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When people think of drones, they often picture a harmless hobby. But recent incidents reported by the Maryland State Police reveal how serious the risks can become when an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) shares airspace with medevac helicopters, emergency responders, and other manned aircraft. At The Law Office of Susan R Green, P.C., we help Maryland residents understand their legal options when a preventable act — including reckless drone operation — causes real human harm.
What Happened
According to reports released by the Maryland State Police, there have been multiple recent incidents in which drones allegedly interfered with the Aviation Command’s operations. In one August 2025 event, troopers assisting Baltimore City Police at an M&T Bank Stadium sporting event reportedly spotted a UAS near the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center’s helipad. A state police helicopter — Trooper 1 — was said to be departing Shock Trauma on a medevac mission when the drone allegedly descended into the same airspace. The drone operator was later located and, according to authorities, was not licensed and was flying inside a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) tied to the stadium event.
Just weeks later, on August 31, Trooper 1 and Trooper 3 were reportedly responding with the Shock Trauma GO Team to a fatal crash on I-70 in Howard County when a trooper on the ground allegedly observed a UAS flying above both medevac helicopters. That operator, according to reports, was never identified.
No injuries from these specific interferences have been publicly confirmed. But the potential for catastrophic harm — a mid-air collision, a delayed medevac, a rescue mission diverted at the worst possible moment — is exactly why Maryland residents should understand what the law provides when drone misuse causes injury or death.
Who May Be Liable
When a drone allegedly interferes with emergency operations or causes a crash, several parties could be liable depending on the facts:
- The drone operator. An individual flying a UAS without proper certification, inside a TFR, or without maintaining safe separation from manned aircraft may be liable for negligent or reckless conduct.
- An employer or commercial operator. If the drone was being flown for a business purpose — real estate photography, event coverage, inspection work — the operator’s employer may be vicariously liable.
- The drone manufacturer or software provider. If a defect in geofencing, obstacle avoidance, or return-to-home features allegedly contributed to the incident, a product liability claim may be possible.
- Event organizers or property owners. In some fact patterns, a venue that failed to enforce clearly posted airspace restrictions could face premises-related exposure.
Each potential defendant’s role depends on evidence that has to be developed carefully — usually with the help of counsel.
Legal Theories That May Apply
- Negligence. Flying a drone without the required Recreational UAS Safety Test certification, ignoring a TFR, or failing to yield to manned aircraft could be argued as a breach of the operator’s duty of reasonable care.
- Negligence per se. Violating FAA regulations or Maryland statutes governing UAS operation may itself establish a breach of duty in a civil case.
- Recklessness / gross negligence. Deliberately flying above active medevac scenes or inside restricted airspace could support a claim for enhanced damages.
- Product liability. A design or manufacturing defect in the drone or its avoidance systems may support a claim against the maker.
- Wrongful death. If a drone-related interference contributes to a fatal delay in medical evacuation or a crash, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim under Maryland law.
- Premises liability. Where a controlled venue failed to warn or enforce, a premises theory may apply.
Damages Victims May Recover
Maryland law allows injured people — and the families of those killed — to seek a range of damages. Depending on the facts, these may include:
- Past and future medical expenses, including air-transport bills and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress (Maryland caps non-economic damages in most personal injury and wrongful death cases; the cap adjusts annually)
- Loss of consortium for a spouse
- Wrongful death damages for qualifying family members
- Punitive damages in rare cases involving actual malice
- Property damage to vehicles or aircraft
Whether any specific category applies depends on the injuries and losses actually sustained.
Evidence That Strengthens a Case
Drone-interference cases are technical, and the evidence window closes fast. Materials that may prove critical include:
- FAA registration and Remote ID data for the UAS
- Recreational UAS Safety Test certification records (or the absence of them)
- Temporary Flight Restriction notices in effect at the time
- Air traffic control audio and radar tracks
- Helicopter flight data recorders and cockpit video
- Eyewitness statements from troopers, EMS personnel, and bystanders
- The drone itself, its SD card, and controller telemetry
- Manufacturer service bulletins or recall notices
- Medical records tying injuries to the incident
- Any social media video posted by the operator or witnesses
An experienced personal injury attorney can send preservation letters immediately to keep this evidence from disappearing.
