Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog

May 4, 2014

Severe Lawnmower Injuries in New England May Warrant Lawsuit

Mowing the lawn is considered by many to be among the most mundane suburban summer homeowner chores. Our personal injury lawyers in Massachusetts know it’s also one of the most dangerous.

Although millions use these devices routinely without a problem, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that some 253,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms annually due to lawnmower injuries. Of those, roughly 20,000 are children.

Operators of these powerful machines have a duty to ensure they are in good working condition, that their yards are free of any obvious hazards that could cause injury if contact is made with the blade and that children in their care are at a safe distance and properly supervised.
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May 3, 2014

Massachusetts Train Accidents A Growing Concern

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Massachusetts State Police are investigating a fatal train accident that occurred recently in Chester, a rural area about two hours west of Boston in Hampden County. Sparse information was offered by officials regarding the circumstances of the crash, in which a 23-year-old male pedestrian was killed on the tracks, but Boston train accident lawyers know that incidents like this are on the rise.

A recent USA Today analysis of federal rail data revealed that on average, a train accident occurs in the U.S. once every other day – and those figures only involve passenger and commuter trains.

Fatalities on all railroads in 2013 were reported to be around 730, representing an overall increase of 9 percent in a single year – 11 percent in railroad trespassing deaths and 8 percent in accident deaths.
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April 29, 2014

Welding Company Failed to Get Permits, Lawsuit Filed After Firefighter Deaths

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A Back Bay Boston apartment owner is suing a welding company after a fire destroyed the building and killed two firefighters. In addition to liabilities for property damage, the welding company could potentially face additional personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. According to The Boston Globe, the welding company was responsible for the blaze and failed to get a necessary permit before beginning the work that caused the building to burn down.

When proving liability in any case, failure to obtain permits and other violations of law can be evidence of negligence. Our Boston personal injury attorneys are experienced in representing individuals who have been injured as a result of recklessness, negligence, or even intentional harm. In the event of an accident, it is important to consult with an experienced advocate who can independently review your case, identify responsible individuals or entities, and pursue every necessary opportunity to achieve maximum recovery. We are abreast of the legal issues impacting Boston communities and dedicated to raising awareness to prevent future accidents and injuries.
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April 28, 2014

Wrongful Death Suit Filed After “Tough Mudder” Drowning

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Tough Mudder is an internationally known fitness competition that requires participants to climb walls and ropes, run, and crawl, and complete various obstacles while soaked in mud. The company grossed almost $100 million last year and continues to grow in popularity among participants and supporters. A mother has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Tough Mudder and Airsquid Ventures, a company responsible for water safety at the event. The lawsuit was filed by a Boston firm, charging both companies with gross negligence that resulted in the death of a participant.

Obstacle courses, marathons, and other fitness events require reasonable care and precautions by hosting companies or organizations. In this case, Tough Mudder, was responsible for ensuring the safety of participants. In the event that a participant is injured or doesn’t get appropriate medical treatment, hosting organizations may be held accountable. Our Boston personal injury attorneys are experienced in complex personal injury and wrongful death cases. We are committed to protecting the rights of victims and their loved ones in the event of a personal injury or accidental death.
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April 26, 2014

Spring Safety: Snow Blowers to Mowers

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Now that the snow is finally melting from the patio, it is time to think about gearing up for spring and summer. For families throughout Massachusetts, this means mowing the lawn and starting up the grill. As you pack away your snow blower for the spring and summer seasons, you should also be wary of the potential risks of storing and reigniting this equipment. Our personal injury attorneys in Boston are committed to preventing accidents and raising safety awareness. Here are some spring safety tips when trading out your winter for summer equipment.

Stabilize your snow blower. Before you store your snow blower, you should add gas stabilizer and let it run to ensure that it circulates through the carburetor. This will prevent “gumming up” of the gas. Close the valve to prevent a major fuel leak. You should also change the oil in the snow blower while your snow blower is still warm. Always remember to remove the spark plug wire when performing maintenance.
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April 21, 2014

Boston Marathon Injuries Advance Prosthetics Technology

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

The one-year anniversary of the tragic Boston Marathon has inspired many victims and their loved ones to reflect on a year of recovery. In addition to the support that victims may have felt from their closest family and friends, their communities and the nation, victims of the Boston Marathon also gained encouragement from medical engineers working hard to improve prosthetics for those who lost limbs.

