How Has COVID-19 Impacted Massachusetts Personal Injury Cases?

How Has COVID-19 Impacted Massachusetts Personal Injury Cases?
It is mid-April, 2020, and the COVID-19 pandemic has completely revolutionized American society. All of us now are ordered to stay at home and socially distance from others to the greatest extent possible. Many are fortunate enough to work remotely from home. However, there are those that are required to report to work, such as front-line medical professionals, as well as other needed essential workers.
Many personal injury claimants are concerned as to what extent COVID-19 will impact their Massachusetts personal injury case. As in all other areas of our society, the legal/court system has also been greatly affected by COVID-19. However, attorneys and other legal professionals have adapted to this new reality, and accordingly, I’ve seen that all Massachusetts injury claims are progressing forward, notwithstanding COVID-19.
Many clients with an ongoing case are concerned that insurance companies will be run out of business. At the time of this writing, I don’t see that as being a possible eventuality. Actually, I have found that insurance companies are working, as they always do, in evaluating claims and attempting to do what they can to resolve claims. That means that these cases are generally progressing, notwithstanding the COVID-19 Pandemic. However, there has been a profound impact on personal injury claims in Massachusetts. Right now, at the time of this writing, courts across the Commonwealth are closed and are only hearing emergency matters. All other matters, such as motions and trials, are currently postponed until further notice.
However, technology has enabled attorneys to effectively handle this new regime we find ourselves in. For example, lawyers can still conduct depositions; however, they’re now being done remotely with tools like Zoom. As well, mediations and arbitrations can still be held with remote technology services. The Supreme Judicial Court has modified procedural rules to allow attorneys to electronically sign documents, which facilitates the litigation process between litigates. As well, the SJC has enacted other measures that will assist all attorneys in advancing their clients’ cases forward through the court system.
If you have an ongoing case such as a motor vehicle accident claim, a worker’s compensation accident, or a pedestrian accident or any other type of Massachusetts injury case, your case will still be moving forward in the normal course with some minor permutations. Rest assured, the settlement value of your case is not impacted by COVID-19. Yes, there may be some delays in the progression of your case. However, the current climate does not prohibit cases from settling favorably for all parties.
If you are someone you know needs a Boston personal injury attorney, I encourage you to contact the Earley Law Group Injury Lawyers at 617-444-7777. During this time, make sure to stay safe and stay home.