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