Social media in Maryland and personal injury

Social media and the access to millions of people with the click of a button has transformed the way the world works and communicates. From global companies to local Maryland elementary schools, the use of social media and other platforms has become the new way of connecting with others. Unfortunately, with the access by so many to such a broad and often unfiltered means of communicating, the ability by those who have malicious intent to reach and cause personal injury to others, whether directly or indirectly, has reached epic proportions.

A 29-year-old Maryland man from Salisbury was indicted in another state on a criminal charge. The man sent a Twitter message which contained a strobing image to a reporter with the intention of causing a seizure. The reporter suffers from epilepsy.

The image was sent to the victim in response to the reporter’s criticism of then-President-elect Donald Trump. The man’s attorney says his client suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. The attorney also says his client has apologized to the victim and is seeking counseling.

Intentionally causing harm, using physical means or from behind the keyboard, is no less traumatic for the victim who is left suffering from the consequences of opening an email or viewing a post on his or her Twitter account. Maryland residents have the right to file a personal injury claim in civil court should they find themselves in a situation where someone is or has caused physical pain or suffering at the hands of someone else. With the help of a knowledgeable attorney, victims can seek compensation to of losses due to a personal injury.

Source: NBC, “Man charged with hate crime for seizure-inducing tweet”, March 21, 2017