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Lawrence, MA Construction Accidents Attorney
If you were hurt on a construction site in Lawrence, you usually have two claims: workers' compensation under M.G.L. c. 152, which pays medical care and roughly sixty percent of lost wages regardless of fault, and a separate negligence suit against the general contractor, other subcontractors, the property owner or the maker of defective equipment.
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What should Lawrence readers know first?
A Massachusetts construction injury usually proceeds on two tracks at the same time. The first is a workers compensation claim under M.G.L. c. 152, which pays medical care and roughly sixty percent of lost wages regardless of fault but is the exclusive remedy against the worker's own employer. The second, and often the larger, is a third-party negligence suit against the other companies whose conduct contributed to the injury: the general contractor, other subcontractors, the property owner, or the maker of defective equipment or staging. Federal OSHA construction standards at 29 C.F.R. Part 1926 set the safety baseline, and a documented violation helps establish negligence in the third-party case. The two tracks run together, with a workers compensation lien resolved against any third-party recovery. The third-party claim is subject to the three-year limitations period under M.G.L. c. 260 sec. 2A. Jim Glaser Law evaluates Massachusetts construction cases at no cost. Third-party construction matters are accepted on contingency, meaning no attorney's fee unless and until the matter resolves with a recovery to the client; case-related costs and expenses are addressed in the written fee agreement.
The full Massachusetts rules, statutes and typical timeline are on the construction accidents page; this page covers what is specific to Lawrence.
Courts that serve Lawrence for construction accidents matters
Under M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1, Lawrence is in the judicial district of the District Court of Lawrence, which also covers Andover, North Andover and Methuen. Lawrence is in Essex County, so a Superior Court case brought by a Lawrence resident goes to the Essex Superior Court.
A District Court civil case can be filed in the district where any party lives or has a usual place of business, or in an adjoining district (M.G.L. c. 223, sec. 2). Where the event happened does not decide it.
| Court | What it hears | District or address |
|---|---|---|
| District Court of Lawrence | Civil claims up to $50,000 | Lawrence, Andover, North Andover and Methuen |
| Essex Superior Court | Civil claims over $50,000 | 56 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970 |
First steps
- Get medical care and keep every record. Lawrence General Hospital is among the hospitals listed for Lawrence, and the firm requests the records itself once you sign an authorization.
- Know the court: the District Court of Lawrence hears claims up to $50,000 and the Essex Superior Court hears larger ones.
- Call (617) JIM-WINS before you file or appear, so the deadline and the right court are checked against your facts.
Key terms
- Judicial district
- The towns one District Court division serves, as listed in M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1. The District Court of Lawrence serves Lawrence, Andover, North Andover and Methuen.
- Venue
- The county or district where a case may be filed. Massachusetts sets it by where the parties live or work (M.G.L. c. 223, secs. 1 and 2).
Talk to the firm about your construction accident matter
Call us 24/7 for a free case review. Or send us your details and we will reach out to you within one business day.
Results as published by Jim Glaser Law on jimglaserlaw.com. Results vary and depend on the facts of each case. See all results
Recent settlementsSettlement summaries from Jim Glaser Law's own case files, without client names.
Veteran Electrician Injured in Ladder Fall
An electrician with more than three decades at the same company fell from a ladder while stapling wires and injured his right knee. He reported the fall, sought treatment immediately, and kept working. When conservative care did not help, he underwent arthroscopic surgery on the meniscus and went out of work. He returned to the job after surgery, but the pain eventually became so severe that he was advised to stop working again.
Lead Carpenter Injured in Fall From Ladder
A lead carpenter in his early 60s fell roughly seven feet from a ladder while on the job, landing on his back, neck, and head on a concrete floor. He reported the injury to his employer right away and, after a single day off, tried to keep working. About two weeks later he could no longer continue, and he sought hospital treatment shortly afterward.
Client reviews as published on jimglaserlaw.com.
“I contacted Jim Glaser Law on several occasions with some legal questions. Although I didn’t have a case, they were very knowledgeable and helpful. I also have several family members who have hired JGL and they were very satisfied with the service. Recommend.”
Barbara D.
“Jim and his team were fast, professional, understanding, and thorough. Jim made us feel at ease from the start, and was with us through the whole experience. I would recommend his firm to anyone.”
John C.
“Jim Glaser works hard and is incredibly responsive. He walked me through any questions I had with both my cases. I would refer him to anyone.”
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What questions do Lawrence readers ask most?
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Which District Court covers Lawrence?
Under M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1, Lawrence is in the judicial district of the District Court of Lawrence, which also covers Andover, North Andover and Methuen.
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Where does a Superior Court case go from here?
A Superior Court case is filed in the county where one of the parties lives or has a usual place of business (M.G.L. c. 223, sec. 1). For someone who lives in Lawrence, that is Essex County, and the Essex Superior Court sits at 56 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970.
Related Massachusetts legal answers
- Who Pays for a Construction Site Injury in Massachusetts?
- How Many Massachusetts Crashes Happen in Work Zones?
- Can You Work Another Job While on Workers' Comp in Massachusetts?
- Does Workers Comp Cover Your Medical Bills in Massachusetts?
- Can You Be Fired While on Workers Comp in Massachusetts?
Browse every question in the Massachusetts legal answers library.
This sub-entry constitutes legal information, not legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Attorney advertising under Mass. R. Prof. C. 7.1 to 7.5. Responsible attorney: Jim Glaser, Massachusetts.