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Under Massachusetts law, people that are injured by defective products have a right to pursue claims for damages against anyone in the chain of distribution of the product, including the manufacturer. While, in some instances, it is easy to determine who should be named as a defendant in a product liability case, in cases in which another company purchased the company that originally sold the product, it can be difficult to ascertain who is liable for the alleged harm. Recently, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts discussed successor liability in a case in which the plaintiff alleged he was injured by a defective vehicle. If you sustained injuries due to a dangerous product, it is wise to speak with an assertive Massachusetts product liability attorney regarding what claims you may be able to pursue.

Factual Background

It is alleged that the plaintiff suffered significant injuries in a car accident. He subsequently filed a product liability lawsuit in Massachusetts state court against the defendant, alleging the car was dangerously designed and manufactured. The defendant was not the company that manufactured the car, however, but was the company that purchased certain assets from the original manufacturer when the original manufacturer filed for bankruptcy. Under the Master Transaction Agreement approved by the bankruptcy court, the defendant agreed to assume liability for any product liability claim arising out of motor vehicle accidents occurring after the sale. The defendant removed the action to federal court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1332 and then filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction over the defendant.

Successor Liability for Harm Caused by Defective Products

Generally, a successor company does not assume the liabilities of its predecessor. There are exceptions to the general rule, however, such as in cases in which the purchaser expressly or impliedly agrees to take on such liabilities. In such cases in which a successor can be held liable for its predecessor’s acts, the predecessor’s contacts with a forum may be imputed to the successor.

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In any civil lawsuit, the plaintiff has a certain amount of leeway in deciding where the case should be filed. In some instances, however, the defendant will seek to move the case to federal court, which is often less favorable to plaintiffs. Recently, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts discussed what a defendant seeking to move a case to federal court must establish, in a case in which the plaintiff averred that she suffered harm because of a defective product. If you were injured by a dangerous product, it is wise to speak with a trusted Massachusetts personal injury attorney regarding your options for pursuing claims against the party responsible for your harm.

Facts and Procedural History

It is reported that the plaintiff was lying in a hammock manufactured by the defendant when it collapsed, causing the plaintiff to fracture her back. The plaintiff filed a complaint in the Massachusetts Superior Court, alleging product liability claims against the defendant. The defendant then removed the case to federal court on the basis of jurisdiction. In turn, the plaintiff filed a motion asking the court to remand the case to the Superior Court, on the grounds that the amount in controversy was not over $75,000.00. The court ultimately granted the plaintiff’s motion, remanding the case.

Federal Diversity Jurisdiction

Under 28 U.S.C. 1441(a), a defendant has the right to remove any action from State court to a district court that has original jurisdiction. If it appears that a district court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over a case that has been removed from State court to a federal court, however, the case must be remanded. The defendant that removed the case to federal court bears the burden of proving that the court has subject matter jurisdiction over the matter. Further, the courts strictly construe the statute pertaining to removal, and any doubts regarding whether removal is proper are resolved in favor of remanding the case.

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In any instance in which a person suffers bodily harm due to the negligence of another, they have the right to pursue claims for damages. It is critical, however, to pursue any claims in a timely manner; otherwise, the right to recover compensation may be waived. In some cases, however, the statute of limitations may be extended by the discovery rule if the injured party did not know the cause of his or her injury at the time the injury occurred. Recently, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts discussed the discovery rule in a case in which the plaintiff alleged he suffered harm due to his employer’s violations of federal law. If you suffered harm due to another party’s carelessness, you should speak with a trusted Massachusetts personal injury attorney regarding what claims you may be able to pursue.

Facts of the Case

It is alleged that the plaintiff filed a lawsuit naming his former employer as a defendant and alleging personal injury arising out of negligence and the failure to comply with the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA). The defendant filed a motion for summary judgment, arguing that the applicable statute of limitations barred the plaintiff’s claims. The court found that the discovery rule operated to extend the statutory period, and denied the defendant’s motion.

The Discovery Rule

FELA specifically provides that any lawsuit alleging violations of FELA must be instituted within three years of the date the cause of action accrued. When a plaintiff’s harm was not caused by a discrete, discernible accident, but is the result of continuous exposure to harmful conditions over time, courts apply the discovery rule to assess when the cause of action accrues. The discovery rule will not extend the statute of limitations endlessly, however. Instead, the statute of limitations will begin to run when the plaintiff knows or reasonably should know, both that he or she is injured and the cause of his or her injury.

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Defective products harm millions of people each year, causing serious injuries, and in some cases, death. Anyone harmed by a defective product can seek recourse via a civil lawsuit, and product manufacturers can be held liable for the damages caused by defective products under several different theories. Recently, the United States District for the District of Massachusetts discussed the grounds for pursuing product liability claims under the theory of design defect and failure to warn. If you suffered harm or the loss of a loved one because of a defective product, it is sensible to consult a capable Massachusetts product liability attorney to discuss your potential claims.

