State law requires all Massachusetts drivers to purchase car insurance and carry proof in their cars at all times. The penalties for disobeying this law can be severe. Drivers licenses and vehicle registrations may be suspended. Drivers may also be issued fines of up to $5,000, sentenced to a year in jail, or both. In… Read More
Massachusetts Teen Driving Laws
The receipt of a driver’s license provides great freedom, but it also warrants great responsibility. Careless driving can result in serious injury or even death. Teens are at a greater risk of getting into a car accident than drivers of any other age. In fact, car accidents are the leading cause of death among US teenagers according to… Read More
Massachusetts Car Seat Laws and FAQ
Think it’s OK to skip buckling up your child on a short trip around town? Think again. A child is involved in a car crash every 33 seconds—that’s 2,600 kids every day—and over 40% of child passengers who are killed in fatal crashes were not restrained. Strapping your child in before you get behind the wheel significantly… Read More
Are Personal Injury Settlements Taxable in Massachusetts?
With the recently passed 2018 tax reform law in place and tax day right around the corner, you may be wondering if your personal injury settlement is subject to taxation. Prior to tax reform, personal injury awards did not qualify as taxable income. Tax law, however, is complex and confusing—and changing all the time. Can the IRS… Read More
Recreational Marijuana & Driving in Massachusetts
Well, it’s official. On December 15th, 2016, Massachusetts will join a growing chorus of states and legalize recreational marijuana use. The new law will have an impact on Massachusetts in many ways, both good and bad, not the least of which will be the number of people driving under the influence of marijuana, and the… Read More
Massachusetts House Eliminates Automatic License Suspension for Drug Crimes
Bill Allows Some Drug Offenders to get their Licenses Back Recent changes to drug offender rehabilitation and reintegration laws could have a long-lasting impact in Massachusetts. A bill to remove Massachusetts’ long standing policy of suspending the drivers licenses of those convicted of drug offenses was approved in the first House session of 2016. The… Read More
What is Pecuniary Loss?
According to The United States Department of Labor, 1,157,410 workers in the United States experienced a nonfatal occupational injury or illness last year that caused them to miss work. If you were injured on the job, you have several options to pursue. You may try to seek out compensation to pay for medical bills and… Read More
What Massachusetts Homeowners Need to Know About Snow & Ice Liability
In 2010, Massachusetts overturned a century-old law that allowed home and property owners to avoid liability fornatural accumulations of ice and snow on their premises. This court decision establishing new snow and ice removal laws for Massachusetts property owners now makes it mandatory for these owners to remove dangerous amounts of ice and snow that… Read More