A tragic shooting incident happened in Brockton on Thursday, October 7, around 5.45 p.m. Police officer Robert Otis was shot and injured during the Brockton standoff, while the suspected shooter and another person were killed.

The suspected shooter has been identified as Kevin Serpa, aged 32. The other person killed in the incident was identified as Christopher Gomes, 28. Gomes was found shot in his SUV. The hours-long standoff took place in Serpa’s Brockton home.

Sherpa, who is believed to have shot Gomes, also shot the police officer and then took his own life. Otis, a recent academy graduate, was shot four times, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz.

Surveillance footage revealed an SUV was driving on Tabor Avenue and parking before a person walked up and fired. The vehicle moved forward where the gunman followed it and started firing again. Gunshots were fired from the second floor when a police SUV arrived at the scene. Otis was shot during this firing incident.

Chief Emanuel Gomes added that the local police force “almost lost a guy” and that, since he has a son in Boston PD, seeing young people involved in such tragic incidents makes him emotional. The police chief also said he was happy to see that Otis was safe and voiced appreciation for the officer’s actions that saved his and others’ lives. Otis was released from the Boston Medical Center on Friday, October 8.

An investigation into the Brockton standoff is currently underway.

If you or your loved ones suffered such a tragic incident, know your legal options with the help of a Brockton MA. personal Injury lawyer.

Source: https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/police-search-for-explosives-after-officer-shot-in-deadly-brockton-standoff/2511565/

A Brockton Workers’ Comp lawyer focuses on providing maximum benefit to injured workers. Harming oneself while working isn’t new to anyone and happens almost everywhere. However, these injured employees do not get fair compensation in each incident. Rather some employers tend to mistreat their workers and give them much less than what they actually deserve.

It’s not wrong to say that Brockton workers’ comp is full of procedural obstacles and pitfalls. Yet, with reasonable legal assistance, most employees can avoid these complications and gain maximum advantage.

Getting injured at your workplace is very common, and these injuries lead to a lot of drastic losses such as lost wages. According to official bodies, in 2014-2016, a total of 93,123 cases of lost wages due to injuries were filed within Massachusetts. Most of them were those males who were the sole earners of their families.

That is why Brockton workers’ comp is an issue that cannot be taken lightly. Your family’s survival depends upon it, and every employee has the right to put forward a claim for benefits from their employer in times of need.

Things to Do for a Brockton Workers’ Comp Case:

If you face lost wages issues due to injuries, then pursuing compensation is your fundamental right. Furthermore, to ensure that nothing goes wrong, there a few things that workers should do, such as:

1. Immediately Report Your Injury:

It’s imperative to immediately report the injury to avoid any issues in the future. A delay in reporting the matter could have certain drawbacks. Therefore, whichever management personnel is available, convey to them about the incident. Whether that person is a business agent or a supervisor or just in HR, narrate the whole scene. Even if the injury is a minor one, informing higher authorities is vital.

2. Take Photos:

Having photos of the incident acts as proof for the investigation. When the equipment or the conditions at your workplace are the reason behind your injury, you can directly ask for compensation. In some cases, employees facing harm due to their employer’s negligence can pursue third-party negligence claims.

3. Get a Medical Examination:

The biggest mistake that an individual can make is that they don’t get a complete medical exam right after the incident. No matter how small or big the wound might be, always go to a reliable practitioner. Medical reports play a significant role in defining how much worker compensation you will receive in Brockton. Also, these medical tests are paid from your employer’s pocket, so don’t hesitate and get all the tests done.

4. Dig Out the Company’s Previous Injury Cases:

Have some inside information or data to support your claim. If your employer’s mistake led to your injury, then there is a high possibility that something similar happened to others as well.

5. Provide Accurate Details:

It’s of utmost importance to never withhold information and never mislead others. Try to give an accurate history of your work injury. Show your health reports to prove that the damage was not related to your past health issues.

6. Hire a Competent Lawyer:

A legal battle requires solid legal representation. Employers don’t give up so quickly and mend the facts to hold the victim responsible. Thus, contact the best legal experts in your area. With a seasoned lawyer by your side, you can win relatively easily.

Things to Avoid to Receive Just Workers’ Compensation:

Along with all the things that people need to do, there is a separate list of things that people should avoid. With a few wrong steps, the entire Brockton workers’ comp case could go against you. Therefore, these are some of the common mistakes that employees need to avoid if they want maximum compensation.

Don’t Delay the Process:

Do not wait too long before reporting the injury. Once the damage becomes old, the claim becomes weaker.

Do Not Do Things in Favor of the Employer:

In fear of repercussions, some employees don’t report the matter as a work-related injury. Never make this mistake. If you think that this will please your employer, you are committing a grave mistake. Maybe to an extent, your employer might pay you for a certain period but probably won’t do so for a longer duration.

Do Not Use Your Health Insurance:

Employers try to mislead their employees by asking them to use their insurance.

Don’t Sign Any Documentation:

Never sign any legal documents until your lawyer isn’t with you. People can deceive you, so keep a good lawyer by your side.

Hire an Experienced Lawyer Today:

Brockton workers’ comp cases are pretty standard, and our firm has experienced lawyers to assist you in this matter. Not only are they well trained, but also competitive. Our main aim is to help injured employees win maximum compensation. Get in touch with us today and let us know about your case.

A car accident settlement in Massachusetts consists of several steps. It is a procedure of sorting out your conflict without being involved in a judicial proceeding or a court case, which is the course of action most car accident claims are resolved. Both sides prefer to resolve before being involved in the court case. Because a reassuring consequence may not be promised in a legal proceeding.

By signing an insurance claim you can easily retrieve damages for hospital expenses, income loss, and pain you have encountered because of the car accident. At first, you have to collect essential evidence which will support your claims such as medical records and receipts. According to the US Department of Transportation, around 339 car accidents have occurred in Massachusetts in 2019.

The Process of Car Accident Settlement in Massachusetts:

We gave you an overview of the process, here are the details so that you can get yourself out of trouble fast. Let’s begin from where all this starts. Right after the accident, ask for the other drivers’ credentials and their insurance information. This will help in being detailed about the accident when you report it to the other person’s insurance adjusters.

After you have reported, the insurance adjuster will call you asking for documentation. Bargaining for a fair price is the key to winning. And if for some reason your negotiations fail, you can always go back to your lawyer.

How to Calculate the Damage?

In case of a car accident settlement, to calculate the damage which has been done, you have to master the art of negotiation. You have to add the bills of medical expenses and your pain and suffering. It also includes vehicle damage estimates which are done because of the accident. If you have been injured in a car accident, then the value of your injury claim is understandably a top concern.

The first and most important step while negotiating a settlement for the claim of a personal injury or car accident is that you should calculate the amount of money you will accept to give up on your legal claim. Most of the insurance companies as well as car accident attorneys rely on one or another formula to get an amount for settlement. The reporting of the damage in car accident settlements is mostly based on evidence such as the photos of the scene, and witnesses, etc. Moreover, every case is different and so will be the settlement.

When to File a Car Accident Report in Massachusetts?

In general, all the vehicles involved in the accident should process a car accident report. But according to government laws, if there’s a car or property damage of more than $1000, a car accident report is a must. What if you’re driving someone else’s vehicle? In that case, the person who owns the vehicle must report the accident within a day or two. Even in hit-and-run cases, police must register a car accident report. It is very important because the police use this report as evidence in an early investigation to determine. Who’s at fault.

Tips for Getting the Best Car Settlement:

What gets measured, gets processed. So, have a specific amount in mind while dealing with a car accident settlement in Massachusetts. Try to have the lowest figure at the back of your head too that you’ll accept. Be flexible in case the adjuster mentions a clear point that weakens your claim and similarly, tries to increase your expectations if you feel like the adjuster’s claims are weaker. Try and negotiate if the adjuster is mentioning a lot of prices. Ask them to justify their claims. Why are they mentioning this much of an amount?

Accidents happen and are part of our life, the main thing is how to cope with them. Now, in the case of a car accident settlement in Massachusetts, you must follow the above-mentioned steps. It comprises the ways and methods you can adopt to deal with the unexpected calamity. It is important because one can recover economic damages such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, and the cost of repairing the car.

About the Law Office of Robert C. Shea:

Car accident settlements in Massachusetts are pretty rough and if you don’t have a good attorney, you are in trouble. At the Law Office of Robert C. Shea, we believe in what we do and are proud of it. Call us right now and get yourself an attorney who is in the relevant field. With more than 1,000 trusted clients and tens of thousands of reviews, you can trust us in emergencies like car accidents. We give each customer the attention they deserve and help them the best we can.

