Joel H Schwartz, P.C.

Joel H Schwartz, P.C. For over 60 years, MA personal injury firm Joel H. Schwartz, P.C. has recovered over $500,000,000 for accident victims. Call (617) 742-1170.

For over 55 years, MA personal injury firm Joel H.

A fall on a city or town sidewalk, street, park, or other public property may involve a much shorter notice deadline tha...
08/26/2026

A fall on a city or town sidewalk, street, park, or other public property may involve a much shorter notice deadline than a typical personal injury claim.

In Massachusetts, municipal claims can require written notice: often within 30 days of the incident: to the proper city or town official. The exact requirements depend on the facts, the location, and the type of claim. Missing a deadline or notifying the wrong official could jeopardize your ability to pursue compensation.

If you fall on public property:
• Take photos or video of the hazard, if it is safe to do so.
• Write down the exact location, date, and time.
• Collect witness names and contact information.
• Report the incident to the municipality and request a copy of the report.
• Seek medical attention and keep related records.
• Preserve your shoes, clothing, and other evidence from the fall.

Acting quickly matters because conditions can change, surveillance footage may be overwritten, and important evidence can disappear. If you or a loved one experienced a public property fall, a qualified Boston slip and fall lawyer can help you understand the applicable Massachusetts municipal claim and notice deadline.

As schools get back in session across Greater Boston, familiar streets can become much busier. A few extra seconds of at...
08/26/2026

As schools get back in session across Greater Boston, familiar streets can become much busier. A few extra seconds of attention can help protect students, families, and everyone sharing the road.

Quick Boston back-to-school safety checklist:

For drivers:
• Slow down in school zones and expect children to cross unexpectedly.
• Put the phone away and stay focused: no distracted driving.
• Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and make eye contact before proceeding.
• Never pass a school bus stopped with flashing red lights.
• Leave extra space around buses, bicycles, and parked cars.

For families walking:
• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks whenever possible.
• Look left, right, and left again before crossing.
• Wait for the walk signal and make sure drivers have stopped.
• Stay alert near driveways, intersections, and school drop-off areas.
• Plan a few extra minutes so there is no need to rush.

These simple habits support pedestrian safety Massachusetts families can rely on: and safer school-zone driving throughout the community. Let’s look out for one another as the new school year begins.

After an accident, the bills are only part of the picture. In a Massachusetts personal injury claim, you may be able to ...
08/24/2026

After an accident, the bills are only part of the picture. In a Massachusetts personal injury claim, you may be able to seek different types of damages, depending on the facts and evidence.

Economic damages may include:
• Medical expenses already incurred: and reasonably expected in the future, such as hospital care, prescriptions, physical therapy, or surgery
• Lost wages while recovering
• Reduced future earning capacity if the injury affects your ability to work
• Property damage, including damage to a vehicle or personal belongings

Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent impairment, disfigurement, and the effect an injury has on your daily activities and enjoyment of life.

In limited situations, other legally recognized losses may also apply. Keeping medical records, pay information, repair estimates, and a journal of how your injury affects your daily life can help document a claim.

If you’re wondering, “What can I recover after an accident?” a Massachusetts personal injury attorney can review the details. Every claim is different. Joel H. Schwartz, P.C. offers free consultations, with no fee unless we recover compensation for you.

August 19, 2026If you’ve been injured in an accident, time is actually more than just money: it’s your right to a recove...
08/19/2026

August 19, 2026

If you’ve been injured in an accident, time is actually more than just money: it’s your right to a recovery.

In Massachusetts, the general rule for personal injury claims is a three-year statute of limitations (M.G.L. c. 260, § 2A). This means the clock usually starts ticking the very day the injury occurs. While the "discovery rule" can sometimes provide an exception if an injury wasn't immediately apparent, waiting too long is a risk you don't want to take. Once that three-year window closes, you lose your right to file a lawsuit forever.

It’s also important to know that different rules apply if your claim is against a government entity, like a city or the state. In those cases, you often have a much shorter window: sometimes just two years: to provide formal notice.

Navigating these deadlines can be stressful when you’re trying to focus on healing. That’s why we recommend speaking with an experienced Boston injury lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your filing deadline is protected.

If you have questions about your specific situation or where you stand with the Massachusetts personal injury statute of limitations, we’re here to help you get your life back. Reach out to our team at Joel H. Schwartz, P.C. for a free consultation.

August 12, 2026Summer in Boston is hard to beat! Whether you’re grabbing a lobster roll at Quincy Market or strolling th...
08/12/2026

August 12, 2026

Summer in Boston is hard to beat! Whether you’re grabbing a lobster roll at Quincy Market or strolling through the Public Garden, our streets are bustling this summer. With more traffic in the city, it’s a great time to brush up on some pedestrian safety tips to keep your summer walks stress-free:

👀 Make Eye Contact: Even with a "Walk" signal, try to make eye contact with drivers. It’s the best way to ensure they actually see you before you step out.

🎧 Unplug for a Moment: Keep the volume low or leave one earbud out at busy intersections. Being able to hear approaching sirens or cyclists is a total game-changer for safety.

