Under Massachusetts common law, the owner or keeper of an animal usually considered docile, such as dogs, cats and birds, is liable to an injured person only where there is evidence that the animal was dangerous or had dangerous propensities. There is a statute that imposes greater liability on the owners and keepers of dogs, however. It provides that, if a dog causes bodily injury
Federal civil rights claims are known to be among the most complex areas of the law and require, for a successful defense, experienced litigators who are well-versed in constitutional law. RJA’s client, a police officer for the City of Revere, was sued in federal court in Boston for, among other things, allegedly violating the plaintiff’s First, Second and Fourth Amendment rights through an earlier arrest.
by Paula J. Owen – published in Telegram & Gazette FITCHBURG — Racy photos, sexually graphic blogs and sexually provocative posts on social media sites can be used against you by your employer. Teachers nationwide have been fired for salacious Facebook postings, online photos and even for modeling for bikini photos. Though it’s not criminal behavior by any means, their actions while off duty were deemed
Recently, RJA was retained by a Sergeant with the Springfield Police Department to represent him in a civil service disciplinary hearing. The Sergeant was alleged to have made racially insensitive remarks to and about a police officer, resulting in the officer filing a complaint with the City. During the course of the hearing, RJA Attorney Andrew Gambaccini carried out a particularly bruising cross examination of
Massachusetts State Troopers Win Judgment in Federal Civil Rights Action Arising Out of Their Response to White Power Demonstration A federal jury returned a verdict in favor of two Massachusetts State Police troopers in a federal civil rights cases arising out of their response to a demonstration by a white power activist who participated in a demonstration outside the State House on White Pride Day
The Worcester, Massachusetts law firm of Reardon, Joyce & Akerson, P.C. announces that John K. Vigliotti and Andrew J. Gambaccini, associates with the firm, have been selected as Massachusetts Rising Stars by Law and Politics Media, Inc. This marks the second occasion that Vigliotti has been selected for the honor and the fifth time that Gambaccini has been selected. The awards follow a rigorous, multi-phased
Personal injury means an injury to your body, mind or emotions, and it covers all types of injuries involving head injuries, slip and fall accidents, car or construction accidents, as well as medical malpractice. In Massachusetts, if you have suffered an injury that you believe was due to someone else’s medical negligence, then you can seek compensation, even if you were partly responsible for the
Springfield Police Sergeant Wins Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Alleging That He Was Deliberately Indifferent to Detainee’s Serious Medical Needs During Booking Springfield police officers arrested three men in November 2008 outside one of the downtown Springfield nightclubs following a disturbance that occurred after the clubs had closed for the night. One of the individuals sustained an injury to his ankle during the arrest. Other officers
by John Sakata, published in Berkshire Eagle EGREMONT — The town is likely to face a lawsuit over its decision to fire suspended police Chief Reena Bucknell, according to Bucknell’s attorney. In a blistering statement on behalf of his client, attorney Michael Akerson, of Worcester, denied the town’s claim there was a deadline of Friday, Sept. 20 for Bucknell to sign the agreement. The Board of
If you’ve slipped, tripped, fallen or been injured in any way while on someone else’s property you should know about your legal rights. You may be able to pursue a premises liability case against the owner or other parties. What is premises liability? Massachusetts statutes require property owners to use “…a reasonable standard of care..” when it comes to protecting lawful visitors from injury on
