Wrongful Death

Wrongful Death in Motorcycle Accidents (Podcast)

Posted August 15, 2019 by Kevin McCullough & filed under Motorcycle Accidents, Wrongful Death.

From helmets to obeying the rules of the road, there are many factors that could contribute to a wrongful death in a motorcycle accident. Personal injury attorneys Robert Mazow and Kevin McCullough discuss what to do if a loved one dies as a result of a motorcycle accident. Listen or read more to learn more.

John Maher: Hey, I’m John Maher. I’m here today with Robert Mazow and Kevin McCullough of the Law Office of Mazow McCullough, the personal injury law firm with offices in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Today, we’re talking about wrongful death involving motorcycle accidents. Robert and Kevin, welcome.

Robert Mazow: Thanks, John.

Kevin McCullough: Thank you, John.

John: So, what causes a motorcycle accident? What are some of the most common causes, and why are so many of them fatal?

Kevin: We see a number of different reasons that motorcycle collisions occur or causes for motorcycle collisions, ranging from drivers of motorcycles and/or motor vehicles just simply not paying attention to speed issues or going beyond the speed limit, not paying attention to traffic signals, not being aware of their surroundings or how close they are to other vehicles, whether it’s on a highway and a car is changing lanes and they just don’t see that motorcycle in the blind spot. But, here in the northeast part of the country, there are so many other reasons why we see them. In the winter months when the roads are slippery and we’re seeing salt and sand placed on the roadways to make the road safe, that’s a very dangerous hazardous condition for someone driving a motorcycle, whether they pull it out on a nice a winter day when it’s not too cold out or those early rides in the spring season when there’s still a lot of sand and debris on the roadway, it can be very dangerous out there.

So, in addition to the typical reasons that somebody might think about for motorcycle collisions, we also have some extra hazards and factors here in this part of the country that we have to deal with.

John: Okay. And then of course, with a motorcycle as compared to a car or a truck, you just have so much less protection as a driver, that you’re bound to get thrown onto the road, and that’s going to be potentially fatal.

Robert: Right. Well, we certainly see a lot more likelihood of a death if a motorcycle is involved than if two cars are involved. Motorcyclists clearly are not protected with steel barriers like a person in a car is protected. I mean, a motorcyclist — a smart motorcyclist — will wear their leathers, they’ll wear their helmet. But we know that many motorcyclists — certainly, New Hampshire motorcyclists — there’s no requirement that they wear a helmet. Unfortunately, we see some pretty terrible injuries when a motorcycle is struck by a vehicle, and sometimes, it leads to death.

Helmet Laws in New Hampshire and Massachusetts

John: You bring up a good point, which is that in New Hampshire, there is no helmet law, but in Massachusetts there is. How does that make things different in terms of how you approach the case, you know, involving somebody who has been killed, maybe in Massachusetts when maybe they haven’t been wearing their helmet like they’re required to?

Robert: I think as far as the liability part of the case, the what happened, who was at fault, whether a person was wearing a helmet or not, it doesn’t make a difference. If a driver of the vehicle is texting and they strike a motorcyclist and the motorcyclist has done nothing wrong, yet the motorcyclist isn’t wearing his helmet, it doesn’t mean it’s the motorcyclists fault. Now, if the motorcyclist dies as a result, strictly of a head injury, the smart defense attorney, the person defending the vehicle that was at fault, will certainly raise, and we’ll get an expert to say, “Had the motorcyclist been wearing a helmet, they would not have died.” Of course, there may be another expert on the other side that will possibly say, “It doesn’t matter if they were wearing a helmet or not. The severity of the impact was large enough that would have caused death anyway.”

So, if the law says to wear a helmet, we certainly encourage you to wear a helmet, but it’s not necessarily going to be a deciding factor if there’s a crash.

Determining Fault in a Motorcycle Accident

John: Okay. How do you determine fault in a motorcycle accident? Is it different than a normal car accident?

Kevin: It’s pretty similar, John, in that there are rules of the roadway, there are traffic signals, traffic signs, speed limits. The driver of a motorcycle and a motor vehicle are both obligated to follow those rules of the road to obey the traffic signals, to obey the speed limit. Those are the typical reasons that collisions may occur, whether someone’s speeding or just not paying attention. But, as I mentioned earlier, when you’re driving a motorcycle, there are so many different factors involved. Being exposed to the elements, whether it’s weather or the roads being slick, but just, you know, not being seen by people driving a motor vehicle. Those are a number of different reasons of why these things occur and going to the extent of the damages of when you’re exposed.

John: Are there any other aspects of motorcycle accident wrongful death lawsuits that make them different from other types of lawsuits?

Robert: As far as the lawsuit is concerned, they’re pretty straight-forward. If it’s determined that a motor vehicle causes a crash that leads to the death of a motorcyclist, a lawsuit would be filed. It would include claims for negligence. It would include claims for possibly reckless driving, gross negligence. But they’re fairly similar to other types of motor vehicle lawsuits.

John: Okay. That’s great information. Rob and Kevin, thanks again for speaking with me today.

Robert: Thanks, John.

Kevin: Thank you, John.

John: For more information on personal injury cases, visit the firm’s website at helpinginjured.com or call 855-693-9084.

Wrongful Death Involving Commercial Vehicles (Podcast)

Posted August 8, 2019 by Robert Mazow & filed under Wrongful Death.

