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As the story goes, Lady Justice, also known as Lady Liberty, was a Roman goddess who was recognized by the scales she held in one hand to balance the concepts of reason and justice, and a sword in the other hand to symbolize the swift power of justice. In addition, she is sometimes depicted wearing a blindfold to represent the idea that justice should be rendered without regard for a person’s wealth, status, or power.

If you have ever visited Charlestown, you have probably seen the Lady Justice sculpture that serves as a memorial to Massachusetts’ first courts established in 1630. However, women did not start working in the legal profession until 1869 and have played an essential role in the legal system ever since. They have helped create a place for others to grow and contribute in an environment that men have traditionally dominated.

History is filled with trailblazing female attorneys who shaped American history. For example, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a Harvard Law School graduate, became the second female justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, following in Sandra Day O’Connor’s footsteps. She has blazed the way for the female attorneys and judges of today. Another Harvard Law School graduate, Janet Reno became the first female Attorney General of the United States in 1993. And let us not forget Margaret Marshall, one of the most famous female lawyers from Massachusetts. Born in South Africa, Marshall completed her legal education at Yale Law School. She was appointed to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in 1999 and was the first female to serve in that capacity. She did so until 2010.

Geico has been ordered to pay $5.2 million in damages to a Missouri woman who allegedly contracted a sexually transmitted disease, known as HPV, in an insured car owned by her then-boyfriend.

On June 7, the Missouri Court of Appeals published an opinion siding with the woman, identified in court papers as M.O., who said she contracted HPV while having sex in the policyholder’s car in 2017.

HPV, short for human papillomavirus, is a common sexually transmitted disease with symptoms that include warts on or near the genitals. Although many people with HPV are asymptomatic, they can still infect others via sexual contact. While treatment can help people with HPV, there is no cure.

Suffering an injury can be a jarring experience. It can be downright overwhelming when it’s at the hands of a negligent person or entity. However, you must not panic. Instead, approach the situation carefully, as you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages.

It’s important to know what to do immediately following an accident. Here are five things you should  do following an injury.

  1. Report the accident. It’s normal to want to put your injury out of your mind. However, you must record your experience and be as detailed as possible. This could be your testimony and give your case credibility.

Failure to clear ice and snow from your property may result in liability if someone falls or is otherwise injured this winter.

Many property and business owners may still be under the impression that Massachusetts law does not hold them accountable for injuries resulting from failure to remove ice and snow from sidewalks, parking lots or other locations on their property. However, a landmark 2010 ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in Papadopoulos v. Target Corp., changed Massachusetts snow-removal law for the first time in more than a century.

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The ruling rejected long-held common law, which generally held property owners were not responsible for injuries created by naturally accumulated ice and snow. In the court’s opinion, Justice Ralph Gants wrote it  “is not reasonable for a property owner to leave snow or ice on a walkway where it is reasonable to expect that a hardy New England visitor would choose to risk crossing the snow or ice, rather than turn back or attempt an equally or more perilous walk around it.’’

These are complex cases involve state law, and municipal ordinances and are best handled by an experienced Boston injury lawyer. Additionally, the law makes a distinction between naturally accumulated snow and ice and dangerous conditions that contribute to winter-weather risks.

While there is no set mandate regarding how quickly snow and ice must be removed under state law, many communities have passed snow-removal ordinances that include time limits. In most cases, liability extends to public sidewalks in front of a business or residence.

For example:

  • City of Boston gives business just three hours. Residents are given six hours.
  • Worcester’s ordinance states removal must occur within 12 hours.

 

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An 18-year-old Bridgwater man has pleaded not guilty to charges in connection to a Massachusetts car accident that killed four of his friends.

