Massachusetts Personal Injury And Workers' Compensation Blog

When teens in Massachusetts pass their road tests, they are very excited about the independence a driver’s license imparts to them. However, with that privilege also comes an enormous amount of responsibility. It is important that parents or guardians of young drivers have frequent and serious discussions with them about the best way to prevent motor vehicle accidents.

The New York Times notes that parents should model good driving behavior for their teens years before they start learning to drive. When adults consistently follow the rules of the road, including driving within the speed limit, children are able to observe the best practices for operating an automobile. Also, these behaviors need to include refraining from using a mobile device, wearing a seatbelt at all times, and never using substances such as drugs or alcohol before driving. 

Here at Ellis Law Offices, LLP, we know that our clients' needs are the beginning and the end of what we do as personal injury and workers' compensation lawyers. We engage in constant study of the law, keeping up to date on procedure and statutory changes, but our first priority is always to support our clients as they navigate the Massachusetts legal system. 

One of our first steps when we meet a new client is to try and understand the story behind the legal issue. To us, representing somebody is about more than simply providing the investigation, counseling and opinions that lead to the best possible outcome for their case. It is also about trust.

When you are going through the process of being recruited for a new job in Massachusetts, you will spend as much time interviewing your potential employer as they will spend interviewing you. One of the areas that you should ask about is how their workers' compensation policy works. Once hired, a good employer will spend considerable time making sure you understand your rights in the event you are injured on the job. At Ellis Law Offices LLP, we have been able to help injured workers to utilize the maximum of their workers' compensation policy. 

Preventing an accident and its subsequent injury from happening in the first place is a team effort between you and your employer. As you begin receiving training for your job, you should also be educated about the risks and hazards of the responsibilities you are required to perform as part of your job description. Additionally, it is your responsibility to abide by the regulations and protocols that have been given to you, to protect your own safety and well-being, as well as that of the people around you. 

For many people in Massachusetts, the amount of time they spend in their vehicles getting to and from work every day has become almost an extension of their workday. This has been fueled by the ability to remain in communication at virtually any time. Cell phones have become so common that many employees find themselves on conference calls or receiving messages while on their daily commute. This, in turn, may well be increasing the urge to use phones while behind the wheel.

USA Today recently published a report that indicates the urge to respond to incoming messages is exceptionally high among drivers between the ages of 18 and 34. In this demographic, 37% of people say they feel strongly compelled to check or return messages even while they are actively driving. The desire to be available to bosses and colleagues is part of this desire, making some people feel that the need to compete at work may be contributing to dangers on the road for others.