What leads to truck accidents in Massachusetts? The roads of Massachusetts are busy all year. From commercial trucks to cars, one can find almost every kind of vehicle on these rush roads. However, the excessive amounts of traffic make the place more dangerous and vulnerable to accidents. Truck accidents in Massachusetts are now more common than they ever were.

Sometimes, it is due to a driver’s negligence, and sometimes over speeding causes massive accidents. No matter what the reason might be, these crashes have taken dozens of lives. More than a hundred people receive minor or major injuries due to these unwanted crashes. Along with injuries, people suffer from emotional distress, financial loss, and much more. The involvement of large vehicles such as trucks increases the chances of fatalities and catastrophic injuries.

According to statistics, in 2019, there were a total of 321 fatal crashes. There were 334 deaths, and all of these crashes took place on busy highways. Every year hundreds of people die in truck accidents. Even the pedestrians suffer harm in such cases. The operation of an 80,000-pound unsafe truck within the area of Massachusetts can result in damage beyond imagination. Therefore, it’s good to know the prime causes of such incidents and what to do next.

The Reasons Behind Truck Accidents in Massachusetts:

There are numerous reasons behind these hideous truck accidents in Massachusetts. Such a heavy vehicle causes much more destruction than a collision with a car. As mentioned earlier, such an accident can change your life and even narrow down your chances of survival. So, it’s better to be aware of the main reasons why these truck accidents happen in the first place.

• Driving Under the Influence:

There is a high chance that if the driver is under influence, they can cause a major accident. Since they are not fully conscious, they don’t have complete control over their senses. It could result in a serious collision that could take many lives. Drunk driving is amongst the top reasons for crashes everywhere. Drivers must always drive when sober. If you or your loved ones feel that a truck driver near you is not in their senses, immediately contact local authorities.

• Drowsy Driving:

Just like drunk driving, drowsy driving can also cost a lot of people their lives. Even though there are certain limits on the time for which a commercial driver can drive their truck. However, people do not abide by the rules and try to travel the extra mile. It causes them to become drowsy behind the wheel and make mistakes.

• Distracted Driving:

In the city of Massachusetts, distracted driving is the prime reason for almost all accidents. Commercial vehicles are heavy and huge. Thus, a driver needs to be more careful. Still, drivers who are driving for more than 16 hours feel as though they can handle anything. For them, minor diversions are not that serious. So, they either start looking at their phones or texting or talking with their mates. The distraction causes them to lose their focus and make wrong decisions.

• Over-Speeding:

Truck drivers think that overspending won’t cause any harm. But in reality, stepping above the limit results in disasters. We all know that trucks are heavy objects and weigh twenty times more than an average car. So, if a car suddenly comes in front or stops midway, it would be difficult for the driver to slow down in time.

• Unsafe Driving:

Along with overspeeding, drivers perform certain activities, which put their own and the lives of others at risk. These practices include:

• Tailgating
• Failure to detect blind spots
• Sudden changes in lane
• Failure to use indicators
• Road rage
• Not keeping a proper distance from the vehicle in front

These small habits can cause massive issues for everyone on the road.

• Poorly Maintained Vehicle:

Another issue that can cause an accident is a poorly maintained vehicle. Drivers should check the brakes and tires before starting their journey. A worn-out tire can burst at any time. Moreover, loose or faulty brakes increase the risk factor of an accident. Don’t let your ignorance harm your future.

Get the Best Legal Help Possible:

If you or your loved one were harmed in a truck accident in Massachusetts, contact the professionals near you. Do not hesitate to fight for yourself. Our seasoned lawyers have years of experience in the field. They will attend every court session, protect your rights and win compensation for you. Set up an appointment today or call us at our helpline. Discuss your case as soon as possible so that our people can start today.

No matter how careful a person is, they can face a car crash in Brockton at any time. Each year the ratio of fatal car crashes in Brockton, MA continues to increase. Not only in Brockton but other states also have a similar situation. The number of vehicles is increasing and so are the number of accidents. With this, injured/affected people also continue to rise. Even a minor crash can be life-threatening and hurts dozens of people. From fractures to permanent memory loss, anything can be the consequence of a road accident.

Victims can suffer from physical pain, mental trauma, and much more. Horrific scenes of a crash haunt the minds of victims for years. It takes a lot of therapy to treat their condition and that costs money. Thus, the victims of such incidents should know about their rights. Being compensated after such a deadly situation is the right of an individual.

People not only suffer from physical damages but can also lose a lot of other things. Such as wages, work opportunities, peace of mind, etc.; and all of these things should be compensated for. In 2019, the state of Massachusetts registered 321 fatal car crashes. The number of deaths for the same year was 334, which is quite high. In other words, 334 families suffered from the pain of losing a loved one.

Still, the numbers didn’t go down even after facing such terrible losses. Rather, at the start of 2021, Massachusetts recorded over 4,000 accidents. Individuals of all age groups were affected within these numbers. That is why whether you experience a minor car crash in Brockton or a major one, you deserve to be compensated. Everyone hopes for the best but knowing about certain legal rights protects a person.

How to React After a Car Crash in Brockton, MA:

Some accidents may cause you to lose consciousness or leave you unable to move. However, if your body has the energy to shift, always call for help. Even if it was a minor accident such as a rear-end collision, passengers should still opt for a full body checkup. That way any kind of internal injury could be ruled out. Right after a car crash in Brockton, MA, immediately call the police helpline and ask them for an ambulance.

Secondly, gather evidence and note down details. Take the other driver’s number or note down their insurance information. Either way, victims should have something in their hands to contact the ones responsible later on.

Along with personal information, focus on contacting eyewitnesses to make your claim stronger. Taking pictures of the incident from your phone would help speed up the investigation as well. Even though the officers present at the scene will most likely take pictures but having some extra clicks wouldn’t harm anyone. This photo evidence could also assist lawyers in noticing minute details regarding the accident.

Collecting evidence and details regarding the incident is important but receiving medical attention also has equal weightage. Let the paramedics check you. Don’t neglect your health. Some injuries take time to show. With a thorough medical examination, people can prevent excessive damage. These medical reports will also help victims receive compensation for medical expenses. Therefore, carefully save all kinds of documentation to show to the courtroom at a later stage.

What Kinds of Damages Do People Suffer from After an Accident?

An accident can lead to the following kind of damages:

1. Economic Damages:

These damages cause monetary losses to victims. They have to pay for medical bills, therapies, medical equipment, repairs, and sometimes even for funerals. People losing wages or any kind of money as a result of an accident suffer economic damage.

2. Non-Economic Damages:

Apart from money, people involved in a car crash in Brockton suffer from mental stress as well. They are emotionally affected. Sometimes individuals develop certain kinds of fears and are unable to maintain healthy social relations. These general damages are to an extent permanent or could take years to resolve.

Hiring an Attorney is Necessary After a Car Crash:

After experiencing a car crash in Brockton, MA, immediately contact competent lawyers in the area. Without legal aid, a survivor cannot hope to win anything. No one knows how complicated an accident case might become. To handle these complications, a legal team is a must. They can do the following for you:

• Review the whole situation
• Gather necessary evidence
• Find eyewitnesses
• Negotiate for compensation
• Handle all trial proceedings

You can trust our legal team to provide you full support in any situation. Our experts have years of training in handling adverse accident cases. We try our best to fight till the end so that our clients can receive their deserved compensation. Contact our firm today and set an appointment.

Chapter 52 of the Massachusetts Legislature covers workers’ compensation. According to the Massachusetts legislature, workers’ compensation in Brockton, MA, relates to the insurance that pays for any injuries sustained by an employee while they were on the job.

All companies are required to maintain workers’ compensation coverage for the employees under their employment. Failing to do so may cause penalties for the company. However, if an employee sustains an injury, they can claim the state-administered Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund.

Which Industries Are Prone to Worker Injuries?

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the United States, construction ranks as one of the most injury-prone industries. The two most cited types of incidents include falls and injuries related to poorly constructed scaffolding.

These two types of injuries can result in serious back injuries, among others, hampering an employee’s work. In such a case, the employee can seek compensation for their loss in productivity. For this purpose, you can consult a lawyer for workers’ compensation in Brockton, MA to help you get the compensation.

Back Injury and Construction Industry:

The back injury or spinal cord injury seriously hampers an employee’s ability to work. According to OSHA, falls and scaffolding are the highest cited violations on their radar. Falling from a height or an inadequate is a recipe for disaster that often results in back injuries.

Workplace injuries, including falls and scaffolding failures, account for the second-highest cause of spinal cord injuries in the US. This means that construction work causes the second-highest number of back injuries after car accidents in the United States.

