We get results. Take a look at some of our positive outcomes for clients:
- $3,250,000 – Workplace sexual assault case
- $1,850,000 – Driver hit by flying aluminum on the road
- $500,000 – Victim’s ear bitten off by a dog
- $475,000 – Group home abuse case
- $375,000 – Rear-end auto accident
- $300,000 – Homeowner’s insurance claim over an infant being dropped
- $300,000 – Babysitter attacked by family dog
- $300,000 – Car accident -previous attorney gave up on client injured in three car accidents over two years
Living in Smithsburg, Maryland
Smithsburg is located in Washington County, Maryland, and has a population of just under 3,000 people. It’s full of rolling hills and wide-open swaths of cropland, with apple orchards and dairy farms dotting the landscape.
Smithsburg was founded in 1813 due to its site along early railroad transportation paths by local settlers interested in forming an agricultural community. Today, Smithsburg is located near the president’s Camp David retreat and the former Fort Ritchie Army base.
Living in Smithsburg is a quintessentially American, small-town experience. It has a mostly rural style of living with many residents who are self-employed or work in manufacturing, warehousing or agricultural employment.
Dog Attacks Young Girl in Smithsburg, Maryland
In summer 2020, an officer working at a local hospital in the Smithsburg area contacted the police department about a young girl who had arrived at the hospital after being bitten by a dog. A police officer came to the hospital to speak to the young girl’s mother about the incident.
The mother said she and her daughter were at a neighbor’s house, and her daughter was playing with a friend who asked the daughter if she wanted to go to her house and look at her new bedroom. The girls went to the other house, which was within earshot of the adults. The mother heard a scream coming from the residence and ran over to her daughter.
According to the mother, her daughter was knocked to the ground and bitten on the face by the dog from the neighbor’s house. When the officer asked if the dog had already been outside, the mother stated that she believed the neighbor girl had opened the door to the house and the dog ran out.
After listening to the mother’s account, the police officer visited the home of the dog’s owner, who told the same story about the girls going to the house to look at the bedroom. The dog’s owner stated that the dog was in the house and her granddaughter must have let it out, saying she was unsure of why the dog would bite the other girl.
The officer notified the dog’s owner that the dog would be quarantined for 10 days, and she said she was willing to pay for the victim’s medical bills. The girl received dog bite injuries that were serious enough to require hospital treatment.
Biting Dogs Create Dangers and New Laws in Maryland
Maryland is in the top half of U.S. states for dog bite frequency. In the state of Maryland, about 38% of households own dogs, which is important because 89% of all dog bites come from familiar dogs the victims knew before they were attacked. Anyone could be severely mauled by the beloved dog of a family member, friend, or neighbor.
Due to a rise in dog bite injuries and fatalities in Maryland, many local communities have enacted new laws to promote safety around dogs. Some ordinances simply lay out leash laws and clarify where dogs are allowed. Other laws are more strict, and in some cases, controversial because they target certain dogs that tend to do the most damage.
Four Maryland communities have instituted breed-specific bans and rules that focus on pit bulls, also known as American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshires, or Staffordshire bull terriers:
| Edmonston | Section: 206-2 | Bans: pit bulls |
| Prince George’s County | Section: 3-185.01 | Bans: pit bulls |
| Ridgely | Section: 64-14 | Pit bulls declared “dangerous” |
| Town of Port Deposit | Section: 5-3.1 | Bans: pit bulls |
Tracey v. Solesky was the law in Maryland for a period of time. After this ruling, the legislative branch enacted new laws that are currently law in Maryland.
What Types of Smithsburg Cases Do You Handle?
At Zirkin & Schmerling Law, we handle a wide variety of personal injury, family law and criminal cases, including motor vehicle accidents, divorce, DUI/DWI and dog bites. If you need legal assistance with any of the following types of cases, please contact us for an initial consultation.
Dog Bite Injuries
After a dog bite in Smithsburg, contact a qualified dog bite injury attorney who can help you get your medical bills paid and recover from the attack.
Personal Injury
When you’re injured due to someone else’s negligence, you can sue for damages. To get the best results, you’ll need an experienced Smithsburg personal injury attorney to help you pursue a personal injury case.
Car Accidents
A car accident attorney can help you make an insurance claim, go to court if necessary, hold the right person responsible and get a high-value award for your Smithsburg car accident.
Semi-Truck Accidents
Your life could change forever during a catastrophic semi-truck accident. Hold the trucking company and its insurance company accountable with a lawyer who is qualified to handle semi-truck accidents.
Criminal Law
Don’t face a criminal charge alone in Smithsburg. Our criminal defense lawyers handle felonies, misdemeanors, expungement, domestic violence, theft, drug crimes, assault, and reckless endangerment. Let’s find the best outcome possible for your situation.
Divorce
A family law attorney can handle your Smithsburg divorce, division of property, alimony, child custody, child support, or protective order. Contact us for a caring approach to family law cases.
Group Home Abuse and Neglect
Is your loved one suffering in a group home? Contact a group home abuse and neglect attorney about seeking high-dollar compensation.
