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Wrongful Death Lawyer for Haverhill, MA
If someone from Haverhill died because of another person's negligence, the personal representative of the estate brings the claim under M.G.L. c. 229, sec. 2 for the spouse, children or next of kin, recovering lost income, services, care and companionship, plus funeral and burial expenses.
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What should Haverhill readers know first?
A Massachusetts wrongful-death claim is brought under M.G.L. c. 229 sec. 2 by the personal representative of the deceased person's estate, for the benefit of the statutory beneficiaries, usually the spouse, children, or next of kin. Recoverable damages include the loss of the deceased person's reasonably expected net income, services, protection, care, companionship, comfort, guidance, counsel, and advice, plus reasonable funeral and burial expenses. The statute also allows punitive damages of at least five thousand dollars where the death resulted from gross negligence or from malicious, willful, wanton, or reckless conduct. A separate survival action under c. 229 sec. 6 recovers for the conscious pain and suffering the person endured before death. The claim must generally be filed within three years of the death under M.G.L. c. 260 sec. 4. Jim Glaser Law evaluates Massachusetts wrongful-death matters at no cost. Wrongful-death 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 wrongful death page; this page covers what is specific to Haverhill.
Courts that serve Haverhill for wrongful death matters
Under M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1, Haverhill is in the judicial district of the Central District Court of Northern Essex, which also covers Groveland, Georgetown, Boxford and West Newbury. Haverhill is in Essex County, so a Superior Court case brought by a Haverhill 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Central District Court of Northern Essex | Civil claims up to $50,000 | Haverhill, Groveland, Georgetown, Boxford and West Newbury |
| Essex Superior Court | Civil claims over $50,000 | 56 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970 |
First steps
- Get medical care and keep every record. Holy Family Hospital - Haverhill is among the hospitals listed for Haverhill, and the firm requests the records itself once you sign an authorization.
- Know the court: the Central District Court of Northern Essex 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 Central District Court of Northern Essex serves Haverhill, Groveland, Georgetown, Boxford and West Newbury.
- 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 wrongful death 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 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.”
Melissa P.
“They were very knowledgeable and informative to all the issues I was experiencing. They also were very prompt in returning phone calls which is very important to me. Excellent experience.”
Linda R.
What questions do Haverhill readers ask most?
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Which District Court covers Haverhill?
Under M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1, Haverhill is in the judicial district of the Central District Court of Northern Essex, which also covers Groveland, Georgetown, Boxford and West Newbury.
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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 Haverhill, that is Essex County, and the Essex Superior Court sits at 56 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970.
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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.