At this time of year, we stop to give thanks: for our friends and families, for meaningful work, and for valued clients like you. We are truly grateful that you choose to work with us and we are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals.

We wish you all the blessings of a peaceful holiday with those you love. Happy Thanksgiving!

Fatal Fire Claims Woman’s Life in Townhome Fire

A fatal fire occurred in a townhome that caught fire on May 21, 2013. Anne Arundel firefighters were called to the residence in Crofton around 1:40 p.m. on May 21, where they discovered smoke coming out of the second floor of a two-story, end-unit townhome. Pursuant to a search of the premises, they found a woman in a second floor bathroom. She was immediately taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center, and later transferred to the Bayview Burn Center in Baltimore.

A total of 23 firefighters took nearly an hour to bring the blaze under control. Officials report property damage at approximately $60,000. No one else was hurt in the blaze. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Fatal Fire Cases: Top-Ranked Ellicott City Personal Injury Lawyer

For more than 30 years, attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has been fighting for people’s rights and protecting their interests in Maryland personal injury and fatal fire cases.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful Past Results, including fatal fire cases — has earned him the recognition of his peers and clients:

• Maryland Super Lawyer.
• “10.0 Superb” as a litigation attorney by AVVO.
• “Client’s Choice Award” by AVVO, based on average client reviews of 5 stars — the highest client review possible.
• Client Distinction Award (Client Review Rating of 4.5 or higher on 5.0 scale – less than 4% of 900,000+ attorneys listed by Martindale-Hubbell)
• 2013 Top Attorneys in Maryland (American Registry)
• 2013 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and Martindale-Hubbell.
• 2013 Top Rated Lawyer in Personal Injury Law  by The American LawyerMagazine and Martindale-Hubbell.
• The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers (by invitation only and limited to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers from each state).
• “AV-Preeminent™*” Highest Peer Rating by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (25 consecutive years).

These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, a lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition.

Attorney Smith handles all types of serious and catastrophic injury claims, including fatal fire cases, burns, broken bones, paralysis, brain and spinal cord injury, and amputation or loss of limb. He also represents individuals and families who have lost a loved one because of a wrongful death, including fatal fire cases.

Maryland Fatal Fire Attorney

Our firm represents injured people in Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.

If you have been hurt in a fire, or a loved one has perished in a fatal fire, attorney Jonathan Scott Smith will aggressively help you pursue full and fair compensation for all your losses. Contact us by e-mail or call our office at 410-740-0101 to schedule an appointment.

Swimming pool accidents are hardly ever minor. Deep water, rough-housing kids, cement corners, inattentive lifeguards, poorly maintained equipment-these are some of the top threats to children’s safety at community and private pools

As parents, you want your children to enjoy their time in the water. But – also as parents – you need to take every available step to make sure they are safe. There are actions you can take to help keep your children safe, and there are questions you should ask about the pools where your children swim.

As a parent, you can:

• Enroll your children in a water safety class that concludes with a safe swimmer certification.
• Keep a fully charged cell phone with you whenever your family is at the pool.
• Learn CPR.
• Pay special attention to your children under 5, who are at higher risk of pool-related submersion deaths and injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Ask these questions at community pools where your children swim:

• Are lifeguards trained and certified?
• When was the last time the pool drains and pumps were serviced? Do you make service records available to pool users?
• What was the last injury at the pool?
• How do you decide how many lifeguards to staff?
• Where is life-saving equipment located? When is the last time it was checked for wear and tear?
• Do your pool drains use the new safety covers required by the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act?

If your children swim in private residential pools, whether your own or someone else’s, check these issues to decrease the risk of drowning or drain entrapment:

• Is there a 4-foot or higher fence around the entire pool?
• Does the pool gate use self-closing hinges and self-latching latches?
• Does the hot tub or spa have a locking safety cover?
• Is life-saving equipment located nearby? Is it in good working order?
• Is a fully charged phone kept near the pool at all times?
• Does the pool use safety drain covers?
• When was the last time the pool pump and drains were serviced?
• Are pool and gate alarms installed?
• Have you considered a surface wave or underwater alarm?

