Cost of Delay Modeler Guide for Maryland

What this calculator does

DocketMath’s Cost of Delay Modeler (jurisdiction: Maryland / US-MD) helps you estimate how the timing of a claim or case can affect overall value. Instead of treating “time” as a vague concept, the model turns delay into a quantitative cost using a simple input structure and a results table you can carry into settlement discussions, internal planning, or case-budgeting.

The core idea is straightforward:

• You enter case timing assumptions (start date, end date or “as-of” date, and any expected delay windows).
• You enter economic inputs (a baseline amount, a discount rate or rate of return assumptions, and optional escalation assumptions if you’re modeling inflation-like effects).
• The calculator computes a cost of delay output—typically expressed as a dollar impact over the modeled period—so you can compare scenarios (faster vs. slower timelines).

Maryland-specific timing logic (statute of limitations)

Because Maryland’s limitations framework often drives early value decisions, this guide aligns the model’s “timing window” prompts to Maryland’s limitations period.

Maryland’s general civil limitations framework for certain actions is commonly tied to Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-106, which provides a 3-year period:

• Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-106 — 3 years
  Source: https://codes.findlaw.com/md/courts-and-judicial-proceedings/md-code-cts-and-jud-pro-sect-5-106/?utm_source=openai

The brief guide also flags the tool’s built-in sub-rule mappings you may see in the workflow:

• Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-106 — 3 years — exception V2
• MD Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-205 — 3 years — exception M4

When to use it

Use DocketMath’s Cost of Delay Modeler when you want to put numbers behind timing decisions—especially in settings where each month can change settlement leverage, carrying costs, or expected outcomes.

Check the boxes that match your use case:

Why Maryland’s 3-year period matters for modeling

When the limitations period is 3 years, a shift in timing can have outsized impact. For example:

• A delayed filing approach can compress available time to respond, negotiate, or prepare.
• Early case development can reduce uncertainty and change expected decision points.

Because the limitations framework is anchored to 3 years under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-106, the calculator’s timing widgets are especially helpful for translating that period into scenario dates and economic impact.

Step-by-step example

Below is a complete walkthrough using realistic modeling inputs for Maryland (US-MD). The goal is to show how the same amount changes when delay changes.

Scenario setup

Let’s say you’re modeling the economic impact of filing timing on a claim with a baseline economic value.

• Jurisdiction: **Maryland (US-MD)
• Baseline amount (economic value at time of filing): $50,000
• Discount / rate of return assumption (annual): 8%
• Expected delay:

  • Scenario A (faster): 90 days
  • Scenario B (slower): 270 days
• Model start date: today (you can use a specific date in the calculator)
• Model end date: derived from the delay period (the calculator will compute over the modeled duration)

Step 1: Open the tool

Start here: /tools/cost-of-delay
If you’re already in the DocketMath workflow, you can also jump from internal resources like tools → /tools/cost-of-delay.

Step 2: Select Maryland timing alignment

Choose Maryland (US-MD) and ensure the limitations timing logic is set to the Maryland baseline relevant to your situation. The model uses the 3-year framework tied to:

• Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-106 (general 3-year period)
  https://codes.findlaw.com/md/courts-and-judicial-proceedings/md-code-cts-and-jud-pro-sect-5-106/?utm_source=openai

If your interface exposes sub-rule toggles, you may see mappings such as:

• § 5-106 — 3 years — exception V2
• § 5-205 — 3 years — exception M4

Pick the option that matches the workflow you selected (or leave default if your screen doesn’t require it).

Step 3: Enter economic inputs

Fill in:

• Baseline amount: $50,000
• Annual rate: 8%

Step 4: Enter delay timelines

Add two scenarios (or run one scenario at a time if the UI is single-run):

• Scenario A: delay = 90 days
• Scenario B: delay = 270 days

Step 5: Read and compare the output

When you run the model, you should get an estimated cost of delay figure.

Because many delay-cost models are essentially discounting future value back to “now,” the longer the delay, the larger the cost. In this setup, you should expect:

• Scenario B (270 days) → higher cost of delay than Scenario A (90 days)
• The difference between outputs gives you a clean “delay premium” you can use in internal discussions.

Illustrative output structure (what to look for)

Even if exact numbers depend on the calculator’s formula settings, the output typically includes:

Tie back to the Maryland limitations window (optional, but useful)

If your workflow includes a “latest filing” date or “limitations window” view, you can set the model to show where your scenario falls relative to a 3-year period under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-106.

Common scenarios

The Cost of Delay Modeler is most useful when delay is not merely “unfortunate,” but negotiation-relevant. Here are practical Maryland-focused scenarios that map well to the model.

1) Settlement valuation under competing timeline assumptions

You might have two realistic settlement narratives:

• Narrative 1: resolution in ~3 months
• Narrative 2: resolution in ~9 months

Use the model to show the economic gap. Even when you don’t change the baseline claim amount, the discounting and time value can produce a meaningful difference.

Checklist:

2) “File sooner vs. later” planning with a 3-year window in mind

Maryland’s general 3-year framework under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-106 can be a natural anchor for internal planning timelines.

Use the model to convert timeline changes into cost:

3) Internal budgeting for case management

Suppose your organization faces a choice between:

• spending more up front to speed discovery, or
• spending less up front and accepting slower resolution

Run two versions that differ in expected duration. The tool output can help justify faster triage by quantifying economic harm from delay.

4) Leverage modeling for repeated procedural delays

If you expect recurring stoppages (e.g., waiting periods for hearings or scheduling), represent delay in chunks:

• 60 days initial delay
• plus 90 days additional delay
• plus 30 days final delay

Then compare the total against an “efficient path” with fewer chunks. This creates a defensible, numbers-first delay narrative.

Tips for accuracy

A good cost-of-delay estimate is mainly about consistent assumptions. These adjustments will improve reliability without requiring legal advice.

Use date discipline

Separate “baseline value” from “delay cost”

A common error is double-counting.

Related reading

• Cost of Delay Modeler Guide for Alabama
• Cost of Delay Modeler Guide for Arizona
• Cost of Delay Modeler Guide for California