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A fatal accident in Wilbraham, Massachusetts highlighted one of the more dangerous intersections in our state. On July 10 of this year, a 15-year old Chicopee youth was killed, and his companion injured when their vehicle apparently lost control and crashed into a tree. A paramedic at the scene described the crash scene as one of the worst he had seen.
We have represented many families whose loved one was the victim of wrongful death. The most common reasons for wrongful death are motor vehicle negligence, a motorcycle accident, drowning, or a fire in an apartment building. We have also represented many victims of legal malpractice in Massachusetts. Those cases often involve a conflict of interest, negligence in civil procedure, failing to perform up the standards in criminal law, or over billing. Wrongful death as a result of legal malpractice is not something we hear about often. However, there is a Massachusetts case in which legal malpractice was alleged as the cause of death. Read on.
As a mode of transportation, buses are generally safer than riding in a passenger vehicle. They are larger and heavier and can withstand more force than an ordinary automobile. Passengers sit several feet above the road surface so they seldom are exposed to blunt force trauma from another vehicle. Still, bus passengers suffer serious and sometimes fatal injuries. In one tragic case in Southern California recently, a 16-year old was killed on a double-decker tour bus that led to a multi-million dollar verdict.
Casino gambling opened up for states other than Nevada and Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1988 after Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Slowly, states began passing laws establishing casino gambling on Native American lands within their communities until 29 states currently allow various gaming activities. Massachusetts opened its first casino in 2015 at Plainridge Park and there are three additional casinos expected to open in the state by 2018 that are slated to be much larger facilities. But along with the allegedly anticipated revenues to feed the state budget comes the specter of increased drunk driving accidents.
Home fires account for an inordinate number of catastrophic injuries. There are over a million fires occurring per year that affect persons in all kinds of circumstances from home mishaps, campfires, cars, boats, fireworks and others.
In a 2015 study of the past 10 years, it was shown that there has been an average of 2,470 deaths annually from home fires and around 12,000 injuries. Injuries and death from a fire injury often occur in the following home areas: Read more
Maryland newspapers and newscasts recently reported that a local superhero had died in a car crash. They were referring to a fatal highway accident that claimed the life of Leonard Robinson, a retired businessman who played the role of movie and comic book figure, Batman, for countless children stricken by cancer and other serious illnesses. In his guise as the dark knight, Robinson had entertained thousands of children in hospitals, schools and at charity events and was hailed by many as a true life superhero. Robinson’s persona came to light a few years ago after he was stopped by police in his “Batmobile,” a custom made motor vehicle built to resemble the one used in Batman comics and movies, for not displaying a license plate. Amused officers let Robinson proceed to his event and the encounter was captured on a widely viewed YouTube video.
Can sweet caffeinated beverages marketed to youth result in wrongful death? On a November evening in 2011, 33 year old Cory Terry was playing basketball with friends when he collapsed soon after complaining of light-headedness. Mr. Terry later died, the official cause of death being “idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy,” which means his heart stopped. Apparently he drank a Red Bull less than an hour before. And he drank it regularly. Read more
The Massachusetts State Police found a single car on the wrong side of the Route 95 on August 10, 2011. The vehicle had been travelling south, had crossed the northbound lanes, and came to rest by the woods. Notwithstanding CPR and other emergency medical efforts, Mr. Phan, the driver and only occupant, was pronounced dead by the time he reached the Beverly Hospital. Read more
As a personal injury attorney in Boston, we see all too many pedestrian accident cases. Pedestrians are struck by motor vehicles and are injured in crosswalks, near crosswalks, in places where crosswalks should be and, of course, elsewhere. The law provides protection, but safe driving, and safe walking, provides even more protections. Read more
Can the family of a victim of wrongful death lose their jury trial and still win? On April 1, 2007, when Jacob Freeman sustained life ending injuries as a result of a fall at, Our House East, a restaurant in Boston, his estate filed a wrongful death case against the owners of the restaurant and the building for negligently maintaining the property. They lost. Then they won.
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