Boston Injury Lawyer Blog

November 16, 2023

Most Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Winter

The winter season brings with it holiday festivities, cozy moments by the fireplace, and the magic of snow-covered streets. Amidst the beauty of the season, however, there are hidden dangers that can turn Massachusetts’s winter wonderland into an accident scene. Slip and fall accidents are a common occurrence during the winter months, and understanding the factors that contribute to these incidents is critical to staying safe.

The Cold Reality of Slip and Fall Statistics:

According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), slip and fall accidents account for over one million emergency room visits each year. While not all of these are winter-related, a substantial percentage occur when icy and slippery conditions are present. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) further reports that one out of five falls results in a serious injury, such as a head injury or bone fractures. Although slip and fall accidents affect all age groups and demographics, the risk of serious injury and death rises dramatically with age.

November 13, 2023

Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident in Boston

by Altman & Altman

Bicycling in Boston is a wonderful way to explore the city, stay active, and reduce your carbon footprint. However, like any other mode of transportation, riding a bicycle carries some inherent risks, and accidents can happen. If you find yourself in a bicycle accident in Boston, it’s essential to know what steps to take to protect yourself and your legal rights.

Seek Medical Attention

Following any type of accident, your health and safety should be your top priority. After a bicycle accident, even if your injuries seem minor, it’s critical to seek medical attention. Adrenaline can sometimes mask the full extent of your injuries, and getting a medical evaluation will ensure that any hidden or delayed injuries are detected and treated promptly. Furthermore, certain serious injuries, including internal bleeding and soft-tissue damage, often take days to produce symptoms. And medical records will be vital if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.

November 7, 2023

Injured due to unsafe conditions? Understanding Premises Liability in Massachusetts

by Altman & Altman

Whether you’re at a friend’s house, a shopping mall, or a restaurant, you have the right to expect a reasonably safe environment. Unfortunately, negligent property maintenance and unsafe conditions lead to countless injuries and deaths every year.

In Massachusetts, premises liability law holds property owners responsible for accidents and injuries that occur on their property. Read on to explore the key aspects of premises liability in Massachusetts and what you should know if you find yourself in such a situation.

Duty of Care

October 31, 2023

Navigating MBTA Accident Claims

by Altman & Altman

Every day, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is used by more than 700,000 residents and commuters throughout the Greater Boston area. While public transportation offers convenience and efficiency, accidents involving the MBTA can and do occur.

In 2022, following an increase in MBTA-related deaths and serious injuries, the FTA assumed safety oversight of the MBTA. In a letter to T General Manager Steve Poftak, the agency said, “The Federal Transit Authority (FTA) is extremely concerned with the ongoing safety issues at the MBTA.” This letter was sent after a 39-year-old man was dragged to his death by a Red Line train car.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an MBTA accident, the ability to obtain compensation is dependent on knowing how to navigate the complex claims process. Following the steps below can help.

October 12, 2023

The Majority of MBTA Riders Report Feeling Unsafe

by Altman & Altman

Nearly three-quarters (70%) of current and former MBTA riders have felt unsafe at least once or twice because of the poor condition of the system’s infrastructure, according to a survey by MassINC Polling Group. While the ranking varied by mode of transportation, most MBTA services did not get a passing grade from riders.

The subway and trolley service received the agency’s lowest score, with less than one-third (28%) of poll respondents giving it a “good” or “excellent” rating. Only 35% rated bus service as “good to excellent” with the rest ranking it as “poor to fair.” The commuter rail earned the best marks, but still less than half (46%) of respondents said the service was at least “good.”

The poll was conducted in August, before a report released in September highlighted problems with MBTA track maintenance safety. An independent review by a consulting firm found that track inspection workers were often unqualified, inexperienced, or both. It also addressed other safety issues such as inadequate staffing, misunderstandings of job duties, and a lack of standardized procedures for track inspections.

September 27, 2023

Sensio Pressure Cookers Recalled After Dozens of Burn Injuries

by Altman & Altman

Pressure cookers can reduce cooking time by exposing food to intense steam heat. When the air-tight, locking lid and other components work properly, pressure cooking is usually safe. With defective or malfunctioning parts, however, the pot can expel hot contents and cause users to suffer serious burn injuries.

