Summary of May 2025’s Labor Law Cases in Maryland
Here’s a roundup of labor and employment law decisions from Maryland in May 2025. These cases highlight important developments in workers’ compensation and employment rights.
Zukowski v. Anne Arundel County — Supreme Court of Maryland (No. 14)
Date decided: April 24, 2025 (reported in May legal update)
Summary: Two police officers received service-connected disability benefits. Their workers’ compensation (WC) awards were offset by those benefits. They challenged whether attorney-fee liens should apply before or after the offsets.
Ruling: The Supreme Court held that attorney fees are a lien on the actual compensation paid—after statutory offsets are deducted. The term “compensation” in the fee statute closely aligns with “benefits” under § 9‑610, meaning fees are based on the net award .
Implications:
This decision clarifies that WC attorneys in Maryland must base their fee liens on net awards post-offset. Employers, insurers, and claimants should factor this into settlement calculations under Maryland labor law and workers’ compensation practices.
Antonio Fogg v. Town of Forest Heights Police Department — Circuit Court for Prince George’s County (C-16-CV-23-000857)
Date decided: May 20, 2025
Summary: Fogg filed a petition for a writ of mandamus after being terminated from the Forest Heights Police Department. He alleged procedural and substantive irregularities surrounding the termination.
Ruling: The court issued an unreported opinion (persuasive, not precedent-setting) addressing whether procedural defects in the termination warranted mandamus relief; the specific result aligns with typical standards for such petitions.
Implications:
While not precedential, this case serves as useful guidance for public-sector employees in Maryland. It underscores how challenges to procedural fairness—even in local government terminations—can be raised under mandamus petitions. HR departments and municipal counsel should review personnel policies to avoid potential procedural deficiencies.
Conclusion: Looking back on Maryland’s Labor Cases in May 2025
These May 2025 cases reflect ongoing clarification in Maryland labor law: Zukowski reinforces that workers’ compensation attorney fees are tied to net awards after offsets, while Fogg highlights procedural safeguards for public-sector employment terminations, even in non-precedential rulings under Maryland workplace rights.
If you’re navigating WC offsets or termination procedures in Maryland, it’s wise to consult experienced legal counsel. For questions or guidance on similar legal matters—including how this impacts your organization—please contact HKM’s labor and employment team. We’re here to support HR professionals and employees in safeguarding workplace rights in Maryland.