🚶‍♀️ Watch for Turning Cars: Many Boston intersections allow right turns on red. Always double-check over your shoulder for turning vehicles before you step off the curb.

☀️ Stay Alert: The Boston humidity can be tough! Heat exhaustion makes you less focused, so keep that water bottle handy while you're navigating the city.

We love our community and want everyone to enjoy the season safely. Stay safe out there, neighbors!

August 11, 2026Starting a legal claim can feel overwhelming, but at Joel H. Schwartz, P.C., we believe you should feel s...
08/11/2026

August 11, 2026

Starting a legal claim can feel overwhelming, but at Joel H. Schwartz, P.C., we believe you should feel supported every step of the way.

When Julie Vongkhotsombath reached out to us after her car accident, she was looking for more than just a Boston car accident lawyer: she was looking for peace of mind. Here is what she shared about her experience working with Connie Toomey and our team:

"After getting into a car accident, I was pretty nervous about dealing with a lawyer for the first time. Joel H. Schwartz PC was recommended to me, and I'm so glad it was... From the moment I called, the staff was welcoming and not intimidating at all. Connie was incredibly responsive... it felt more like family. There was literally nothing I had to worry about - she took care of everything." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you, Julie, for trusting us to handle your case. Helping our clients get their lives back is why we do what we do.

If you've been injured, don't go it alone. We're here to help.

August 10, 2026FACEBOOK:Think you can’t recover damages because you were partially at fault in an accident? In Massachus...
08/10/2026

August 10, 2026

FACEBOOK:
Think you can’t recover damages because you were partially at fault in an accident? In Massachusetts, that’s not the case! We follow the “51% Bar Rule,” which means you can still receive compensation for your injuries as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the crash.

For example, if you are found 20% at fault, you can still collect 80% of your total damages. However, once you hit 51% responsibility, you can no longer recover. Determining these percentages is where legal experience matters most. We’ve spent over 60 years protecting Boston drivers and ensuring fault is assigned fairly so our clients get the maximum recovery possible.

INSTAGRAM:
Partial fault doesn’t mean zero recovery! 🚦 In Massachusetts, the 51% Bar Rule allows you to seek damages even if you're partially responsible, provided your fault is 50% or less. Your settlement is simply adjusted by your percentage of responsibility.

Don’t let insurance companies have the final word on fault: we’ve resolved over 30,000 claims and are here to fight for you.

July 17, 2026Insurance companies often start with an offer that barely covers the basics. We don’t think that’s right.On...
07/17/2026

July 17, 2026

Insurance companies often start with an offer that barely covers the basics. We don’t think that’s right.

One of our recent clients was struggling with painful neck and back injuries after a serious car accident. The initial settlement offer they received from the insurance company was nowhere near what they needed to truly recover and get their life back on track.

That’s where our team stepped in. By taking over the negotiations and using our 60+ years of experience, we were able to secure a $125,000 settlement for them. This result ensures they have the resources necessary for their medical care and future well-being.

If you’ve been injured and feel like you're being low-balled, remember that you don’t have to handle the insurance giants alone. We handle everything for you, and we only get paid if we win your case. We are here to help you get the justice and compensation you actually deserve.

July 15, 2026After an accident, your focus should be on healing. However, from a legal perspective, your medical records...
07/15/2026

July 15, 2026

After an accident, your focus should be on healing. However, from a legal perspective, your medical records are the most vital evidence in your case.

Insurance companies look for any reason to undervalue a claim, and "gaps in treatment" are their favorite target. If you miss appointments or wait too long to see a specialist, adjusters may argue that your injuries aren’t serious or were caused by something else entirely.

Consistency is key for two reasons:

1. Your Health: Following your doctor’s plan ensures you get the care you need to recover fully.
2. Your Case: A documented timeline of regular treatment makes it much harder for insurance companies to deny the impact of your injuries.

As your Boston personal injury lawyer, we want to ensure your claim is as strong as possible. Don’t let a missed appointment weaken your position. Your medical records tell the story of your recovery: make sure it’s a clear and consistent one.

July 13, 2026A walk through the neighborhood should never end in an emergency room visit, but for one of our clients, it...
07/13/2026

July 13, 2026

A walk through the neighborhood should never end in an emergency room visit, but for one of our clients, it did. We're proud to share that we recently recovered $85,000 for an individual injured in a dog bite incident.

In Massachusetts, the law is very specific when it comes to these injuries. Many people don't realize that our state follows a "Strict Liability" rule.

What does this mean for you?
Unlike some states that have a "one-bite rule," Massachusetts law holds dog owners responsible for injuries caused by their pets, regardless of whether the dog has ever shown aggression in the past. You don't have to prove the owner was negligent or that the dog was known to be dangerous; if the dog caused the injury, the owner is typically liable.

As a Massachusetts dog bite lawyer, we see how these sudden accidents can change a life. Our goal is to handle the insurance companies and legal complexities so you can focus on your physical recovery. Knowing your rights under strict liability is a critical first step toward justice.

We are here to help you get your life back.

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1 Washington Mall Ste 16
Boston, MA
02108

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