Serious Bicycle Crash Injuries Hit 18-Year High Massachusetts has released its 2023 Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment, and the news isn’t good for bicyclists. Both bicycle fatalities and serious bike accident injuries in the state fluctuate from year to year rather than trending steadily in one direction or the other, both were up in the …
20% of People Killed in Traffic in Massachusetts in 2023 Were Pedestrians In 2023, 346 people died in motor vehicle accidents in Massachusetts. That number includes 69 pedestrians. Though pedestrian fatalities decreased somewhat compared with 2022, the longer-term trend has been more stable. The average number of pedestrian fatalities per year across the most recent …
20% of People Killed in Traffic in Massachusetts in 2023 Were Pedestrians Read More »
What Injury Victims Can Learn from the Christmas Tree Throwing Case It’s not often that U.S. news and social media is littered with information about a personal injury case from another country. But, the dismissal of an Irish woman’s case briefly caught widespread attention, in part because of the reason her case was dismissed. She …
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Injured on the Slopes – Now What? Skiing is a popular form of winter recreation, and there’s no shortage of ski resorts in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. But all sports carry risks, and injuries happen. In fact, it’s estimated that about 600,000 people are injured each year in skiing or snowboarding accidents. Many of …
Massachusetts Motorcycle Don’ts It’s no secret that motorcyclists are at much higher risk of being killed in traffic than those traveling in cars, trucks, SUVs and other passenger vehicles. Much of the danger to motorcyclists is attributable to drivers of other vehicles, who often fail to notice motorcycles on the road or to adapt their …
Nashua Motorcyclist Injured by Hit and Run Driver Near the end of August, a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a hit and run accident on the F.E. Everett Turnpike North in Nashua. The crash was somewhat unusual in that most motorcycle accidents occur in urban areas, and a very small percentage take place on interstates …
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Why are Intersections So Dangerous for Motorcyclists? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 35% of fatal motorcycle accidents occur at intersections. 42% of fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crashes occurred when the other vehicle was turning left. That figure is already high, given that intersections make up a much smaller portion of the roadway, …
Why are Intersections So Dangerous for Motorcyclists? Read More »
Who is at Risk for a Hit and Run Injury? You probably know that in Massachusetts, workers who are injured on the job are generally entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation generally pays medical bills for employees who are injured on the job, and will also provide replacement income if the employee is …
Who is Eligible for Workers’ Compensation in Massachusetts? Read More »
Who is at Risk for a Hit and Run Injury? Hundreds of thousands of hit-and-run accidents occur in the United States each year. While a hit-and-run may involve property damage only, a collision with another car, or hitting a motorcyclist or bicyclist, most hit-and-run victims are pedestrians. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway …
How Tired is Too Tired to Drive? We’ve written before about the dangers of driving while fatigued, or “drowsy driving” studies over the past several years have shown that driving while fatigued can be as dangerous as driving under the influence. Research from the AAA foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA) found that 16 to 21% …
The Dangers of Bad Tires Most motor vehicle accidents happen because one or more drivers got careless or made a mistake. But, not all driver errors happen on the road. And, not every traffic crash is attributable to driver error. Bad tires cause or contribute to thousands of automobile accidents around the country each …
Understanding New Hampshire Automobile Insurance Unlike most U.S. states, New Hampshire doesn’t require drivers / vehicle owners in the state to carry motor vehicle insurance. But, that’s not quite the free pass it sounds like. And, most New Hampshire drivers are insured. Here’s what the law actually requires, why most drivers carry auto insurance in …
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What Happens When the Responsible Driver is Killed in the Crash? Most people know that a negligent driver who injures you in a motor vehicle accident is typically responsible for damages. Some of the most common include paying your medical bills, paying to repair or replace your damaged vehicle, compensating you for lost income, paying …
What Happens When the Responsible Driver is Killed in the Crash? Read More »
What is Recreational Use Immunity? Both Massachusetts and New Hampshire offer residents and visitors a wide range of outdoor activities and beautiful scenery. You can go from a morning wilderness hike to an afternoon at the beach. But, what happens if you’re injured on a nature trail or sandy shore? The answer may surprise you. …
