Proven Results
Norwood Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured as a result of the negligence or wrongful acts of someone else, you might be going through one of the most painful and stressful periods of your life. Besides enduring the pain and suffering caused by your injuries, you might also be facing hefty medical bills and other distressing consequences on your personal and social life.
You also fear that your financial future and the well-being of your family might be in jeopardy given that you may have to stay out of work indefinitely.
Fortunately, you are entitled to certain rights under the law. Massachusetts personal injury law is designed to protect persons injured or harmed by the negligent or wrongful actions of other parties by allowing them to recover financial compensation for their damages.
Our assertive and aggressive Norwood personal injury lawyers at the Law Office of Robert C. Shea can help you navigate the complex legal process and ensure that your rights are fully protected. We draw on our vast experience and resources to secure fair and maximum compensation for all our clients.
Call us today at 508.510.5107 to schedule your free initial consultation.
What Steps Should I After After an Injury?
There are some important things that you need to do immediately after an accident to protect your rights and ensure the best chances of success in your case.
- Seek medical treatment as soon as possible and keep records of all treatment
- Document the scene: take photos and videos of the scene if you can and also note down any important details that can help the case
- Collect the names and contact details of any witnesses present at the scene
- Report the Incident (contact the police if it’s a vehicle accident, report workplace accidents to supervisors, etc.)
- Never admit fault or apologize for the accident
- Get in touch with a Personal Injury Lawyer!
Why Do I Need a Norwood Personal Injury Lawyer?
When bringing a personal injury claim, hiring an experienced Norwood personal injury lawyer offers you the edge you need to overcome even powerful and vastly resourced defendants such as big corporations. There are plenty of things that an attorney does to help with your case in Norwood, MA., and they include:
Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
When you choose to accept our help, we will get started investigating your case. We will seek to obtain all the necessary evidence to build a solid case for you, from witness statements, police reports, video surveillance, to working with expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction specialists.
We will help to determine and prove who is at fault for your injuries and also determine the real value of your claim. We will handle all the necessary paperwork and ensure that your lawsuit is filed properly.
Settlement Negotiation
Once you give the insurance company notice of your claim, they will get started conducting their own investigations. If your claim is accepted, they will send an initial settlement offer, which sets the stage for negotiations. Your Norwood personal injury lawyer will be able to tell if the offers presented by the insurer cover the full extent of your damages and negotiates a better offer for you.
Trial Preparation & Representation
If the insurance company denies your claim or fails to extend a favorable offer, your attorney may choose to file a complaint with your local court which initiates the lawsuit. Your attorney will back to the drawing board and ensure that you all the necessary facts and evidence to support your case.
He will guide you throughout the legal process and advise you on what to do and what not to do. Remember, all this time negotiations will still be going on and if your case doesn’t settle, your case will be tried before a jury. Our Norwood personal injury lawyers at Robert C. Shea are highly skilled and have a proven track record handling cases in court.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
There are various types of damages a personal injury victim can recover in a successful claim:
Economic
These damages are designed to help the victim recover monetary losses suffered as a result of their injuries. They include medical bills, travel costs, loss of income, loss of earning capacity, etc.
Non-Economic
These types of damages are meant to compensate the victim for subjective non-monetary losses. They can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, etc. The state of Massachusetts has capped non-economic damages at $500,000.
Punitive
As opposed to the aforementioned types of damages, punitive damages aren’t usually awarded to compensate victims, but rather to punish the offender for grossly negligent, intentional, or malicious acts. In Massachusetts, punitive damages can’t be higher than a ratio of 9:1 to compensatory damages.
How is Liability Determined?
For the defendant to be held liable in a personal injury case, the plaintiff has to prove the following elements of negligence:
Duty of Care
The plaintiff has to prove that the defendant owed them a reasonable duty of care in that particular situation.
Breach of Duty of Care
The plaintiff has to provide sufficient proof that the defendant breached this duty of care.
Causation
The plaintiff also has to prove that as a result of the defendant’s breach of duty of care, the plaintiff suffered injuries.
Damages
Finally, the plaintiff has to prove that they suffered actual and legally compensable damages.
The state of Massachusetts follows the legal doctrine of modified comparative negligence, which means that the defendant will be held liable for damages suffered by the plaintiff if they are found to have been 51% or more at fault.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Massachusetts?
Under Massachusetts statutes, personal injury victims have until three years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit.
Personal Injury Claims Process
Massachusetts injury claims process basically involves the following steps:
- File a claim with the insurance company
- Gather all the necessary evidence
- Submit formal demand letter with information on your injuries and proof of damages to the insurance company
- Settlement negotiations with the insurance company
- Filing a complaint with the local court; if the insurance company denies your claim or refuses to present a favorable offer
- Discovery – presentation of sworn evidence by both parties
- Negotiations
- Trial
Here is a helpful link provided by the city of Boston that guides you through filing a claims process with the city.
How Much Will a Norwood Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Here at Robert C. Shea, P.C., we handle all personal injury cases on a contingency basis, which means that you don’t have to pay anything until we win your case. It is our goal to ensure that anyone injured as a result of the negligent and wrongful acts of others is able to get the justice they deserve regardless of financial situation.
Types of Personal Injury Cases Our Norwood Personal Injury Lawyers Handle:
Construction Injury
If you’ve been injured on construction sites as a result of the negligence of another party such as a contractor, engineer, product manufacturer, or any other, we can help you get the justice that you deserve.
Dog Bite
Dog bites can lead to serious injuries and even death. We can help you hold the owner accountable for their negligence.
Premises Liability
Property owners have a legal responsibility to ensure safe conditions within their premises for guests and visitors. They can be held liable for injuries caused as a result of dangerous conditions on their property.
Product Liability
If you have been injured as a result of a defective product, we can help you file a successful claim against the manufacturer or supplier.
Slip and Fall Accidents
These types of accidents are quite common and a leading cause of injury. If you been injured as a result of a slip and fall accident, the owner should be held accountable for your injuries and damages.
Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury can have a tremendous impact on the victim and their families. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to the negligence or intentional acts of someone else, you deserve justice and full financial compensation. Call our Norwood personal injury lawyers today.
Get Effective Legal Help from Our Norwood Personal Injury Lawyers Today!
Have you or a loved one been injured as a result of the negligent, intentional or malicious actions of another person? You might be entitled to financial compensation. Our client-oriented Norwood personal injury lawyers at the Law Office of Robert C. Shea have the necessary experience and resources to provide you with the best legal representation.
We are prepared to fight for your rights to the end regardless of how complicated your case is. Call our Norwood personal injury lawyers today at 508.510.5107 to talk to our capable team.