Helping People Injured Due To The Negligence Of Another
If you are injured due to the careless actions of another, the responsible party has a legal obligation to compensate you for your injuries. Our experienced staff at Princi Mills Law PC can assist you in preparing forms and processing your claim. In complicated liability and injury cases, we often hire experts to reconstruct an accident, provide opinions on whether the duty of care was breached, and lay out the full extent and impact of your injuries, including monetary losses, pain and suffering, and disability. We ask our clients to prepare contemporaneous impact statements of how the accident has affected their life, family, activities and work to better present the full extent of damages and the life-altering effects of the accident.
Getting You Compensation For Your Injuries
For people who have not experienced serious injuries and economic loss in an accident, it is difficult to understand the extent to which it affects their lives. Costs and expenses go beyond the hospital bills and treatment expenses immediately following the accident. The law allows you to pursue compensation for a range of losses and expenses, including:
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Out-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering
Guiding Clients Through All Types Of Personal Injury Claims
The most common personal injury cases involve automobiles. Accidents are usually caused by speeding, texting, impaired driving, a tired driver, an inattentive driver, a drunk or drugged driver, and aggressive driving. Massachusetts is a no-fault state where your insurance company picks up the initial medical expenses and lost wages. Personal injury cases include
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Premises liability and slip-and-fall accidents
- Nursing home negligence
- Dog bites
- Work-related accidents
- Product liability cases
Medical malpractice, truck accidents, nursing home negligence, and product liability cases are usually more complicated and require intensive investigation and presentation. Therefore, we have experienced and expert consultants and affiliated counsel to work on your case.
Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
Filing a personal injury claim can be a challenging and confusing process, especially when you are injured. At Princi Mills Law PC, we understand this complexity, and for more than 30 years, our attorneys have worked with clients in Cape Cod, the Islands and Southeastern Massachusetts. To help you better understand your rights and the legal steps involved, we’ve compiled answers to some frequently asked questions that we hear from our clients. For legal advice and counsel, please contact our experienced team.
What should I do immediately after being injured in an accident?
Immediately after an accident, prioritize your health by seeking medical attention, even if you feel fine. Report the incident to the appropriate authorities (e.g., police for a car accident, property owner for a slip-and-fall) and gather evidence such as photos, witness contact information and details of the scene. Avoid admitting fault or giving recorded statements to insurance companies without consulting an attorney.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, the general statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of your injury. If you do not file a lawsuit within this time, you typically lose your right to pursue compensation. However, there are exceptions and consulting with an attorney as soon as possible is highly recommended. For example, the “discovery rule” or tolling for minors may extend the deadline. Others may accelerate the deadline, such as for claims against government entities or injuries involving public walkways and snow and ice, which may require notice in as little as 30 days.
How is pain and suffering calculated in Massachusetts personal injury cases?
Pain and suffering in Massachusetts personal injury cases do not have a fixed calculation formula. It is subjective and aims to compensate for physical discomfort, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and other noneconomic damages. Factors considered include the severity and duration of your injury, the impact on your daily life and the medical treatment received. While insurance adjusters may use internal formulas like a “multiplier” for initial offers, these are not legal standards and every case is evaluated on its specific facts. The final amount is determined by a jury or through settlement discussions, with some caps existing in specific types of cases, like medical malpractice.
What if I had a pre-existing condition that was aggravated by the accident?
Under Massachusetts law, if an accident aggravates your pre-existing condition, you can still seek compensation. The “eggshell skull” rule applies, meaning the at-fault party is responsible for all injuries caused, even if your pre-existing condition made you more susceptible to injury or made your injuries worse than they would have been for a healthier person. However, you can only recover for the aggravation of the condition, not for the pre-existing condition itself.
Contact The Personal Injury Legal Team At Princi Mills Law PC
To schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your potential injury claim, call 508-519-3302 or fill out our online contact form.