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Catastrophic Personal Injury
Personal injury law covers a broad spectrum of issues when one has been physically or emotionally injured, or personal property has been damaged. The law of personal injury is concerned with determining who may be responsible (who is "liable," or has "liability") for causing injury and how much the responsible party should be required to pay for any damages resulting from the injury. Personal injury law can be classified in the following three broad categories, or degrees of fault: negligence, intentional torts, and product liability torts.
wrongful death
A wrongful death claim is a suit that arises from the death of an individual that was caused by the conduct of another. A wrongful death suit is different from other types of personal injury claims because the actual victim (the "decedent") is not bringing suit, rather it is the family members or the decedent's estate. As such, a wrongful death claim is brought to recover damages for the injuries that the surviving family and/or estate have suffered due to the death of the victim. With the understanding that no amount of money can make up for the loss of a loved one, we are still committed to helping our clients achieve financial security so they can focus on recovering from their loss.
traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the term used to describe the damage to the brain suffered as a result of a sudden physical force. Some symptoms of TBI may include concussion, seizure, headache, dizziness, inability to concentrate, loss of memory, and even anxiety and depression. Donald has a thorough understanding of the symptoms of TBI and can adequately present a case for damages to the jury. Donald will also ensure that you undergo a CT or MRI scan in order to reveal any undetected brain injuries that may have occurred as a result of the accident.
spinal cord injury
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of function such as mobility or feeling. Frequent causes of damage are trauma (car accidents, gunshot wounds, falls, etc.) or disease (polio, spina bifida, Friedreich's Ataxia, etc.). The spinal cord does not have to be severed in order for a loss of functioning to occur. In fact, for most people with SCI, the spinal cord is intact, but the damage to it results in loss of function.
MOTOR VEHICLE accidents
Donald investigates every possible contributing cause of an accident to ensure that you will receive full compensation for your injuries. Tapping into our skill and experience, we will take over the investigation of your case so that you can concentrate on recovering from your injuries. We can assist you in finding an appropriate medical specialist to treat you, and we can make arrangements with your medical care providers to wait for payment until your case is resolved through settlement or trial.
large truck accident
Accidents involving large trucks are among the most serious and most deadly in the United States. Donald recognizes that handling these cases requires a thorough understanding of commercial vehicle regulations on both the federal and state level, including the essential action of obtaining Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations records concerning drivers' hours of service. Without obtaining those records before they are destroyed (often after six months), the injured person or survivors of a person killed in a truck wreck has a much more difficult time proving the trucking company's negligence.
motorcycle accident
Motorcycles are becoming an ever-more popular mode of transportation in the United States, which inevitably leads to an increase in motorcycle accidents. Per vehicle mile traveled in 2006, motorcyclists were about 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash and 8 times more likely to be injured. Unfortunately, when motorcyclists are involved in accidents with passenger vehicles, motorcycle riders and their passengers are also more likely to suffer serious injury and death as a result.
school bus accidents
School bus accidents are among the most tragic of all motor vehicle accidents due to the inherent involvement of young children. As a result, substantial damages are often at issue in cases of this type, and vigorous representation is required to bring all responsible parties to justice. If your child has been injured in a school bus accident, contact Donald today to discuss your legal options.
premises liability / slip & fall
Premises liability is when an injury is caused as a result of a dangerous or hazardous condition on someone else's property. “Slip and fall” accidents are the most common type of premises liability cases, which center on the question of a property owner's duty to care for the property, and are governed under negligence law. To win a premises liability claim, it must be proven that either the defendant created the hazard that led to the accident or that the defendant knew or should have known about the danger and should have had it removed or repaired. This can often be difficult to prove, since establishing when a given hazard first appeared can be challenging.
liquor liability
Massachusetts has one of the most comprehensive “dram shop” laws in the country, meaning it is easier for people in Massachusetts to hold a business that sells or serves alcohol legally liable for harm caused by a customer or patron. Donald’s complete understanding of dram shop laws can help you in DUI cases, property damage cases, and other alcohol-related incidents.
lead paint exposure
Lead contained in paint and gasoline is banned in the U.S., but it persists in the environment in house dust and paint chips, particularly in older homes and poorer neighborhoods. If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, and headaches. Lead is also harmful to adults, contributing to difficulties in pregnancy, other reproductive problems, high blood pressure, digestive problems, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems, and muscle/joint pain.
products liability
You or your child may be injured by something seemingly harmless or something you use every day, such as a hair dryer, toaster, baby chair, toy, iron, coffee maker, air conditioner, car, hand tool, or even your clothing. Product liability law gives consumers the ability to sue for and recover damages from manufacturers, distributors, and vendors for injuries resulting from accidents caused by products.
general liability
Under the common law of Massachusetts, each of us, with few exceptions, is responsible for the consequences of his or her negligent conduct. When you or a member of your family has been injured or has suffered economic harm due to someone else’s negligence, Donald stands ready to obtain the compensation to which the injured person is entitled in accordance with Massachusetts law.
civil litigation
Donald concentrates his practice in civil law and civil cases in state and federal courts. However, if an appeal is necessary, Donald will also represent you at the appellate level as well, tapping into his experience arguing cases before the Massachusetts Court of Appeals and the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts.