Whitman is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts of approximately14,000 inhabitants. First settled in 1670, Whitman was originally known as the “Little Comfort” section of Bridgewater before becoming part of Abington. Whitman was eventually incorporated as a town in 1875. Once known for its solid shipbuilding and shoe production industries, Whitman is now famous for an accidental creation by the owner of the Toll House Restaurant: the chocolate chip cookie.
For over 37 years, the Whitman personal injury attorneys at Sousa & Sousa have fought for the rights of victims injured by someone else’s negligence. “Negligence” refers to any breach of a legal duty that one party owes to another. Any person, group, or entity can breach a legal duty and become liable in damages to the injured party. In car accidents, for example, motorists breach a legal duty to others when they drive recklessly and cause an accident that injures another. Parties at-fault for the accident and their insurers then become liable for any property damage or personal injury caused by their negligence. This can mean paying for the injured party’s medical expenses, lost income, and other costs. Even if you are injured in a hit-and-run accident, you are still entitled to uninsured motorist benefits from your own insurer. Sousa & Sousa has obtained relief for thousands of victims injured in car, boat, and motorcycle accidents.
Property and business owners also have a legal duty to protect invitees from unreasonable harm. Invitees are workers, consumers, or other visitors on the premises for any legal purpose. This duty may require owners to periodically inspect the premises for dangerous conditions and perform necessary repairs. Owners become liable when they fail to prevent or fix dangerous conditions that injure invitees. Slip-and-fall accidents, exposure to toxic chemicals, and animal attacks are only a few examples of injuries caused by dangerous conditions on property. Owners who knowingly allow a dangerous condition to persist are liable to the injured party for any harm that results. Our premises liability attorneys fight to ensure that victims of dog bites, lead paint poisoning, construction and work accidents obtain compensation for their harm.
Like other professionals, health care providers are also held to a high legal standard. Doctors and nurses breach the duty they owe to their patients if they provide them with substandard care. Negligent medical providers fall “below” the legal standard of care when they incorrectly diagnose an illness, prescribe the wrong course of treatment, or make a mistake during an operation that seriously injures the patient. Pharmacies are likewise negligent when they fail to properly counsel or dispense the right medication to patients. Pharmacies and prescribing physicians both have a duty to warn patients about dangerous drug interactions and potential side effects. Even slight errors in the dose, prescription, or combination of medications can be lethal. Patients are entitled to compensation for injuries caused by acts of medical malpractice or pharmacy negligence.
Because manufacturers are in the best position to correct product defects and warn consumers about potential dangers, they become liable when a defect in their product injures the user. Hundreds of consumer goods are recalled each year for safety reasons because their use can cause accidents that harm the buyer, their loved ones, or other users. Even distributors can breach the implied warranty of merchantability by leasing or selling a defective product that severely injures a consumer. Buyers may sue for harm caused by any intended or “foreseeable” use of the product. They are entitled to damages for injuries resulting from flaws in the product’s manufacture, sale, or design. An experienced defective products lawyer will ensure that manufacturers and vendors are held liable for your harm.
If you or your family member has suffered an injury or wrongful death caused by the negligence of another, the experienced Whitman personal injury lawyers at Sousa & Sousa can help. For over 37 years, we have successfully handled all types of personal injury cases, recovering substantial verdicts and settlements for injured victims and families throughout Massachusetts. At Sousa & Sousa, we understand that accidents are traumatic and are dedicated to helping you obtain the compensation you deserve. Our office is conveniently located at 45 Bristol Drive in Easton. We are just off Belmont Street (Route 123) on the Brockton/Easton line. For a free consultation or to set up an appointment, please call us at (508) 230-5300 or contact us online.