegany County. This is the lawsuit that would result in the premature appeal. The suit named multiple defendants, including the employer and several equipment manufacturers. The complaint asserted a deliberate intent theory against the employer and products liability claims against the manufacturing entities.

The employer moved for dismissal, which the trial court converted into a motion for summary judgment. The court held that the prior receipt of workers’ compensation benefits barred recovery against the employer. Consequently, the trial court granted summary judgment and dismissed all claims against the employer with prejudice. However, the court denied dismissal as to the manufacturing entities, leaving those claims pending.

The plaintiff filed an appeal from the summary judgment order. Shortly thereafter, the manufacturing entities removed the action to federal district court, but the federal court later remanded the case back to the state trial court. The plaintiff continued to litigate against the remaining manufacturing defendants in the trial court while the appeal was pending. The trial court denied a motion to stay the proceedings, keeping the trial date intact.

Parties Arguments

Before the appellate court, the parties briefed opposing arguments on the substantive issue of whether the trial court erred in granting summary judgment. Specifically, they debated whether a plaintiff can recover tort damages from an employer under a deliberate intent theory after receiving workers’ compensation death benefits.

However, neither side addressed the critical threshold issue of appellate jurisdiction. At oral argument, counsel for the plaintiff explained that the appeal had been noted partly as a hedge while the case was briefly removed to federal court. The plaintiff also recognized the risk of duplicative litigation if the trial proceeded against the remaining entities while the appeal was pending.

Court’s Ruling on Premature Appeal

The appellate court dismissed the appeal for lack of jurisdiction without addressing the substantive merits.

The court explained that state law limits appellate jurisdiction to final judgments from a trial court. A judgment is final only when it disposes of all claims against all parties. When a single claim or party remains unresolved, any judgment is partial and an appeal is premature. Because the plaintiff’s claims against the manufacturing entities remained pending in the trial court, the summary judgment order favoring only the employer was not a final judgment.

Furthermore, the court noted that the plaintiff had not obtained a certification under procedural rules that allow a trial court to direct entry of a final judgment for fewer than all parties upon an express written finding that there is no just reason for delay. The appellate court declined to exercise its discretionary power to enter a final judgment or remand for certification, emphasizing that piecemeal appeals create delays, hardship, and procedural confusion.

Commentary by Baltimore Medical malpractice Lawyer Mark Kopec on Premature Appeal

This decision offers practical lessons for trial attorneys and litigants handling civil litigation involving multiple co-defendants. Premature appeals waste judicial resources and client funds. You can avoid this outcome by following several practical steps:

• Verify Finality Before Appealing: Confirm that every claim against every named party has been completely resolved before filing a notice of appeal. If a trial court grants summary judgment to only one defendant, that order is interlocutory and generally cannot be appealed immediately.
• Seek Rule Certification Early: If immediate review of an order dismissing one party is necessary, ask the trial court for an express entry of final judgment under the governing procedural rule. Be prepared to demonstrate compelling reasons why delaying the appeal until the entire case concludes would cause severe hardship.
• Request a Stay of Proceedings: When faced with parallel proceedings or partial dismissals, request a formal stay from the trial court early in the process. This step prevents trial preparation costs from accumulating while jurisdictional issues are sorted out.
• Avoid Hedging Appeals: Do not file premature notices of appeal as a tactical backup during procedural maneuvers such as federal court removal. Courts will enforce strict statutory finality requirements regardless of strategic motivations.

You can read other Blog posts involving judgment issues, including:

• No Final Judgment: Akinnagbe v. Opesanmi
• Final Judgment: Moore v. CVS
• No Final Judgment: Bryson v. Wells

Mark Kopec is a top-rated Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer. Contact us at 800-604-0704 to speak directly with Attorney Kopec in a free consultation. The Kopec Law Firm is in Baltimore and helps clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Thank you for reading the Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog.