Facts and Procedural History

It is reported that the plaintiff’s decedent was operating a lathe manufactured by the defendant. He inserted a piece of metal into the lathe, and the bar stock of the lathe subsequently bent to a 90-degree angle and struck the decedent in the head. He suffered massive bleeding and was transported to the hospital. He underwent five surgeries but ultimately died from his injuries. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the defendant asserting several claims, including breach of implied warranty. Following discovery, both parties filed motions for summary judgment, which the court denied in part and granted in part.

Product Liability Claims Under Massachusetts Law

Under Massachusetts law, a manufacturer that sells products impliedly warrants that his products are fit for the ordinary purpose for which such products are used, which is referred to as the implied warranty of merchantability. Thus, a manufacturer can be held liable under a theory of breach of implied warranty if a person is harmed by a product’s defective design or the manufacturer’s failure to warn.

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While many people think of Social Security Disability Benefits as benefits paid to adults who cannot work due to a physical or mental disability, disabled children may be eligible for benefits as well. Similar to adults seeking Social Security Disability Benefits, children seeking benefits must establish that they meet the requirements set forth by law. In a recent case, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts discussed what a child claimant must prove to be eligible for benefits and what weight should be granted to the child’s treating physicians. If your child suffers from a physical or mental impairment and you wish to obtain disability benefits, you should speak with a proficient Massachusetts Social Security Disability attorney to discuss your case.

Factual Background

It is reported that the child claimant suffers from significant impairments in reading and writing, following directions, and completing grooming and other self-care tasks. She also has ADHD and PTSD. Her guardian filed a claim for Social Security Disability Benefits on behalf of the child. The administrative law judge denied the claim, finding that the child did not suffer from an impairment and her treating physicians were not credible. The child’s guardian appealed.

Physical or Mental Impairment of a Child

Under the Social Security Act, a child who has a medically determinable mental or physical impairment that causes severe and marked functional limitations that are anticipated to last a minimum of twelve months is deemed disabled. Thus, when a claim for Social Security Disability Benefits is made on behalf of a child under the age of eighteen, the determination must be made as to whether the child’s impairment is severe. If it is established that a child has a severe impairment, the inquiry becomes whether the impairment is either listed in or is functionally or medically equivalent to, an impairment listed in the regulations. If the child does not have such an impairment, he or she will not be deemed disabled.

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When a person suffers harm on someone else’s property, he or she may be able to pursue damages via a negligence claim in a civil lawsuit. A plaintiff asserting a negligence claim must establish each element of negligence, though, otherwise, the claim may be dismissed. This was demonstrated in a recent ruling in which the court dismissed the plaintiff’s negligence claim due to her failure to establish causation. If you sustained injuries due to another party’s negligence, it is prudent to consult a skillful Massachusetts personal injury attorney to discuss what evidence you need to seek a successful outcome.

Facts Regarding the Plaintiff’s Harm

It is alleged that the plaintiff ate dinner at a restaurant owned by the defendant corporation, after which she exited the restaurant through a revolving door. When she went through the door, however, she fell onto the sidewalk. She subsequently filed a lawsuit against the defendant, alleging the door was defective, and the defect caused her to fall. In support of her assertion, she submitted an expert report from a building contractor that stated that although the door complied with national standards with regards to rotational requirements, it was more likely not in compliance at the time of the accident, and exceeded the upper limitations. The defendant filed a motion for summary judgment, arguing that the plaintiff could not prove causation.

Establishing the Elements of a Negligence Claim

In Massachusetts, a plaintiff alleging negligence must show that the defendant owed him or her a duty to act with reasonable care, the defendant breached the duty, the plaintiff suffered damages, and the damages were caused by the breach. In the subject case, the court found that the plaintiff had established that the defendant owed her a duty and that a reasonable jury could find that the defendant breached the duty by failing to inspect the door on a regular basis. The court found that the defendant could not establish causation, however.

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There are many recreational activities that present a risk of harm, and therefore, many companies that allow people to engage in such activities require participants to sign a waiver. While Massachusetts has routinely ruled that a waiver of the right to sue precludes an individual from pursuing claims for harm until recently, it was unclear whether a waiver also precludes the person’s heirs from pursuing claims, in the event the person dies. Recently, however, the Supreme Court of Massachusetts held that a waiver signed by a person who died while scuba diving was enforceable against the person’s beneficiaries. If you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you should speak with a trusted Massachusetts wrongful death attorney regarding your potential claims.

Facts of the Case

It is alleged that the plaintiff’s decedent drowned while using a dry suit and diving equipment manufactured by the defendant company, during a promotional diving event sponsored by the defendant company. Prior to the event, the decedent signed a release from liability and an equipment rental agreement, which also contained a release of the right to sue the defendant company for death or injuries resulting from the use of the equipment. The plaintiff subsequently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the defendant company and a dive instructor working during the diving event, on behalf of the decedent’s estate.

