Maryland: rules and deadlines at a glance

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Malpractice rules · Small claims limits · Small estate limits · Debt time limits · Shared fault rules · Medicaid expansion · ACA marketplace · Claim deadlines · Estate and inheritance tax

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply; open a topic for the details.

Filing deadlines (statute of limitations)

Medical malpractice	5 years from injury or 3 years from discovery
Wrongful death	3 years from death

Malpractice rules Single detailed source

Damage cap	$920,000 noneconomic for 2026 claims (rises $15,000 a year); higher in some death cases
Expert affidavit or certificate	Certificate of qualified expert within 90 days of filing
Before you sue	Claims are filed first with the Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office (parties may waive arbitration)

Small claims limits Single detailed source

Dollar limit	$5,000
Filing fee	$44
Lawyers	Allowed

Small estate limits Single detailed source

Small estate limit	$50,000, or $100,000 if the spouse is the only heir
Wait after death	None
Real estate	Yes

Debt time limits

Credit cards / open accounts	3 years
Written contracts	3 years
Promissory notes	6 years

Shared fault rules

Rule	Contributory negligence
When you are barred	Barred if you are even 1% at fault

Medicaid expansion Single detailed source

Expanded?	Yes
Since	Jan. 1, 2014

ACA marketplace

Marketplace type	State-run marketplace
Where to enroll	Maryland Health Connection

Claim deadlines

Acknowledge	15 working days
Accept or deny	15 working days after claim forms or proof of loss; written update every 45 days
Pay	Not set by rule

Estate and inheritance tax

Estate tax	Yes: estates over $5,000,000, taxed at 0.8%-16%
Inheritance tax	Yes: exemption $1,000 (close relatives exempt); rates 10%