When is Your Landlord Liable for Injuries? You may know that landlords are sometimes legally responsible for injuries that happen on their property. But, your landlord isn’t necessarily liable just because they control the property where you got hurt. If you’ve been hurt on rental property, the best way to find out whether you may …
Why are Traffic Fatalities So High? Preliminary data suggests that traffic deaths in the United States dropped slightly in 2022 versus 2021. But, both numbers and rates remain high compared with prior years. That’s bad news, but standing alone it’s not especially useful. Solving the problem on a larger scale and individual steps to protect …
Who is Responsible for Building Collapse Injuries and Deaths? Most of us make certain unconscious assumptions about the safety of the world around us, such as “This building I’m working or sleeping in probably won’t collapse around me. But, recent news events have shaken that assumption a bit. For example: During the first week of …
Who is Responsible for Building Collapse Injuries and Deaths? Read More »
Massachusetts Pedestrian Fatalities Surged in 2022 Aside from a blip during the first year of the pandemic, Massachusetts pedestrian fatalities have been relatively stable since 2015–until recently. According to a recent report from WalkBoston, pedestrian deaths took a significant leap in 2022. Specifically, pedestrian deaths in the state increased by more than 30% year over …
Massachusetts Pedestrian Fatalities Surged in 2022 Read More »
Is the Truck Driver Shortage Making the Roads More Dangerous? If you watch the news or read it online, you probably know that the U.S. trucking industry is short-handed. The problem isn’t new, and the shortage actually shrunk a little bit in 2022. But, we seem to be nowhere near a solution. According to the …
Is the Truck Driver Shortage Making the Roads More Dangerous? Read More »
How Common are Massachusetts Work Injuries and Deaths? People in most professions don’t often think about being seriously injured or killed on the job. Fortunately, both the number and rate of fatal accidents or exposures on the job are low in Massachusetts: in 2021, 97 people in the Commonwealth died due to accidents or other …
How Common are Massachusetts Work Injuries and Deaths? Read More »
How Dangerous are Wave Pools? Water attractions are popular in summer, and wave pools are no exception. But, many people are unaware of the many risks associated with wave pools. Understanding the different types of wave pools, the risks associated with a wave pool, and the safety measures you can take is essential to keeping …
Snow and Ice Pose More Risks Than Just Slipping and Falling Every year, we talk about the danger of slipping and falling on ice and snow that has not been cleared, or that has been improperly cleared. It’s an important topic – – about one million people across the United States are injured in falls …
Snow and Ice Pose More Risks Than Just Slipping and Falling Read More »
Who is Responsible When an Injury Aggravates a Pre-Existing Condition? You probably know that someone who negligently injures you is generally responsible for damages. For example, if you are crossing the street in a crosswalk and are hit by a car because the driver was texting instead of paying attention to the road, that driver …
Who is Responsible When an Injury Aggravates a Pre-Existing Condition? Read More »
Elevators or Escalators: What’s More Dangerous? You’ve probably seen some scary stories online about people who have gotten their scarves caught in escalators or otherwise suffered serious injuries on the moving stairways. And, you probably haven’t heard much about elevator injuries. But, the actual statistics on elevator and escalator injuries and fatalities might surprise you. …
The Winter Holidays Are a Dangerous Time to Be Driving When you think about high-risk traffic days, holidays like the 4th of July and Memorial Day weekend probably spring to mind. Summer holidays with long weekends often mean parties, barbecues, and a lot of alcohol. And, it’s true that the 4th of July, Memorial Day, …
The Winter Holidays Are a Dangerous Time to Be Driving Read More »
Injured at the Gym? You go to the gym to get healthy. That pitch is right in each of the many names the facilities go by, such as health club and fitness center. But sometimes, that workout doesn’t go as planned. In fact, the Insurance Information Institute (III) says exercise equipment accounted for more than …
Traffic May Be the Scariest Thing About Halloween Halloween is meant to be scary– haunted houses, ghosts and goblins, creepy decorations, ghost stories and more give the night an eerie feel. But, most of us realize that the traditional “dangers” of Halloween aren’t real. What you may not know is that drivers and pedestrians – …
Traffic May Be the Scariest Thing About Halloween Read More »
How to Find the Best Pedestrian Accident Attorney for You Any type of sudden injury is jarring and can throw your life off track. That’s especially true for a pedestrian who has been hit by a car or a truck. Dealing with the trauma and managing your recovery may feel like a full-time job. The …
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What is Highway Hypnosis? You may not have heard of highway hypnosis, but odds are you have experienced it. Perhaps you were driving home from work one day and suddenly realized that you were turning onto your own street without remembering a significant stretch of the trip. Or perhaps you were traveling along the interstate …
