Although in Massachusetts the system is supposed to ensure that everyone has health insurance, the reality is that many people fall through the cracks. Fortunately, there is some coverage available to anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident. It is called Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, and every driver in Massachusetts is required by law …
Head Injuries and Concussions
As anyone who watches pro football, or has kids who play in youth sports knows, head injuries and concussions are becoming increasingly concerning the problem. This past year, the City of Boston started its bicycle sharing program called Hubway, which allows bike riders to pick up a bicycle from various locations throughout the city to …
Standards of Proof in Civil vs. Criminal Cases
A very difficult concept for most non-lawyers and perhaps lawyers themselves is the standard of proof between a civil claim and a criminal charge. Specifically, in a criminal case the jury or judge must find that the accused committed the alleged crime ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’. That is considered a very high standard. It is …
Updated Information Regarding the Green Line Accident
As you are well aware, on November 29, 2012, 35 people were injured when an MBTA Green Line Trolley rear-ended another at the Boylston Street station. Updated reports have indicated that the driver who caused the crash was working an overnight shift from midnight until 8:00 a.m., just three hours before his shift was starting …
Updated Information Regarding the Green Line AccidentRead More
Contractor or Employee? What Claims Are Available When Injured?
As noted in previous entries, who was at fault and how severely someone is injured are not always what determines the remedies that are available to an injured worker. Frequently, the employment status of the worker will be the determinative factor. In many industries such as construction trades, designers, sales, domestic services, it is common …
Contractor or Employee? What Claims Are Available When Injured?Read More
Workplace Injuries Involving Temporary or Leased Workers
The use of temp agencies and employment leasing companies is becoming more and more common in today’s workforce. Sometimes these situations arise when an employer needs short-term labor on a temporary basis, but more and more companies are leasing workers on a more or less permanent basis. Generally, Massachusetts law requires that workers’ compensation coverage …
Workplace Injuries Involving Temporary or Leased WorkersRead More
Slip and Falls on Snow and Ice
It’s almost winter again, and here in Massachusetts whether you like it or not, that means snow and ice are coming. With the snowier and icier conditions comes the risk of slip and falls for you and visitors on your property. And up until recently, a property owner’s liability for slips and falls rested on …
The Consequences of Texting/Webbing While Driving
About 15 years ago I represented a young lady who was injured in a head-on car accident that occurred at about 2:00 a.m. The driver of the other vehicle crossed the center lane. The primary focus on the case was that the other driver was drinking and driving. The bulk of the discovery on the …