Commercial vehicles have a lot at stake, and some companies may go to great lengths to ensure they are covered in a wrongful death lawsuit. Attorneys Robert Mazow and Kevin McCullough of Mazow McCullough law firm discuss their approach to wrongful death cases involving commercial vehicles. Listen or read more to find out more.

John Maher: Hi, I’m John Maher. I’m here today with Robert Mazow and Kevin McCullough at the law firm of Mazow-McCullough, a personal injury law firm with offices in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Today we’re talking about wrongful death cases involving commercial vehicles. Robert and Kevin, welcome.

Robert Mazow: Thank you, John.

Kevin McCullough: Thank you, John.

John: So, what makes commercial vehicle wrongful death lawsuits different from other types of lawsuits?

Robert: What we see in a wrongful death incident involving a commercial vehicle is that the driver tends to be an employee of the person, or the corporation that owns the vehicle. So, first and foremost, there are at least two parties involved in this lawsuit or in this claim, where, otherwise, in a straightforward car accident or slip-and-fall, there may be just one defendant and one plaintiff.

We need to understand what the relationship is between the driver of the vehicle and the commercial owner of the vehicle. We need to know whether they were on the clock at the time, where they were going, where they were coming from, whether they should have been not driving at the time, what their driving history is, what their criminal history might be, and whether or not the employer who owns the vehicle or owns the truck has done a proper background check to make sure that that driver should be behind that wheel.

Claims that we’re going to be looking at are going to be involved with not just negligence, but negligent hiring, negligent training, negligent supervision. I mean, all things that go into the responsibility of the commercial owner of that vehicle because the employer is responsible for the negligent acts of their employee, and we want to make sure that if they cause harm, if they cause injury, if they cause death that that employer is also held responsible.

Commercial Vehicle Drivers and Distracted Driving

John: Distracted driving is a big factor these days in all types of accidents involving vehicles. Is distracted driving often the cause of a commercial vehicle wrongful death case?

Kevin: It is, John. With a lot of these commercial vehicles, they’re taking advantage of the technology these days as well. They have GPS in the vehicles to track what the employee is doing and where he’s going, but they also have the ability to communicate directly with the employees to give new assignments or to redirect an assignment. That’s causing these employees to take a look at their phone, to take a look at the GPS, to take a look at their responsibilities for that day or that daily worksheet, and to alter what they’re supposed to be doing or where they’re going. Oftentimes, they’re doing that while they’re driving, while they’re stopped at that red light, while they’re stopped at that stop sign — just not paying attention to what’s going on around them. Trying to be a good employee, trying to get to that next job, but by not paying attention to the roadway, ultimately causing injury and incidents.

Robert: This technology that Kevin talks about goes both ways because what we’re finding in bus crashes, in truck crashes, that oftentimes there are videos that the employers have on their employee because they want to make sure that they’re keeping their eye on their employee. There’s video cameras facing in, there’s video cameras facing out. What we’re able to do is — if we can get access to this video, we can actually see these drivers while they’re driving, while they’re stopped at a stop sign, while they’re doing something, looking at their phone, looking at paperwork, doing the very things that their employer claims [they] are not supposed to be doing and that’s what’s causing these crashes. But we’re able to sometimes get access to these videos, which is part of the technology that Kevin was talking about.

Accessing Onboard Video Footage

John: That sounds like that’s a really good reason, if you don’t have any other reason, to hire an attorney because I think that, myself as an average person, I wouldn’t be able to get access to the onboard cameras on a commercial vehicle, but as attorneys you are able to help with that.

Robert: Well, we’re able to help with it. Obviously the employer is not going to be anxious to be giving that to us. So, what we have to do is, if we find out that there are cameras, we go to court, we get the court to compel that that information be given to us. It does take some time, but when you get it and it’s helpful, it’s really the home run of all home runs.

John: Right.

Kevin: You can imagine, John, that if there is video footage that hurts the company, they’re not going to want to give it up. If they have to give it up to a plaintiff’s attorney, they’re going to fight as hard as they can. So, that goes directly to the point that if you’re involved in a collision with a commercial vehicle, you should retain an attorney quickly because there are certain obligations that these companies have to retain video footage or information whether it helps them or not. But, if enough time goes by, they can avoid those obligations and get rid of or destroy the video footage or the documents that may harm them in a way that they won’t be penalized.

But, if you hire an attorney quickly, and you can get involved, simply sending a letter to preserve that material — we’re not saying you have to give it to us right now, Mr. Company, but you have to preserve it and we’re giving you an affirmative obligation to preserve that information. So, when we do move forward and we do actually request it, it should be there. If that material is gone or destroyed at that point, if we’re involved early enough, we can use that to our advantage during the litigation process, whether it’s proving the liability of the case or having the court intervene and take certain defenses off the table for the defendant because they refused or failed to preserve that information. So, like Rob mentioned, it cuts both ways, but getting an attorney early on is only going to help you prove your case and gather that information.

Building a Case Against a Commercial Vehicle Company

John: Okay. What are some other aspects of going up against a large company? Maybe you’ve been injured or a family member has been killed in an accident involving a nationwide trucking company or a nationwide delivery service, or something like that. How does that change the overall dynamic of a case?

Robert: I mean, we tend to see, if it’s a large company, we tend to see a large defense firm representing them. These companies don’t want to have judgments against them, they don’t want to have to pay out large settlements or large judgments, so they’re going to do what they need to do, or what they feel they need to do to aggressively defend themselves. Of course, if you’ve got the right plaintiff’s attorney, they’re going to be able to go toe-to-toe with the defensive attorneys, with the insurance companies to hopefully obtain a good result for the injured party.

John: All right. That’s really great information. Rob and Kevin, thanks again for speaking with me today.

Kevin: Thanks, John.

Robert: Thank you, John.

John: For more information on personal injury cases and wrongful death cases visit the firm’s website at helpinginjured.com or call 855-693-9084.

Wrongful Death in Auto Accidents (Podcast)

Posted August 1, 2019 by Kevin McCullough & filed under Wrongful Death.

If you’ve lost a loved one due to an auto accident, figuring what to do next is difficult. Attorneys Robert Mazow and Kevin McCullough, of Mazow McCullough law firm, talk about the legal steps to take after a wrongful death caused by an auto accident. Listen or read more to find out what to do after losing a loved one in a car accident.

John Maher: Hi, I’m John Maher, and I’m here today with Robert Mazow and Kevin McCullough of the law firm of Mazow McCullough, a personal injury law firm with offices in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Today, we’re going to be talking about wrongful death auto accident cases. Robert and Kevin, welcome.

Kevin McCullough: Thanks, John.

Robert Mazow: Thank you, John.

John: You know, in a wrongful death case where an auto accident is involved, how is fault or liability determined? Is there such a thing as shared fault between both parties?

Kevin: Yes, John. The analysis and investigation into determining fault in wrongful death claims can be difficult and complex. They may involve an accident reconstruction, witness statements, pictures of the scene, pictures of the vehicles, damage analysis — and it can be assessed against multiple parties. Some of the differences between Massachusetts and New Hampshire can be strategic differences in that, here in Massachusetts, we have a rule of law called joint and several liability, which means that you can sue multiple parties and recover your damages against those multiple parties.

If there are two people at fault for a wrongful death claim in Massachusetts, regardless of the percentages of fault between the two defendants or responsible parties, you can recover 100% of your damages against one or both of those defendants. In Massachusetts, if you’re a defendant in a wrongful death claim, you could be paying more than your proportionate share of the damages of which you caused in that particular incident. Then, it’s on you as the defendant to pursue other defendants to be reimbursed. It’s actually pretty good for a plaintiff or a family in Massachusetts pursuing a wrongful death claim to have multiple parties available to you, which may lend to additional coverages or insurance coverages that may be available to you.

In New Hampshire, it can be different. New Hampshire has what’s called a pro rata payment. What that means is, as a defendant, you’re only responsible to pay the exact proportionate share or monetary amount that the jury finds to be directly attributed to you. They do separate out those damages on verdict slips in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. They can be different and they can impact the strategy of how the attorney for the family of the loved one who was lost in pursuing their claim and pursuing multiple defendants and how they do that.

John: Okay, so in New Hampshire, if you’re found to only be 50% at fault for a claim, then you’d only be responsible for paying 50% of the damages. Does that work out that way?

Kevin: That’s correct, John. In Massachusetts, if you’re found to be 1% or more at fault as a defendant, you can be paying 100% of those damages.

How to Determine Damages in an Auto Accident Wrongful Death Case

John: Okay. How are damages different in a wrongful death auto accident type of case, versus other types of accidents?

Robert: When you’re dealing with a wrongful death case, your damages can be much broader than in your standard personal injury case. First of all, if a person has some period that they have lived . . . some period after the accident that they’re in the hospital or that they’re alive . . . there’s that period of pain and suffering that’s part of the damages. The wrongful death damages themselves could include the loss of care and comfort that they provided to their loved ones, to their beneficiaries, any financial advice or financial support that they provided to their loved ones.

Certainly, if they were working at the time, their loss of future earning capacity can be a significant damage that we’d have to bring in a forensic accountant to give us an idea of what those numbers could look like. The damages, obviously — there’s burial expenses and funeral expenses and medical bills, if there was some period of time where the person received some medical treatment. There are many, many different elements of damages that will be available to the estate and the family of the loved one who passed away.

When to Talk to an Attorney

John: When should the family of a loved one involved in a wrongful death auto accident case talk to an attorney, and what happens after that?

Kevin: They should talk to an attorney immediately after the incident or after the loss of the loved one. It’s so important to gather information early on in a wrongful death claim, not only with just what happened and how it happened, but also having the documents available to calculate those recoverable damages. As Rob mentioned, whether it is lost wages that are no longer available to the family, those future earnings, those are things that experts need to be involved in to quantify and calculate, and the sooner that the attorneys can get involved in the case, the sooner they can determine and assess those damages and help present those damages to the at fault party.

John: Robert, any final thoughts on wrongful death auto accident cases?

Robert: I think that, you know, when you’re dealing with the serious emotional overload of the death of a loved one, it’s important to be able to go to some place where you can feel comfortable with the advice that you’re given — feel that there is not going to be any pressure put on you to do something — but to a place that’s going to take the situation very seriously. Here at our office, we clearly get to work right away. We work with families to make sure that all avenues are gone down and every stone is turned over to make sure that we can get the family what they can get.

John: All right, that’s great information and advice. Robert and Kevin, thank you for speaking with me today.

Robert: Thanks, John.

Kevin: Thank you, John.

John: For more information on personal injury cases and wrongful death cases, visit the firm’s website at helpinginjured.com or call 855-693-9084.

