Maryland Appellate Court Affirms Summary Judgment Awards for Landlords in Lead Paint Exposure Suit

ANNAPOLIS, Md. –– A Maryland appellate court has affirmed summary judgment awards for landlords named in lead paint exposure lawsuits, agreeing with lower courts that the plaintiffs had relied solely on circumstantial evidence in bringing their claims.

In the June 20 opinion, the Maryland Court of Appeals held that the plaintiffs could not rely on circumstantial evidence alone in establishing their prima facie case since the evidence did not lead to a reasonable likelihood or probability, but rather a possibility and speculation.

Plaintiffs in both cases brought claims against landlords who allegedly were negligent in protecting against lead paint poisoning …