Dealing with a Back Injury:

Back injuries may seem like regular muscular or bone injuries, but our backbone guards one of the most important organs; the spinal cord. Besides the brain, the spinal cord is the nerve center and think tank of the body.

Any injury to the spinal cord can result in paralysis of the legs, feet, or pelvis, a condition known as paraplegia. Since the spinal cord controls all your voluntary and involuntary action loops, it is vital to complete our daily activities.

Our backbone is made of vertebras or small discs that protect the spinal cord within. Spinal cord damage may result from injury to one or more of these vertebrae. This is usually caused by blunt trauma from an accident, a fall, or a sudden blow to the vertebrae.

Loss of Work and Productivity Due to Back Injuries:

Back injuries result in extensive time on the sidelines for employees. It may result in bouts of depression, hopelessness, and feeling unproductive. Back injuries limit a person’s movement to an extent where they cannot perform even the basic activities of life.

With such a severe injury occurring while employment, the United States has strict laws to prevent this from happening. OSHA keeps improving its guidelines and monitoring process while the state asks all companies to ensure their workers’ compensation insurance.

The road to recovery from a back injury is a long one marred with constant battles from within yourself. In such instances, financial help in the form of workers’ compensation in Brockton is a must. However, settlements regarding workers’ compensation can often prove tricky to secure.

Claiming Workers’ Compensation in Brockton, MA:

Each state has its mechanisms regarding workers’ compensation insurance. Massachusetts is no different and requires employers to abide by strict adherence to maintaining workers’ compensation insurance for their employees.

The insurance claim covers weekly wages, all the medical expenses, and rehabilitation costs in severe cases. The benefits, in theory, should be paid to the employee after a month of the injury. However, this rarely occurs as the insurance provider or the employer will dispute such a claim.

The dispute settlement process can be a long drawn one, but there are usually two outcomes. Firstly the benefits can get paid every week with the employer admitting liability of the injury occurrence.

Secondly, the employer could invariably settle for a lump sum amount to be paid instead of the workers’ injuries and rehabilitation costs. It can be done with or without the admission of any liability towards the injury.

Get a Workers’ Compensation Attorney to Help You

If you’re seeking workers’ compensation in Brockton, MA, then it’s best to get the help of an experienced attorney such as the Law Office of Robert C Shea. Not only can we navigate you through the complexities of the workers’ compensation laws of Massachusetts but also get fair compensation for your injuries and loss of productivity.

Workers’ compensation in Massachusetts is a critical issue to discuss on different platforms. This is because of the impact of permanent injuries and scars that disfigurement leaves on the workers. We know you work hard for your loved ones; we are here to help you get your rights regarding compensation of workplace injuries, scars, and disfigurement.

Your lives are essential, you serve people as an asset, and we value our heroes. Since Massachusetts is a hilly area, the workers have to go against the norms to perform their duties. They have to go through major and minor injuries that leave scars, disfigurement, and severe illness that might result in permanent damage. The injuries include eye scars, permanent knee injuries resulting from dislocation, foot displacement, finger fracture, or other injuries related to other body parts.

These injuries result from different workplace explosions like chemical or explosive material exposure, automotive materials and their destruction, fire breakouts, and sometimes a fault in the machinery. It might seem more manageable for regular people to tell the workers about claiming their rights and documents along with deserved rewards, but it is not a cup of tea in Massachusetts.

Help from a professional can surely provide benefits to the deserving workers. Still, above all, the workers need to know the importance of these compensation programs designed to aid them during their hard times.

Massachusetts Work Injury Statistics

According to the statistical data presented by the Massachusetts government, around 3,000 workers have to face serious workplace injuries annually. This shows the intensity of this rising issue and the problems that workers have to face daily. Natural injuries are undoubtedly unavoidable, but the damages caused by controllable factors can be reduced through proper measures, and the workers can be compensated for their losses.

The Value of Workers’ Compensation in Massachusetts:

We know you cannot claim your rights until you see the significance of worker’s compensation in Massachusetts. It is significant for you to understand your worth and how these rights can benefit you for life. It is your utmost responsibility to claim rewards for the services that you give. A few significant points can help you understand the significance of raising your voice for what you deserve.

Medical Benefits:

As part of your claim, you may be also entitled to receive compensation for any medical costs associated with the injury, including hospital expenses, rehabilitation services, physical therapy, medication, and mileage incurred on the way to and from these appointments. As a result, it is a good idea to keep thorough records and receipts reflecting any medical expenses that you incur as a result of your work injury.

Disability Benefits

During the medical examination, the physician will evaluate you to determine whether your injury is partial or total and whether it is temporary or permanent.

A total disability means that the employee is prevented from performing the substantial majority of his or her job duties. A partial disability, on the other hand, means that the employee can still perform some of his or her job duties but is operating at a reduced earning capacity. Temporary or permanent refers to the length of time that it will likely take for the injury to resolve, with permanent injuries being those that are expected to last indefinitely.

These two determinations will decide the amount of benefits that you then receive on a weekly basis, according to a statutory-based scale. For example, partial and temporary injuries result in smaller weekly benefit payments than total and permanent injuries.

Vocational Rehabilitation

If you can’t return to your job after recovering, you may receive up to two years of vocational rehabilitation services, including job training, to help you qualify for and find other work.

Death Benefits

If an employee dies because of a work-related injury or illness, the surviving spouse, children, or other eligible dependents can receive death benefits to compensate for the loss of financial support. According to Massachusetts law, a surviving spouse receives two-thirds of the victim’s average weekly wages, up to a specific maximum level. Death benefits also cover burial expenses up to $4,000.

Get Help from Professional Lawyers:

By this time, you must be eager to get professional help, through which you can be guided to a pathway to get workers’ compensation in Massachusetts. You need to get in touch with an excellent, empathetic, and systematic team of consultants through whom you can claim your rights and receive a proper framework of legal advice and the ways to achieve workers’ compensation.

Get in touch with us now so that we can work together to compensate and provide you with the best benefits and rewards.

A Workers Compensation Claim in Massachusetts caters to all those that are put at risk due to the nature of their work. This essentially means that under the State government’s mandate, if an employee is at risk, sustains an injury or loss of life, or faces damage to bodily functions, then their employer may be upheld to provide compensation under various insurance and human resource policies through a workers compensation claim.

How Are Workers at Risk?

Many employees can face danger while on the job. This includes workers that are exposed to extremely loud levels of noise during their work, for extended periods of time. For a workers compensation claim connected to hearing loss, the most common workers include the following:

• Those who deal with heavy machinery
• Construction workers at loud sites
• Truck drivers on eighteen-wheelers traveling long distances and moving through warehouses with heavy machinery
• Those who work in factories and industrial sites are exposed to high levels of noise over extended periods of time.

Why Is a Workers Compensation Claim Important?

Workers who face other injuries at work may also be entitled to compensation from their employers; such as those who face injuries in workplace accidents, fires, damage from chemicals and machinery used. Workers may develop long-term and short-term medical conditions that include hearing loss or tinnitus, damage to eyesight, physical disability caused by workplace accidents, etc. A workers compensation claim is not necessarily drafted to point fingers at employers, but rather may also be found under the best precautionary measures taken to protect those who work for them.

By following government and state guidelines for worker protection and ensuring workplace safety, employers must provide workers with the necessary safety equipment such as protective gear, helmets, fire-proof clothing, earplugs, etc. Historically, the workplace safety measures also include first aid availability or workplace safety training to make sure workers are fully equipped and safe from hazards.

What Constitutes a Workers Compensation Claim in Massachusetts?

Under the authority of the United States Department of Labor, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides guidelines that act as a mandate for employers when ensuring worker’s safety and rights. The organization also outlines necessary training and has a streamlined process for filing complaints in such cases of workplace accidents and risks.

Data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration shows that almost 22 million workers are exposed to noise levels above 85 decibels. Research also shows us that a worker exposed to this level of harmful noise for over 8 hours at a time is placed at risk for permanent or temporary hearing loss that can lead to tinnitus. It goes without saying that such loss of a crucial human sense is something that isn’t easy to deal with.

As such, seeking a worker’s compensation claim in Massachusetts can put you in a position where you are entitled to full coverage and insurance for medical costs and services, and coverage for any losses obtained by missing time in working hours, to make sure that workers are not without pay for the period of their recovery.

What Can A Worker’s Compensation Claim Do for You?

If you believe that the nature of your work put you at risk for hearing loss or other damages, you may be entitled to compensation. This includes any injury or damage sustained either through your direct employer or any other party or organization that fails to meet safety regulations.

As such, a workers compensation claim in Massachusetts can help pay for or facilitate any medical bills or provide access to medical services and facilities. It may also make you entitled to estimated monetary compensation for any working hours missed while in recovery. In the case of a loss of life, while working, the workers compensation claim also holds dependents or family members of those affected to be compensated for their loss.

