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What is Parental Liability in Columbia, Maryland?

Written by
ruxandra
June 17th, 2016

In each state, there are clear laws that refer to the liability of a parent whose child was convicted of an offense against the law. Parental liability in Columbia, Maryland, is a statute that ensures the parent(s) of the guilty minor will reimburse the victim for the damages caused by their child. There are a lot of things that have to be taken into consideration when dealing with minors. With the aid of your personal injury lawyer from Columbia, Maryland, you can get the legal help you need for your case. In this article, you get an insight into what parental liability is and how it can affect your case.Financial liability restitution limitYour Columbia injury lawyer will tell you that the parental responsibility law is created to hold a parent or guardian responsible for all the damages caused by the minor child. But in Maryland, there is no law that can make the parent civilly liable for the negligence of their child or for any accidents the minor caused. Even if intentional misconduct is proven, the guardian or parent will not become automatically liable. But if the minor is convicted of a crime regarding their actions, then your personal injury attorney from Columbia, Maryland, may have to prepare you a solid defense. There are a couple of situations in which the parents could be ordered to compensate the victims, including:

  • Property damage
  • Income loss
  • Compensation for dental or other medical bills
  • Property loss
  • Direct out-of-pocket loss
  • Funeral expenditures
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Therapy or counseling bills

But unlike personal injury claims (which can be very costly), the limit in the parental liability law is of $10,000 for each child's act and each accident. So, if you suffered damages because of a minor, you can contact your Columbia injury attorney and see what legal options you have for your particular case. With the help of a professional, you may be able to recover compensation directly from the minor's parents.Your personal injury attorney from Columbia, Maryland, can sometimes (in very rare cases) prove that the parent of the minor is civilly responsible. But this can happen in extremely rare cases because it can be difficult to prove the fault civilly. On the other hand, it is easier to prove that the parents were not against certain behaviors of their child or that they knew their child's behavior could be dangerous to others and did not take reasonable measures to stop or prevent the negligence.How can your Columbia injury lawyer help your case?If you or your loved one have been affected by a minor, you must consider filing a restitution claim against the parents with the help of your Columbia injury attorney. Most parents agree to pay for medical bills or property damages. But what if the minor's actions resulted in you losing your job or made you lose income and miss work days?You can contact the best personal injury lawyer from Columbia, Maryland, at (443) 569-3950 or send an email at chris@annapolisaccidentattorney.com and you will get a free consultation of your case.