When results matter, contact Bellotti Law Group, P.C. Our firm's experienced and successful attorneys focus their practice on different areas of the law, but they have one common goal — to achieve the best possible result for each individual client. We make the interests of our clients our top priority, and we are relentless in our pursuit of a successful case resolution. Clients can take comfort in the experience, skill, and tireless dedication that our attorneys bring to each and every case that they undertake. Peter V. Bellotti and his team of experienced Boston personal injury lawyers and staff have helped thousands of injured victims since the firm's founding in 1989. At Bellotti Law Group, P.C., the countless successes that we have obtained for our injured clients are results of meticulous preparation, zealous advocacy, and decades of legal experience.
If you were harmed due to the fault of another person or entity, you may be able to recover compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. You have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Massachusetts. You will need to establish negligence, which means that you will need to show that the defendant owed you a duty of care, the defendant breached the duty of care, causation, and damages. Compensation in these cases often covers items of loss such as medical bills, lost income, and the costs of future treatment. You also may be able to recover compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Car AccidentsMassachusetts follows a no-fault insurance scheme. This means that after a car accident, you must first turn to your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage to obtain compensation for certain economic losses, regardless of fault. A personal injury attorney in the Boston area can assist you with going outside the no-fault system and suing for compensation in a personal injury action if you incurred at least $2,000 in reasonable medical expenses or if you suffered permanent and serious disfigurement, substantial loss of sight or hearing, or fractured bones. While you cannot get non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, through the no-fault system, you can pursue them in a personal injury lawsuit.
Workers' CompensationIn Massachusetts, injuries and illnesses that arise due to workplace activities are covered by workers’ compensation as long as they arise in the course and scope of employment. You do not need to prove fault to recover benefits. Benefits that may be available include medical and disability benefits. The amount of money for disability benefits depends on the extent of your disability. For example, if you are not able to go back to work at all ever, you may be able to get total, permanent disability benefits in the amount of two-thirds of your average weekly wage.
Motorcycle AccidentsIn a collision, there is no buffer between a motorcyclist and a larger vehicle or the road. As a result, motorcycle accidents often cause serious injuries or even death to a motorcyclist, even if the driver of the larger vehicle is entirely unhurt. Some common reasons for motorcycle accidents caused by other drivers include failing to yield, distracted driving, cutting off or swerving in front of a motorcyclist, following too closely, speeding, and drunk driving. Many drivers of larger vehicles are not paying close attention or looking out for motorcyclists. It may be possible to recover damages from a negligent driver through a personal injury lawsuit.
Bicycle AccidentsBicycle accidents, like motorcycle accidents, can result in devastating injuries or death. Common factors in bike accidents include drivers not looking out for bicyclists and dooring, which is when someone opens a car door on the street side without looking. Under MGL ch. 90 section 14, drivers and passengers are supposed to check for bicyclists before opening doors. A driver’s or a passenger’s failure to check for bicyclists may be evidence of negligence if you were injured in a dooring accident. You should make sure to consult a Boston personal injury attorney before talking to an at-fault driver’s insurance adjustor.
Medical MalpracticeWhen you go to see a doctor or another health care professional, you trust that you will be treated with the appropriate degree of care. Medical malpractice occurs when a health care professional deviates from the professional standard of care, thereby causing injuries to a patient. Malpractice may occur in connection with a failure to diagnose, a misdiagnosis, a labor or delivery error, an anesthesia error, a surgical error, or a medication error. Doctors, surgeons, radiologists, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, and others owe a professional standard of care to their patients. Family members can be deeply affected by medical malpractice. Often, they can bring a loss of consortium claim for their own losses.
Premises LiabilityProperty owners in Massachusetts must keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition so that customers or guests are not injured. Slip and fall accidents and other accidents on property can cause serious injuries, such as concussions and broken bones. To hold a property owner accountable in a premises liability claim, a personal injury lawyer in the Boston area would need to show that the property owner was aware of the dangerous condition, or reasonably should have been aware of it. Common examples of dangerous conditions on property include spilled substances on floors, uneven pavement, broken steps or railings, and inadequate lighting that increases the risk of crime.
Construction AccidentsUnfortunately, construction sites can be inherently dangerous places. Although construction sites are highly regulated, construction accidents are common and can result in serious or fatal injuries. Common accidents at construction sites include falls, collapsing structures, exposure to toxic chemicals, failures of fall protection, equipment failures, elevator malfunctions, roll overs, and electrocution. Workers’ compensation insurance pays for certain economic losses arising out of a work injury. However, the amount paid may not be enough to compensate for serious injuries. If the work injury was caused by a third party, which is an entity or person other than the injured worker’s employer, a Boston personal injury lawyer can help a victim hold the third party accountable through a personal injury lawsuit.
Criminal DefenseAll crimes need to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Crimes are divided into felonies and misdemeanors, with felonies being more serious. Whenever the penalties for a crime include a possible state prison sentence, it is considered a felony in Massachusetts. Even first offenders can receive harsh penalties. Our criminal defense lawyers have defended many different types of charges, including OUI, drug crimes, sex crimes, motor vehicle crimes, firearms and weapons crimes, and theft crimes. OUI
You can be convicted of OUI for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence in a public place. A driver is considered under the influence if their ability to drive has been diminished by consuming alcohol or an intoxicant like marijuana, narcotics, or intoxicating vapors. In most cases, for first and second OUI convictions, you will be eligible for a year’s probation plus alcohol education, a driver’s license suspension, and a maximum of 30 days of community service. The maximum jail sentence for a first OUI offense is 2½ years. You should consult an experienced attorney about your options if you are charged with OUI. Defense strategies may include bringing a motion to suppress evidence or statements.
Civil LitigationOur firm handles a wide range of civil litigation, including lawsuits arising out of business contracts, business dissolution, construction, trade secrets, auto insurance, trusts and estates. Many civil lawsuits between businesses arise out of a breach of a contract. Contracts are legally enforceable agreements, whereby two parties voluntarily agree that one or more lawful acts will be performed in exchange for consideration. Contracts may include non-disclosure agreements, employment contracts, service contracts, purchase and sale agreements, mergers and acquisitions, and licensing agreements.
Estate PlanningMost people benefit from a well-considered estate plan. Careful estate planning can allow for your wishes for your property and other matters to be carried out when you pass away, or if you become incapacitated. Often, it allows people to address probate issues and tax consequences to make things easier for their heirs. A last will and testament is often a critical aspect of estate planning. If you pass away without a valid will, your property will be distributed according to intestacy laws. These may not reflect how you would prefer your property to be distributed.
Family LawFamily law matters are often highly sensitive, and while some spouses may agree on every issue in a divorce, many spouses disagree about property division, child custody, or other issues that must be resolved. Our firm can represent you in connection with divorce, child custody, visitation, paternity, modifications to divorce orders, prenuptial agreements, and restraining orders. To file for a divorce in Massachusetts, you need to meet residency requirements. Massachusetts allows you to get a no-fault divorce, which means that you do not need to show any wrongdoing by your spouse.
Discuss Your Options with a Skillful Boston AttorneyIf you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, you should talk to an experienced personal injury attorney in the Boston area about your next steps. The Bellotti Law Group also represents people in criminal, family, estate planning, and many other legal matters. We have offices in Cambridge and Quincy, from which we assist people throughout Suffolk, Middlesex, and Norfolk Counties. Call us at 617-225-2100 or contact us through our online form.