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Your Holden Personal Injury Attorney
The short answer. In Massachusetts most injury claims must be filed within three years (M.G.L. c. 260, s. 2A). A child, or a person whose mental illness left them incapacitated when the claim arose, may have more time (M.G.L. c. 260, s. 7). The trial court for Worcester County sits in Worcester, at 225 Main St., Worcester, MA 01608. To talk it through, send the form on this page and we will work to connect you with an attorney in our network.
Nobody plans for the call that follows an accident. Whether you were hurt in a crash, a fall or something else in Holden, the weeks afterward bring decisions that feel bigger than they should. Here is what Massachusetts law says, in plain terms, so you can ask better questions.
Nothing on this page is legal advice, and NeedAnAttorney.net is not a law firm. It is a service that connects injured people with attorneys. The rules described here are quoted or summarized from Massachusetts’s own statutes so that you can check them yourself.
Before You Hire: Questions For A Holden Attorney
Bring these to your first call, whoever it is with:
- The date. Ask for the specific last day to file in your case. The general rule is three years (M.G.L. c. 260, s. 2A).
- Limits on damages. Ask whether any rule restricts the amount you could recover in Massachusetts.
- Your share of fault. Ask how a finding that you were partly responsible would change the numbers (M.G.L. c. 231, s. 85).
- The people. Ask who will be in touch with you and how quickly they return calls.
- The money terms. Ask how fees are calculated and which costs come out of a recovery.
Personal Injury Types of Cases
Premises Liability
Many premises liability claims are from a property owner’s duty to maintain a property in the way that does not endanger others. There are may ways a property owner can violate this duty.
- Broken Stairs
- Unlit alleyways
- Slippery Floors
- Surfaces that are uneven
- Places to receive burns
- Places to receive chemical exposure
- Dog bites
- and other dangerous conditions
Work Place Accidents
These types of personal injury lawsuits involve more that just a employee and employer. If you feel like your place of employment was negligent in some way, you might have a claim for compensation. These types of accidents can include.
- Slip and Fall
- Unsafe working conditions
- Unmaintained equipment
- Auto Accidents
- Death
- Electrical Hazards
- Occupational illnesses like COPD, contagious diseases, and asbestosis
- personal injuries at work
Motor Vehicle Accidents
As long as the person that was operating the vehicle that injured you was negligent in some way, you can could have a claim for compensation. This can include.
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- 18 wheeler Accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Drunk Driving
- Distracted Driving
- Aggressive Driving
- and other types of motor vehicle accidents
Wrongful Death
When negligence leads to fatal injuries, a wrongful death suit can help the surviving family members hold the negligent company, persons, and or person accountable for what was done. A wrongful death case can involve different types of compensation from other personal injury claims. After a fatal accident, family members can ask an attorney to review what compensation the surviving loved ones may have a right to. These types of accidents can include.
- Auto Accident
- Maritime Accident
- Drowning
- Electrocution
- Falls
- Helicopter Accident
- Fire
- Firearm
- and other types of wrongful deaths
Injured in Holden? Get matched with an attorney now.
When You Were Partly At Fault
A person who is fifty percent at fault or less can still recover in Massachusetts. M.G.L. c. 231, s. 85 sets the rule.
You can recover if your share of the fault is 50 percent or less, and your award is reduced by your share; above 50 percent the claim is barred (M.G.L. c. 231, s. 85). Photographs, witness names and medical records help show where the fault lies.
Filing Deadlines For Injury Claims
Massachusetts allows three years to file most injury claims (M.G.L. c. 260, s. 2A). Extra time can be available for a child and in some other limited situations (M.G.L. c. 260, s. 7).
A claim against a government body usually has its own claim or notice steps that must be followed before you sue, so ask early (M.G.L. c. 258, s. 4). If someone died, a separate set of rules can apply (M.G.L. c. 229, s. 2). Write down the date of the injury now so the count is never in doubt.
