Maryland Lawyers Cope with Continued Court Restrictions During COVID-19 Crisis

The last few months have been difficult and challenging for all of us, to say the least. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, our Maryland law firm has remained open as an essential service. We’ve continued to communicate with and advocate for our personal injury clients. After all, it’s our job to keep their cases and claims moving forward in the courts, despite court building closures that started in March and other severe restrictions.

As we blogged about back in May, the Maryland Judiciary proposed a phased reopening plan for the state courts system, with limited services and safety measures in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Phase 2 of the plan began June 5, with courts remaining closed to the public except for those whose cases needed to be heard.

Most recently, on July 20, the courts entered Phase 3 of the reopening plan, making a few more services available to the public with many restrictions still in place. Here’s how it breaks down for our Maryland accident injury clients and anyone else in Maryland needing the services provided by our courts system.

According to the state website:

  • Maryland courts are currently closed to the public; however, the courts continue to hear certain types of emergencies and other court matters. Most courthouses are operating with essential staff only.
  • During Phase 3, clerk’s offices in both the District Court of Maryland and circuit courts will reopen throughout the state and additional court matters will be scheduled and heard.
  • In addition, anyone seeking to enter court premises—including court employees—are subject to health screening questions and a temperature check, must wear a face covering, and must maintain a social distance of six feet from others.

The Maryland Judiciary’s phased reopening plan is comprised of five stages, each designed to make more services available to the public as the state eventually moves toward a new form of normalcy. Courthouses are scheduled to reopen October 5, however that could change depending on the level of coronavirus infection in the state.

The Law Offices of Butschky & Butschky are open for business. If we can help you with a Maryland personal injury case including motor vehicle accidents and work injury claims, please contact us online or call us today at 800-722-6616 for a no-fee phone consultation. We are here to help you.

Related Baltimore injury attorney post:

Maryland Courts to Reopen in Phased Approach beginning June 5
May 28, 2020

Sources:

Maryland Judiciary COVID-19 Updates
Maryland Courts System website, collected online July 31, 2020

As Md. trial backlog grows, attorneys fear impact of justice delayed
The Daily Record  July 20, 2020

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