Widgeon v. Eastern Shore Hospital Center

ELDRIDGE, Judge.

In this case we are asked to decide whether a private action for damages exists for violations of Articles 24 and 26 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights. The question was certified to us by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, pursuant to the Uniform Certification of Questions of Law Act, Maryland Code (1974, 1984 Repl. Vol.), §§ 12-601 through 12-609 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article. 1 In response to the certified question, we hold that Maryland recognizes a common law action for damages for violations of the state constitutional…