Factual Background on Final Judgment

This case stemmed from a dispute over membership interests in a corporate cannabis processing venture. The plaintiff, joined by three co-plaintiffs, filed a second amended complaint bringing eight separate counts. The claims included fraud in the inducement, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, fraudulent conveyance, civil conspiracy, an accounting, declaratory judgment, and injunctive relief. The lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Howard County named sixteen individual and corporate defendants.

Before trial commenced, the circuit court dismissed several defendants by agreement. Furthermore, the parties submitted stipulations of dismissal for two specific defendants. However, the circuit court never formally signed or entered judicial orders confirming those voluntary dismissals. On the first day of trial, the court dismissed one co-plaintiff after that party failed to appear.

The circuit court split the case into two parts. The jury heard the first five counts, while the court reserved the remaining equitable claims for subsequent bench review. During the multi-day jury trial, defense counsel moved for judgment at the conclusion of the evidence. The trial judge orally granted judgment in favor of the defendants regarding the claims brought by two co-plaintiffs. The judge also disposed of several counts as to most defendants.

Ultimately, the jury evaluated the primary plaintiff’s remaining counts against the lead doctor and returned a verdict in favor of the defense. The trial court then issued a written order on February 18, 2025, attempting to reflect its trial rulings. Later, after disposing of the equitable claims in a separate memorandum opinion, the trial court entered judgment in favor of the defense on the rest of the case. The main plaintiff immediately filed an appeal to challenge the overall trial proceedings.

Parties’ Arguments

On appeal, the primary plaintiff presented thirteen distinct assignments of error. She argued that the trial judge committed multiple procedural and evidentiary mistakes during the trial. Specifically, her brief claimed that the court improperly allowed an alternate juror to participate in deliberations. She also contended that the judge wrongly admitted unauthenticated defense exhibits, including text messages and administrative application documents containing prejudicial materials.

Furthermore, the plaintiff alleged that her own former counsel colluded with opposing counsel to introduce a fraudulent operating agreement. She argued that her due process rights were violated when the judge excluded her from sidebar discussions. Her appeal also raised claims regarding false testimony, improper jury instructions on oral agreements, improper ex parte communications, and a failure by the court to rule on her post-trial motions.

In response, the defendants argued that the trial court handled the trial correctly. They maintained that the jury verdict and the court’s equitable rulings were fully supported by the evidence. The defendants requested that the appellate court affirm the circuit court’s final determination in all respects.

Court’s Ruling on Final Judgment

The Appellate Court of Maryland did not reach the merits of any issue raised by the plaintiff. Instead, the appellate court dismissed the appeal on its own motion because no final, appealable judgment existed in the case record.

Under Maryland law, appellate jurisdiction generally requires a complete final judgment that disposes of every claim against every party. The court emphasized that a valid judgment must be set forth on a separate document and entered properly on the docket pursuant to Maryland Rules 2-601 and 2-602.

The appellate panel identified two primary jurisdictional defects in the record:

1. Unadjudicated Co-Plaintiff Claims: The circuit court’s written order of February 18 failed to capture its oral rulings. While the judge orally granted motions for judgment against two co-plaintiffs during trial, the written order referred only to a singular plaintiff and omitted any reference to those co-plaintiffs’ claims. The subsequent April order also failed to resolve their claims.
2. Unsigned Dismissals: The record contained voluntary stipulations of dismissal for two defendants, but the trial court never signed corresponding court orders. A stipulation of dismissal is not a self-executing court order and does not constitute a final judgment.

Because these claims and parties remained technically unresolved on the official docket, the appellate court concluded that it lacked jurisdiction and dismissed the appeal.

Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer Commentary on Final Judgment

This case offers a procedural lesson for trial lawyers and parties in civil litigation, including medical malpractice actions. Appellate courts strictly enforce jurisdictional rules regarding final judgments. A simple oversight in written documents can derail an appeal after lengthy and costly litigation.

