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Change in Local Government Tort Claims Act

-Approved by Maryland General Assembly on 5/12/15

-Goes in to effect on 10/1/15

-Effects any claim made against a local government entity in the State of Maryland including automobile accidents with local governmental entities and slip and fall injuries sustained on local government owned properties.

-Purpose:  For the purpose of increasing the limits on liability of a local government for certain claims under the Local Government Tort Claims Act; altering the period of time during which a certain notice of a claim under the Local Government Tort Claims Act must be provided; providing for the application of the Act; and generally relating to the limits on liability of a local government under the Local Government Tort Claims Act.

-Acts affected are Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings 5-303 and 5-304.

-Limits of liability before October 1, 2015 were $200,000.00 per an individual claim and $500,000.00 per total claims that arise from the same occurrence.

-Limits after October 1, 2015 will be $400,000.00 per an individual claim and $800,000.00 per total claims that arise from the same occurrence.

-Prior to October 1, 2015, a person is required to put the local government on notice of the claim within 180 days of the injury.

-After October 1, 2015, a person is required to put the local government on notice of the claim within one (1) year of the injury.

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