Seeking A Workers Compensation Claim in Massachusetts:

To seek the top attorneys who are committed to keeping you, your workplace, and your family safe, the Law Office of Robert C. Shea provides personal accident attorneys for Workers Compensation Claims in Massachusetts. The attorneys are well versed in state and government regulations and in handling employer organizations with or without fault. In dealing with injuries relating to partial or total disability, the office provides legal consultation and services for seeking lump-sum settlements, medical coverage, and helps protect your family in the case of death. If you have been a victim, contact us today.

When you have experienced a work-related illness or injury and were deemed to be qualified for workers’ compensation benefits, you may question whether you can reopen your workers’ comp case in Massachusetts once your benefits have lapsed or your case was closed.

In Massachusetts, all employers are required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance covering their employees. This law is applicable despite the number of hours worked in any given week. The requirement for domestic service employees is not the same. They must work 16 hours per week in order to require coverage.

Reasons to Reopen a Workers’ Comp Case in Massachusetts:

There can be numerous reasons due to which you may want to reopen your case. This does not depend on whether your case was denied or settled. The main cause would be that your condition has worsened. Other reasons due to which you want to reopen the case may be due to the following reasons:

• A factual or legal mistake was made.
• Fraud was committed by the insurance company.
• You have new developments regarding your medical condition.
• Your capability to earn has significantly diminished.

The procedure is generally similar to any dispute over workers’ comp claims, once the application is received. Typically, your case will be scheduled for a court hearing before a workers’ compensation judge. You will need to prove what benefits you should receive and why your case should be reopened. The judge will then give the final decision on whether you should receive additional benefits or your case should be reopened.

Stipulation and Award:

You may be able to reopen your closed workers’ comp case in Massachusetts if your case was resolved under a stipulation and award. Some of the reasons you might want to reopen the case may include an issue in the paperwork, your disability worsening, or if there was a legal discrepancy witnessed that resulted in your case being closed.

You will be granted five years from the date at which you were injured, to pursue the reopening of your case. You will have to discuss the case with your attorneys and they will guide you regarding your further course of action under Massachusetts workers’ comp laws.

The Compromise and Release:

You will not have the option of reopening your case for any reason other than fraud, in case your case was closed under a compromise and release settlement. This is due to the fact that these types of settlements contain clauses that explicitly discharge the employer and the insurer from any past, current, or future claims that might arise from the same occupational conditions you faced.

These cases often involve a lump sum settlement offer. If you receive such an offer, it is essential that you thoroughly review such provisions with your lawyer, so that they may advise you according to the situation.

How Settlements May Affect Your Right to Reopen a Workers’ Compensation Claim:

Typically, if a workers’ compensation judge issued an order after a hearing, you may be able to reopen your case for a qualifying reason. The situation can be very different if the case has been settled and the compensation has been provided in full.

If the contract explicitly allowed additional benefits and provided for installment payments, you might be able to reopen your case.

Insurance companies, however, often insist on a lump sum settlement. This means that you will have to waive your rights to receive any future claims arising out of the injury, once you have opted for a final settlement. In some circumstances, you may request additional reimbursement of medical costs, even after you have signed a waiver.

Seeking Legal Help in Your Workers’ Comp Case in Massachusetts:

It can be very cumbersome to reopen a closed workers’ compensation case. Judges are unwilling to open old claims unless there is solid evidence that the award or settlement was unjust. Convincing a judge regarding recent developments in your medical condition can be very complex, and depends on factors such as how much time has passed.

About Robert C. Shea:

An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can assist you with your workers’ comp case in Massachusetts by demonstrating to you the legal framework of such cases. Our competent lawyers can facilitate you in gathering quality evidence for your case and effectively persuading the judge in your favor. They may also help you with reopening the claim when your past wounds worsen and lead to serious risks regarding your medical condition.

Workers’ compensation retaliation in Massachusetts are common. A lot of industries misuse their employees. From factory workers to office staff, every employee has a certain set of rights. It includes the right to file a worker’s compensation claim. In fact, the laws in Massachusetts make sure that no worker is fired or dismissed for filing a compensation claim.

So, if you or someone near you experienced a workforce injury, immediately report it and file a claim as well. Since you were hurt while working, you deserve compensation. An average worker isn’t financially stable enough to afford medical treatment or miss out on work. Moreover, those people who work on daily wages cannot miss even a day’s work. In such a situation, an injured person has to bear financial losses, and it could prove to be detrimental for the entire family.

In 2017, nearly 65,000 workers suffered multiple injuries at their workplaces in Massachusetts. Thousands of people ended up missing work for days. Since many individuals were working on daily wages, they lost a good amount of money. In addition, they suffered mental and physical pain. Therefore, workers’ compensation programs make sure that such people are assisted at all times. It is necessary to save them and their families from falling into poverty.

Understanding Workers’ Compensation Retaliation in Massachusetts:

Employers use many tricks to make their employees’ lives miserable. A single employer can sometimes be unbearable. On top of that, some employers object to the fact that an employee filed a claim. Even though a worker has every right to demand workers’ compensation, all employers do not approve of it. Some employers retaliate against the claim by forcefully firing the employee or by taking other measures.

Sadly, the laws in Massachusetts don’t think of this decision as illegal because someone is required to fill the post for the missing employee. However, in this situation, an employer needs to provide hiring preference to the injured employee for the next opening as stated by the laws of the city. In some cases, it is made mandatory to employ the injured worker as soon as they recover. To save oneself from the injustice of their employer, one needs to have adequate knowledge of workers’ compensation retaliation in Massachusetts.

Types of Retaliation to Save Yourself From:

An employer can make your life worse in many ways. Upon that filing, a compensation claim makes them your worst enemy. Your boss will try to undermine you in many ways. For example, they could be cutting your pay without a reason, giving you a poor review, or not promoting you on time. Employers even go to an extent of canceling all your requests without providing any reason. Sometimes your boss starts to give you extra work just to make you feel miserable about your decision.

Other ways of retaliating are by:

• Demoting you
• Transferring you to a tougher department or area
• Harassing you mentally
• Implement disciplinary actions on you
• Force you to resign

All of these retaliations are considered illegal in the eyes of the state. An employer cannot carry on with such behavior with their worker. They try to cover it up by providing excuses and reasons, but if you believe that the behavior is due to your claim, fight against it.

What to Do About Retaliation?

A worker who faces unjust termination or demotion needs to get in touch with an attorney. These matters need to be handled legally, and your employer must explain the reason for doing so. Moreover, the state laws protect you in all circumstances. Like the family medical leave act allows workers to take up to 12 days of unpaid leave if they feel sick.

Secondly, the Americans With Disabilities Act makes sure that disabled employees are treated with the utmost respect. Through these two laws and a lawyer’s help, you can fight against the injustice of your supervisor.

Hire a Professional Attorney for Your Compensation Claim:

Every worker deserves to be protected at their workplace. An employer has the responsibility to keep their staff safe and facilitate them in times of need. However, many owners fail to do so. That is why laws have been created to protect the working class from such injustices. If you or someone near you requires help, then contact our team today.

We have experts who know how to deal with workers’ compensation retaliation in Massachusetts. They will do their very best to help you win your rightful share of compensation and protect you from workplace harassment. Set up a free consultation session today by calling our helpline.

Dealing with a car accident in Massachusetts can become stressful. Merely imagining losing your loved ones to a fatal car crash can run shivers down your spine. Tragic accidents lead the way to emotional and financial damages; imagine you lose the main breadwinner of your family. It is probably the last thing you would want to imagine.

Fatal car crashes not only take the life of your loved ones but also leave financial stress for the remaining members of the family. You are allowed to file a claim against the person whose negligence caused the wrongful death of your relative. The claim won’t bring back your loved one, however, it will ease your financial burden and help you in moving on with life.

Wrongful Death in a Car Accident in Massachusetts:

A car accident in Massachusetts can kill people and unfortunately, it happens very frequently around us. Only in Massachusetts, there were 321 fatal accidents recorded resulting in 334 deaths in 2019. To file a claim for wrongful death, it is essential to prove that the death of the person is caused due to negligent actions of the defendant. If the court identifies negligent action to be willful, on purpose, or reckless, then additional damages are provided in the claim. A civil lawsuit can proceed even if the state does not file a criminal case against the defendant.

In the majority of the cases, the time period to file a wrongful death lawsuit is three years. It is possible that in certain cases it takes a lot of time, even months to prove that the death was wrongful. In this scenario, a lawsuit can be filed once the facts regarding wrongful deaths are known.