To avoid this frustrating result, legal counsel can take specific, proactive steps throughout the trial process:

• Audit Draft Orders Meticulously: When a trial judge grants oral motions for judgment, lawyers should review the written orders carefully. Counsel should ensure every plaintiff, defendant, and count is explicitly named and resolved in the document. Avoid relying on generic phrases like “all Defendants” when multi-party claims are involved.
• Follow Up on Stipulations: Filing a stipulation of dismissal is often not enough to clear the record. Attorneys should regularly confirm that the clerk enters a formal, signed order of dismissal on the court docket for every departing party.
• Perform a Pre-Appeal Docket Audit: Before filing a notice of appeal, counsel should conduct a complete audit of the docket entries. Verifying that a separate, comprehensive judgment document disposes of every single claim prevents unexpected dismissals at the appeal level.

By using diligence over written orders and docket entries, attorneys can protect their clients’ right to appeal review and avoid costly jurisdictional dismissals.

You can read other Blog posts involving judgment issues, including:

• Final Judgment: Moore v. CVS
• No Final Judgment: Bryson v. Wells

Mark Kopec is a top-rated Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer. Contact us at 800-604-0704 to speak directly with Attorney Kopec in a free consultation. The Kopec Law Firm is in Baltimore and helps clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Thank you for reading the Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog.

Factual Background on Default Judgment Appeal

This legal dispute began with a lease for a commercial shop in Maryland. The landlord and the tenants signed a five-year lease in April 2017. The lease included both a business entity and two private business owners as tenants.

Over time, the tenants struggled to pay their monthly rent on time. Therefore, the landlord worked with them by signing two lease changes. The first change in January 2020 ended future rent hikes. It also removed the duty of the tenants to pay shared maintenance fees. The second change in October 2022 made the lease month-to-month. It reduced the monthly rent to $6,500. It also turned the unpaid rent debt of $170,195.77 into an on-demand note.

Despite these changes, the tenants still failed to make regular payments. By October 2024, the tenants owed nearly $250,000 in unpaid rent and fees. So, the landlord filed a breach of contract lawsuit in the circuit court. The suit sought damages under the lease and note, along with late fees, interest, and legal fees.

On October 9, 2024, a process server served legal papers on the primary private defendant. The server served him both personally and as resident agent for the business. On the same date, the server served the secondary private defendant at a home address. However, the tenants did not file an answer or any court papers within the set time limit.

Default

Because the tenants failed to respond, the landlord requested an order of default in December 2024. The trial court entered the default order that same day. This began the process that led to the default judgment and appeal. The court also set a hearing on damages for March 2025. The clerk mailed notice to an address in Maryland. However, those letters returned as undeliverable.

To fix the notice issue, the landlord postponed the hearing date. The landlord located a new address in Maryland. In March 2025, the landlord served the papers to an adult daughter at that home. The landlord also served the business through its resident agent in April 2025.

The trial court held the damages hearing in June 2025. The landlord appeared with a lawyer. The private defendants appeared without a lawyer. The landlord presented the lease, the note, and a payment ledger through a property manager. The defense cross-examined the witness. The primary private defendant testified that early costs surprised him. He also testified that pandemic troubles harmed business revenues. However, he gave no proof of payments made after signing the note.

The trial court ruled that the landlord proved damages of $265,820.24 plus $39,870.03 in legal fees. The court entered default judgment on June 11, 2025. Twenty-eight days later, a lawyer entered an appearance for the defense. The lawyer filed an appeal and moved to vacate the default judgment. On August 5, 2025, the trial court denied the motion to vacate. However, the defense did not file a new appeal from that denial order.

Parties’ Arguments

On appeal, the tenants argued that the trial court erred when it denied their motion to vacate the default judgment. They asserted that their total debt should not exceed the amount in the note. They also argued that agents of the landlord verbally promised rent breaks during the pandemic. Thus, they asked the court to set aside or reduce the monetary judgment.

In contrast, the landlord argued that the appellate court lacked legal power to review the denial order. The landlord pointed out that the tenants failed to file a fresh appeal after the court denied the motion to vacate. Furthermore, the landlord argued that the tenants lost their right to dispute liability because they never moved to vacate the initial default order within thirty days. On the issue of damages, the landlord noted that the lease change clearly required ongoing rent on top of the note.

