Terms Used In Maryland Code, COURTS AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS 10-913

  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
(a) In any action for punitive damages for personal injury, evidence of the defendant‘s financial means is not admissible until there has been a finding of liability and that punitive damages are supportable under the facts.

(b) A claim filed with the Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office in accordance with § 3-2A-04 of this article shall be considered an action for purposes of this section.