Claims in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit:

If you lose a loved one in a car crash, the state of Massachusetts provides compensation under wrongful death lawsuits for damages including economic, non-economic, and punitive.

Economic Damages:

Economic damages are special damages involving financial value. It involves the compensation for the financial loss suffered. Economic damages involve the following:

• Burial and funeral expenses
• Loss of wages of the deceased
• Medical expenses (in certain cases, the person may suffer from injuries for a long time before losing a life)
• Repair and replacement of property

Non-Economic Damages:

Non-Economic damages are general damages that are not financially valued and involve suffering, loss, and the difficulty experienced by the deceased’s representative. Non-economic damages contain:

• Loss of counsel and guidance
• Loss of protection, care, and assistance
• Loss of family-related services for instance child care
• Loss of companionship in case you lose your parent, spouse, or a child
• Loss of consortium before your spouse dies and after the death

Punitive Damages for Wrongful Death Lawsuit:

Punitive damages are exemplary damages, awarded by the court in case the court finds the actions willful and extremely negligent. Mostly the compensation in the claim is provided to recover the victim from loss whereas punitive damages are in place to punish the defendant, their actions, and set an example. The court provides punitive damages at a minimum value of $5,000.

Criminal Charges for Wrongful Death:

Criminal charges including driving under the influence, not abiding by the traffic laws, distracted driving, and reckless driving are levied by the police on the negligent driver. Criminal charges may not be pressed in case the reason for the accident was not under the control of the negligent driver. This may include bad weather conditions, road defects, and car malfunction.

In case you lost your loved one in a car accident in Massachusetts, likely, the insurance company will reach out to you and offer a settlement. You should objectively analyze the offering as the underlying motive of the insurance company remains to make a profit. The insurance company will actively look for mistakes in your case to deny your claim or to reduce the claim.

Get in Touch with Us:

Losing your loved one is one of the toughest moments in life. In such a traumatic condition, it is very difficult to make rational decisions. It is always better to seek the professional help of a skilled attorney. They will assist in gathering the paperwork and filing the lawsuit on your behalf. After the facts of accidents are known, the process to file a claim becomes more complicated. At that point, your attorney will guide you through the necessary steps. In case there is a third party liability involved, then a lawsuit against that party can also proceed.

We cannot stop car accidents in Massachusetts. However, we are here to protect your rights and provide you the claim you deserve.

When settling a Brockton workers’ comp claim, what should you consider? Most companies in Massachusetts must have workers’ compensation insurance. Some jobs like mining lead to more injuries. But even employees in office jobs may find themselves needing workers’ comp, for example, they may suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive motion injuries.

When injuries do happen, many employees are not sure whether they should accept the compensation offered to them by their employer or ask for more. Sometimes, companies do not compensate you well enough for the losses you have incurred. They may not accommodate you once the compensation has been handed over.

The settlement of a Brockton workers’ comp claim should be managed by an attorney. A lawyer will represent your interests in your Massachutes workers’ comp claim. The employer will also take an attorney much more seriously.

When the worker is nearing completion to be classified as medically fit, the employer’s compensation insurer will contact the affected employee or their lawyer for the purpose of settling the claim. There are several things your lawyer needs to take into consideration when settling your Brockton workers’ comp claim.

Factors Affecting Brockton’s Workers’ Comp Claim:

Before the workers’ comp injury lawyer would make a claim for Brockton employees, there are a few factors both parties should be aware of.

Reaching MMI Stage:

What’s the first thing to know for sure if the injured worker is healthy to go back to work? They must reach the Maximum Medical Improvement stage so that they can make a better Brockton workers’ comp claim with all the incurred expenses during the medical treatment.

MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement) is a term usually used by legal or medical professionals. In simple words, the term describes a time where the patient took all the necessary medical treatment that has improved their medical condition. Basically, in this case, the medical professional has to approve that the injured employee is healthy and ready to join back at work.

Some of them are cleared, however, they still have restrictions in their work. They are then hired for vocational retraining services that are provided by Massachusetts’ workers’ compensation system.

Equivalent Compensation:

It is needed to know if the insurance company is giving a reasonable amount that is near to the equivalency of the future weekly compensation. If it is, you would continue, after the net present value deduction, of course.

Know About the Employer’s Insurer:

Sometimes, it is difficult to receive the benefits of workers’ compensation. There could be a conflict with the employer’s insurer; which may further lead to litigation. You should know who is giving the verdict on your claim, and the strategy the insurer is deploying. It would help you to manage your compensation.

Whether to Take a Lump Sum Settlement

The lump-sum settlement is a settlement between the employer and the employee where the injured employee is given the settlement altogether in form of a single payment. They cannot ask for more compensation later, after agreeing to the lump sum settlement that has been offered. The settlement can only be made if both parties agree to it.

Disability Benefits

A workers’ comp lawyer must know whether you are a candidate for permanent and total disability benefits or if you have any other health issues that can affect your life expectancy. It may limit the amount of future weekly benefits that you would receive in your Brockton workers’ comp claim, otherwise.

If you have been entitled to receive permanent and total disability benefits, you can have a spouse who will inherit your remaining settlement funds upon your death. However, if you survive, your spouse cannot inherit those benefits.

You need to know if the settlement of your Brockton workers’ compensation claim would affect your other disability benefits, such as Social Security Disability or Long-Term Disability benefits.

Contact a Brockton Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today

The aforementioned factors are just a collection that a personal injury lawyer must consider while evaluating a workers’ compensation settlement offer for an injured worker. To have a better settlement offer from the insurance company, the claims shall be filed accordingly so that the future benefit payments can be increased by the insurance company.

To have a reasonable settlement for a Brockton workers’ comp claim, you must hire an attorney with the right legal experience. The insurance company will also have their legal consultant for your case. Therefore, the injured worker should reach out to a legal consultant for a better negotiation in the settlement.

Evaluation of a settlement agreement for a workers’ comp claim in Brockton, MA can become a complex process. Several workers suffer from occupational diseases or workplace injuries. Work-related injuries lead to financial burden, insecurity of losing one’s job as well as stress, anxiety, and pain. If you suffer from a work-related injury or occupational disease, the question arises whether you should accept the settlement of a lump sum amount in a worker’s compensation claim or not.

Usually, when the person who suffered an injury, recovers from the medical condition, the insurance provider for worker’s compensation provides a settlement option. To evaluate if the settlement option is best for you, it is always beneficial to consult a professional attorney.

Workers’ Comp Claim in Brockton, MA; Understanding MMI in a Legal & Medical Perspective

Workers’ comp claims in Brockton, MA protect the rights of injured workers whose injuries occur at the workplace while performing job duties. According to estimates, in 2019 preventable work-related injuries numbered 4,572 whereas medically consulted injuries numbered 4.64 million.

Maximum medical improvement is associated with that point in the recovery process where the patient receives maximum reasonable and essential treatment for the medical condition caused by injury. This is also known as MMI. It is commonly used in medical and legal aspects. In other words, it means you have received the complete treatment and you are as better as you can get.

When the patient reaches the MMI stage, the doctors determine whether the patient will be able to return to work, or will the patient need modifications according to a health condition. It also determines whether the patient will not be able to resume work due to a complete disability.

If a person returns to work with modifications and restrictions, the workers’ compensation claim provides the benefit of vocational retraining to ease the transformation for the employee.

Implications of Lump Sum Settlement

Settlement is linked with the amount of a weekly disability payment portion of the claim that is provided by the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier to the injured employee upon mutual agreement. The condition of lump-sum settlement is that the amount and terms must be agreed upon by both parties involved.

This means the employee will waive off all the rights to any future disability payments due to the current injury in an exchange for one-time compensation for the work-related injury.

The settlement agreement cannot be attained forcefully. It ensures the best interest of both parties with a mutual understanding of the situation.

Key Factors to Consider in a Settlement Offer

The following factors are substantial while evaluating your settlement offer:

• Does your settlement include benefits for permanent loss function?
• If you have suffered from a complete disability, do you have other underlying medical conditions that could be life-threatening to you and limit your future weekly benefits?
• Have you reached your maximum medical improvement point? It is advisable not to take a settlement before reaching MMI
• In case you have suffered from a severe injury for instance permanent disability, would you like to inherit your settlement funds after your death? It is vital to know that your current spouse is not eligible to attain your settlements on your behalf after your death unless your death was resulted completely or partially due to a workplace injury or disease
• Do you think the amount that is being offered by the insurance company truly represents the future weekly benefits after the application and deduction of net present value?
• Will your settlement for workers’ compensation claim affect other benefits?
• If your right to benefits is challenged legally by the insurance provider of workers’ compensations, do you think the settlement is reasonable? You need to consider the skill set of the other party’s attorney, and the medical report provided by the doctor

Get in Touch

There are several other factors involved while deciding the right settlement according to your workers’ comp claim in Brockton, MA. Usually, claims for increased benefits are filed by the injured worker to increase the value of future benefits from the insurance provider.