It’s a stark reminder of the risks as we head into the fall holiday season and the return of winter weather. These are tragic cases that change families’ lives forever. There is no adequate compensation for the loss of a child. And too often in these cases we see multiple deaths involving young relatives or close family friends. Our Boston injury lawyers urge you to talk at length with your young drivers, and to set clear rules and consequences when it comes to driving behavior. images-6

The Associated Press reports the teenager has been charged with manslaughter by motor vehicle, operating under the influence and motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation. Authorities say the young man was responsible for a May 19 crash in East Bridgewater that killed four teenagers from Stoughton High School. Prosecutors contend he lost control of his car while trying to pass another vehicle, causing it to roll over and strike a tree. Police also report finding marijuana at the scene.

Investigators are trying to determine cause of a gas explosion and series of fires that rocked parts of Massachusetts last week and are focusing on the safety procedures and preparedness of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts.

NBC News reports thousands were allowed to return to their Massachusetts homes over the weekend after a gas leak set dozens of homes on fire. At least one person was killed and 25 others were injured. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said some 8,600 gas meters and 15,000 power outages had been restored in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence. FireFighters-300x200

The National Transportation Safety Board was on scene to investigate, and determined the explosion had been caused by excessive pressure in the system. Fourteen pressure regulators in the area receive gas at 75 psi and dispense it at .5 psi. Low pressure can cause outages and so the system is designed to compensate for low pressure situations by releasing more gas. Investigators are looking at whether a sensor attached to a gas line that was capped and being taken out of service could have contributed to the over-pressure situation. The NTSB reports gas flowed into homes at significantly higher pressures than was necessary. Investigators are still working to determine the cause.

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A recent report by the USA Today Network found the United States is the most dangerous place in the developed world to give birth.Injury Accident on Fairhaven Road

The investigation found 50,000 mothers are injured in child birth each year in the United States. More than 700 mothers die. About half the deaths and injuries could be prevented with basic safety practices that are routinely ignored, despite being the standard of care for a generation.

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Stoughton Police Looking for Vehicle Seen Driving Away from CrashSalem, MA (July 14, 2018) –  A two car hit and run accident took place in Salem, Massachusetts on Friday and resulted in injuries to at least one driver.  The accident happened at 1:57 pm in the 400 block of Highland Avenue. Salem Police responded to the scene and began investigating the crash.

When police arrived, they discovered a two car crash had just occurred at this location. Unfortunately, only one of the drivers remained on scene to speak with police and assist in their investigation as the other driver quickly fled the scene of the collision prior to officers’ arrival.   Salem police have not said how the accident occurred, or which driver was at fault for the crash.  One person was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.  No word at this time on the identity of the drivers at this time.  The accident is pending further investigation and charges are expected to be filed once the hit and run driver can be apprehended.

Boston Hit and Run Car Accident Lawyer

download-3-4Weymouth, MA (July 10, 2018) – Police in Weymouth received a call at approximately 8:00 pm on Monday concerning an accident that had just occurred on Norton Street.  The accident, which involved multiple vehicles, left at least one person with injuries.  Police and other emergency officials responded to the crash.  Once there, they located the injured victim.  Medical treatment was given on scene and the victim was later taken to South Shore Hospital for further treatment.

Police blocked the affected area while they investigated the crash.  Officers took statements from those on scene and completed a crash report.  There is no initial word on the cause of this collision.  The extent of injuries is also unknown at this time.  Police are still investigation but did not issue any citations in the immediate aftermath of the crash.

Boston Personal Injury Lawyer

download-4-1Worcester, MA (July 5, 2018) – There were a lot of fireworks in Worcester for the July 4th holiday.  Unfortunately, not all of these fireworks were the kind that people want to see.

A hit and run crash with injury was reported to Worcester police around 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 4th.  The crash happened in the 1 block of Maywood Street involving two vehicles of an unknown description.  Officers are actively searching for the hit and run driver but had been unable to locate them as of Thursday morning.

One person did receive injuries in the hit and run crash.  The nature of the injuries and the extent of those injuries have not been available.  Criminal charges against the other driver are pending at this time.  This accident remains under investigation.

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