What to Expect When You Meet with a Wrongful Death Attorney

Posted July 17, 2019 by Kevin McCullough & filed under Wrongful Death.

When a loved one dies, it always takes an enormous toll on the people left behind. When your loved one is killed through the negligence or wrongdoing of someone else, there is even more heartache and stress. In addition to dealing with the emotional aftermath of the loss, you may also be facing financial hardship based on the loss of income from your lost loved one. We may be able to help.

While nothing can bring back your loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit may be able to help you get the financial justice you deserve. You’re probably wondering, what happens in a wrongful death lawsuit? What does the process look like? To prepare you, here’s a look at the essentials.

What Is a Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death is when a person dies due to the negligence or malicious but often unintentional actions of another person. A wrongful death case is a civil action, not a criminal one, but criminal charges may be tried separately in these cases.

If criminal charges are not brought against the wrongful party, they can be still charged in a civil court. Similarly, even if the defendant is found innocent in a criminal case, they can still be charged in a civil case. The standards of proof are different in each of these types of cases, which is why someone may escape charges in a criminal case but still face liability in a civil case. The charges are also different, which is why the double jeopardy law doesn’t come into play.

What Does the Wrongful Death Process Look Like?

There are many phases of a wrongful death suit, and each case is slightly different depending on the details. The process can take months or even years, but regardless of the time involved, you can usually expect to see the following elements:

Free Case Evaluation – Most wrongful death attorneys start with a free case evaluation. During that meeting, you chat with the attorney about your case. They decide if you should move forward with a lawsuit, and you decide if you want to work with that attorney.
Filing a Complaint – To get the case started, the wrongful death attorney will formally file a complaint or a writ of summons, letting the courts and the other party know you are commencing a lawsuit. Then, the other party has to respond to the complaint.

Discovery – This is the beginning of the case where the lawyers from each side exchange information about the details of the case, including paperwork, depositions, and any evidence that has been gathered.
Legal Motions – Both sides make legal arguments based on the information gathered in the discovery process.
Settlement Conference – A judge can work with the attorneys on both sides to mediate a settlement offer that works for all parties, saving time and money.
Wrongful Death Trial – If no settlement is reached, the next step is to take the wrongful death case to trial. At this time, the attorneys present evidence, question witnesses, and argue the case. Then, a jury or judge decides the outcome of the case and the amount of damages owed.
Appeals – If either side doesn’t agree with the outcome, they have a certain amount of time to file an appeal.
Collection Process – After the verdict, you will be able to begin collecting damages if the case went in your favor.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Suit?

Usually, a spouse, parent, child, or close relative can file a wrongful death suit. However, in Massachusetts, you need to be the administrator or executor of the deceased’s estate to file a suit. If you aren’t sure whether or not you have the right to file a wrongful death suit, contact an attorney, and they can help you with the specifics.

What Kinds of Damages Can Be Collected?

It is impossible to put a price tag on the life of a loved one. There are many things that can never be reduced to a number. However, the law does allow you to try and recover the following through a wrongful death suit:

Loss of future wages
Final medical costs
Funeral and burial costs
Loss of inheritance
Loss of companionship
Attorney Fees

What Questions Should You Ask When Looking for An Attorney?

When trying to find an attorney to handle your wrongful death case, you might want to ask some of the following questions:

Do you have time to devote to my case? – Make sure the attorney you choose does not have such a big caseload that they don’t have time to work on your case.
Have you handled wrongful death cases before? – Ideally, the attorney you choose should have a proven track record in dealing with these kinds of cases. Also, make sure that the firm you choose has the financial resources to devote to putting your case together.
How much is my case worth? – Your attorney might not have the answer to that question right away, but they should be able to tell you the steps they will take and the research they will do to make sure you are fairly compensated

Dealing with the loss of a loved one under these circumstances is more than anyone should ever have to bear, but you should not have to suffer financially as well. Hiring an attorney to handle your wrongful death suit can help to bring you some peace and comfort in these trying times.

At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we always have time to devote to our clients and we are very experienced in the realm of wrongful death cases. To set up a free case evaluation, contact us at Mazow | McCullough, PC today.

Should You Settle Your Wrongful Death Claim?

Posted July 3, 2019 by Kevin McCullough & filed under Wrongful Death.

While it is always difficult to lose a family member, it is especially devastating when you need the financial support of the person who died or when the death was caused by the negligence of another party. If your family member recently died due to negligence, carelessness, incompetence, or failure to act, you may be entitled to financial compensation for wrongful death.

Even if cases where no one is criminally responsible for the death, you may still be able to hold someone civilly liable through a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim is special type of personal injury claim brought forward by a surviving family member of someone who was killed.

Many wrongful death cases go to trial, but they don’t always go to court. In some cases, you may decide to accept a settlement. Typically, you have a choice between accepting the settlement and moving forward with the trial. When deciding if you should settle, you should keep the following elements in mind.

The Value of the Settlement

In a court case, the judge decides on the value of loss. With a settlement, the offer can be proposed by either the plaintiff or the defendant, and usually, these parties go back and forth until they agree on a sum. When you’re trying to decide whether or not you should settle, look closely at the amount of the settlement. Ideally, you want to ensure that the settlement will cover your current and future damages. For instance, you may need funds to pay your loved one’s final medical bills or funeral expenses, as well as money to cover the loss of their income.

It’s also important to remember that some wrongful death attorneys charge higher contingency fees if the case goes to trial. They may incur a lot of additional expenses through the trial that may be deducted from the final award. As a result, you may end up with less money after a trial, even if the award is greater than the settlement offer.

Length of Time for the Proceedings

Lawsuits can be long and emotional exhausting. They may drag on, and some defendants purposefully drag on the case to tire out the other side. After the loss of a loved one, you may not want to deal with a long, stressful trial. Instead, you may want to focus on grieving and healing. By setting out of court, you complete the process a lot faster. If the wrongful death settlement covers your expenses, you may want to give yourself a break by settling out of court. However, don’t give up on justice if the defendant is purposefully dragging the case out just so you’ll settle.

Possible Bad Publicity?

Usually, this issue only concerns the defendant, and if they are worried about the case reflecting poorly on their business or personal reputation, they may want to settle quickly. If you believe that the defendant is trying to settle for this reason, you may want to talk with your lawyer about negotiating a higher settlement. At the same time, you should think of any effects press around the case may have on you personally. You may prefer to stay out of the limelight.

The Strength of Your Case

Remember, a settlement is basically money in your pocket. When you agree to a settlement, the funds are guaranteed. In contrast, if you move forward toward a trial, you are not guaranteed to win. If you or your wrongful death attorney is worried about your case, you may want to accept the settlement. Don’t rule out going to trial though if you feel you have a strong case and more to gain by taking the risk.

Mediation or Arbitration?

Sometimes, there can be middle ground between accepting a settlement and going to court. In particular, you may want to talk with your lawyer about mediation or arbitration. With mediation, both parties meet and talk with a mediator, who offers their expertise and advice regarding how the case could be settled and how money should be awarded. Then, you, the defendant, and your attorneys decide if you want to agree to the mediator’s ideas.

In contrast, if you agree to arbitration, both parties meet and talk with an arbitrator who then makes a ruling based on his or her interpretation of the situation. Although both of these options can involved a few different costs, they tend to be less expensive than going through a trial.

If you have lost a loved you and you need help with a wrongful death case, contact us today. At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we can offer you a free case evaluation and help you decide the best route forward with your case.

What to Do If Your Loved One’s Death Was Only Partly Related to Negligence

Posted January 14, 2019 by Kevin McCullough & filed under Wrongful Death.

If you have lost a loved one due to the neglect of another party, you may be able to bring a wrongful death suit forward and claim damages related to final medical expenses, funeral costs, and loss of your loved one. To prove that wrongful death occurred, you must be able to establish that the defendant’s conduct caused the death of your loved one, but you don’t necessarily have to prove that the defendant was exclusively responsible for the death.

In some situations, the death may be only partly related to negligence. Although the specifics vary from case to case, you may be able to bring a successful claim forward even if other elements contributed to the death. Have questions? Here’s what you need to know.

Defenses in Wrongful Death Claims

There are a variety of defenses that can be used to fight a wrongful death suit. Some defendants may argue you’re past the statute of limitations. To avoid that, you should contact us for a free case evaluation as soon as possible so that you don’t miss any critical deadlines. In other cases, the defendant may argue that their actions were not connected to the injury that led to the death at all, and again, you need a quality attorney who is experienced with wrongful death cases to help you address that issue.

Beyond that, the defendant’s legal team may argue that the deceased was partly responsible for the death. This is called comparative negligence or imputed comparative negligence. Even if your loved one was partially responsible, the defendant may still bear liability and may still be required to pay out a settlement.

Comparative Negligence

Comparative negligence is when the injured or deceased party contributes to their injuries or death. For example, if the victim was jogging in the street at night without reflective clothing and they were hit and killed by a vehicle, the judge may determine that the jogger partially contributed to the accident. Similarly, if someone slips, suffers a serious injury, and dies, the property owner may be liable for the death, but if the victim didn’t exercise reasonable caution, they may bear some of the responsibility for the accident as well.

Fifty years or so ago, if a defendant could prove that a personal injury plaintiff contributed in any way, however slight, to the accident that caused their death or injuries, then the plaintiff was not entitled to any compensation at all. Today, however, most states — including Massachusetts and New Hampshire —have adopted comparative negligence laws. Now, the judge or jury considers evidence and assigns blame to one or both parties using a percentage basis. This arrangement results in greater fairness to all parties.

Settlements Based on Comparative Negligence

For example, Massachusetts uses a 51% comparative negligence rule. This means that if the defendant is responsible for at least 51% of the death, they are responsible for paying a settlement. However, the settlement is reduced by the percentage of the victim’s contribution to the situation. For example, if the victim is found to be 20% responsible for the accident, their settlement is reduced by 20%. In this situation, if the victim was awarded $500,000, their award would be reduced by $100,000, and they would receive $400,000.

When comparative negligence is involved, it becomes more important than ever to have a quality lawyer in your corner. They can firmly establish the amount of the damages, which helps to increase the amount of the original claim. Then, once you apply the reduction, you still end up with a relatively fair settlement.

Imputed Comparative Negligence

Imputed comparative negligence rarely comes into play. Typically, this rule applies when the beneficiary has a special relationship with the defendant and the liability can be imputed from the defendant to the beneficiary. In these situations, the beneficiary may be barred from bringing forward a wrongful death claim.

As you can see, there are many ins and outs to wrongful death claims. Even if you know your loved one’s death was partly caused by their own actions, you should still consider bringing forward a wrongful death lawsuit. To learn more, contact us today to set up a no-cost case evaluation. At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we have experience fighting wrongful death claims, and we understand how to move forward confidently even when comparative or imputed negligence is involved.

Most Common Causes of Child Wrongful Death

Posted April 4, 2018 by Robert Mazow & filed under Wrongful Death.

The death of a child is a tragedy that no parent should ever have to endure, but when the death is due to the negligence or misconduct of another person, that can make the situation even worse. Although no one can bring back someone’s child, there are resources that can help families cope.

What Are the Causes of Wrongful Death in Children?

With children, the most common cause of wrongful death is vehicular accidents. This includes car accidents where another adult is transporting the child and their negligence causes the child’s death. It also includes cases where a negligent driver of another vehicle is responsible for the accident. In some cases, children riding their bicycles or playing outside also suffer wrongful death due to a car or truck accident.

On top of that, many wrongful deaths in children are caused by faulty products. Over the years, deaths have been caused by products made for children such as toys with lead, dangerous playground equipment, and hoverboards. Beyond that, products such as tires, airbags, and tipping shelves have led to the wrongful death of multiple children.

In some cases, medical malpractice can lead to the wrongful death of a child. At birth, nearly 2% of infant deaths are related to injuries often linked to medical malpractice or the misuse of instruments. As children get older, they may be misdiagnosed, given the wrong medication, or exposed to a range of other potentially fatal risks. In fact, according to some estimates, medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death for people of all ages.

Children can also suffer wrongful deaths due to dog attacks, by drowning in swimming pools, and by playing sports.

How Can Wrongful Deaths Be Prevented?

Unfortunately, there is no surefire way for parents to protect their children from wrongful deaths. By their very nature, wrongful deaths are caused by the negligence of another person or entity.

However, to keep children as safe as possible, parents should focus on road safety and emphasize the importance of using seatbelts and bicycle helmets. They should also warn their children about the potential risks of dogs they don’t know. Ideally, parents should know the signs of a concussion so they can help keep their children safe on the field, and they should always watch their hildren around swimming pools.

If possible, parents should monitor recall notices and immediately stop using any products that have been recalled. Ideally, parents should try to do due diligence on the products they use, and in particular, they may want to avoid manufacturers with a history of creating dangerous products.

However, in many cases, these efforts are simply not enough. When an individual or a company is negligent, a child can die, regardless of how hard their parents tried to protect them.

Is There Support for Parents Who Have Lost a Child Due to Wrongful Death?

There are many support groups for parents who have lost their children. To find a group in your local area, contact your church, community center, hospital, or library. The staff at these facilities may be able to help you find a grief support group.

If you can’t find a local group, you may want to look for an online group. Facebook, in particular, has many groups geared toward parents suffering the loss of a child. Many parents also find some relief by talking with grief counselors.

When you have lost a child due to wrongful death, support is only one facet of the equation. Your child deserves justice for negligent behavior that caused them to lose their life, and you also deserve compensation for related expenses and suffering. Contact the personal injury attorneys at Mazow | McCullough, PC today at 855-693-9084. We can talk with you about your case and help you decide how to move forward.

How to Support Someone Grieving a Wrongful Death

Posted November 20, 2017 by Mazow McCullough & filed under Wrongful Death.

Grief is an overwhelming process not only to the one going through it but also those who care about them. If the deceased loved one died due to the negligent or intentional act of another person, this may intensify the grief.

If someone you know is facing the wrongful death of a loved one, it can be difficult to know what to say or feel your support is enough. Here are five suggestions for offering comfort and support.

Acknowledge Their Feelings

Telling a grieving person “Please don’t cry” may seem harmless but it also devalues their emotions. It may be uncomfortable to see your friend or loved one cry or experience anger, however, it is important to acknowledge these feelings and treat them as valid.

Everyone experiences grief in a different way and it may not always make sense to you. Just remember it is your job to offer support, even if feelings appear intense or unusual. Leave your judgment at the door and allow people to express themselves fully during this difficult time.

Offer Assistance

“How may I help?” or “I am here if you need anything” are among the best statements you can make to a grieving loved one. Sometimes, the minutiae of daily living is too much and people need your assistance.

This may involve making them a week’s worth of freezer meals or mowing the lawn. If grief leads to anxiety, making telephones calls to finalize funeral arrangements or death certificates can be essential. Sometimes, just having someone there when the survivor finalizes documents or consults with an attorney can help.

Do Not Disappear

It is common for people to stop checking in after the funeral. They’ve got busy lives, but unfortunately for the person grieving, their lives have all but stopped. It can be extremely difficult for the person who lost a loved one to experience wave after wave of love and support, and then suddenly nothing as the days and weeks pass after the funeral is over.

If you are a good friend or close relative, stay in contact. Even if your friend or loved one wants time alone, a text message simply stating “I’m thinking of you” offers support without requiring a response. You may never hear back from them until a few days later but you let them know you are still there.

Also, understand that holidays, death anniversaries, and birthdays will be difficult. Many people withdraw, afraid they will upset the survivor. It is true that these may be days of tears, but completely ignoring milestones can make this grief much worse.

Stay Away from Clichés

People commonly use clichés like “they’re in a better place” or “it was just their time,” but these can be awkward and are of little value.

It is better to say, “I’m sorry, I don’t know what to say,” then repeat the same tired clichés about death. If you love someone, any time they pass away is too early. This is even more applicable when the loss is due to an accident or intentional act. Your loved one is dealing with shock and anger as well as loss. In these cases, it is better to offer help or simply state, “I’m here for you.”

Do Not Exclude Them

Acknowledging grief does not mean you must exclude them from activities they enjoy. You may hear “no” frequently, but people often feel better just knowing you thought of them.

So, continue your invitations to social gatherings. You do not want to force a transition into activities with guilt or pressure. Offer the option and if they feel ready, they will say “yes.”

Mazow | McCullough represents survivors who lost loved ones under tragic circumstances that could have been prevented. We understand the grief involved in wrongful death claims and can handle your case with compassion and experience. Contact us today to schedule a consultation by calling (855) 693-9084.

6 Bicycle Safety Habits for Avoiding Accidents

Posted October 5, 2017 by Mazow McCullough & filed under Wrongful Death.

It is unfortunately easy to get into a bicycle accident on today’s busy roads. If a bicycle experiences a collision with a car, it is usually the bicyclist who sustains the worst injuries including fractures, head injuries, and in some cases, wrongful death.

While your injuries may be covered by the driver’s or your own auto insurance policy, the best-case scenario is to avoid these accidents in the first place. You can take precautions to enhance your visibility whether you bicycle commute to work or enjoy an occasional leisurely ride. Here are six bicycle safety habits to help you avoid accidents.

Install a Headlight

Headlights are vital safety equipment but they are also the law. Massachusetts law requires bicyclists to use a front white light (headlight) from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

Even though most bicyclists do not ride after dark, nighttime accidents account for nearly half (47%) of cycling deaths, according to the Governers Highway Safety Association.

A headlight helps you see better when you ride at night but also enhances your visibility to traffic. You can also purchase one with a flashing feature that makes you more noticeable during the day.

If you ride during dawn, dusk or at night frequently, consider investing in reflective clothing too. A “slow vehicle” triangle helps as do the light reflective vests used by road personnel.

Make Eye Contact

Drivers do not look out for bicycles as they do for other cars. While an impact with you is likely the driver’s fault, that is not a comfort if you are stuck in a hospital for days and face a long recovery time.

The best way to avoid impact is eye contact. Unless a driver looks right at you, do not cut in front of them or assume it is safe to cross. If they seem extra oblivious, wave or even yell out just to make sure they notice you. If you’re not sure whether the driver has seen you and will yield, wait for them to clear your path completely before continuing your route.

Stay in the Road

If there is a bike lane, stay to the left near the line. This makes you more visible and even if you must be in the lane with cars, you are actually safer than if you ride as close to the curb as possible. Also, a common form of injury suffered by bike riders is drivers parking a car then opening the door in front of you. If you stay left and stay out of door range, you are more likely to avoid this type of collision.

Riding on the sidewalk is also not recommended. You put pedestrians in danger and end up in danger zones like crosswalks. Drivers often do not expect to see bicycles in the crosswalk.

It seems counterintuitive to stay safer by driving in the road but sometimes, that is the only way drivers pay attention to you. As with many of these other tips, visibility is key to avoiding accidents.

Go with Traffic

Pedestrians walk against traffic to assure visibility and stay safe. Many bicyclists believe the same approach works for them.

However, riding against traffic is dangerous for a bicyclist. You cannot stop as quickly as a pedestrian and you will often sneak up on drivers. If a driver is making a right turn from a side street, they are not expecting a vehicle to come at them from the right. This makes them more likely to turn into you and cause an accident.

Stay Out of Blind Spots

Avoid stopping beside a car whenever possible. If stopped, your best spot is between two cars, even if you remain in a bike lane. This assures cars behind you and in front of you see you.

Otherwise, you risk another common type of car-bicycle collision–the right turn punch. When you sit in a car’s blind spot, the driver may complete a right turn right into you or in front of you, making it impossible to stop on time. Never riding or stopping beside a car is the best way to avoid this accident.

Remember: You Are Operating a Vehicle

Like a car, your bicycle is subject to statutory requirements and must follow the rules of the road. Think of it as a really small vehicle that could be hit if drivers of larger vehicles do not pay attention to you. Purchase the safety equipment (including a good bicycle helmet) and ride in a cooperative fashion that helps you coexist well with cars.

However, even if you develop the good practices and intentions, there is still a risk of facing a catastrophic injury from a careless driver. Mazow | McCullough, PC is there for you if this occurs. Contact us for a free case evaluation by calling (855) 693-9084 or (978) 744-8000.

Wrongful Death: Car Accidents

Posted March 17, 2017 by Mazow McCullough & filed under Wrongful Death.

Car accidents happen in an instant, in part because of the high speeds usually involved. In a flash of glass and steel, you could be physically, emotionally, and financially drained and devastated. You could face difficult choices about your future. If you lost a loved one to a wrongful death because of a car accident, those feelings of confusion, uncertainty, and anguish are often even harder to bear.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents are responsible for more than 35,000 deaths per year. While the number of deaths have decreased due to higher safety standards for vehicles, someone is still killed every 12 minutes. Here is what you need to know:

The Leading Causes of Fatal Car Accidents Include:

Driver Fatigue: New research indicates that drivers operating on less than 4.5 hours of sleep are just as impaired in their judgment, concentration and reaction times as drunk drivers—which means they are just as likely to cause an accident and therefore a wrongful death.

Drunk Drivers: Drunk drivers are perhaps the most famous cause of lethal car crashes, and for good reason. According to the CDC in 2014, alcohol was responsible for 9,967 vehicular wrongful deaths–nearly one-third of car accident related fatalities in the United States. Alcohol impairs judgment, perceptions, reaction times, and general coordination.

Distracted Drivers: A problem receiving more and more attention lately is the distracted driver. Whether because of texting, eating, or even looking at the radio to change the station, a distracted driver can easily cause a car accident while their attention is elsewhere.

Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, sleet, and ice can all make ordinary braking and turns risky, let alone dangerous behavior such as speeding.

Street and Highway Defects: Even if all drivers obey the rules, road hazards such as pot holes and uneven roads can prove perilous if not promptly removed.

Car Manufacturing Defects: A rare but still possible scenario is the car itself malfunctioning and causing a wrongful death. A deadly mechanical defect could range from an eroded hood latch snapping open on the road to the air bags failing to deploy during an accident.

The cause of the accident and wrongful death can alter who is considered at-fault and liable for the subsequent damages. In most cases the driver would be personally liable for their behavior. However, in cases of road or car defects the local government or the manufacturer, respectively, could also be liable.

Fault in Wrongful Death

To determine fault for a wrongful death by car accident, courts require proof of negligence. Negligence is the failure to act with proper care which results in harm to another person. For example, if a car manufacturer sells a vehicle knowing there is a potentially lethal defect, and did nothing to rectify that defect, that would be considered negligent behavior.

Legal negligence requires proof that the defendant had a duty of care to the victim. In other words, a plaintiff must prove that the defendant had an obligation to protect them. Drivers, however, are under a legal expectation that they operate their vehicles with a certain level of due care to all other cars on the road. Therefore, if it can be proven that a driver acted recklessly—whether by violating state laws or by drinking and driving–then their actions will usually be considered negligent.

Fault can be proved in numerous ways:

Police Records: If you lost a loved one by car accident, the police will most likely need to investigate and write an official report on the crash. They will make their own determinations about fault and the timeline of events. You can request a copy of this report to serve as part of the evidence in your wrongful death suit.

Hospital Records: Hospital records are another crucial source of evidence in determining fault in a wrongful death case. Medical records will describe the nature and extent of a patient’s injuries, how they were acquired, and what treatments medical professionals attempted. In other words, it can help determine if a car accident was responsible for their death.

State Laws: If the defendant violated state law—perhaps by turning right on red when they weren’t permitted to, exceeding the speed limit, or tailgating—then they would be usually be considered at fault for the car accident.

Witness Testimony: If anyone saw the crash occur, they could be invaluable in establishing what happened when and who is liable for any wrongful deaths that occurred.

Traffic Cameras: If the accident took place at an intersection with a traffic camera, the footage could serve as even more reliable evidence of what happened and how the defendant neglected the rules of the road and caused a wrongful death.

Collecting and compiling all this evidence through the proper channels can be difficult for the layperson, and forming them into a compelling argument for proving fault can be daunting without experience and legal training.

The Costs of a Fatal Car Crash

Holding someone accountable for the wrongful death of your loved one may seem like a small concern while you are in mourning, but it can actually help your healing process. An unexpected loss can be expensive, which adds another weight to a mind heavy with bereavement. Financial compensation can help relieve those monetary burdens, providing respite from anxiety and allowing more time to truly recover from your loss.

Some of the unexpected costs that can come with an unexpected wrongful death due to a car accident include:

Funeral Costs: Funerals can be far more costly than might be expected. The average funeral can cost around $6,560, which can represent an insurmountable charge for most people. The most basic of funeral services can still cost around $2,000, which doesn’t account for possibly mandatory removal fees, possibly mandatory embalming fees, or the casket (which itself could cost between $2,000 and $10,000).

Medical Bills: Often a wrongful death is preceded by hospitalization and medical care, which is expensive even with health insurance. The average cost of hospitalization is around $10,000, not including any major procedures and treatments medical professionals attempt in an effort to save your loved one.

Pain and Suffering: Losing a loved one in a wrongful death hurts. The mental anguish of losing them—losing their companionship, love, and guidance—can be nearly impossible to bear. Grief can cause depression, disengagement with life, struggles with employment and difficulty connecting to others. While there isn’t a definite value to this pain, it is very real burden.

In addition, a particularly negligent defendant might be liable for punitive damages as well. Punitive damages aim to punish the defendant for their actions and to dissuade others from making similarly destructive choices. Compensation can provide you and your family with not only financial aid for your expenses but a sense of justice, knowing that the person responsible for the loss of your loved one has been punished for their actions.

Contact Mazow | McCullough, PC for Car Accident Wrongful Death Attorneys

Even if the state is pursuing a criminal case against those you believe to be liable for the wrongful death of your loved one via car accident, you can still pursue a civil suit against them for the compensation you deserve.

The statute of limitations for wrongful death civil suit in Massachusetts is 3 years. While that may seem like a long time, having only three years to navigate the complex legal procedures and collection of evidence can prove daunting for people still in mourning. Hiring the experienced attorneys of Mazow | McCullough, PC can help; we have experience in collecting evidence, dealing with insurance companies, and pursuing cases through litigation and mediation. If you have lost a loved one in a wrongful death due to a fatal car accident, contact us today for a free consultation.