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Lawrence, MA Wrongful Death Attorney
If someone from Lawrence 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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The short answer for Lawrence
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 Lawrence.
Courts that serve Lawrence for wrongful death 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 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.
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Common questions from Lawrence
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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.
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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.