Dodson v. Dodson

ELDRIDGE, Judge.

The issue in this case is whether, under Maryland law, a trial court may award compensatory damages, based upon the alleged negligent failure to comply with a court order, in a civil contempt action. We shall answer that question in the negative and reverse the judgment of the Court of Special Appeals.

I

In 1999, the respondent Amelia C. Dodson filed, in the Circuit Court for Worcester County, a divorce action against the petitioner James J. Dodson. A pendente lite order issued on July 30, 1999, inter alia, granted Amelia custody of the parties’ three children, granted to Amelia…