Court’s Ruling

The appeal court held that it lacked legal power to review the order denying the motion to vacate the default judgment. The court explained that filing a post-judgment motion more than ten days after entry of judgment does not pause the thirty-day appeal window. Also, a premature appeal filed before a late motion is decided does not cover the eventual denial order. Because the defense failed to file a second notice of appeal after the August order, the appellate court had no power to review that ruling.

Furthermore, the appellate court ruled that the tenants could not challenge their liability for breach of contract. Under state rules, obtaining a default judgment is a two-step process. The entry of an order of default fixes legal liability. If a party does not move to vacate that default order within thirty days, the issue of liability is closed forever.

Finally, the court reviewed the ruling on damages. The court rejected the defense claim that damages were capped by the note amount. The second lease change clearly required monthly rent payments in addition to the note debt. In addition, the defense did not raise that argument at the trial court hearing. Thus, the appellate court affirmed the monetary judgment in full and ordered the tenants to pay court costs.

Commentary By Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer Mark Kopec on Default Judgment Appeal

This case provides lessons for individuals and businesses involved in court claims. Ignoring court papers or missing deadlines can bring total financial trouble. However, parties can take clear steps to navigate complex legal claims and avoid harsh results.

First, act immediately when served with a lawsuit. When a process server delivers legal papers, the deadline clock starts right away. Defendants must not ignore a summons or hope to settle informally outside of court. Instead, retain experienced legal counsel immediately to file an answer within the required time limit. Early action prevents an order of default from ever being entered.

Second, if a default order occurs, act quickly within the thirty-day cure window. State procedural rules give a party thirty days after entry or service of a default order to file a motion to vacate. This window is your best opportunity to save your case. If you move quickly and show good cause along with a real defense, courts will often strike the default. However, if you miss this thirty-day deadline, liability becomes fixed. After that point, no court will let you argue about who was at fault.

Additional Items

Third, understand the sharp difference between liability and damages. Once a default order stands, the lawsuit shifts entirely to calculating damages. At a damages hearing, you cannot present defense theories about verbal promises or contract terms. Instead, you must focus entirely on line-item numbers. Defense lawyers must check financial logs, challenge unproven costs, and show proof of proper payments. Raising clear objections during the hearing is vital to preserve your rights on appeal.

Fourth, track appellate deadlines with extreme care. A major procedural trap occurs when filing post-judgment motions. A motion filed within ten days of default judgment pauses the deadline to appeal. However, a motion filed after ten days does not pause that appeal clock. If you file an appeal while a late motion is pending, that appeal will not cover the motion’s eventual denial. When the court denies the late motion, counsel must file a second notice of appeal within thirty days. Failing to file that second notice leaves the appellate court with no power to help you.

In short, parties can protect themselves by acting fast, meeting court deadlines, focusing on key damage issues, and following appeal rules. Taking these early steps will help avoid default judgments and safeguard your legal rights.

You can read Blog posts on other cases involving judgment issues.

Mark Kopec is a top-rated Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer. Contact us at 800-604-0704 to speak directly with Attorney Kopec in a free consultation. The Kopec Law Firm is in Baltimore and helps clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Thank you for reading the Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog.

Understanding foreign judgment enforcement and corporate standing rules is essential for judgment creditors and debtors. Below is an overview of the factual background, the arguments, the court’s ruling, and commentary.

Factual Background on Judgment Renewal

The dispute began when a District of Columbia professional law corporation obtained a money judgment against three individual defendants in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in September 2012. Two months later, the law firm recorded the out-of-state judgment in the Circuit Court for Howard County, Maryland, where two of the judgment debtors lived.

Under Maryland law, a money judgment remains valid for 12 years. A judgment creditor may extend this period by filing a notice of renewal before the 12-year window expires.

On July 2, 2024, the creditor filed a timely notice of renewal in Maryland. Shortly after, the court clerk issued a notice of renewed judgment.