Who is at Greatest Risk for a Motorcycle Fatality? You may know that motorcyclists are generally at greater risk in traffic than drivers and occupants of other types of vehicles. In fact, motorcycles make up just 3% of the registered vehicles in the United States. Yet, according to the National Safety Council (NSC), motorcyclists and …
Who is at Greatest Risk for a Motorcycle Fatality? Read More »
9 Reasons You Need a Truck Accident Attorney 9 Reasons You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer If you’ve been injured in a collision with a commercial truck, you may be wondering whether you need to hire a truck accident lawyer. There’s no law that says you have to be represented by an attorney: you can …
Can You Sue for a Slip and Fall Injury at a Resort? The short answer is yes. Business owners in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire are expected to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition for their guests and others who are legally on the property. The exact terms of the obligation differ slightly …
Can You Sue for a Slip and Fall Injury at a Resort? Read More »
4th of July Fire Highlights Dangers of Fireworks The sparkler-ignited fire that did significant damage to a Dracut home late on the night of July 4/early on the morning of July 5 came as a shock to many. Though we all know that fireworks can be dangerous and occasionally start fires, few expect to be …
4th of July Fire Highlights Dangers of Fireworks Read More »
Airbag Injuries: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risks? Airbags have contributed to vehicle safety, and are generally credited with a role in the downward trend in traffic fatality rates. In the early 1970s, there were more than 50,000 traffic deaths annually, despite the US population being considerably smaller than it is today. The rate of …
Airbag Injuries: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risks? Read More »
Crosswalk Laws in Massachusetts and New Hampshire You may have heard that pedestrians have the right of way in a crosswalk, but what exactly does that mean for drivers? And, what about pedestrians crossing at an intersection without a marked crosswalk, or cutting across in the middle of the street? Here’s a quick rundown …
Crosswalk Laws in Massachusetts and New Hampshire Read More »
What to Know About Motorcycle Helmets Walking seems like a relatively safe way to get around, but the data says otherwise. Between 2007-2016, nationwide pedestrian fatalities rose 27%, reaching nearly 6,000 in 2017. Although Massachusetts saw a small decline in pedestrian deaths from 2016 to 2017, the problem remains serious. More than 800 Massachusetts children …
Faulty Car Repair Accident Lawsuits Most car accident cases involve the injured person making a claim against the driver who caused the collision. But, occasionally, a car accident is caused–at least in part–by something other than driver negligence. Some common examples include faulty road design or maintenance and defective automobile parts. Another is negligent …
Can You Sue a School for a Playground Injury? When you send your child to school, you expect teachers, administrators and staff to keep your child safe. And, they have a responsibility to do so. But, that doesn’t mean that no accident or injury will ever happen. Whether you can successfully sue a school for …
How Road Maintenance Affects Motorcyclists Motorcyclists are at greater risk than occupants of passenger vehicles for many reasons. The most significant and obvious is that motorcycle riders aren’t protected by a metal cage as those riding in cars, trucks, vans and SUVs are. So, a motorcyclist who is involved in a traffic crash may be …
Who is Liable in a School Bus Accident? If you’re a parent sending your kids off to school each morning on a big yellow bus, you’re entrusting their safety to the bus driver, and many others you probably don’t think about: the person or entity who hired the bus driver, the manufacturers of the bus …
Who is to Blame for a Slip and Fall in a Store When It’s Raining? Generally, a store owner has a legal obligation to maintain the premises in safe condition for customers and others who visit the shop. That duty covers a wide range of issues, from ensuring that the premises are in safe repair …
Who is to Blame for a Slip and Fall in a Store When It’s Raining? Read More »
Dangerous Driving Declines, but Not Enough About two years ago, I wrote about a study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. That survey revealed that most drivers recognized the dangers of activities like aggressive driving, texting while driving, and driving under the influence. But, those same respondents told researchers those behaviors were still pretty …
Are Motorized Bicycles Dangerous Back in the summer of 2019 , we wrote about the risks associated with the proliferation of e-scooter sharing in and around Massachusetts. While some of the initial kinks may have been worked out of the system, the dangers of e-scooters, motorized bikes, and other “micro-mobility solutions” are getting fresh attention – …
What is Multi-District Litigation (MDL) ulti-district litigation is a way to manage large numbers of court cases against the same defendant and involving the same issues. Some high-profile MDLs currently underway include the Zantac (ranitidine) cancer lawsuits, opioid suits, and Roundup product liability litigation. But, there are many other MDLs you never hear about. As …
How Dangerous Drug Lawsuits Work If you watch television, use the Internet, or read the news, you’ve undoubtedly heard about several dangerous drug lawsuits. One current example is the Zantac litigation , in which thousands of people who took the GERD/acid reflux drug Zantac (or surviving family members of people who took Zantac) are alleging the …
Who is Liable for an Unsafe Sidewalk? If you’ve been injured on an unsafe sidewalk, you may be unsure who is liable for your medical expenses and other damages. The answer depends in part on where the sidewalk is located and in part on how it is unsafe. Here are some key questions that will …
The Problem with Ranitidine You’ve probably seen news about large-scale litigation relating to Zantac, a brand-name ranitidine product. But, at the same time, you may have noticed that Zantac 360 is still on the shelves at your local pharmacy. If you or a loved one has taken ranitidine, here’s what you need to know. What …
How to Find the Best Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Attorney How to Find the Best Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Attorney If you’ve been seriously injured in a Massachusetts motorcycle accident, the right attorney can make all the difference. You’ll want to work with an attorney who: Has specific experience with motorcycle accident cases Has trial experience and …
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How Unhealthy Truck Drivers Can Cause Accidents Attendees and participants in the Squantum Independence Day Parade in Quincy got some unexpected excitement this year. When a float carrying children appeared to drift, adults nearby noticed that the cab of the flatbed truck appeared to be empty. The driver, it turned out, had suffered a heart …
Can You Sue a Haunted House for an Injury? Halloween season is upon us and that means haunted houses, corn mazes, and other spooky fun. But what happens if you get injured? Can you sue a haunted house or other scary entertainment venue for your injuries? The answer is a clear “it depends.” In …
What is Lane Splitting? Lane splitting is a common practice among motorcyclists that involves sharing a lane with another vehicle or riding between lanes of traffic. Lane splitting is illegal in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and in most other states. Why is Lane Splitting Against the Law? The main reason offered for laws prohibiting …
There are a lot of vans on the road, in Massachusetts and around the country. Parents use them to shuffle the kids to soccer practice and construction workers use them to carry their tools. Most of us don’t think of vans as especially dangerous and may take little note of them on the road. But, …
You probably know that motorcyclists are at greater risk than occupants of vehicles like cars, light trucks, and SUVs. The Institute for Insurance Information (III) found that on a per-mile-traveled basis, motorcyclists were 28 times as likely to die on the road as those traveling in passenger vehicles. One obvious reason for the greater risk …
A recent report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA) shows that traffic deaths from wrong-way collisions are on the rise in the United States. And, recent news reports suggest that the situation is even worse in Massachusetts. AAA looked at data from two consecutive four-year blocks of time, specifically involving fatal wrong-way collisions …
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) can happen in a variety of ways. Some of the most common include unintentional falls, motor vehicle accidents, violence, and being struck accidentally with an object. All of these types of head injuries can be very serious, and potentially even fatal. However, automobile accidents can be particularly dangerous. Massachusetts TBI Data …
Pedestrian Freeway Deaths are More Common Than You’d Think Early in April, a Boston man was killed in a hit-and-run accident on I-93. Early reports indicated that police didn’t know why the victim was walking on the interstate. But, he wasn’t the first person to be struck by a car and killed on I-93 this …
Pedestrian Freeway Deaths are More Common Than You’d Think Read More »
At the end of April, a Littleton couple celebrated the third anniversary of being hit by an intoxicated driver by thanking the paramedic who saved their lives. The couple was walking their dog in April of 2018, when the driver hit them and continued on to plow his vehicle into a bank building. Though the …
Heartwarming Pedestrian Accident Story Also Highlights Dangers Read More »
2020 was the year of staying home. Across the United States, miles traveled on both local roads and highways dropped as millions of people worked from home instead of making their daily commutes, schools shifted to remote learning or cut back the number of school days, and bars, restaurants, and other common destinations shut down …
Massachusetts Road Fatalities Hold Steady, Despite Lower Miles Traveled Read More »