The Boston Marathon tragedy raised awareness for all victims of amputation and puts the focus on recovery.

According to a Discovery article on prosthetic advancements since the Boston Marathon, while many research labs may not have worked directly with survivors, everyone in the industry has felt the impact and desire to improve the lives of amputees and their loved ones. Our Boston personal injury attorneys are experienced in representing victims who have suffered from catastrophic accidents and injuries, including amputation. We are dedicated to raising awareness and to exploring every opportunity to improve life quality and recovery for victims.
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April 19, 2014

Brain Injury Impacts Emotional Response: Uncontrollable Laughter to Tears

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

The consequences of a brain injury vary among patients and may not be fully detected for weeks or months after impact. Researchers have found that victims of traumatic brain injury may suffer from personality disorders, irritability mood swings, depression and other cognitive defects. Now medical research is paying greater attention to the emotional impact of brain injury on veterans. According to a survey of more than 700 veterans with traumatic brain injury, 60 percent struggle with a neurological condition that caused them to lapse into uncontrollable laughter or tears.

According to an NBC report, the research was published by the U.S. Department of Veterans affairs and sheds light on the very complicated nature of brain injuries.

Our brain injury attorneys in Massachusetts know the complexity of injuries and the range of issues that complicate the lives of victims. For traumatic brain injury suffers, personality disorders and emotional issues can make it difficult or impossible to return to work or manage day to day tasks. Our priority is to help these victims recover just compensation so that they can focus on healing and moving forward after injury. In addition to advocating for our clients, we remain abreast of medical advancements and research that is relevant to brain injury survivors.
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April 15, 2014

4,000 Annual ER Visits from Bike-Related Kidney & Genital Injuries

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Bike riding can be dangerous when drivers cause collisions or when bikers are otherwise involved in accidents. While most people are concerned about head injuries after a bicycle accident, a new report indicates that there is also another major risk of bicycle riding: the risk of genital and kidney injuries.

When a bike injury occurs because of a negligent driver or because of a badly designed bicycle, a Boston personal injury lawyer can help the affected victim to pursue legal action. In the case of a kidney or genital injury, the costs of medical treatment, missed work and pain and suffering may be significant.
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April 14, 2014

Boston Engineer: Loud Bike Horn Could Prevent Accidents

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

As more commuters and enthusiasts trade in their vehicle for two-wheels, the divide between cyclists and drivers continues to grow. Though motorists may become irritated by bikers weaving in and out of traffic or violating laws, cyclists will always be at a greater risk when involved in a collision. Negligent drivers, blind spots, inadequate bike lanes and other infrastructural issues can create hazards regardless of how safe cyclists are when sharing the road. Something as rudimentary as a loud bicycle horn may allow riders to give drivers the warning they may need to prevent an accident.

For drivers, loud horns have been able to prevent millions of accidents. Cyclists are not given the same advantage when trying to warn other motorists on the road. According to an interview on WBUR radio, with the “loud bike horn” inventor, the horn is one solution in reducing the number of bicycle collisions involving automobiles. Our bike accident attorneys in Massachusetts are dedicated to protecting the rights of victims. In addition to client advocacy, we are committed to raising awareness to help prevent future accidents and keep cyclists safe.
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April 13, 2014

New Guidelines for Identifying Causes of Newborn Brain Injury

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Newborn brain injuries typically occur because the infant experiences trauma to the brain during birth or because the infant’s brain is deprived of oxygen and cell death occurs. While birth defects or injury in the womb can be a cause of newborn brain injuries, many problems occur during overly prolonged labors or when doctors make medical errors and cause a child to suffer harm.

Now, there are new guidelines designed to help doctors identify causes of newborn brain injury so that they can develop appropriate preventative strategies to protect children from risk. Physicians need to review the guidelines released by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Physicians. If a medical care provider falls short of taking reasonable steps to prevent newborn brain injury, that physician can be held legally liable for medical malpractice with the help of a Boston birth injury lawyer.
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