Learn more about swimming pool safety at the U.S. government’s “Pool Safely” website.

If you or someone you love has been hurt because of the carelessness or negligence of another person, we can help. Contact us by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101 to schedule an appointment. We represent personal injury victims in Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland

You probably read about the plane that crashed and burned during a landing at San Francisco Airport a few days ago. It’s every airplane passenger’s worst nightmare. Sadly, two people were killed and another 182 passengers were injured, and 49 of those seriously injured.

Witnesses reported that the pilot may have tried landing short of the runway and one of the wings clipped a rock retaining wall. The end result being that the tail separated from the aircraft, which compromised the fuselage and caused a fire.

Nearly 200 firefighters arrived on the scene immediately, put out the fire, and began tending to the injured. Right now, we can only speculate as to the cause of the accident and a full investigation by The National Transportation Safety Board is forthcoming.

What to do if you are in a plane crash

Although statistics are in your favor and only one in approximately one million flights ends up in an accident, according to National Transportation Safety Board, you should still know what to do in a crash. The following tips may be helpful in ensuring the odds are in your favor if you are in a plane crash:

• Wear comfortable and practical clothing and shoes. Comfortable clothes that cover the arms and legs and shoes that cover and support your foot, give you a better chance of moving quickly out of danger in the event you have to flee the plane.
• Choose your seat wisely. You have a better chance of survival if you are seated behind the wing and/or near the emergency exits. And aisle seats are better than center or window seats. If possible, choose a seat in those areas of the plane.
• Be vigilant during takeoff and landing. The times during which an accident is most likely to occur during a flight is a few minutes after takeoff and a few minutes before landing. So it is wise to keep your shoes on, your tray table up and to be aware of the two nearest exists relative to your seat. It is also advisable to put your carry on items beneath the seat in front of you, which will provide extra protection for your feet and legs in the event of an accident. Also remove sharp objects like pens and keys from pockets which can puncture skin in an impact.
• Remain calm. The first 90 seconds after a crash are vital and so if you can remain calm and assess the situation you will be able to act quickly to save your life and that of your loved ones.
• Act quickly. If there is a serious situation, do not stop to gather your belongings, or wait for instructions; just get off the plane as quickly and efficiently as possible

Top-Rated Personal Injury Lawyer in Howard County

If you or someone you love has been hurt because of the carelessness or negligence of another person, we can help. Contact us by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101 to schedule an appointment. We represent personal injury victims in Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland

Anne Arundel Fire and Emergency responders were called to the northbound Baltimore Washington Parkway around 2:30 am Tuesday morning, March 22, in the aftermath of a single car accident between Routes 175 and 32. Police say a 2012 Ford SUV collided with a 2007 Jeep, leaving the driving of the Jeep trapped in his vehicle. EMS personnel had to use the “jaws of life” to get him out. One of the victims was air-vacced to Prince George’s Hospital Center, but the injuries were not perceived as life-threatening. Three others were taken by ambulance to Baltimore Washington Medical Center with minor injuries.

Top-Rated Personal Injury Attorney in Ellicott City and Columbia, MD

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith, a Maryland Super Lawyer, has protected the rights of injured people in Maryland for more than 30 years. Because of his record and reputation for effective representation, he has been awarded the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, based on an average client review of 5 stars (the highest rating possible). He has a perfect 10.0 Superb rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO, and has also built an outstanding reputation with his colleagues in the legal profession, earning an AV-rating under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System. Smith was also recognized as a 2012 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and Martindale-Hubbell.

Baltimore County, Maryland, Personal Injury Law Firm

If you have been hurt because of the wrongful act of another person, you want experienced and effective legal counsel. Contact the law office of Jonathan Scott Smith by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101 to schedule an appointment. We represent injured people in Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.

