There are actually two judicial systems operating in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; the federal court system and the Massachusetts court system. Both are provided for by their respective constitutions; the federal courts by the United States Constitution and the state courts from the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (which is sometimes referred to as …
Workplace Safety: Top 10 OSHA Violations in 2012
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal agency tasked with formulating and enforcing laws and regulations to promote workplace safety and reduce on-the-job injuries. Despite significant improvements in workplace conditions over the last forty years, however, workplace injuries and deaths are still common. In 2011, 4,609 workers were killed in workplace accidents, …
Hockey and Other Sports Related Injuries
I play ice hockey for the Black Ice in the South Shore Women’s Hockey League, a league that has been around since 1974 and has 45 teams competing in four different divisions. There are numerous other organized leagues across New England for adult hockey players. Ice hockey is a great sport and thankfully, with advances …
The Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003 (SCRA) protects servicemembers from certain judicial proceedings until they return from military service, deployment or overseas tours of duty. The Act offers important protection for those of us that have been recalled to active duty to Iraq, Afghanistan, or elsewhere in support of the Global War on Terrorism. …
Medicare Liens and Medicare Set Asides
When a client has Medicare that pays for all or part of their medical bills relating to a personal injury case, there are a host of special issues to deal with. Even if a client does not have Medicare, but qualifies for social security disability due to an injury, Medicare issues arise if there is …
Food Poisoning and Foodborne Illness
The Food and Drug Administration recently announced a recall of Ocean Beauty Seafoods brand packaged smoked salmon, and as of yesterday, this product was off the shelves at my local major grocery store. The FDA does a good job of monitoring our food supply and informing the public of problems which may arise. In this …
Tort ‘Reform’ an Attack on our Civil Justice System
Over the last couple of decades, big corporations and insurance companies have been working hard to convince the public that there is a problem in this country with lawsuits and that those ‘frivolous’ lawsuits are driving up the costs of goods and services, not to mention insurance rates, and driving smaller companies out of business. …
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Happy New Years!
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all and your families a Happy New Year! Tonight is the night where people spend the night with friends and loved ones socializing and celebrating, feasting and drinking until the early morning hours. Whether you are ringing in the New Year’s at a house party …