A Note on Workers’ Compensation
If you were hurt while performing your job — for example, as a first responder, flight medic, tow operator, or roadside worker at an incident scene — you may have a Maryland workers’ compensation claim in addition to any third-party claim against a drone operator. Workers’ comp can cover medical treatment and a portion of lost wages regardless of fault, but it does not compensate for pain and suffering. A third-party civil claim against the drone operator or manufacturer may allow recovery of those additional damages. Not every injury or ordinary commute qualifies for workers’ comp, and eligibility depends on the specific facts. If you were off duty when the incident occurred, workers’ comp likely will not apply, and your remedy would be through a personal injury lawsuit rather than the comp system.
What to Do Next
If you or a loved one has been hurt in an incident involving a drone — whether it caused a delayed medevac, a crash, a fall, or a direct-strike injury — consider these conservative steps:
- Get medical attention and follow through with all recommended care.
- Photograph the scene, the drone (if recovered), and any visible injuries.
- Save every medical bill, prescription receipt, and out-of-pocket expense.
- Identify witnesses and write down what they saw while memories are fresh.
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurer before speaking with a lawyer.
- Be mindful of deadlines — Maryland’s general personal injury statute of limitations is three years, but claims against government entities can require notice in as little as one year.
If you believe a drone operator’s conduct caused you harm, The Law Office of Susan R Green, P.C. can review your situation, preserve critical evidence, and explain your options in plain language. Call (410)-494-7400 or visit https://www.hardball-law.com to speak with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue a drone operator in Maryland if their UAS caused an injury?
Yes. If a drone operator’s alleged negligence, recklessness, or regulatory violation causes injury, they may be liable in a civil lawsuit. You would generally need to show the operator breached a duty of care and that the breach caused your harm. An attorney can evaluate whether the specific facts support a claim.
What if the drone operator was never identified, like in the I-70 incident?
Even when an operator flees, a case is not always hopeless. FAA Remote ID data, video from bystanders, and law enforcement investigations sometimes lead to identification later. In some situations, claims may also lie against a manufacturer or an employer if the drone can be traced.
How long do I have to file a drone injury claim in Maryland?
Maryland’s general statute of limitations for personal injury is three years from the date of injury, and wrongful death claims are also generally three years. Claims involving state or local government defendants often require much shorter written notice — sometimes within one year. Speaking with a lawyer early helps protect these deadlines.
What if I was on the job when the drone incident happened?
Maryland workers who are injured while performing job duties may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for medical care and a portion of lost wages, regardless of fault. You may also have a separate third-party claim against the drone operator or manufacturer for pain and suffering. The two remedies can sometimes work together, but eligibility depends on the facts.
Can I recover damages if a drone delayed my medevac and worsened my injuries?
Possibly. If an alleged interference caused a delay that measurably worsened your outcome, that harm may be compensable, though causation can be complex and typically requires medical expert testimony. Preserving flight logs, medical timelines, and dispatch records is critical.
Are drone manufacturers ever liable for these incidents?
Sometimes. If a defect in the drone’s design, manufacturing, or safety software — such as failed geofencing or obstacle avoidance — allegedly contributed to the incident, a product liability claim may be available. These claims usually require expert analysis of the device and its firmware.
What damages can a family recover if a loved one dies because of drone interference?
Eligible family members may pursue a wrongful death claim for financial support they would have received, loss of companionship, and mental anguish, subject to Maryland’s non-economic damages cap. A separate survival action can seek damages the decedent could have recovered had they lived. An attorney can explain who qualifies to file.
Do I have to talk to the drone operator’s insurance company?
No. You are not obligated to give a recorded statement to the operator’s insurer, and doing so before consulting a lawyer can hurt your case. Insurers may use early statements to minimize the value of your claim. It is generally safer to let counsel handle communications.
Original reporting: tristatealert.com.
