Boston Injury Lawyer Blog

November 22, 2013

Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts Celebrates 30 Years

The Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts (BIA-MA) has recently celebrated 30 years of helping victims of brain injuries. The initial chapter of the BIA-MA was started in Framingham, Massachusetts by concerned parents of children who suffered from head injuries. At the time, the community wasn’t ready to handle or equipped to serve individuals with brain injuries. There is now a Brain Injury Association of America with chapters in more than 40 states.

BIA-MA: Just the Facts

• The BIA-MA helps more than 60,000 kids, teens and adults in the Commonwealth.
• They offer 34 support groups for family members, survivors and caregivers.
• They also work with communities and justice officials to help promote safety and awareness for risk-taking behaviors involved with first-time offenders who have suffered from traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s).
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November 20, 2013

House Fire in Watertown Displaces Two

by Altman & Altman

WHDH News Channel Seven reported on a residential fire that happened last Thursday evening, November 14th. The fire started at a Watertown house on Galen Street. Firefighters were working well into the night to extinguish the hot spots. According to the fire chief, the flames apparently started on the ground floor and then moved upstairs. At least two people were displaced due to the fire, and WHDH reports that everybody got out alive. There is no word on the cause of the fire or the extent of property damage and injuries involved. This fire is still under investigation.

According to the Watertown Patch, there were multiple units inferring this was a rental property. In cases where a renter gets injured at home, the owner may be held liable for personal injury expenses. These include but are not limited to medical care, compensation for damages and lost wages if they neglected to keep the property well maintained. If another person caused the fire he or she could be held responsible for any damages.
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November 18, 2013

Number of Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Crash Fatalities Went Up in 2012

by Altman & Altman

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 374 Massachusetts motor vehicle crash deaths in 2012-alcohol was a factor in 126 of them. These figures are a slight increase 2011 when there were 349 Massachusetts traffic fatalities.

At Altman & Altman, LLP our Boston injury lawyers handle claims and lawsuits by the victims (or families) of those injured or killed in a Massachusetts traffic crashes. We handle cases involving motorcycle accidents, truck collision, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and other type of motor vehicle collisions.

When a Massachusetts motor vehicle crash happens-there can be long-term ramifications for the victim and their loved ones. A person who is lucky enough to survive an accident may be left with serious injuries that can render him/her unable to hold a job or lead a normal life. Medical bills can mount and the emotional toll may be high not just for the victim but his/her loved ones and friends. Some injuries are so serious that 24-hour professional care may be required for life.

Many Massachusetts traffic accidents could/should have been prevented if only the party had not been negligent. Our Boston personal injury attorneys have gone after negligent drivers, automakers, municipalities that failed to properly maintain a roadway, and others on behalf of our clients and their families.

The Rise in Massachusetts Traffic Deaths Mirrors National Statistics
NHTSA provided not just state statistics but also national ones. 33,561 people died in US traffic incidents in 2012, which is up from the 32,479 deaths from the year before. This is the first time in six years that the number of US traffic fatalities have gone up instead of down.

Also, there were 2,362,000 traffic crash injuries, which is an increase from the 2.2 million victims that were injured in 2012. The number of alcohol-impaired driving deaths also went up by 4.6% from 2011. Fortunately, the number of deadly crashes involving young drivers continued to drop.

NHTSA Data Confirms Traffic Fatalities Increased In 2012, NHTSA, November 14, 2013

2012 Motor Vehicle Crashes: Overview, NHTSA, November 2013 (PDF)

More Blog Posts:
Massachusetts Wrongful Death Settled Reached in 2008 Foxboro Car Crash After Gillette Stadium Concert, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, November 5, 2013
Halloween is The “Deadliest” Night of the Year for Child Pedestrian Accidents, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, October 31, 2013
Haverhill Death Highlights Importance of Pedestrian Safety, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, November 20, 2013 Continue reading

November 15, 2013

Workplace Injuries in Massachusetts: What are Your Benefits?

by Altman & Altman

Work injuries can be devastating for individuals and families. Getting workers’ compensation benefits after an injury can be a difficult task too. Even with workers’ compensation benefits, some victims may not be fully compensated for their financial, personal and professional hardships. It’s especially important to get full compensation for work injuries that leave victims permanently disfigured or disabled. Workers who have suffered from traumatic brain injuries may be facing a long and uncertain road to recovery where lost wages, medical bills and physical therapy expenses put a financial strain on an individual and their family members.
All About Workers’ Compensation in Massachusetts In Massachusetts, workers’ compensation benefits typically cover medical costs, disability payments and up to 60 percent of your average income. In cases of severe work injury, it may be possible to get more than 60 percent of your average income.
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November 15, 2013