Every state has different rules for when the police must be called after a motor vehicle accident. Both Massachusetts and New Hampshire are fairly liberal in their reporting requirements. While some states require certain types of accidents to be reported to the police immediately, both Massachusetts and New Hampshire allow for reporting in writing. Submission …
Should You Always Call the Police After a Car Accident? Read More »
Decisions about medical care are very personal. And, every situation is different. Still, it is generally in your best interests to accept medical assessment and treatment at the scene of a motor vehicle accident. The most obvious reason, of course, is that it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your …
Should I Always Accept Medical Treatment at the Scene of an Accident? Read More »
Falls Don’t Have to be Dramatic to be Dangerous The seven year old child who took a 35-foot fall from a ski lift at Blue Hills in late January understandably drew significant attention. The fall was dramatic, the victim was a child, and many people witnessed the incident. The boy reportedly sustained a head injury, …
How Much is a Whiplash Injury Claim Worth? Anyone who has been injured in an accident naturally wonders about the possible value of their injury claim. When whiplash is the main injury, that question can be especially complicated. That’s because whiplash may be short-term or long-term, is difficult to document, and varies in severity. Every …
Black Ice Accidents Can Often Be Avoided Black ice can present significant risks in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and other cold-weather states. Earlier this winter, black ice caused multiple local motor vehicle accidents in a single morning. These included a 10-car pile up on 146 at the Mass Pike, an overturned vehicle in Shrewsbury, and several …
Who is Responsible for Injury to the Passenger of a Drunk Driver? In mid-November, an automobile driven by a Lowell woman crashed into two houses in Manchester, injuring the driver and her passenger. The driver was charged with driving while intoxicated. And, because her passenger was injured while she was allegedly driving under the influence, …
Who is Responsible for Injury to the Passenger of a Drunk Driver? Read More »
Who is to Blame for Apartment Building Injuries? Earlier this year, a young University professor was tragically killed when a package she was attempting to move accidentally hit an elevator button, causing the elevator to move. The victim was pinned between the elevator and the shaft. She died of asphyxiation. Initially, an elevator malfunction was …
Who is to Blame for Apartment Building Injuries? Read More »
How Dangerous is Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana? Recreational marijuana use has been legalized in Massachusetts and decriminalized in New Hampshire. Recently, neighboring Maine joined Massachusetts in decriminalization. Several surveys conducted over the past few years demonstrate that most Americans favor legalization. But, a study published by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA) …
How Dangerous is Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana? Read More »
Police Chase Crashes are All Too Common Earlier this month, a police chase that began in Randolph and ended in Avon resulted in a multi-vehicle traffic accident. The fact that a chase commenced in response to an equipment violation ended in a multi-car crash raises questions about the larger issue of police chases, the policies …
“Traffic crash” brings to mind a collision between two or more vehicles, but that isn’t always the way it plays out. In fact, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that about 40% of fatal motorcycle crashes involve only one vehicle. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the rate …
When you’ve been injured on the job, it’s your responsibility to report that injury to your employer. The time you have to report an injury varies from state to state. In New Hampshire, you technically have up to two years to make a report. But, of course, delaying the report delays your opportunity to secure …
What if My Employer Won’t Submit a Workers’ Comp Claim? Read More »
Burn injuries on the job happen in many different ways, and may be caused by heat, electricity, or exposure to caustic chemicals. Burn injuries can and do occur in many different industries. But, those at highest risk for work-related burn injuries aren’t necessarily those working in what we think of as dangerous professions. Data from …
Restaurant Workers are at High Risk for Burn Injuries Read More »
Tailgating is dangerous, but all too common. It’s especially risky at higher speeds, and in crowded traffic conditions where even a relatively minor rear-end collision can touch off a chain reaction. You undoubtedly see other drivers following too close or accelerating right up behind another vehicle all the time. But, do you do it yourself? …
A study released this month by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA) suggests that one simple problem has a significant impact on the number of traffic fatalities and other crashes on U.S. roads–when it comes to driving, our actions aren’t consistent with our beliefs. In other words, many drivers acknowledge that certain behaviors are …
Actions Speak Louder than Words in Traffic Safety Read More »