The debtors then moved to strike, stay, and vacate the renewed judgment. They pointed out that the District of Columbia had revoked the entity’s registration in September 2021 because it failed to file reports and pay fees. They also noted that the entity was not in good standing in Maryland due to an unfiled report. One debtor filed an affidavit stating she lived in Texas and had never resided at the Howard County address listed in the court filings.

In response to these motions, the creditor filed its missing reports and paid all outstanding fees in the District of Columbia. Consequently, the District of Columbia government restored the entity to active status. The creditor then opposed the debtors’ motions, showing it had achieved active standing. The circuit court denied the debtors’ motions to strike, stay, and vacate the judgment. The debtors then filed motions for reconsideration, raising additional challenges, but the circuit court denied those motions as well. The debtors appealed.

Parties’ Arguments

The Debtors’ Arguments

The debtors made several key points on appeal:

• Nullity of Action: They argued that a revoked entity is a non-entity. Therefore, any legal action taken while dissolved is a complete nullity.
• Lack of Good Standing in Maryland: They claimed that because the entity was not in good standing locally, state law prohibited it from maintaining a lawsuit.
• Allegations of Fraud: They contended that the entity obtained its corporate reinstatement fraudulently. They argued the law firm was no longer practicing law, its named partners were inactive or deceased, and it used an incorrect address.
• Personal Jurisdiction: The out-of-state debtor argued that local courts lacked personal jurisdiction over her because she lived in Texas.
• Statute of Limitations: The Texas resident also argued that Texas’s 10-year period for judgment enforcement should apply to her, rather than Maryland’s 12-year rule.

The Creditor’s Arguments

The entity countered with several points:

• Relation-Back Doctrine: Under District of Columbia corporate law, reinstatement relates back to the date of administrative dissolution. Thus, the entity acts as if the dissolution never occurred.
• Unforfeited Foreign Right: Although its local administrative standing had lapsed, the entity never forfeited its legal right to do business in the state.
• Separation of Entity and Owners: The debt collection activity was a valid corporate purpose. The status or death of individual partners did not extinguish the entity’s independent corporate existence.

The Court’s Ruling on Judgment Renewal

The Appellate Court of Maryland affirmed the trial court’s decision.

Case Summary Table

The court explained that home-state corporate law governs an entity’s internal status. Under District of Columbia law, corporate reinstatement operates retroactively. Once the entity resolved its administrative default, it restored its rights as if the dissolution had never occurred.

The court also addressed the local status argument. Maryland law limits lawsuit rights for foreign corporations that forfeit their right to do business. However, simple administrative non-compliance does not equal formal forfeiture. Because the entity never forfeited its business rights, it retained the ability to renew its judgment.

Additionally, the court dismissed the fraud allegations. It held that local courts cannot look behind a facially valid reinstatement certificate issued by another jurisdiction. The panel noted that collecting an outstanding judgment is a legitimate business activity. Therefore, changes in law practice operations or partner status do not erase corporate existence.

Finally, the court rejected the jurisdictional and choice-of-law arguments. Personal jurisdiction matters when a party initially records a foreign judgment, but it does not prevent a creditor from renewing an existing local record. Furthermore, once recorded under the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act, the debt became a local judgment. Consequently, local procedural timelines apply to all co-debtors, regardless of their state of residence.

Commentary by Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer Mark Kopec on Judgment Renewal

There are three key reasons supporting this outcome.

1. Retroactive Reinstated Standing Aligns with Corporate Law

First, administrative dissolution is primarily a revenue and record-keeping tool used by state regulators. It is not designed to give legal windfalls to judgment debtors. Corporate statutes across most jurisdictions—including the District of Columbia and Maryland—expressly state that reinstatement relates back to the effective date of dissolution.

If courts treated every act during a temporary administrative lapse as a permanent nullity, businesses would face chaotic disruption over minor administrative oversights. By allowing relation-back status, the court enforced the clear wording of corporate statutes. Because the plaintiff cured its administrative default promptly, the law properly treated the corporate entity as continuous.