DUI & DWI
Smithsburg DUI and DWI charges easily can end in jail time in addition to fines and the loss of your driver’s license. Take these charges seriously. A DUI/DWI lawyer can explain your options and help you seek the best outcome.
Traffic Violations
Take care of your Smithsburg traffic tickets before they get worse and impact your life. Contact a traffic violation lawyer because even a minor traffic ticket can become a big problem.
Medical Malpractice
A birth injury or medical malpractice can ruin your health and your life. You’ll need the help of an experienced attorney who knows how to stand up to the big healthcare companies and their insurance carriers.
Worker’ Compensation
You may deserve more in worker’s compensation than your Smithsburg employer is offering. These cases can be very complex, and you’ll need solid legal advice.
Wrongful Death
When your loved one dies due to someone else’s negligence, you’re left with sorrow and questions about what happened. We’ll help you get to the bottom of it and seek the compensation you deserve.
Motorcycle Accidents
Were you hurt in a motorcycle accident in Smithsburg? With the help of a motorcycle accident attorney, you can recover the cost of your injuries, bike damage and more.
Defamation of Character
If someone defames you on social media or lies about your reputation, you may have a case against them. Talk to an attorney about defamation of character and holding the person responsible for your damages.
Peace Orders and Cyberbullying
Across the nation, cyberbullying is on the rise. It’s a crime in our state, and you can request a peace order and/or sue someone for the damages you have suffered. Talk to an attorney to understand your options.
What if I’m Not Sure Whether I Have a Case?
Please read the information on this page, and contact us for an initial consultation about your situation. Whether or not you have a case depends on the situation.
Your lawyer from Zirkin & Schmerling Law will meet with you, ask about the details, sort through the legal matters and present you with your options. If you decide to move forward with a case, you’ll find your lawyer provides valuable assistance with conducting interviews, communicating with the other side, locating documents and handling paperwork—not to mention representing you in a court case or settlement.
What Kind of Compensation Could I Recover?
In Maryland, you have the right to pursue compensation for many types of damages. Check with an attorney to see if you could receive compensation for:
- Past and future medical bills.
- Past and future lost wages.
- Pain and suffering.
Will My Case Go to Court?
It’s hard to say whether your case will go to court or not. It is always important to have an experienced Smithsburg lawyer on your side to get the compensation you deserve.
For a personal injury case, sometimes there is no need to go to court for a civil matter because a talented lawyer can help you negotiate a settlement that is accepted by both sides. In this situation, nobody goes to court, yet everyone carefully creates an agreement that resolves the situation. While a lot of civil cases settle, the insurance companies keep offering less and less on cases. Due to this it is important to have a lawyer representing you who is familiar with trying cases in front of a judge or jury. Many lawyers claim to handle personal injury or car accident cases, but have never seen the inside of a court room. Before hiring a lawyer make sure you know that they are experienced in litigation. Also, the insurance companies will sometimes offer more money to law firms that go to court because the insurance company knows that the lawyer isn’t just looking for a quick settlement for the client.
For a criminal case, a court appearance may be unavoidable. You’ll need to present your best case to the court and a lawyer can help you show the judge that you’re a respectable person who is trying to do the right thing. Sometimes, you can avoid going to court in a criminal case if your lawyer can negotiate a legal arrangement with the prosecutor. Once again, it is important to have a lawyer who understands the details of trying a criminal case in front of a judge or jury. Prosecutors know the lawyers that will try a case in front of a judge or jury and the lawyers that are looking to plead their client guilty. If you have a real trial lawyer on your side that can often lead to better offers from the prosecutor’s office.
For a family law case – Family law cases such as divorce can be complex and may involve court appearances. In some cases, you can negotiate arrangements with the other side with the help of your family law attorney and may avoid the need for a court appearance. With family law cases it is always best to avoid court if possible so you don’t have bring the children into the litigation. Also, it helps keep your attorney fees down, but sometimes there is no choice and you have to try the case because the other side is not being reasonable. In these situations, it is crucial to have an experienced family law attorney to try your case.
For a worker’s compensation case, these cases often involve an appearance in front of a workers’ compensation commissioner. Make sure your lawyer has experience with worker’s compensation claims like yours.
Please contact our law office for an initial consultation about your case and we will help you understand your options and the potential outcomes involved.
Nearest Emergency Services and Local Contact Information for Smithsburg, Maryland
In an emergency, always call 911.
Police Department
- Smithsburg Police Department – Emergency call 911
- Smithsburg Office Non-Emergency Administrative Department – (301) 824-3500
Fire Department
- Smithsburg Volunteer Fire Department – (301) 824-2889
Hospitals
- Meritus Pediatric and Adult Medicine Smithsburg – (301) 824-3343
Courts
- Maryland State Courts
- Circuit Court for Washington County – (301) 733-8660
- District Court for Washington County – (240) 420-4600
- District Court of Maryland – (410) 512-2500
At Zirkin & Schmerling Law, we’ll help you handle your legal matters with speed and professionalism. We truly care about our clients, and we are dedicated to providing you with the best possible representation.