Traffic in the Northeast and around the country has been unusually low this spring. Coronavirus-related shutdowns and a large-scale shift to working from home meant far fewer cars on the road. You might reasonably assume that would make the roads safer, but data shows something else. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), nationwide motor …
Road Usage is Down, but Traffic Fatalities Climb Read More »
A few weeks ago, I wrote about a new Massachusetts law that prohibited most hands-on device use by drivers in the state. The law took effect on February 23, but Massachusetts drivers got a bit of a grace period. Until the end of March, drivers caught violating the law were only issued warnings. A fatal …
Violations of Massachusetts Hands-Free Law are Common–and Deadly Read More »
When you think of workers’ compensation claims, you probably think of a work-related injury or long-term exposure to toxins. While those types of claims are certainly more common, Massachusetts workers’ compensation does provide for infectious disease claims under certain circumstances. The determination in an infectious disease case typically revolves around whether or not the exposure …
Automation in the workplace is designed to improve efficiency, lower costs, and even reduce the physical strain on workers. But, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is warning that robotics in the workplace may increase some risks to human workers. Though NIOSH makes it clear that additional information is required, the organization’s …
Are Technological Advances Increasing Crush Injury Risk at Work? Read More »
Rollover accidents make up only about 2% of the traffic crashes nationwide, but they’re responsible for thousands of deaths each year. It likely comes as no surprise that rollover crashes often result in fatalities. But, in fact, recent news stories show that these accidents cover the spectrum in terms of seriousness. In the past several …
A new Massachusetts traffic law took effect on February 23rd, 2020 and it could cost drivers who use mobile devices while driving hundreds of dollars. Under the new law, drivers 18 and older may touch mobile devices while driving only to activate hands-free mode. Any other device usage must be hands-free. Drivers under the age …
Massachusetts Hands-Free Warning Period Ends March 31st 2020 Read More »
Head-on collisions make up a very small percentage of motor vehicle accidents nationwide, but a much higher percentage of fatal accidents. In one recent year, the Insurance Information Institute reports that more than 10% of fatal traffic crashes involved head-on collisions. Some common causes of head-on collisions include: Driving the wrong way on a one-way …
A late 2019 report from a national insurance marketplace ranked Massachusetts the sixth “booziest brunching” state. The company analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data across four years to determine the percentage of fatal daytime automobile accidents attributable to driving under the influence. Both Massachusetts and New Hampshire saw significant declines in drunk driving …
Massachusetts Ranks # 6 in Nation for Fatal Day Drinking Accidents Read More »
When most of us think about falling, it’s a slip on the ice that jars us for a moment or a trip and stumble that comes to mind. However, serious falls are more common than you may think. In one recent year, 59% of unintentional injury hospital stays were attributable to falls. According to the …
Falling Can Be Fatal—and It’s More Common than You Think Read More »
In early November, a 32-year-old new father died following chemical exposure in the kitchen of a Burlington, Massachusetts Buffalo Wild Wings. When strong fumes began to impact both employees and customers, manager Ryan Baldera reportedly attempted to push the substance out of the restaurant with a squeegee. He was overcome by fumes. Though he was …
Deadly Chemical Mix Leads to On-the-Job Fatality Read More »
In late September, Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker issued a temporary ban on the sale of vape-related products in the Commonwealth. The ban, with minor modifications, survived legal challenge, and the sale of most vaping-related materials is currently prohibited. But, just weeks after the ban took effect, the Department of Public Health reported that the death …
Vape Ban Comes Too Late for Middlesex County Woman Read More »
The season of ice and snow is upon us. It won’t come as any surprise to most drivers that in cold-weather states that winter weather can create risky driving conditions. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHA), 24% of weather-related crashes each year occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement. These …
When you’ve been in an automobile accident and it was somebody else’s fault, that other person is generally legally responsible for your injuries. In other words, the driver who caused the accident will typically be liable for your medical bills, repairs to your automobile, wages you lose because of your injuries, and other damages. Of …
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is more common than most people realize, and can have a significant, lifelong impact on the injured person and his or her family. Some of the possible long-term effects of traumatic brain injury include: Frequent headaches or migraines Sensitivity to light and sound Dizziness Memory problems Cognitive issues Sleep disorders Visual …
