Transportation
The Firm is active in all aspects of the transportation industry, representing motor carriers, motorcoach and bus companies, private fleet operators, railroads, shippers, terminal operators, stevedoring companies, airlines, and barge operators, both directly and through their insurers.
Semmes’ attorneys have considerable knowledge in this area and trial expertise necessary to effectively represent clients in personal injury and cargo claims, as well as regulatory matters including state and federal compliance, operating authority filings, and the preparation of equipment lease agreements. We frequently defend drivers in criminal, traffic, and regulatory matters, and we are also experienced in insurance coverage and self-insured and retention programs.
Attorneys practicing in this area also have knowledge and trial expertise in state and federal workers’ compensation matters. We routinely handle all phases of workers’ compensation litigation, including hearings before the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission and appeals to each of the various Circuit and Appellate Courts in Maryland.
Our appellate practice includes handling cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court, as well as handling appeals under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act to the Benefits Review Board. We also represent employers desiring to become self-insured in Maryland, including representation at the administrative level and beyond, including the regulatory process involved in obtaining self-insured status.
Representation includes insurance companies, self-insured employers and independent adjusting companies. We frequently work directly with company representatives and claims department personnel, enabling us to aggressively defend our clients’ interests. By offering complete litigation services, we work with our clients to develop appropriate claims investigation programs and safety measures, which help reduce the number and cost of all types of claims.
Our attorneys have made substantial contributions to the current status of Maryland liability and workers’ compensation law, through both the appellate and legislative processes. This includes our work with the Maryland General Assembly during the legislative session. In addition, we play an integral role, through the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, in supporting or opposing various bills of interest to the transportation community.
As a member of ALFA International, we are active in that association’s Transportation Practice, which exchanges information among its members regarding transportation issues, and sponsors seminars for industry representatives and ALFA transportation lawyers. ALFA also provides a network to Semmes’ clients for representation by any of over one hundred firms, throughout the United States, and, literally, around the world.
This practice area is headed by Semmes’ principal Thomas V. McCarron. Mr. McCarron is an experienced trial attorney and is an active member of the ALFA Transportation Group.
Attorneys practicing in this area are similarly active in other transportation industry-related organizations, including the American Bar Association’s TIPS Commercial Transportation Litigation Committee, the Transportation Lawyers Association (ATLIP), The Federal Bar Association Transportation Law Committee, the aviation activities of the ABA Litigation and TIPS sections, the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, The Maryland Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee, the Maryland Chapter of the Traffic Club, and the Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association.