July 7, 2018

Massachusetts Dog Bite Law

According to a Study by the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than half of all Massachusetts residents own a pet. Moreover, 1 in 4 Massachusetts households keep a dog as the family pet. A study conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Injury Surveillance Program reveals that there are an estimated 6,300 dog bite injuries reported in Massachusetts that require medical attention every year.

Massachusetts Dog Bite Law

According to MGL c. 140, s. 155 dog bites are strict liability offenses in Massachusetts. Strict liability is a legal concept which means that someone is liable for an injury to another regardless of whether they were negligent or not. This basically means that if your dog bites another person and the other person is injured then you are responsible even if you exercised reasonable care to avoid the bite from occurring.

May 1, 2018

Workers’ Compensation Claims in the Gig Economy

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Most people never have to deal with a significant workplace injury throughout the course of their careers. But when accidents do happen, workers’ compensation is intended to provide a safety net for those who become unable to work as a result of their injuries.

Workers’ compensation cases can be complicated. It’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side when pursuing a claim. Some of the complexity inherent in these cases arises from the fact that not all employers have to provide their employees with workers’ compensation benefits.

Workers’ Compensation Claims and Independent Contractors

April 30, 2018

Exceptions to Dog Bite Liability

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Pets can improve our physical health. Physicians have documented measurable improvements to the cardiovascular system, immune system, and emotional moods of pet owners.

In the state of Massachusetts, companion animals can even be included in restraining orders pertaining to domestic violence cases. This demonstrates the connection we have with our pets – sometimes we’re willing to stay with them even if it means keeping ourselves in an undesirable or unsafe situation.

Most pets are peaceful. At times, however, some have been known to cause serious injury. In almost all cases, the owner will be held liable for injuries their pet inflicts upon another. Exceptions to this rule exist when the victim of a bite was the actor of another crime.

April 30, 2018

SSRI Cases Resulting From Potential Side Effects

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Modern medicine has conceived many wondrous achievements in recent years.

Heart attacks can now be treated with the use of angioplasty and stents. Medications can be used to prevent patients from experiencing future cardiac events.

More effective treatments have been discovered for chronic conditions like diabetes. Some diseases, such as Hepatitis C, have been presented with cures for the first time ever.

April 24, 2018

Police Officer Struck By Car in New Bedford

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A New Bedford police officer was struck by a car Monday morning.

The officer was on foot in a construction area on Church Street when the officer was hit. The accident occurred at about 11 a.m.

The office was injured and treated at the scene. The officer is believed to make a full recovery.

Although, the incident looks to be an accident, the incident is under full investigation.

April 21, 2018

Brockton Pedestrian Hit by Car, Sustains Serious Injuries

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

This morning, in Brockton, an unidentified female was hit by a vehicle.

She was taken to Boston Medical Center by Brockton Fire Department with severe injuries.

The female pedestrian was hit on Gladstone Street. The accident occurred around 11 a.m., no other details have been released by Brockton police.

The injuries were to the lower part of her body.

April 20, 2018

This Common Behavior Increases Your Risk of A Car Accident According to Research

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

It is common knowledge that driving is most dangerous when driving on an unknown route.

The risk in that scenario increases when the driver is following another driver to a final destination. It is the worry of losing the car in front of you that distracts the driver.

Doing everything possible to remain in the line of sight of the driver is what contributes to the risk of accident.

April 20, 2018

Preventing Dog Bites Around Children

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Dogs are family, and are a child’s best friend. The family dog is generally good for the family, it can teach important life lessons.

But, while dogs and young ones can enjoy a friendship, dog attacks against children happen. They occur annually and injure children in varying degrees. Remember that any interaction between dogs and children should always be watched carefully. Especially when the children are young and when the dog is a acclimatizing to the environment.

Reasons for a Dog Bite

April 20, 2018

Keeping Safe on the Road As A Bicyclist

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Riding a bicycle is typically a very safe activity. Especially now that there are better pieces of safety equipment available, and increased motorist awareness of the dangers of sharing the road.

Bicyclists also have their own set of laws to which they must abide like motorists. Bicyclists have the duty, too, of operating their bike on the road in such a way as to prevent the risks inherent in sharing the road with motorists. The prevalence of bike lanes have helped in decreasing injuries and fatalities.

There is still more that can be done to keep us all safe on the roadways when we share the road.

April 20, 2018

Here’s Why Slip-and-Fall Accident Happen

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Numerous people across the state will visit the emergency room annually for help due to slip-and-fall accidents. Some injuries will not be serious and after some quick treatment they’ll be on their way will not result in a hospital stay. However, other injuries can be severe such as fractures, breaks or even a fatality. Hundreds of slip-and-fall accidents can take a financial toll on the victim and his or her family. The most common reasons for this accident are the condition of surfaces and the lack of job training at the businesses.

Slip-and-fall accidents happen when the walking surfaces are left in an unsafe condition, like with water or other liquids. This is because of failure to maintain the surface, like removing the hazard timely. The surface can also be unsafe due to the weather, such as tracked-in snow. Even an attempt to do the right thing, like keep floors clean, can result in an accident. When signs are not posted to notify guests that the floor is slippery a dangerous accident can occur.

A walking surface that is not level is also cause for concern. Carpeting that is fraying or cracks and potholes can cause a slip-and-fall accident. The law mandates that property owners keep their land safe for guests who are invited onto the property. This means clearing any potential dangers.