Late in July, 36 residents of a Cross Street apartment building in Lowell were forced out of their homes by an apartment fire. While the cause of that fire is still unknown as of this writing, the image of dozens of local residents suddenly losing both their homes and possessions destroyed in the fire raises …
Dogs have become the most popular pet in the United States. Americans share their homes with nearly 90 million dogs nationwide, and more than 38% of U.S. households own at least one. The percentages in the Northeast are a bit lower: 29% of households in Massachusetts and just 24% in New Hampshire include dogs. Still, …
Protecting Yourself and Your Children from Dog Bite Injuries Read More »
On July 6, bikers from around the country took part in a 90-mile tribute ride and memorial service for the seven members of the Massachusetts JarHeads Motorcycle Club who were killed in traffic on June 21. According to Marine Corps Times, more than 3,000 motorcyclists gathered in New Hampshire, coming from as far away as …
The statute of limitations for personal injury claim differs from state to state. In most states, the injured person has two, three, or four years to file most injury-related lawsuits. In both Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the general statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years. However, different injury cases are treated differently. For …
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim? Read More »
E-scooters can offer significant benefits to communities and the planet. For example, they can reduce traffic congestion, reduce the greenhouse gasses released by traditional motor vehicles, and provide access to transportation for people who are not near public transportation stops. Scooter sharing programs such as Byrd and Lime make it possible to take advantage of …
e-Scooters Raise New Massachusetts Personal Injury Questions Read More »
Elder abuse is on the rise, in Massachusetts and around the country. It’s difficult to sort out exactly how much of that trend is attributable to nursing home abuse, since elder abuse happens in a variety of settings—including at home, at the hands of family members. However, the available information about nursing home abuse and …
The 2019 Dangerous by Design report from Smart Growth America (SGA) reveals a disturbing increase in pedestrian fatalities. More than 49,000 pedestrians were killed throughout the U.S. between 2008 and 2017. Across that 10-year period, the annual number of fatalities climbed from 4,414 to 5,977—an increase of more than 35%. By 2017, pedestrian deaths made …
Work injuries–even serious ones–are more common than most people realize. In Massachusetts, the most recent data shows that more than 80,000 people suffered “recordable injuries” on the job in a single year. More than 43,000 of those injuries were serious enough to require time away from work, and 62 were fatal. In most situations, an …
As the weather turns warmer and the days grow longer, many people spend more time outside. While there are many benefits to getting out and getting more active, summer activities also introduce new risks. One of those is an increased risk of certain types of slip, trip, and fall injuries. It’s natural to think of …
When you hear “traumatic brain injury,” chances are that you think of a catastrophic accident. It’s true that many traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are caused by events such as a car accident, motorcycle accident, or fall from an upper level (such as construction site injuries). However, traumatic brain injuries may occur in much more routine …
A personal injury case is a case in which the plaintiff is claiming that he or she suffered physical injury because the defendant was negligent. Some common examples include: A car accident caused by a distracted driver A slip and fall injury that occurred because someone failed to maintain property in safe condition An injury …
In a successful personal injury case, the injured party is awarded damages to compensate for his or her losses due to the injury. Some common types of damages in personal injury cases include reimbursement for medical bills, payment for rehabilitative services, compensation for pain and suffering, and lost earnings. Lost Wages v. Earning Capacity There …
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity in Personal Injury Cases Read More »
Early in November, a 31-year-old New Hampshire man was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison in connection with a wrong-way collision. Ryan Kittredge entered a guilty plea to manslaughter and reckless conduct after a three-vehicle crash that resulted in two deaths. One of the victims was a retired Massachusetts police sergeant. Kittredge was …
Wrong-Way Collisions Often Tied to Driving Under the Influence Read More »
Personal Injury Protection, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage, and More This is the second part in a two-part series on protecting yourself, your family, and your assets with proper automobile insurance coverage. Read Part 1 here. In the last post, I talked about the importance of adequate automobile liability insurance. Liability insurance helps to protect your assets …
