My name is Susan Sturla and I am one of many who has been impacted by Contributory Negligence.

Maryland is one of four states left with this awful law which needs to be changed. Contributory Negligence is a defense to a tort claim based on negligence. If it is available, the defense completely bars plaintiffs from collecting any damages if they contribute to their own injury, even if they are found to be 1% or less at fault. Because the Contributory Negligence doctrine can Lead To Harsh Results, many states have abolished it or changed it to Comparative Fault or Comparative Negligence.

This is our story on January 1, 2021.
Sophia, my beautiful Pomeranian child" was on her ESA (Emotional Support Animal) harness and leash taking a morning walk with my friend, Bob. It was 7am on New Years Day morning, a day we thought we would be celebrating the New Year. However, my entire world changed and to this day my heart still mourns for my best fury friend. From out of nowhere, a pitbull rushed out of the house next door and attacked Sophia on Bob's property. The pitbull was known to be unfriendly, as stated in the Humane Society report, to other dogs. The pitbull was not wearing a leash nor was there a human owner with the pitbull to control his actions. Maryland law requires a dog to be on a leash at all times in order to be controlled by its owner.

I heard Sophia yelping and Bob screaming so I ran out of Bob's house to see what was happening. Bob lives on a second- floor apartment and on my way to them I fell down some stairs. I could not believe what was happening, but Sophia needed me. I'm her mom and I will always be there for her. She has been the best part of the last 12 years, 9 months and 9 days of my life. The pitbull had her pinned down and I did my very best to try to lift that dog off my Sophia as well as unlock the teeth out of Sophia's stomach.

I could not believe this was actually happening, but I just kept trying to save her. A few Good Samaritans came over to help me and I heard them say "just stab it she needs help." Then they left and I didn't get a chance to thank them. I did notice the male pitbull owner was outside at this time when all of this was going on and I could hear him say "oh my God, oh my God."

I told Bob to go get my keys so we could take Sophia to the vet ER on route 140. However, being New Year's morning, they were not open. I drove to Carroll County Hospital hoping they could help me with Sophia but she had died in my arms.

The hospital took me back to examine me. I was covered in blood. I was bruised and the right side of my body took some damage. I did not need any surgery, but my back required physical therapy. I had multiple bites and my left finger is still numb. Because the pitbull did not have any vet paper work and was euthanized, I had to receive 4 rounds of rabies shots.

The flashbacks and anxiety are at times unbearable, but I keep moving forward.

I am currently in a lawsuit and the pitfall's owners' insurance company, State Farm, is trying to frame the conversation by using Contributory Negligence as a defense to my claim. What we have here is known as bad faith, by placing the blame on me and making it look like it's my fault for protecting my Sophia.

I talk to Sophia every day and visit her beautiful garden. Now she has a little sister named Halle, who is not only a service animal for me, but training to become a Therapy Dog for those who have experienced trauma.
Our goal is to visit St. Jude's Hospital, Shriner's Hospital and senior living homes. I am turning Tragedy into Triumph and Pain into Beauty. If you have a heart and want to be a Good Samaritan, in the case of an attack for instance, you have every divine right, injured or not, to protect yourself as well as another's life or the life of your loved one.

Contributory Negligence is a law that hinders one's thinking and can stop someone from helping one in need. That is an unfair and selfish act. Maryland is a wonderful state, but this inhumane law needs to be changed in order to protect our loved ones.

Thank you for listening to my story,
Susan Sturla on behalf of my Sophia