Legal guidance and consultation help from building the case to negotiating for settlements with the workers’ compensation insurance company. Insurance companies have experienced attorneys to represent their cases. Similarly, it is recommended to people who suffer from work-related injuries to hire a professionally skilled attorney. Our team has earned years of experience and recognition in protecting our client’s best interest. We ensure that you receive the claim you deserve while we defend your rights.

If you or your loved ones have suffered from an unfortunate work-related injury, get in touch with us. Our personal injury lawyer will guide you through the process of attaining a maximum claim.

Driving is a useful skill that people should know. Though, there is a certain age at which you get a driver’s license, which is 18 years old. However, the teens in America are already driving their parents’ cars before they even reach the age of holding a driving license. Parents want to talk to their children about the risks involved in teen drinking and driving in Massachusetts but it is far from being easy. That is because teens are already in high spirits and they do not want to be stopped from anything.

As a parent, you need to talk to your teen tactfully about their responsibilities as a driver. In Massachusetts, teens at the age of 16 and a half and 18 years can have a junior operator’s license. But they cannot drive their friends under 18 years, without adult supervision for the first six months of driving. Moreover, they are restricted to cruise from midnight till 5 a.m.

Drinking is strictly prohibited while a teen is driving. It may cause many problems and accidents on the road due to the negligence of the teen driver. Also, drinking is not allowed for anyone till they reach the age of 21.

Parents should teach their teens to respect the legal drinking age, which as mentioned earlier, is 21. They should also be aware of the disadvantages that come with drinking below the age of 21. However, if they are forced by their friends to drink for fun, they should share it with you or any other family member.

You need to tell your teenage child that alcohol is really bad for them at this age because they are developing themselves, physically, socially, mentally, and emotionally. Their values and power of decision-making are building up. Therefore, they must be able to think rationally and avoid drinking habits altogether.

An Insight into Teen Drinking and Driving in Massachusetts:

In the U.S. the percentage of drunk driving-related deaths range between 19% to 43% among individual states.

As we talk about the risks involved in drinking while driving, the biggest risk is a car crash on the road. There are fatal accidents while the driver is drinking because drinking does not let you control your body and there is uncertain and uninformed driving involved. With time, drinking leads to poor decisions.

Road accidents often lead to criminal cases, especially if the car is damaged, or someone is injured in the accident due to teen drinking and driving. In some cases, the parents are also held responsible, especially if there are any personal injuries and the teenage child claims for a car insurance policy.

For a teenager, injuring another person could be a traumatic situation. It is a frightful sight to experience on the road. Your teen will need support and guidance from you. There is a teen-parent driving contract that you can review with your teen and let them know that you will always be there to pick them up when needed.

Parents need to be understanding for their children when it comes to teen drinking and driving. You may tell them that accidents and driving mistakes do happen. However, you need to tell them that you cannot support unsafe and harmful ideas such as drinking while driving in Massachusetts.

There are many consequences of teen drinking. Not only do they have bad driving skills, but also; they may be suffering from peer pressure and social problems. They may get bad scores at school or get arrested for hangovers. Some of them also become the victim of physical or sexual assault as well. Drinking habits have a long-term impact on a teen’s physical growth.

Additional Notes:

You need to tell your child that it is okay to refuse your first drink because it makes you a sensible person. It is important to tell them that you are proud of them and that they should be happy to refuse the drink.

Every household has its way of living. It is advised that you do not allow drinks at home even. The supply of alcohol in the house may lead to the arrest of parents, as well. Some parents are liberal enough to share drinks with their teens. It is not a very good way of thinking, especially when your teen is just moving to develop their cognitive and social skills.

Contact Us:

You should be vigilant about your teen. Keep a check on them that where they are going and with whom. There are cases where teen drinking and driving in Massachusetts could call out for an arrest.

Some teenagers might get into the habit of drinking from their friends and friends’ parents. Therefore, as a parent, you must know your child’s company. The only way to keep in check with your teen is to become friendly and understanding towards them.

Brockton Workers’ Comp attorneys understand the changing trends in occupational injury legislation. For over several years, we have helped workers prove industrial damage and informed them about the confrontation process involving employers’ insurance companies. Fraud recognition strategies, including using social media investigation to rebut Brockton workers’ comp claim. We are also highly aware of safe operating parameters and are encouraged on social media while reviewing your application. We represent injured employees in different states of America.

A study done by The Federal Trade Commission shows that when people report with the new FTC and Data Spotlight, scammers hide on social media using ads and offer to promote their scams that get started on social media. People in the first six months of 2020 have sent and lost large amounts of money equating to an estimated $117 million to online sellers who do not deliver their products, romantic scammers, and fraudulent financial or crypto consultants.

Social Networking Sites:

Monitoring the process of claiming workers’ compensation can take many forms. For example, insurance companies every so often appoint private detectives to “tag” an applicant the day before, the day after, and the day after an “independent” medical examination record. These detectives highlight their gestures, exaggerated responses, and unreliable statements about the suffering. Usually, the hardest form of surveillance is to “tag yourself” on social media sites or share all the details of life through social media sites, including:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Flickr
• Xanga
• Google+
• Tag
• Pinterest

From personal preference to dating sites, the options are endless. People are still “connected” through social media. But recent events have uncovered the dark side of disproportionate disclosure, from active government oversight and investigation to being caught in compromising circumstances that could affect your professional life and your legal claims. Insurance companies have long used social media sites for the discovery and investigation of employee compensation fraud. This has proven to be a useful form of observation for all these insurance companies as well.

When you are at home, unable to work, you can only engage in social media. However, posting a photo or status update could end up jeopardizing an employee’s claim. Social media is a relatively new form of surveillance, including Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, etc. In the past, video surveillance was common, but social media surveillance is a cheaper option for insurance companies.

Getting Caught:

Brockton law provides weekly cash benefits to disabled workers. In the meantime, it looks like nothing can be done other than updating social networks. Posting photos, uploading videos, and notifying contacts that you’ve “just shipped firewood,” aren’t good for debilitating trauma. Many other actions can raise flags, including:

• Starting some kind of business
• Traveling
• Occupation
• Shopping for groceries
• Large procurements
• Contact sports
• Jumping or spinning
• Weight lifting
• Physical training
• Amusing

While some injuries allow workers to go to the gym or physical therapy alone, severe disabilities limit their daily lives. Reporting your physical activity and how you spend your time can undermine the credibility of the workers’ compensation claim and may not adequately report the degree of disability. While it may be unintentional and seemingly harmless, exaggerating facts on social media sites is also part of human nature. For example, your social media status could say “just finished a marathon” when you are stuck in a chair in pain after walking down the driveway to your mailbox. Insurers can and will manipulate social media to argue or demonstrate inconsistency, exaggeration, and fraud.

Use Caution When Sharing Via Social Media:

Social media is not the cause of paranoia or fear. Workers with disabilities often feel comfortable talking about their injuries to supportive family and friends. Some even talked about their struggles with the disease and how it affected their lives on social media, and how to avoid undermining work-related injury claims through online videos, images, and blogs. With the help of specialized legal advice, injured employees can better prepare for the inevitable monitoring. This will ensure that they are using social media appropriately in this context.

Call Us to Handle Your Brockton Workers’ Comp Claim:

If you suspect insurance oversight and need guidance on how to use social media wisely while your claim is pending, contact our skilled lawyers for your Brockton workers’ comp claim today. We have years of experience demonstrating the impact of work-related injuries on everyday life. We have sought compensation for workers in many counties and other local communities. Call us now, or contact us online for a free consultation.

There are some common causes of the majority of the 3,000+ accidents in the state every year which involve minor to severe injuries. The most common cause of car accidents in Brockton, MA is human error. Humans make mistakes; it’s a fact of life. Normally, other people’s mistakes have an insignificant impact on others’ lives, but that doesn’t happen all the time. Mistakes made behind the wheels of a vehicle can often result in life-threatening repercussions.

Causes of Car Accidents in Brockton, MA:

According to several studies that have been conducted, human error is the major contributor to 90% of car accidents in Brockton, MA. Few of the examples of human errors and how they can cause crashes include:

1. Distracted Driving:

Distracted driving is a major contributor to accidents in the United States and also of car accidents in Brockton, claiming more than 3,000 lives nationwide every year. Drivers can be distracted in three fundamental ways. Manual distractions involve the driver taking their hands from the wheel. Visual distractions involving take your eyes off the road. Cognitive distractions pull your mind away from the task of driving.

