Home / Medical Malpractice / New Bedford
New Bedford Medical Malpractice Law Firm
If a doctor's or hospital's mistake injured you in New Bedford, you generally have three years from the injury or from when you reasonably should have discovered it, and never more than seven years (M.G.L. c. 260, sec. 4), and every claim is first screened by a tribunal under c. 231, sec. 60B.
Last updated
Injured? Jimmy Wins, Or It's Free! No attorney fees unless we win your case.
The short answer for New Bedford
Massachusetts medical malpractice claims must generally be filed within three years of the injury or the date the injury reasonably should have been discovered, with a hard outer limit of seven years under M.G.L. c. 260, sec. 4. Every claim is screened by a tribunal under M.G.L. c. 231, sec. 60B, which weighs whether the evidence raises a legitimate question of liability appropriate for judicial inquiry. Damages may include past and future medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Jim Glaser Law evaluates Massachusetts medical malpractice matters at no cost and partners with experienced medical experts. Medical-malpractice matters are accepted on contingency.
The full Massachusetts rules, statutes and typical timeline are on the medical malpractice page; this page covers what is specific to New Bedford.
Courts that serve New Bedford for medical malpractice matters
Under M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1, New Bedford is in the judicial district of the Third District Court of Bristol, which also covers Fairhaven, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Freetown and Westport. New Bedford is in Bristol County, so a Superior Court case brought by a New Bedford resident goes to the Bristol Superior Court.
| Court | What it hears | District or address |
|---|---|---|
| Medical malpractice tribunal (M.G.L. c. 231, sec. 60B) | Screens every claim for a legitimate question of liability before it goes forward | A Superior Court justice, a physician and an attorney |
| Bristol Superior Court | Civil claims over $50,000 | 9 Court Street, Taunton, MA 02780 |
First steps
- Get medical care and keep every record. St. Luke's Hospital (Southcoast) is among the hospitals listed for New Bedford, and the firm requests the records itself once you sign an authorization.
- Know the court: a lawsuit by a New Bedford resident goes to the Bristol Superior Court at 9 Court Street, Taunton, MA 02780.
- 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 Third District Court of Bristol serves New Bedford, Fairhaven, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Freetown and Westport.
- 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).
Ordinary personal-injury claim vs. medical malpractice claim
| Ordinary personal-injury claim | Medical malpractice claim | |
|---|---|---|
| Filing deadline | Three years | Three years from discovery, capped at seven years |
| Extra screening step | None | Tribunal review under c. 231 sec. 60B |
| Central question | Ordinary negligence | Deviation from the accepted standard of care |
New Bedford hospitals where treatment records often originate
If you were seen at one of these facilities, the firm requests your treatment records as part of building the documentary record. You do not need to retrieve them yourself; a signed medical authorization at intake gives the firm the access it needs.
- St. Luke's Hospital (Southcoast) 101 Page St, New Bedford, MA 02740
The firm requests records from any Massachusetts provider on the medical chain, listed here or not.
Talk to the firm about your medical malpractice 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
What clients sayClient reviews as published on jimglaserlaw.com.
“Jim Glaser always gives me the best advice and guidance when it comes to my legal needs.”
Andrew G.
“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.
Common questions from New Bedford
-
Which District Court covers New Bedford?
Under M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1, New Bedford is in the judicial district of the Third District Court of Bristol, which also covers Fairhaven, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Freetown and Westport.
-
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 New Bedford, that is Bristol County, and the Bristol Superior Court sits at 9 Court Street, Taunton, MA 02780.
Related Massachusetts legal answers
- Is There a Massachusetts Case If Survival Was Already Unlikely?
- What Is the Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice in Massachusetts?
- Can My Family Sue a Massachusetts Nursing Home for Neglect?
- What Is Considered Medical Malpractice in Massachusetts?
- How Much Do Personal Injury Lawyers Charge in Massachusetts?
Browse every question in the Massachusetts legal answers library.
This page is legal information for $New Bedford, Massachusetts readers, not legal advice for any particular matter. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Attorney advertising under Mass. R. Prof. C. 7.1 to 7.5. Responsible attorney: Jim Glaser, Massachusetts.