Courts and Hospitals Near Holden
Worcester County is the county the Census Bureau assigns to Holden. The Massachusetts court directory lists the superior court for Worcester County in Worcester, at 225 Main St., Worcester, MA 01608. Another facility on the state list of trauma centers, UMass Memorial Medical Center University Campus in Worcester, is also in Worcester County; it is listed as a Level I trauma center.
In the federal Hospital General Information file, the closest Massachusetts acute care or critical access hospital to Holden is AdCare Hospital of Worcester in Worcester, 6.5 miles, an acute care hospital (107 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA 01605). After it come St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, 7.1 miles, an acute care hospital; then UMass Memorial Medical Center/University Campus in Worcester, 7.5 miles, an acute care hospital. All distances are straight line miles from Holden.
A straight line is shorter than the drive from Holden. Ask each provider for your complete records and an itemized bill, and note the date of every appointment.
Fourth and fifth on the list are UMass Memorial HealthAlliance Hospitals in Leominster, 13.8 miles, and UMass Memorial Medical Center (Marlborough Campus) in Marlborough, 15.8 miles. Within 10, 25 and 50 miles of Holden the file shows 3, 10 and 43 Massachusetts acute care and critical access hospitals, by straight line.
The nearest places in Massachusetts that this site has pages for, by the same coordinates, are Worcester (6.6 miles southeast), Leominster (12.3 miles north) and Westborough (13.9 miles southeast). The reference cities are 43 miles east (Boston) and 7 miles southeast (Worcester).
Starting Your Claim Review In Holden
Fill in the form at the top of this page. NeedAnAttorney.net reviews your details and works to match you with an attorney in our network who may handle cases in Massachusetts. The form is free to use, and sending it does not mean you have hired anyone.
While you wait, write down what happened and when, who saw it, what treatment you have received and how many days of work you missed. Put bills, letters and insurance messages in one folder.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon must I file a claim for an injury in Holden?
For most injury claims, three years (M.G.L. c. 260, s. 2A). A child may have more time, and a few other limited situations extend the period too (M.G.L. c. 260, s. 7). A wrongful death claim follows its own rules (M.G.L. c. 229, s. 2).
How does Massachusetts treat an injured person who shares the blame?
Short answer: you can recover if your share of the fault is 50 percent or less, and your award is reduced by your share; above 50 percent the claim is barred (M.G.L. c. 231, s. 85). Ask how the rule would be argued in your case. Raise it early with any attorney you speak with.
Is there a limit on damages for an injury in Massachusetts?
It depends on the bills, the missed work and the lasting effects, and an attorney can tell you whether any rule limits the amount. Special rules can apply to particular kinds of claims. Keep every bill, because the economic part of a claim is proved by records.
Is the other driver’s policy enough to cover my injuries?
At least $25,000 for injury to one person, $50,000 for injury to two or more people in one accident and $30,000 for property damage (M.G.L. c. 90, s. 34A and s. 34O). Several policies can apply to one crash. Before you accept a payment, check for every policy that may apply.
How far is the closest hospital from Holden?
In a straight line the nearest Massachusetts acute care or critical access hospital is AdCare Hospital of Worcester in Worcester, 6.5 miles, an acute care hospital; St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester is 7.1 miles and UMass Memorial Medical Center/University Campus in Worcester is 7.5 miles. Call 911 in an emergency; not every hospital has an emergency room.
What other places near Holden have their own page here?
Worcester is 6.6 miles southeast of Holden, Leominster is 12.3 miles north and Westborough is 13.9 miles southeast, by straight line from the Census coordinates.
Are there special steps for claims against the government?
There are special steps. Special claim or notice steps can apply (M.G.L. c. 258, s. 4). Different entities can have different steps. Keep every letter you receive from a public agency.
How should I begin after I am injured?
Treat the injury first. Make sure the incident is reported. Write down names of witnesses and keep every record in one place.
Serving Injured Clients Across Massachusetts
If your injury happened outside Holden, one of these pages may fit better.