“Under District of Columbia law… CHF’s reinstatement relates back to the effective date of CHF’s ‘administrative dissolution’… CHF was entitled to ‘resume carrying on its activities and affairs as if the administrative dissolution had never occurred.'” — Appellate Court of Maryland

2. Statutory Distinction Between Lack of Good Standing and Forfeiture

Second, the court distinguished between a temporary lack of good standing and formal business forfeiture. Maryland Code, Corporations and Associations Article § 7-301 restricts court access for foreign entities that forfeit their authority to operate.

However, failing to file an annual report does not automatically trigger total forfeiture. Extending the statutory bar to cover minor administrative lapses would misread the statute. The plaintiff never received a formal declaration of forfeiture. Therefore, the trial court correctly recognized that the entity maintained its legal capacity to protect its recorded assets.

3. Proper Application of the Foreign Judgments Act

Third, the court protected the integrity of foreign judgment enforcement. Under the Full Faith and Credit Clause and the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act, a properly recorded out-of-state judgment becomes a local judgment.

Once converted, local procedural rules govern enforcement duration. Accepting the debtor’s argument—that individual out-of-state residency changes the judgment’s lifespan—would create absurd results. A single judgment would expire at different times for different co-defendants. The court correctly preserved standard procedure by holding that local procedural timelines apply equally to all parties named in the judgment.

Ultimately, this ruling prevents debtors from using technicalities to avoid valid obligations. It confirms that corporate reinstatement cures procedural defaults and upholds long-established principles of finality in civil recovery.

You can read more Blog posts on issues involving Judgments.

Mark Kopec is a top-rated Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer. Contact us at 800-604-0704 to speak directly with Attorney Kopec in a free consultation. The Kopec Law Firm is in Baltimore and helps clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Thank you for reading the Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog.

Factual Background

The plaintiff filed a complaint for medical malpractice in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. The claim was against an OB/GYN and her practice group. It specifically alleged the doctor negligently performed a laparoscopic hysterectomy and caused a ureter injury. The parties then filed a stipulation that the doctor was an employee of the group and acting within the scope of her employment. (Op. at 1).

At trial, the plaintiff told the court that they were dismissing the doctor with prejudice. The plaintiff’s lawyer also repeated the stipulation and added that the group was responsible for the doctor’s actions. Counsel then agreed that the court would instruct the jury that the doctor acted as the group’s agent. However, the court did not make any ruling. A docket entry, however, stated that the plaintiff made an oral motion, which the court granted.  (Id. at 2-3).

At the close of the plaintiff’s case, the defense moved for judgment, arguing that the dismissal of the doctor with prejudice released the group. The circuit court, however, denied the motion. On the plaintiff’s request, the court entered a new docket, making a revision the prior entry as a motion/stipulation that is a dismissal without prejudice.  This ruling, which was in favor of the plaintiff’s request, was a crucial step in the case.

The circuit court, asserting its power, amended the plaintiff’s motion to dismiss with prejudice to without prejudice. This action, which was within the court’s authority, was a significant move in the case. The court directed the clerk to make a new, separate docket entry, effectively altering the course of the case. Importantly, there was no written order of dismissal.

The jury found for the plaintiff and awarded $426,079 in damages. The group appealed. (Id. at 7-8).

Court of Special Appeals

In a case of first impression, the CSA first concluded that dismissal with prejudice against an agent does not necessarily make the vicarious liability claim against the employer nonviable. When the plaintiff gives no consideration, and the parties do not litigate the merits against the agent, vicarious liability remains. (Id. at 32).

The CSA then addressed the circuit court’s use of its revisory power. The defense argued that the plaintiff did not move to dismiss the claim. Still, instead, the parties presented a stipulation of dismissal. The defense added that the plaintiff did not file the required written motion under Rule 2-535(b). Even if the plaintiff had filed a written motion, the defense contended that the plaintiff was not entitled to revisory relief. (Id. at 35-36).

The CSA stated that since it already determined that the dismissal did not release the group, the court’s revision became irrelevant. In addition, Rule 2-535(b) was inapplicable because it governs the revision of a final judgment. Here, there was no final judgment. The circuit court revised an interlocutory oral ruling approving the dismissal. That action was proper under Rule 2-602(a)(3), demonstrating the court’s commitment to following the correct procedures. (Id. at 36-38).

