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Wrongful Death Attorneys Serving Worcester Residents
If someone from Worcester 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 Worcester 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 Worcester.
Courts that serve Worcester for wrongful death matters
Under M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1, Worcester is in the judicial district of the Central District Court of Worcester, which also covers Auburn and Millbury. Worcester is in Worcester County, so a Superior Court case brought by a Worcester resident goes to the Worcester 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 Worcester | Civil claims up to $50,000 | Worcester, Auburn and Millbury |
| Worcester Superior Court | Civil claims over $50,000 | 225 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608 |
First steps
- Get medical care and keep every record. UMass Memorial Medical Center and Saint Vincent Hospital are among the hospitals listed for Worcester, and the firm requests the records itself once you sign an authorization.
- Know the court: the Central District Court of Worcester hears claims up to $50,000 and the Worcester 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 Worcester serves Worcester, Auburn and Millbury.
- 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.
“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.”
Melissa P.
What questions do Worcester readers ask most?
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Which District Court covers Worcester?
Under M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1, Worcester is in the judicial district of the Central District Court of Worcester, which also covers Auburn and Millbury.
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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 Worcester, that is Worcester County, and the Worcester Superior Court sits at 225 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608.
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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.