Home / Wrongful Death / Springfield
Springfield Wrongful Death Law Firm
If someone from Springfield 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.
Last updated
Injured? Jimmy Wins, Or It's Free! No attorney fees unless we win your case.
The Springfield answer in plain language
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 Springfield.
Courts that serve Springfield for wrongful death matters
Under M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1, Springfield is in the judicial district of the District Court of Springfield, which also covers West Springfield and Longmeadow. Springfield is in Hampden County, so a Superior Court case brought by a Springfield resident goes to the Hampden 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 Springfield | Civil claims up to $50,000 | Springfield, West Springfield and Longmeadow |
| Hampden Superior Court | Civil claims over $50,000 | 50 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103 |
First steps
- Get medical care and keep every record. Baystate Medical Center and Mercy Medical Center are among the hospitals listed for Springfield, and the firm requests the records itself once you sign an authorization.
- Know the court: the District Court of Springfield hears claims up to $50,000 and the Hampden 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 Springfield serves Springfield, West Springfield and Longmeadow.
- 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 at Jim Glaser Law have always been a pleasure to work with. I would recommend to anyone looking for a great, honest and hardworking legal team.”
Jake S.
“Excellent results! Very friendly and dedicated team! Five stars all the way.”
Corey M.
“Jim Glaser always gives me the best advice and guidance when it comes to my legal needs.”
Andrew G.
Questions Springfield readers ask most
-
Which District Court covers Springfield?
Under M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1, Springfield is in the judicial district of the District Court of Springfield, which also covers West Springfield and Longmeadow.
-
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 Springfield, that is Hampden County, and the Hampden Superior Court sits at 50 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103.
Related Massachusetts legal answers
- Are Massachusetts Crashes More Dangerous at Night?
- Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Car Accident in Massachusetts?
- Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Drunk Driving Crash in Massachusetts?
- Can My Family Bring Their Own Claim After I Am Injured in Massachusetts?
- Can I Sue for the Trauma of Watching Someone I Love Get Hurt 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.