Nowadays, texting is one of the most dangerous and alarming driver’s actions behind the wheels. It implicates all 3 categories. Typing instead of holding the wheels, looking at the screen instead of on the road, and engaging in the mental process of using a screen with inadequate attention to driving.

Other common distractions leading to car accidents in Brockton include using a cell phone to talk, reading emails, or browsing social media, eating or drinking, applying make-up, and several others. Drivers instead of maintaining their car speed adequately, pay attention to external distractions such as work zones, people in other vehicles or billboards can also be triggering factors.

2. Alcohol-Impaired Driving:

Drunken people result in 30 people deaths in a single day in the U.S. Alcohol impairs driving abilities. Alcohol impairs a person’s driving in terms such as staying in a travel lane, reacting to hazards, and making sound safety decisions leading to car accidents in Brockton.

3. Stress and Fatigue:

Driving with excessive tiredness and stress is quite alarming. Fatigue impairs a driver’s ability in a similar way as alcohol. Always get sufficient rest before driving and pull off the road to a safer place if you feel lethargic and drowsy while driving.

4. Over-Speeding:

Approximately 10,000 people die every year due to accidents caused by over-speeding. High speed reduces the time of reaction to any hurdle coming in the way. Moreover, it requires more time for the vehicle to reach a safe stop and render the vehicle’s crash safety equipment like airbags and belts.

5. Tailgating:

Tailgating is an act of following the other car too closely. It is a major reason behind two-vehicle accidents or rear-end collisions. There should be adequate space between two vehicles to ensure an ample amount of time to stop if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or halts.

Preventing Human Error When Driving:

It is quite impossible to prevent traffic accidents or speculate someone’s error in judgment or skill could cause an accident. Several things can be done to avoid human mistakes to minimal; otherwise, it may result in serious injury or even death. Some significant tips are:

Don’t Drive If You’re Under the Influence, Tired, or Emotional

Avoid driving if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, haven’t got enough sleep, or feel emotional. These conditions will impact your ability to drive safely and ultimately, to exercise smart judgment behind the wheel.

Obey Traffic Rules

Always obey traffic rules including the rules about the speed limit and signboards. You must ensure to stop at intersections where it’s necessary to do so. It is important to carefully look for approaching vehicles before proceeding ahead on the road

Signal When Turning or Changing Lanes

Be sure to signal your intentions every time you change lanes or turn. It must clarify your intention to other drivers who can anticipate and react accordingly

Keep a Safe Distance

Allow substantial distance between your vehicles and others around you to avoid a collision. It helps cater to sudden hazards like a driver changing a lane or turning without proper signaling.

Be Aware of Your Emotions

Be mindful of your mental state while driving. Road rage can fuel aggressive driving such as over-speeding or changing lanes which is quite dangerous. If you are a target of someone else’s road rage, do not provoke the driver, nor retaliate. If you are stressed or angry while driving, try to alleviate your mood. Opt for a route with lesser traffic and listen to soothing music while driving

Contact Us

If you have sustained an injury in a car accident in Brockton, MA by someone else’s human error, you have all the right to take legal action for compensation. An experienced car accident attorney will assist you to understand the different legal options available.

You may have many questions in your head after getting in a Massachusetts car accident in a company car. Such as who is accountable for the accident? Is an employer responsible for an employee’s car accident or is there someone else at fault? What will be the conditions for the compensation?

Millions of workers as a part of their job drive or ride in a vehicle. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 29,000 workers died in a work-related motor vehicle crash from 2003 to 2018 in the U.S.

Considering the complexity of work-related crashes involving company cars, here is a blog that will provide every necessary detail you need regarding accidents in a company’s car. If you have any other queries you can always contact our experienced lawyers.

Employer’s Responsibility:

The collision caused by an employee while conducting company business driving a company car on office time may hold an employer accountable by the principle of vicarious responsibility. Moreover, accidents during company timings in a personal car can hold an employer responsible. If the employee were at fault, they can be held responsible and could probably be sued by the victim.

There may be a possibility for the driver of the company car to still receive workers’ compensation if they were injured in the car accident. However, there is an exception to this that they will not be eligible to receive workers’ compensation for their injuries if they were on their way to or from work.

When Are You Personally Liable?

You will be held personally liable if you diverge from the duties of your employment. For example, if you decide to go for a short side trip, or stop at a friend’s house nearby or any other place apart from company-related business, you will be held accountable for the accident you may cause.

You will be on the hook if you are instructed by your employer to pick up a few things from the store and you caused an accident on the way. The court will look at your case to see whether or not you were doing what you were instructed to do.

If I Was in a Company Vehicle, Can I Still Sue the At-Fault Driver?

A state in which when a driver is engaged in a Massachusetts car accident, and their insurance company covers the subsequent damages and injuries is known as a no-fault state. While in an at-fault state, offsetting the compensation for the injured party is the liability of the at-fault driver or their insurance company.

However, Massachusetts is a no-fault insurance state ensuring that the victims of the accident get the compensation for their medical bills and related expenses they deserve on time; Also to save insured motorists from uninsured motorists. Nonetheless, the ability to sue the responsible driver is limited by the insurance laws of a no-fault state.

Usually, if the Massachusetts car accident resulted in necessary and reasonable medical expenses that surpass $2,000 only, then the victim can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. There are some other conditions which include:

• Death
• A loss of sight or hearing
• The loss of a body member
• A fracture
• Partial or complete permanent and serious disfigurement

You can also contact a lawyer to get a brief explanation about whether you can file a lawsuit against another driver or not.

Who Should I Sue After Getting Injured in a Company Vehicle?

It is possible that you may have valid claims upon various individual parties but depending on the situation, you are only eligible to file a claim for workers’ compensation to recover from the lost money and medical bills only if you were involved in an accident in a company car while on the job. Usually, incidents that happen while managing company business and during office time, are covered by workers’ compensation.

The way to hold the at-fault driver responsible for their negligence is a personal injury lawsuit. You can file a personal injury lawsuit if the driver was careless to cause the accident while at the same time reclaiming the money for medical expenses, pain, and suffering not covered by workers’ compensation.

Contact Us to Deal with Your Massachusetts Car Accident:

Contact us now, the Law Office of Robert C. Shea, P.C, if you were involved in a Massachusetts car accident. We have been helping victims strive for the fair and just compensation they deserve. Our attorneys have comprehensive knowledge in dealing with such cases. They will not only protect your rights but also assist you in making a well-informed decision about the future.

You are probably wondering what happens if you are involved in a Massachusetts car accident caused by another driver. Does the accident qualify for civil or criminal action? Do you press criminal charges? What is a legal civil action?

In the last couple of years, the frequency of deaths in the state has been comparatively low, as reported by the U.S Department of Transportation. There was a sharp increase in the statistics in 2016, as the number reached an estimated 395 fatalities per annum.

We want you to understand all of your legal rights after the Massachusetts car accident. Continue reading for a simple explanation of the difference between a civil and criminal car accident case.

How Is a Civil Car Accident Different from A Criminal Car Accident Case?

In a civil car accident case, a person who suffered injuries and considerable property damage in the incident demands financial reimbursement from the other party that caused it. The claim will show how the other party’s negligence and carelessness led to the accident and victims’ injuries, along with their property damage.

The victim only needs to prove that it was more likely than not that the incident that occurred was caused by the other party. If the case of a civil car accident is successful, the responsible driver and their insurance company will pay for the cost of the damages.

However, a criminal car accident case is different. These cases are handled by expert prosecutors from the county District Attorney’s office. A criminal case endeavors to punish an individual for committing a crime that caused a car accident. For example, a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs may experience some serious criminal charges. The guilty driver will receive criminal convictions such as imprisonment, fines, or probation.

In some situations, the court may order the criminal defendant to pay the victims of their crime restitution, or monetary compensation. In contrast with a civil case, the state must prove each element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable suspicion, a much higher standard than a civil case requires.

Car Wrecks That May Qualify for Criminal Litigation Include:

Some car wrecks may lead to criminal charges as well as a civil case:

DUI Accidents

Intoxicated drivers are much likely to make deadly mistakes and cause fatal Massachusetts car accidents. Hence, it is illegal to drive while intoxicated throughout the United States. Therefore, it is treated as a criminal act because it constitutes a risk to the general public.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

The law requires a driver involved in an accident to stop their vehicle, provide medical aid if essential, and exchange information. If a driver fails to stop the car, it would be considered as breaking the law even if the accident is minor. The type of penalties the drivers face is usually determined by the magnitude of injuries and property damage.

