I think we’d all agree that 2021 was a very challenging year for many individuals and families. The team at Butschky & Butschky worked hard to provide the personal injury law services our clients expect and deserve — despite the many challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, motor vehicle accident fatality rates have increased in Maryland and across the U.S. Our work to advocate for accident injury victims does not take a break, despite the coronavirus.
Over the past two years, we’ve kept pace with the often changing public health guidelines and restrictions put in place by the Maryland Courts in an effort to keep everyone safe. Some courthouses were open, while others remains closed. We’ve dealt with backed-up caseloads in the courts, slow mail services, and even slower insurance claims processing. And while the courts resumed some normal operations, including criminal and civil jury trials, in April 2021, they’ve now stepped that back again due to the highly contagious Omicron variant.
Here are some of the recent changes to operations posted by the Maryland Courts for January 2022:
- As of December 21, 2021, the Maryland judiciary has reverted to Phase III of their reopening plans. Phase III will remain in effect through March 6, 2022.
- Jury trials scheduled after December 29, 2021 through March 4, 2022, will be rescheduled.
- The Maryland Courts follow CDC and Maryland Department of Health guidelines for COVID-19 related safety measures and screening, including screening questions, wearing a face mask, and social distancing.
- In courts located in Baltimore City, mask wearing indoors is mandatory during periods where transmission rates are determined to be substantial or high (they are “high” at the time of this writing).
- Courts are encouraged to conduct remote proceedings whenever possible. In turn, the public is encouraged to file court documents electronically, in virtual drop boxes, or by mail whenever possible.
- Availability of court-based services, both remote and in-person, such as Court Help Centers, Family Division services, and Law Libraries will be determined by the administrative judge who oversees that area.
When in doubt, consult the Maryland Courts’ Local Court Information Page for court website links and contact information. It’s better to be prepared than to show up at the courthouse and be frustrated and disappointed if you cannot accomplish what you wanted.
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle crash or work-related accident in Maryland, please don’t attempt to go it alone. Now more than ever, you need an experienced accident injury attorney to navigate the complex legal system on your behalf. COVID-19 has only made the legal landscape for personal injury lawsuits and claims even more challenging! Let us help you as we’ve continued working throughout the pandemic on behalf of our clients. Please contact us today or call us at (800)722-6616. And please don’t wait; with caseloads moving slowly through the courts, we want to get started on your case or claim asap. Thank you!
Sources:
(COVID-19 Response) Information for the Public
Maryland Courts Updated Jan. 14, 2022
Maryland Judiciary Coronavirus: Local Court Information
Maryland Courts Updated Oct. 4, 2021