The CSA then addressed the issue that there was no separate document for the dismissal as required by Rule 2-601(a). The CSA found that the parties waived the requirement. There was a docket entry for the dismissal, the separate document failure was inadvertent, and the parties did not object. (Id. at 38-39).

Commentary by Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer Mark Kopec on Revision of a Dismissal

As with the first issue, the CSA and the circuit court again applied well-established law to give place to the parties’ intentions. Unfortunately, in an attempt to avoid answering for its negligence, the defendant asserted an argument under an inapplicable rule.

Fortunately, the CSA applied the correct rule. In doing so, it placed substance over form to effectuate the parties’ intentions and uphold the jury’s finding of malpractice on the defendant’s part.

Mark Kopec is a top-rated Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer. Contact us at 800-604-0704 to speak directly with Attorney Kopec in a free consultation. The Kopec Law Firm is in Baltimore and helps clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Thank you for reading the Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog.

Factual Background on Confessed Judgment in Medical Malpractice

The plaintiff, demonstrating a proactive legal strategy, brought a lawsuit for medical malpractice, and the parties reached a settlement during a court settlement conference. The court then dismissed the case, and the parties entered a written settlement agreement. The agreement specifically required the defendants to make eight payments. After making six of the payments, the defendants then failed to make the final two, totaling $27,500. The plaintiff, in response, then filed an amended complaint for confessed judgment. (RR at 1-2, 5).

Provisions

The agreement provided that if the defendant failed to make installments within 15 days of their due date, the plaintiff could confess judgment against the defendants. The relevant provision specifically stated that the defendants:

will be deemed to be in ‘default’ of the outstanding payment installment, and

[Plaintiff] will immediately be entitled to a Confess Judgment with the court

against [Defendants]—the consent for which is hereby expressly provided by

[Defendants]—enumerating and declaring [Defendants’] acceptance and

assumption of responsibility to pay the unpaid balance of the total Settlement

Payment remaining as of the date default occurred, plus any late fees that have

accrued pursuant to the terms set forth above. [Plaintiff] expressly agrees that this

Settlement Agreement may be filed with any pleading necessary to enter or obtain

a Confess Judgment to prove his agreement and consent to said judgment.

(Id. at 4).

The agreement also provided for late fees:

If [Defendants] fail to effectuate payment of any installment of the Settlement

Payment within five (5) days of the due date specified for each installment . . .

[Defendants] hereby agree to pay an additional TWO HUNDRED DOLLAR

($200.00) ‘late payment fee’ to [Plaintiff] for each day thereafter that said payment

installment remains unsatisfied, beginning on the sixth (6th) day after the due date

specified for the outstanding payment installment, and continuing indefinitely until

said payment installment is effectuated and satisfied in full. The accrual and

payment of daily late payment fees under this Provision is understood by the parties

to operate separate and apart from any other payment obligations or requirements

imposed upon either party by any other Section or Provision of this Agreement.

(Id.).

US District Court for the District of Maryland

The court, in a decision that upheld the plaintiff’s rights, found that the plaintiff’s filing satisfied the local rule’s requirements for confessed judgment. The plaintiff attached the necessary documents and required affidavit that showed the plaintiff was entitled to a confessed judgment of $27,500 plus liquidated damages of $78,900. (Id. at 5-6).

Commentary by Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer Mark Kopec on Confessed Judgment

It is unusual for a medical malpractice case settlement to provide for several payments over time, like this case. This payment arrangement likely means the doctor and his practice group did not have insurance coverage for this case.

The plaintiff’s lawyer, demonstrating exceptional legal skill, did an excellent job of protecting the plaintiff in the event of nonpayment. The confessed judgment specifically allowed for a prompt judgment without bringing a separate court case. In addition, the liquidated damages clause was a key part of this case. That clause then provided about 75% of the recovery. The provisions that the plaintiff’s lawyer used in the settlement agreement for confessed judgment are above. 