After dozens of reported burn accidents, manufacturer Sensio recently recalled some of its electric and stovetop pressure cookers. The lid of the pots can unlock and be removed during use, causing hot contents to splash out and potentially burn users. Sensio recalled about 860,000 products after receiving 63 incident reports, including second and third-degree burns to the face, torso, arms, and hands.

Sensio Pressure Cooker Recall

September 21, 2023

Bill Addresses Lax Boating Safety Requirements in Massachusetts

by Altman & Altman

Despite the Commonwealth’s reputation for strong government regulation, boating in Massachusetts appears to function a little more like the Wild West. Anyone 16 or older can operate a boat without completing even a basic safety course, according to a recent article in the Boston Globe. This makes Massachusetts somewhat of an outlier in the region, as neighboring states Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont all require motorboat pilots to have a safe boating certificate.

Each year, thousands of boating accidents kill hundreds of people across the United States. In 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard counted 4,040 accidents, 2,222 non-fatal injuries, and 636 deaths. Although this marks a decrease from 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 saw a surge in boat sales and a drop in boater education, meaning many untrained boaters may still be on the water. After crashes this summer caused the death of a Boy Scout from Lexington and a teenage girl on Cape Cod, boating safety is receiving renewed attention in Massachusetts.

New Proposed Boating Safety Bill

September 7, 2023

Work-Related Death Rate Reaches 5-Year High

by Altman & Altman

American workplaces have seen a concerning increase in on-the-job deaths, according to a news release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). A total of 5,190 people in the United States died from job-related injury in 2021 — the equivalent of one worker every 101 minutes. With 3.6 fatalities per 100,000 full-time workers, this marked the highest annual fatal work injury rate since 2016.

This troubling trend serves as a stark reminder of the risks that many American workers face on a daily basis. From construction sites to underground mines, dangerous workplaces can lead to fatal accidents that leave families devastated and struggling to cope.

Leading Causes of Workplace Deaths

August 29, 2023

Catholic Diocese in New York Agrees to Pay $100 Million to Sex Abuse Survivors

by Altman & Altman

The Diocese of Syracuse has agreed to pay $100 million to compensate parishioners abused by priests, employees, and volunteers in the diocese. According to NBC News, it appears to be the largest payout by a U.S. Roman Catholic diocese since at least 2018, when the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis settled with over 400 victims for $210 million.

Catholic entities across New York faced a surge of claims when the state temporarily lifted the statute of limitations on child sex abuse in 2019. After being hit with more than 100 lawsuits, the Diocese of Syracuse filed for bankruptcy in 2020. The proposed settlement — which is a part of bankruptcy proceedings and still requires court approval — would resolve 411 sex abuse claims brought by 387 people.

Clergy Sex Abuse Settlements Nationwide

August 17, 2023

Tennessee Bishop Resigns Amid Claims He Mishandled Sex Abuse Allegations

by Altman & Altman

In yet another scandal facing the Catholic Church, Tennesee Bishop Richard Stika resigned in June after allegations that he mishandled sex abuse claims in his Knoxville diocese. Several priests also complained about his behavior and leadership, triggering a Vatican investigation. Although he denies wrongdoing, Stika is now facing at least two lawsuits claiming that he improperly dealt with sexual misconduct allegations and sought to silence the accusers.

In one lawsuit, a Honduran immigrant seeking grief counseling in 2020 said a priest locked her in a room and sexually assaulted her. Although the police and the diocese knew of the accusation, the lawsuit argues, the diocese took no action against the priest and, in fact, obstructed law enforcement. The woman also claimed that the diocese tried to intimidate her by spreading rumors about her and hiring a private investigator to find information to use against her.

In a second lawsuit, a former employee at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville accused a seminary student of harassing and raping him in 2019. The lawsuit argues that Bishop Stika pressured the accuser to remain silent, concealed the abuse, and even dismissed an investigator who was looking into the case. Before Stika’s resignation in 2023, he had been the bishop of Knoxville for 14 years.