Workplace injuries can be devastating, both physically and financially. In Massachusetts, United States, workers’ compensation laws and personal injury laws are designed to protect employees injured on the job. However, there are instances when hiring a workplace injury lawyer becomes necessary to ensure your rights are upheld and that you receive fair compensation.
This article will outline ten signs that indicate you may need a workplace injury lawyer in the state of Massachusetts.
Motorcycle accidents can be frightening and traumatic experiences. The immediate aftermath of a motorcycle crash can be chaotic, but knowing what steps to take can help protect your rights, ensure your safety, and ease the claims process. If you find yourself in a motorcycle accident in Massachusetts, here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do:
After an accident, the safety of everyone involved should be your top priority. Move yourself and your motorcycle to a safe location, away from traffic, if possible. If you’re injured or unable to move, try to stay as visible as possible and call for help.
An injury to the mind, body, or emotion can be detrimental to one’s health. When pursuing a personal injury claim it is essential to recover fair compensation; where you receive reparation for not only economic losses, but also for your pain and suffering. Pain and suffering is the physical and emotional pain associated with your injury- which can transform you into a different person as it takes a toll on you.
While some damages regarding your injury are easy to quantify, others are not. Damages that can be estimated using a calculator (i.e., medical bills, lost wages) are called economic damages. However, damages that cannot be quantified are categorized as non-economic damages. Pain and Suffering falls under this category, however there are a couple of standard ways in which a value can be determined; The Multiplier Method and The “Per Diem” Method. Continue reading →
Boston Snow And Ice Accident Attorney
If you slipped and fell on snow and ice you may be confused about what to do, and what your rights are. There are things you can do after a slip and fall to protect your rights.
Slip and fall accidents can cause injuries ranging from strains and sprains, to dislocations and broken bones, to even death. The challenge from a legal standpoint with these cases is establishing liability. The fact that you slipped and fell on snow and ice does not mean you have a case worth pursuing. Some slip and fall cases are worth pursuing, and some are not. Here are examples of both:
Most if not all Massachusetts personal injury, medical malpractice and products liability cases are taken on a contingency fee basis. What does this mean? I found the following informative and articulate post over at injuryboard.com authored by attorney Scott E. Smith. Here is the post:
Abraham Lincoln once said, "A lawyer's time and advice is his stock in trade." In essence, asking an attorney for his advice is no different than asking an accountant to set up a business plan or do your taxes, a doctor to examine you, render a diagnosis and prescribe treatment or hiring an electrician to fix the wiring of your home. Nonetheless, many people are under the impression that calling a lawyer and asking a question is free. Although most lawyers will gladly answer preliminary questions regarding a legal matter, when it is determined a lawyer is needed, a fee contract is required.
Most lawyers charge by the hour, as do most professions. Depending upon the lawyer's qualifications, experience and expertise, the hourly rate will vary. However, there are situations attorneys will work for a client on a contingent basis or on a reduced hourly rate and negotiated lower percentage. A contingency fee allows a lawyer to charge a client a percentage of money recovered in behalf of the client in a given case. A contingent fee contract has been referred to as the "poor man's key to the courthouse" because many individuals who are in need or require the assistance of an attorney cannot afford an hourly rate.
Health Insurance Liens and Your Personal Injury Case
If you have been involved in a personal injury accident in Massachusetts, and your health insurance company has paid some, or all of your medical bills relating to your accident, then they are entitled to be paid back if you receive a settlement. The money they are paid back comes out of the settlement.
This is often referred to as a ‘lien’ or a ‘right of recovery’ that your health insurance carrier has, by law, against the money that you recover from the accident. Often, your attorney can reduce the amount that you owe to the health insurance carrier. Many times, the health insurance carrier will take a 1/3 reduction of their lien to reflect the attorney’s fee that you must pay out of the settlement. At times, the 1/3 reduction of the health insurance lien can be reduced even more by your attorney.
One of the first questions I ask a potential personal injury client is whether he has made any claims in the past. Whether it be a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall or some other claim, it is important for me to know this information. The reason is that the claims adjuster and the defense attorney (if the claim goes into suit) has access to a claims index. If you have made claims in the past, they will appear in the claims index and will come up on a search.
Therefore, before meeting with your attorney for the first time, think back to any claims you have made in the past and write them down on a piece of paper. Write down the approximate date of the accident, the type of accident it was, and any injuries you suffered as a result.
It is better that your attorney learn of these accidents at the beginning of the case, rather than during your deposition when the defense attorney will be sure to bring them up to weaken your case.
One of the first questions I ask a potential personal injury client is whether he has made any claims in the past. Whether it be a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall or some other claim, it is important for me to know this information. The reason is that the claims adjuster and the defense attorney (if the claim goes into suit) has access to a claims index. If you have made claims in the past, they will appear in the claims index and will come up on a search.
Therefore, before meeting with your attorney for the first time, think back to any claims you have made in the past and write them down on a piece of paper. Write down the approximate date of the accident, the type of accident it was, and any injuries you suffered as a result.
It is better that your attorney learn of these accidents at the beginning of the case, rather than during your deposition when the defense attorney will be sure to bring them up to weaken your case.
A statute of limitations is the period of time set through law in which you are allowed to sue someone in court. Generally, in Massachusetts, personal injury claims such as auto accidents, slip and falls, and dog bites, have, respectively, a three-year statute of limitations.
But be very clear that not all accident/personal injury claims have a three-year statute of limitations. Some have shorter or longer periods depending on the facts and the applicable law. If you have been hurt in an accident, I suggest you call an attorney immediately in order to protect your legal rights.
Please contact me with any questions of comments you may have in connection with Massachusetts personal injury law.
A statute of limitations is the period of time set through law in which you are allowed to sue someone in court. Generally, in Massachusetts, personal injury claims such as auto accidents, slip and falls, and dog bites, have, respectively, a three-year statute of limitations.
But be very clear that not all accident/personal injury claims have a three-year statute of limitations. Some have shorter or longer periods depending on the facts and the applicable law. If you have been hurt in an accident, I suggest you call an attorney immediately in order to protect your legal rights.
Please contact me with any questions of comments you may have in connection with Massachusetts personal injury law.
Massachusetts Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation Law Blog