Insights

Non-compete agreements remain a viable tool for Maryland employers—but they are no longer one-size-fits-all employment provisions. Today, they must be carefully tailored to protect legitimate business interests, comply with Maryland law, and withstand judicial scrutiny. For employers in the state, the non-compete that once felt routine now requires a role-by-role review, a wage check, and a clear enforcement strategy. Although Maryland has not categorically banned…

Business disputes are an inevitable part of running a company. A customer fails to pay an invoice. A vendor breaches a contract. A business partner walks away from a deal. An employee violates a non-compete agreement or misuses confidential information. When disputes like these arise, many business owners ask the same question: Should we file a lawsuit? The answer isn't always straightforward. Litigation can be…

Maryland’s 2026 legislative session produced two notable changes to the state’s workers’ compensation landscape, continuing a broader trend toward expanded statutory protections for certain classes of employees. Two measures in particular merit attention from employers, insurers, and claims professionals: statewide legislation expanding presumptive benefits for firefighters with hypertension, and county‑specific legislation affecting workers’ compensation exposure for Carroll County employers.   Expansion of Presumptive Hypertension Claims for Firefighters…

When families begin planning for long-term care, misinformation can be just as stressful as the medical decisions themselves. In Maryland, myths about Medicaid Long-Term Care (MALTC) often lead people to delay planning, make costly mistakes, or assume they have no good options. Below are some of the most common misconceptions about MALTC—and the realities that every family should understand before a crisis hits. 1. You…

At first glance, you would think federal black lung litigation would proceed like all other litigation. However, black lung litigation is upside down, in that the Defense often bears the burden of proof and must disprove the claimant’s entitlement to benefits. In a black lung litigation case, the miner must prove four things: That he has black lung That his black lung arose out of…

On July 1, 2025, the Supreme Court of Maryland, in a 4-3 decision, held that the exclusivity provision of the Maryland’s Workers’ Compensation Act (“the WC Act”) bars non-dependent adult children of deceased covered employees from bringing wrongful death actions. In February of 2021, John Ledford, an employee of Jenway Contracting, Inc. (“Jenway”), suffered a fatal fall while working. Summer Ledford, John Ledford’s daughter, was…