Interestingly, the plaintiff almost had to bring a separate case in state court. The federal court’s diversity requirement, which mandates that the damages sought exceed $75,000 for the federal court to have jurisdiction, is a significant legal concept in this case. Fortunately, for the plaintiff, the liquidated damages clause took them over that total, so they did not have to bring a new case in state court.

Although periodic payments are unusual in medical malpractice cases, this case provides a good example of how to do it from the plaintiff’s lawyer’s perspective.

Mark Kopec is a top-rated Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer. Contact us at 800-604-0704 to speak directly with Attorney Kopec in a free consultation. The Kopec Law Firm is in Baltimore and helps clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Thank you for reading the Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog.

The plaintiff brought a case in the Circuit Court for Howard County after she tripped and fell at a mall on a floor mat that was allegedly misplaced. She broke her femur. (Op. at 1). The plaintiff then sued the mall, management, janitor, and security. The mall, management, and janitor settled with the plaintiff. (Id. at 1-2).

The plaintiff then went to trial against the security company and obtained a $750,000 jury verdict. The plaintiff contended three joint tortfeasors, and security contended four. The circuit court found there were four and entered judgment accordingly. However, it declined to predate the judgment to the date of the verdict. (Id. at 4).

Entry of Judgment

The procedure for entry of judgment is in Rule 2-601. The Appellate Court stated: 

“Section (a) of which, captioned in part “Prompt Entry,” provides, in relevant part, that, upon a verdict of a jury allowing recovery of a specified amount of money, ‘the clerk shall forthwith prepare, sign, and enter the judgment unless the court orders otherwise.’”

The jury returned its verdict on May 27, 2022. However, the circuit court still had to decide the disputed issue of how many tortfeasors, which would determine how much money the court would enter in its judgment. The circuit court decided the entry of judgment issue on June 20, 2022. (Id. at 8).

A circuit court is entitled to enter a judgment nunc pro tunc to the verdict date to commence the post-judgment interest running. See Mona v. Mona Electric, 176 Md. App. 672, 730-31 (2007) and Aronson v. Fetridge, 181 Md. App. 650, 683-687 (2008).

The Appellate Court also stated:

“Apart from resolving a post-judgment motion filed by Allied, which was denied, the one-month delay in this case was for the legally required determination of an appropriate reduction in the verdict due to the existence of other joint tortfeasors, and we see no reason why appellant should be denied post-judgment interest because of that necessary delay. The only way to achieve that result – a fair and permissive result – is to date the judgment nunc pro tunc from the date of the verdict.” (Id. at 9).

Commentary By the Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer

The Appellate Court’s rationale on entry of judgment is persuasive and helpful to medical malpractice plaintiffs. Maryland has a 10 percent post-judgment interest rate. CJP 11-107. Interest rates have been low for over two decades, and the 10% post-judgment interest rate has significantly benefited plaintiffs who must wait for payment pending post-trial motions or appeals.

It significantly adds up on appeals. An appeal to the Appellate Court of Maryland can take one and a half years to complete. For a $1,000,000 medical malpractice verdict, 10% for 18 months totals $150,000.

The Maryland medical malpractice lawyer should specifically use these authorities to ensure the circuit court enters judgment as of the verdict date. Suppose the circuit court has entered judgment on a later date. In that case, the lawyer can file a motion to alter or amend judgment within ten days of the entry of judgment. Rule 2-534. Alternatively, the lawyer also can file a motion for the circuit court to exercise its revisory power. Rule 2-535. 

When it is time for the defense to pay the judgment, the medical malpractice lawyer should convey to the defense the amount of post-judgment interest, including the per diem amount. The lawyer should also state that the defense must pay interest through the date the lawyer receives the check, or the lawyer will only provide an order of satisfaction once the defense does.

Mark Kopec is a top-rated Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer. Contact us at 800-604-0704 to speak directly with Attorney Kopec in a free consultation. The Kopec Law Firm is in Baltimore and helps clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Thank you for reading the Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog.