North Adams Legal Blog

Investigators questioning cause of fatal motorcycle crash

On behalf of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Wednesday, August 14, 2019.

Some would say that car crashes are not accidents, as they have a cause. In many cases, it is due to a driver being distracted, reckless or intoxicated. The aftermath of some motor vehicle collisions can be devastating. What can be even more troubling is that the severity of the crash can increase the complexities of the investigation process. It may not be initially clear how the crash occurred, and if there is no secondary driver to evidence that there was in fact another vehicle, it can be difficult to understand if an accident is actually a hit-and-run.

This is the question plaguing investigators after a recent crash in Woburn. According to Massachusetts State Police, authorities are currently questioning the involvement of another vehicle following a fatal motorcycle crash on Interstate 95. This collision occurred just after midnight in the northbound lane of I-95, just north of Exit 35.

Estate planning and retirement considerations for late-in-life parents

By Donovan & O'Connor, LLP of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP posted in Elder Law on Monday, August 5, 2019.

It is becoming more common for people to be parents at an older age, partly because of changing cultural mores and advances in fertility treatment. Comedian and author Steve Martin had his first child at age 67. Singer Billy Joel, 70, welcomed his third daughter in 2017. Janet Jackson had a child at age 50. But later-in-life parents have some special estate planning and retirement considerations.

How common are deaths post-surgery?

On behalf of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP posted in Medical Malpractice on Thursday, August 1, 2019.

Every day, patients in Massachusetts and elsewhere rely on medical professionals to diagnose and treat them. An overworked medical professional could make an error, causing a patient to suffer great harm. Medical errors could be the source of serious medical conditions or even cause the unfortunate death of patients.

How common are deaths post-surgery? With regard to surgical errors, many patients are afraid that complications may arise from the procedure that they are about to undergo. While this is understandable, what isn't comprehensible is the fact that a patient could suffer harm post-surgery because of errors made during the surgical procedure.

Helping you file a medical malpractice action

On behalf of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP posted in Medical Malpractice on Thursday, July 18, 2019.

Patients in Massachusetts and elsewhere likely trust their medical professionals to properly diagnose and treat them. While it may not always be an easy and perfect process, medical professionals are educated and trained to properly care for their patients. Unfortunately, doctors are human too, which means human errors could occur. A step could be missed, a symptom overlooked, results misread or wrong labs ordered. These errors could become more significant if a medical professional is overworked and running on very little sleep. A patient could be misdiagnosed, undergoing the wrong treatment plan or even having unnecessary surgery. This could have significant and even fatal impact on the patient.

At the law firm of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP, our skilled attorneys understand how medical errors can affect the health of patients. Thus, we are dedicated to helping harmed patients understand their situation and rights, allowing them to explore their rights. Whether it is a diagnostic error, prescription error or surgical mistake, our attorneys will take the time to investigate the matter to better understand what happened.

Dram shop and social host laws can aid personal injury victims

On behalf of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP on Tuesday, July 9, 2019.

Every day in the United States, there are over 17,000 car accidents per day. While some are minor fender-benders, others are more severe and caused over 2 million personal injuries, some that led to disability in 2018.

Those numbers are related to all traffic accidents. When diving deep into the number of alcohol-related crashes, about 800 people suffer injuries each day in a vehicle crash that included a drunk driver according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA.) Also, in 2017, 10,874 people died due to alcohol-related crashes. That equals one person killed every 48 minutes.

Maximizing Social Security survivor's benefits

By Donovan & O'Connor, LLP of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP posted in Elder Law on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.

Social Security survivor's benefits provide a safety net to widows and widowers. But to get the most out of the benefit, you need to know the right time to claim.

Study explores medical errors in Massachusetts

On behalf of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP posted in Medical Malpractice on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.

Going to the doctor can be a fairly routine activity. While many do not enjoy going to the doctor, sometimes even dreading it, it is something one must do when they are injured or ill. Although these professionals are trained and experienced to diagnose and treat patients, this does not mean mistakes do not happen. While minor errors may not impact the care of a patient, some medical errors could significantly harm a patient.

Researchers have looed into the patient experience in Massachusetts. Specifically, how common it is for a patient to suffer because of medical errors made by a medical professional. Based on their findings, it was found that one if five residents in the state experienced a medical error at some point between 2013 and 2018.

Is a company carpool accident on work time?

By Donovan & O'Connor, LLP of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Wednesday, June 26, 2019.

Carpooling or ridesharing can be a great way to get to work. Everyone involved saves money on gas, it's good for the environment, it reduces traffic, and you get the benefit of being able to use the faster commuter lanes to save time. In addition, an employer may benefit because carpooling can reduce worker stress, leading to improved productivity and happiness. For this reason, some employers offer incentives for workers who rideshare, including preferred parking spots, discounted parking rates, or even financial incentives. But what happens if you are hurt in an accident while carpooling? Can the company be held responsible for the accident? A recent Texas case suggests that it can, at least under certain circumstances.

Two killed after several ejected in car accident

On behalf of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Thursday, June 20, 2019.

The highways in Massachusetts and elsewhere are filled with various vehicles. While many travel in their personal vehicles, others use public and private forms of transportation to get to their final destinations. These larger forms of transportation can put numerous passengers at risks, especially if a car accident results.

According to recent reports, a severe accident occurred on Route 95 in Attleboro. The crash involved a large van carrying a tour group from the Polish American community and a SUV. Authorities believe the accident occurred when the SUV struck the van traveling with 11 occupants.

Charitable giving under the new tax law

By Donovan & O'Connor, LLP of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP posted in Elder Law on Tuesday, June 11, 2019.

The new tax law may make it harder for some taxpayers to claim a tax deduction for charitable contributions. However, there are a couple of options for you to consider if you want to make the most of your charitable donations under the new tax law.