Reckless Driving Accidents

Reckless driving accidents occur when another driver’s demeanor generates a level of threat on the road. Unless a driver’s behavior causes injuries or death, most negligent driving accidents are not deemed criminal cases.

Can I File a Criminal Case After a Massachusetts Car Accident?

Commonly, criminal cases are filed by police and attorneys. However, you can also file an application yourself to have a criminal complaint issued by the court for certain felony charges. This obliges going to the relevant police department and obtaining a full-fledged police incident report.

After acquiring the police report, the next step is to file an application for criminal charges with the municipal or district court where the impact took place. A hearing would be scheduled with you and the defendant by the court. At the hearing, the clerk magistrate would review the case, scrutinize the evidence provided, and conclude whether there is probable cause to issue a criminal complaint.

How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help?

An attorney with extensive experience from The Law Office of Robert C. Shea, P.C can assist you with your claims, in the case where you or a loved one was hurt in a car accident. We are able to:

• Explain what to expect during your case and your legal rights
• Conduct an investigation about the incident to secure evidence and testimony from witnesses
• Prepare a compelling argument, in some cases with the help of an accident reconstruction expert, which illustrates how the accident took place and identifies the culprit
• File your claim with appropriate insurance providers and firmly pursue an agreement that provides you with full and fair compensation
• Take your claim to court if it gives you the best possible opportunity for a full financial as well as medical recovery

Contact the Law Office of Robert C. Shea:

Call or contact the Law Office of Robert C. Shea, if you were involved in a Massachusetts car accident. Our attorneys have comprehensive knowledge in dealing with such cases. You can also consult us to learn more about the legal claim procedures and other relevant legal frameworks.

Bad weather conditions especially in winters cause Massachusetts auto accidents. People who do not have experience of driving in inclement conditions are more prone to accidents. During winter weather, the likelihood of car accidents increases manifolds. Usually, in October, the highest number of car accidents have been witnessed in Massachusetts. In 2019, there were 395 motor vehicle deaths reported.

Millions of people suffer serious injuries in these accidents. If your car accident is caused due to another person’s negligence, you can recover the damages. But snow and other weather conditions-related accidents are challenging for injury victims as it becomes difficult to evaluate the circumstances of the accident. It is essential to consult your case with an attorney to discuss your rights and action plan.

In some cases, the liability is evident especially when a property owner fails to make the property safe or there was a negligent driver involved. However, defendants blame the victim to avoid their responsibility due to comparative negligence law. In addition to snow, rain, ice, or slippery roads, the sun can be hazardous for drivers, as it creates a blinding glare. Fog can also reduce driver’s visibility leading to disastrous accidents.

Our attorneys have the right experience and knowledge to deal with such cases. If you have been hurt due to bad weather conditions, seek compensation for your damages.

Who is Responsible for Massachusetts Auto Accidents Caused by Bad Weather?

Bad weather impacts driving, all the drivers need to take extra care to avoid Massachusetts auto accidents. When driving in dangerous weather, you should always have control of your vehicle. You should reduce your speed according to the weather situation, even if your speed is under the posted speed limit. Keeping a safe distance from other vehicles gives you enough time to stop your vehicle.

Drivers should also avoid quick acceleration or sudden brakes that cause sliding. More caution than usual is required to ensure safety. Special precautions are required for large truck operators as these heavy trucks cause significant damage in accidents involving multiple vehicles. Establishing responsibility for a car accident requires you to be vigilant and document every detail of the accident.

No driver should drive a vehicle at a speed greater than the speed which is prudent and reasonable under conditions. If a car crash results due to snow, rain, ice, or other weather conditions, the driver who caused the accident will be held liable, despite the circumstances. Even if you were not negligent, insurance companies assume that the driver will exhibit extra care and caution after being aware of the road conditions. If you were hurt in a weather-related accident, get in touch with a car accident attorney.

Establishing Liability:

To establish liability that another person was responsible for the accident, you need to prove another person’s negligence. For instance, if a driver fails to use windshield wipers during rain, or they failed to use headlights on a snowy night then they will be held liable for their actions. Drivers are responsible for ensuring that their vehicle is prepared for all types of weather conditions. A driver may realize that the weather conditions are bad but still do not adjust their driving habits according to the situation then they will be responsible.

Another thing also considered in weather-related accidents is negligent behavior. If a driver is driving a vehicle when too tired, or under the influence of drugs, or speeding, then these actions will put the driver at fault. As a vehicle owner, you will be responsible to remove snow and ice from your car to ensure clear visibility of your surroundings. This helps in ensuring that nothing will fall from your car that can hit another vehicle.

Regular maintenance of your vehicle is essential, if a person fails to properly maintain their vehicle, they will be responsible for the damages. Headlights, windshield wipers, and tires must be frequently checked to ensure everything is functioning properly and you are following the basic safety protocols. If a driver did not upkeep their car creating a higher risk for a fatal accident, they will be responsible for the car accident during bad weather.

Speak to an Experienced Attorney:

Bad weather conditions can occur at any time of the year. If you or your loved ones suffered serious injuries in Massachusetts auto accidents, speak to our experienced car accident attorney. We will make the entire process hassle-free. We believe in strengthening your case and attaining successful results. You deserve maximum compensation for your loss.

A totaled car or total loss happens when the cost of repairing a vehicle exceeds the car’s market value. It can also mean that the car is beyond restoration. In many cases where there is a total loss, it’s usually because of an accident.

But a totaled automobile doesn’t necessarily equate to a significant accident. Sometimes, even a small crash can result in colossal damage to the vehicle. The bad thing about accidents is that they can happen at any time.

Worse, it can involve an innocent, meticulous victim. While we shouldn’t become jittery and anticipate misfortunes, we should know what to do when a car crash happens. And if your vehicle was totaled, you shouldn’t be confused about the steps to take.

Learn everything you need to know about when a car becomes a total loss. Know the roles of insurance companies in the whole process. Understand when you need an auto accident attorney in Brockton. You’ll never know when the knowledge will come in handy for you or your friends.

How Do I Know That My Car is Totaled in Massachusetts?

There’s a general rule regarding totaled cars. Your car is automatically totaled when the cost of damage in the crash is higher than the vehicle’s value. We’ll give an example.

Let’s suppose that Clara’s car is worth $20,000. Clara gets into an accident, and her car gets wrecked. When she accessed the cost of repairs, she discovered that it was $40,000. The damage exceeds the total value of her automobile. Therefore, her car is a total loss. But this isn’t what obtains in Brockton, Massachusetts.

In Massachusetts, the cost of fixing the vehicle should be at least 80% of its market value. According to the law, it’s only then that the car can be said to be totaled. Going by this definition, Clara’s vehicle would still be a total loss if repair costs were $16,000.

What To do If Your Car Is a Total Loss Due to an At-Fault Driver

What if your vehicle gets totaled after a crash with a negligent driver? When your automobile is a total loss in Massachusetts due to another person’s carelessness, you have some options to choose from:

1. File a claim with the negligent driver’s insurance.
2. File a personal injury lawsuit.
3. If you carry collision insurance, ask your insurance company to handle it.

If the negligent driver has enough property damage liability coverage, you can ask for damages from their insurance. You’ll need to file a claim with their insurance company with evidence to back it up. That’s why it’s essential to take pictures of the scene immediately after the crash.

Sometimes, the negligent driver’s insurance may not cover the property damage. If this happens, you may ask your insurance provider to cover the deficit. Alternatively, you can get an auto accident attorney in Massachusetts to file a lawsuit on your behalf. A court case is usually a great idea if the driver’s insurance contests your claim.

However, regardless of which option you choose, you’d need to get an insurance adjuster. The adjuster’s job is to assess what would be a fair settlement for you. Usually, the adjuster comes up with a less than the real value you deserve. You can up your chances of a better settlement by cleaning the insides of your car before the adjuster arrives.

Why You Need a Brockton Car Accident Lawyer

From the moment you’re involved in the crash, things happen too fast. With lots of decisions to make in such a limited time, you’re prone to mistakes. Sometimes, you don’t know what to do, and the insurance companies don’t help matters.

But with an experienced Brockton personal injury lawyer, you have nothing to worry about. From gathering evidence to negotiating with your insurance company, your attorney will handle it all. Since your legal advisors are familiar with the process, they’ll work fast to the best deadlines. They’ll also advocate for you in court if need be.

Get Help — Call Your Car Accident Lawyer in Brockton, Massachusetts, Immediately!

If your vehicle is a total loss, you should immediately call the Brockton Car Accident Lawyers at The Law Office of Robert C. Shea, P.C.. With our experience, professionalism, and track records, your claims are as good as settled if you work with us. Schedule a free consultation today.