Reportedly, the defendant company settled with the plaintiff, after which the defendant instructor filed a motion for summary judgment, arguing that the release agreements signed by the plaintiff’s decedent precluded the plaintiff’s claims. The court granted the motion, and the plaintiff appealed, arguing that the right of the decedent’s beneficiaries to pursue a wrongful death claim was an independent right that could not be waived.

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Under Massachusetts law, the Commonwealth is granted broad immunities from tort claims. While the Massachusetts Torts Claims Act (the Act) provides some exceptions to sovereign immunity the exceptions are narrow and only apply in certain circumstances. Recently, a Massachusetts appellate court analyzed whether the Act permitted a minor to pursue negligence claims against a Commonwealth entity following an assault by a third party while the minor was in custody. If you suffered an injury while you were in the custody of the Commonwealth or due to a Commonwealth actor, it is prudent to consult a seasoned Massachusetts personal injury attorney to discuss your options for seeking recourse.

Facts Surrounding the Plaintiff’s Harm

Allegedly, the plaintiff, who is a minor, was in the custody of the defendant Commonwealth entity at a center for juvenile offenders. The plaintiff was assaulted by another resident, after which he suffered a stroke, swelling of the brain, and a dissection of the carotid artery. Due to his injuries, he requires around the clock care. He then brought a lawsuit against the defendant alleging several claims, including a negligence claim pursuant to the Act. Specifically, the plaintiff alleged the defendant failed to prevent the other resident from causing his injuries. The defendant moved to dismiss all of the plaintiff’s claims. The court granted the motion, and the plaintiff appealed. On appeal, the appellate court affirmed.

Commonwealth Liability Under the Act

The Act waives the Commonwealth’s immunity to a limited extent. Further, there are numerous exclusions from the limited waiver. For example, one exclusion provides the Commonwealth immunity for any claim that arises out of the failure to diminish or prevent a harmful condition or situation, which includes the tortious conduct or violent acts of a third party, as long as the Commonwealth employer or one of its employees was not the original cause of the tortious act.

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Social Security benefits are not only available to individuals who have earned and income or are disabled, but also to the individual’s prior or current spouse if the individual dies. Regardless of whether a person is eligible for Social Security benefits, however, he or she will not receive any benefits if he or she does not provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) with the necessary documentation. The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts recently explained the requirements for receiving Widows Insurance Benefits in a case in which the plaintiff appealed the initial denial of her claim. If you believe you are eligible for Social Security benefits, including Widows Insurance Benefits, you should meet with a knowledgeable Massachusetts Social Security Disability attorney regarding your rights.

Factual Background

Allegedly, the plaintiff was married to the decedent from 1965 through 1982, when they divorced. The decedent began collecting disability benefits in 2001 and died in 2008 when he was 69. After the decedent’s death, the plaintiff filed a claim for Widows Insurance Benefits. The SSA then sent a written request to the plaintiff for proof that she was married to the decedent, evidence of her divorce, and evidence of the decedent’s death. The SSA sent the plaintiff a follow-up letter as well, stating that if she did not provide the requested documentation, her claim would be denied.

It is reported that the plaintiff failed to submit the documents and was notified that her claim was denied, and she had 60 days to appeal the decision. In 2013, the plaintiff submitted a second claim for Widows Insurance Benefits. The claim was approved, and she was paid benefits at a reduced rate. She then filed a motion for reconsideration, arguing, in part, that she was entitled to benefits since 2008.

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Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common causes of personal injuries in Massachusetts. While in many instances, the condition that caused a fall is obvious, in others, it is not clear whether a condition contributed to a fall. Thus, in some cases, a person injured in a fall may need to retain an expert to offer testimony regarding the dangerous nature of a condition on a premises. Expert testimony must meet certain standards to be admissible, however, as demonstrated in a recent Massachusetts slip and fall case. If you sustained injuries in a fall at a business in Massachusetts, it is prudent to meet with a zealous Massachusetts personal injury attorney to discuss what evidence you must produce to recover damages.

Factual History

It is alleged that the plaintiff fell while descending a set of stairs at the defendant grocery store. Prior to the fall, she visited the defendant store regularly and never observed any defects in the stairs. She testified, however, that when she began to walk down the stairs, her heel caught on the tread, which was loose, causing her to fall. The defendant store’s manager inspected the stairs after the fall and did not observe any defects. A few weeks later, though, the plaintiff and a friend visited the store, at which time they observed the loose tread. As such, the plaintiff filed a negligence claim against the defendant in the Massachusetts federal court.

Reportedly, two years after the fall, the plaintiff retained a licensed engineer to inspect the steps. The engineer set forth a report concluding that the deterioration of the concrete at the top of the stairs created a difference in height between the tread and the stairs and that the height differential caused the plaintiff’s fall. The defendant moved to strike the plaintiff’s expert report.

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