A 50-year-old Baltimore man has been charged with second degree murder in connection with the disappearance of another Baltimore man last November. Anne Arundel police officials say that Richard Wayne Brooks is being held without bond in the apparent death of Mark Hatmaker, of Baltimore County. Hatmaker’s family members say the last time they saw him was November 24. According to officers, Hatmaker met with Brooks the same day he disappeared, and was known to have a large amount of cash on him at the time.

During the course of an investigation, police learned that Brooks asked a friend to rent a U-Haul truck for him on the day Hatmaker disappeared and that Brooks had purchased 45 gallon heavy duty bags, a 9×12 tarp and polypropylene tape. Police obtained a search warrant for the U-Haul and found evidence that there had been a large amount of human blood in the storage area. They then obtained a search warrant of a motor home belonging to Brooks, where they found more evidence of human blood and tissue, and matched it to Hatmaker.

Top-Tier Criminal Defense Lawyer in Columbia and Ellicott City, MD

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith, a Maryland Super Lawyer, has protected the rights of criminal defendants in Maryland for more than 30 years. With a stellar record and reputation for effective representation, he has been awarded the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, based on an average client review of 5 stars (the highest rating possible). Smith has a perfect 10.0 Superb rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO, and has also earned an outstanding reputation with his colleagues in the legal profession, earning an AV-rating under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System. Smith was also recognized as a 2012 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and Martindale-Hubbell.

Baltimore County, Maryland, Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested and charged with a crime, we can help. Contact us by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101 to schedule an appointment. We represent criminal defendants in Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.

When you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s wrongful or careless act, one of your first thoughts is to seek compensation for lost wages or income, medical expenses and other damages. But what if the accident was partially your fault? Can you still recover a financial award to pay for the losses you’ve suffered?

For hundreds of years, the law of personal injury applied a concept known as the “contributory negligence” doctrine. Under the legal theory of contributory negligence, if you were negligent in any way and to any degree, and that negligence contributed to your injury, you could not recover damages from someone else for your losses. Because the doctrine seemed extremely harsh, and because defense attorneys would, often successfully, argue that a miniscule amount of negligence on the part of the injured party should absolve an egregiously negligent party from any liability, a new standard—comparative negligence—has become the law of the land in all 50 states.

Not surprisingly, though, there is no consensus on how comparative negligence should be applied. In the majority of states, the principle applied is what is known as “modified comparative negligence.” In those states, an injured party can only recover damages if his or her degree of liability falls below a statutorily determined level. Most states hold that level to be 51% (21 states) and all others adopting modified comparative negligence (another 12 states) find the level to be 50%.

Top-Rated Personal Injury Lawyer in Howard County

If you or someone you love has been hurt because of the carelessness or negligence of another person, we can help. Contact us by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101 to schedule an appointment. We represent personal injury victims in Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.

A former Howard County school teacher was sentenced to five years in jail after luring a 14-year-old boy out of his bedroom at night by misrepresenting himself as a 16-year-old. Christopher Russell Fox, 37, who worked as a technology teacher and as a coach in the Howard County School system since 2003, pled not guilty last year to a third-degree sexual offense. Prosecutors say he went on a teen dating website, posted false pictures and misrepresented his age. They say that he lured the 14-year-old out of his home to meet him on a local tennis court in July, 2014. The boy subsequently reported Fox to the police, who conducted an investigation that led to his arrest the following December.

After Fox was convicted, his attorney asked that his sentence be suspended, but the judge only suspended four of the five years, and placed him on five years of supervised probation.

Criminal Defense Attorney in Maryland

Maryland Super Lawyer Jonathan Scott Smith has fought for the rights of criminal defendants for more than 30 years. Smith has a perfect 10.0 Superb rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO, and is also respected by his colleagues in the legal profession, who have given him an AV-rating under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System. Because of his record and reputation, he has been a multiple recipient of the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, based on an average client review of 5 stars (the highest rating possible). Smith was also lauded as a 2012 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and Martindale-Hubbell.

Top-Rated Ellicott City and Columbia, MD, Criminal Defense Lawyer

We aggressively defend people throughout Maryland who are facing criminal charges. Contact us by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101 to schedule an appointment. We represent criminal defendants in Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.