Dog Bites in Massachusetts: Strict Liability Applies

by Altman & Altman

Dog bites can result in devastating scars, nerve damage, disfigurement and even death. In many cases, dog attacks can also leave victims with severe psychological injuries too. Since Massachusetts is a strict liability state, owners can be held liable for their dog’s actions even if there isn’t any negligence or prior history of aggression. If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog, contact an experienced Boston personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. Additionally, half of all dog bite victims are children. In 2012, more than 27,000 victims underwent reconstructive surgery for dog bites. Nearly one in five people who are bitten require medical treatment for injuries.
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November 15, 2013

Keeping an Eye on Bicycle Safety

by Altman & Altman

Bicyclists are at the mercy of the drivers around them. They don’t have the benefit of airbags, seatbelts or any protective steel cages. Even when cyclists wear helmets, they can still sustain severe and fatal injuries. Bicycle accidents often leave surviving victims in the hospital and out of commission. Motorists need to be on the lookout for bicyclists and share the road safely.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 800 bicyclists were killed in 2010 and an estimated 515,000 emergency room visits were due to bicycle crashes. They also report that most bicyclist deaths happen in urban locations and at non-intersection areas.
Who is Most at Risk?
• Young adults ages 15 to 24 years old • Adults ages 45 years and older • Males • Children ages 5 to 14 years old and young adults from ages 15 to 24 years old account for nearly 60 percent of all bicycle-related injuries.

Staying Safe

Bicycle helmets do reduce the risk of head and brain injuries during crashes. Helmets should always be size and age appropriate and properly fitted. Savvy cyclists also wear high-visibility clothing and ride conspicuously. Ultimately, motor vehicle drivers have to share the road with cyclists. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, contact an experienced Boston personal injury attorney for skilled representation.
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November 14, 2013

Medford Doctor Accused of Massachusetts Medical Negligence Gets License Suspension

by Altman & Altman

The Massachusett’s Board of Registration in Medicine suspended the medical license of Dr. Sheldon Randall, known for performing thousands of weight-loss surgeries. Following an investigation, a panel for the board accused him of medical negligence and called him an “immediate and serious threat.”

According to investigators, Randall failed to identify and treat complications that resulted after certain operations and, as a result, two of his patients died. One patient, 45-year-old Scott Ferullo, developed sepsis after Randall performed open gastric bypass surgery in 2011.

His widow, Cheryl, said that after the surgical procedure, Ferullo developed a fever that rose to 106 degrees. Investigators say that Randall should have checked immediately to see whether Ferullo was bleeding or had a leak from the procedure.

November 13, 2013

Newton Man Falls from Balcony

by Altman & Altman

Last Sunday, a Newton man died after falling from the third floor balcony of a Nashville bar. Law enforcement officials said that they don’t suspect foul play at this point. There hasn’t been any word on the official cause of this tragic incident though. Was there some problem with the railing? Was the balcony defective or in need of updating? Dmitriy Sirota, 23 years old, was from Newton Lower Falls, Massachusetts. He was reportedly in town on business and at the Honky Tonk Central on Lower Broadway in Nashville on Sunday night.
Reporters with the Tennessean received no response for comments after attempting to contact management at Honky Tonk Central multiple times. It may be difficult for a victim’s family to get answers after an incident like this. An experienced premises lawyer can stay up-to-date with official investigations.
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November 5, 2013

Massachusetts Wrongful Death Settled Reached in 2008 Foxboro Car Crash After Gillette Stadium Concert

by Altman & Altman

The family of Debra Davis has reached a Foxboro, MA wrongful death settlement with Kraft Group over the tragic traffic crash that happened after a concert at Gillette Stadium in 2008. The terms of the deal are confidential.

Davis, a 20-year-old Milton woman, and her friend Alexa Latteo, a 19-year-old Mansfield resident, were killed when the vehicle that Latteo was driving on July 26, 2008 crashed into a tree after the New England Country Music Festival. Both women died in the Foxboro car crash. A third woman riding in the rear seat survived with serious injuries.

Davis’s parents claimed that the stadium’s security was so lax that underage drinkers were able to consume alcohol in the parking lot even though they didn’t have tickets to attend the event. (A policy had been specifically implemented at the stadium in 2007 to deter such behavior.)

October 31, 2013

Halloween is The “Deadliest” Night of the Year for Child Pedestrian Accidents

by Altman & Altman

Ghouls and goblins are not the scariest part of Halloween. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of children killed in pedestrian accidents between the hours of 4p and 10p doubles on this particular night. One reason for this is that with trick or treat, there are more kids out on the sidewalks and crossing streets.

Dark-colored costumes can make it hard to see pedestrians at night, especially if the individual are “kid-size.” Young children, excited by the occasion and buzzing on sugar from all the candy, may be more prone to run across the middle of the road and not pay attention to whether there is approaching traffic.

That said, drivers need to be aware that this type of bustling excitement happens on Halloween and they must exercise the necessary precautions to avoid becoming involved in a Boston pedestrian accident, including: