Springfield MA Wrongful Death Lawyer

Why Choose Us Over Other Wrongful Death Lawyers in Western Massachusetts

When choosing a Springfield wrongful death attorney, you need someone who combines compassion with the aggressive pursuit of tangible results. Al Goodman at Better Call Al handles complex and emotionally charged wrongful death claims with compassion and honor.

Here’s what sets us apart from the rest:

• Decades of experience handling serious injury and wrongful death cases.
• Multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts for families across Massachusetts.
• Personalized legal strategies tailored to each client’s story.
• Access to leading accident reconstruction experts and medical specialists.
• Relentless negotiation and litigation — we don’t accept lowball offers.
• Direct communication with your attorney — not paralegals or case managers.
• No upfront fees — you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Justice for Your Loved One Starts Here

Don’t let negligence go unanswered. Call Better Call Al today for a free wrongful death consultation: (413) 736-1616

Why You Should See a Springfield MA Wrongful Death Lawyer Right Away

Time is not on your side after a wrongful death. Evidence fades, witnesses disappear, and insurance companies move fast to protect themselves. The earlier you contact a wrongful death attorney, the stronger your case will be.

Here’s why acting quickly matters:

1. Preserving evidence: Accident scenes get cleaned up, and vital evidence can be lost forever without immediate legal intervention.
2. Witness statements: People’s memories fade. Getting statements early strengthens your claim.
3. Insurance tactics: Insurers often approach grieving families with low settlements. A lawyer ensures you aren’t taken advantage of.
4. Legal deadlines: Massachusetts imposes strict filing deadlines for wrongful death claims. Miss them, and you may lose your right to compensation entirely.

Do You Have a Legitimate Case?

Not every tragic death is legally considered wrongful. Under Massachusetts law, a wrongful death claim arises when a person’s death is caused by another’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.

You may have a legitimate case if the responsible party:

• Acted carelessly or failed to follow safety standards.
• Violated traffic laws or safety regulations.
• Failed to diagnose or properly treat a medical condition.
• Manufactured or sold a defective product.
• Neglected a duty to protect others from harm.

We work with investigators, medical experts, and accident reconstruction professionals to build a strong, evidence-backed case. If negligence caused the death, we’ll fight to bring the truth to light and hold responsible parties accountable.

What Is a Wrongful Death in Massachusetts?

Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 229, Section 2, wrongful death occurs when someone’s negligent, reckless, or intentional act results in another person’s death.

This includes fatal accidents involving vehicles, medical mistakes, defective products, unsafe premises, and even violent acts. In essence, a wrongful death lawsuit gives families the chance to pursue civil justice, even when criminal charges are not filed or do not lead to conviction.

What’s the Legal Process for a Wrongful Death Claim?

Filing a wrongful death claim in Massachusetts can feel overwhelming. At Better Call Al, we make the process clear and manageable while fighting relentlessly for your rights.

Free Case Consultation

We start by listening to your story. You’ll explain what happened, and we’ll determine whether negligence may have caused your loved one’s death.

Investigation and Evidence Gathering

Al Goodman collects relevant evidence, including police reports, medical records, accident scene photos, witness statements, and expert testimony.

Identifying Liable Parties

We identify everyone who may be legally responsible. This may include drivers, employers, medical providers, property owners, or manufacturers of defective products.

Filing the Claim

We file the wrongful death lawsuit in Massachusetts court, supported by expert opinions and a detailed accounting of damages.

Discovery

Both sides exchange information, take depositions, and gather documentation to prepare for settlement or trial.

Negotiation and Mediation

Most wrongful death cases settle before trial. We negotiate aggressively to achieve full and fair compensation.

Trial (if necessary)

If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we take your case to trial. Our experienced attorney presents powerful evidence to a jury.

What Is the Statute of Limitations in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, you generally have three years from the date of death, or from when you reasonably should have known the death was caused by negligence, to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

However, exceptions apply:

• Discovery rule: If the cause of death wasn’t immediately clear, the clock may start when you learn of the negligence.
• Government defendants: Claims against public entities may require notice within two years.
• Medical malpractice: These cases may involve unique timing considerations under Massachusetts malpractice law.

It’s Time to Hold Them Accountable

When carelessness costs a life, someone must answer for it. Reach out to Better Call Al and let our experienced wrongful death attorney demand accountability: (413) 736-1616

Types of Compensation in a Wrongful Death Claim

A wrongful death lawsuit seeks compensation for financial and emotional losses resulting from the death.

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses before death
• Funeral and burial costs
• Lost wages and benefits
• Loss of future earnings
• Loss of household contributions and services

Non-Economic Damages

• Loss of companionship, guidance, and support
• Emotional pain and suffering of the family
• Loss of consortium for a spouse or children

Punitive Damages

If the death resulted from willful, wanton, or reckless conduct, such as drunk driving or gross medical negligence, the court may award punitive damages to punish the person who caused your loved one’s death and deter future misconduct.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, a wrongful death claim must be filed by the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate, as appointed by the probate court.

The compensation from a successful claim is distributed to the deceased’s beneficiaries. This typically includes:

• The spouse
• The children
• The parents (if there is no spouse or children)

If the deceased left no immediate family, other next of kin may be eligible.

Types of Accidents That Cause Wrongful Death

Wrongful deaths can result from a wide range of accidents and negligent acts. Better Call Al handles cases across all the following categories in Springfield and throughout Western Massachusetts.

Auto Crashes

Fatal car accidents caused by reckless driving, speeding, or distracted driving.

Big Rig, Tractor-Trailer, and Dump/Garbage Truck Smash-Ups

Commercial vehicle accidents involving fatigue, overloaded cargo, or driver negligence.

Building and Ditch Collapses

Construction site and trench collapses due to poor oversight or failure to follow safety codes.

Bus, Train, Plane, Boat, and Helicopter Crashes

Transportation disasters involving operator error, equipment failure, or maintenance negligence.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Deaths caused by faulty appliances, lack of ventilation, or property owner negligence.

Child Strangulation on Window Blind Cords

Preventable household hazards that manufacturers or landlords failed to address.

Dog and Animal Attacks

Fatal animal attacks due to negligent owners or failure to restrain dangerous animals.

Drunk Driving

Intoxicated drivers who cause fatal collisions must be held accountable.

Dram Shop Laws

This applies to bars or restaurants that serve visibly intoxicated patrons or underage drivers who later cause fatal accidents.

Electrocution

Workplace or property-related deaths caused by exposed wires or faulty electrical systems.

Explosions

Industrial, construction, or residential explosions often caused by defective equipment or safety violations.

Falling Objects

Construction or warehouse accidents where falling debris fatally injures workers or bystanders.

Inadequate Security

Negligent property owners who fail to prevent assaults or violence on their premises.

Medical Malpractice

Medical errors can lead to sudden, preventable death. This includes fatal errors in surgery, anesthesia, medication, or patient monitoring, failure to Diagnose Pulmonary Embolism (DVT), or when emergency room physicians fail to detect and treat life-threatening conditions.

Motorcycle Collisions

Catastrophic crashes caused by inattentive or reckless drivers.

Nursing Home Negligence

Elder abuse, neglect, or medical mismanagement leading to fatal injuries.

Passenger Fatalities

Deaths involving passengers traveling in rideshare cars and other motor vehicles accidents.

Vehicles That Crash Into Pedestrians

This includes pedestrian fatalities caused by speeding, distracted, impaired drivers, and other forms of driver negligence.

Premises Liability

This may involve fatal slips, falls, or structural collapses on unsafe property.

Swimming Pool Accidents

This includes drownings and other accidents caused by lack of fencing, inadequate supervision, or poor maintenance.

What Clients Are Saying About Us

I have nothing but good things to say about my experience with Al - Kiley Perrone

Having Al working on my case has been an absolute pleasure! He is always willing to educate, advise, and clarify the process, and is available via text or email through all hours of the day. His hard work earned me a settlement big enough to buy my first home! And he listens and cares about his clients. I have nothing but good things to say about my experience with Al while going through a very stressful and painful time. If you're ever injured, better call Al!

His knowledge beyond compare! - Kimberly Roque

Attorney Al Goodman is an exemplary attorney his knowledge beyond compare! His firm has always been our go to we are always pleased with his hard work and dedication!

Case Results

Three College Students Killed at Dangerous Railroad Crossing — $1,000,000+ Settlement

Al Goodman represented a Springfield family in a wrongful death lawsuit after their daughter and two of her college friends were killed while driving to Florida. The tragedy occurred at a confusing and poorly marked railroad crossing in Delaware, surrounded by road construction barrels that obstructed visibility and signage.

Retained as counsel for the grieving family, Goodman joined forces with two other attorneys and ultimately served as lead trial counsel in U.S. Federal District Court in Wilmington, Delaware. To prove negligence, he assembled a top-tier team of experts, including a railroad crossing engineer, civil engineer, night-vision and sight-line specialist, and an accident reconstruction expert.

The case required years of intensive discovery, with Goodman traveling frequently from Springfield to Wilmington for court appearances, depositions, and expert meetings. On the first day of trial, multiple defendants agreed to a global settlement, acknowledging their role in the fatal design and conditions of the crossing.

The confidential multi-million-dollar resolution brought long-awaited closure to the victims’ families, ensuring accountability for the preventable deaths of three young women whose futures were cut short.

ER’s Failure to Diagnose Internal Bleeding After Car Accident — $1,500,000 Settlement

A 66-year-old working woman suffered fatal complications after being injured as a passenger in an intersection collision. She was transported to the emergency room on a Sunday morning in August, arriving at 10:45 a.m. and admitted with rib fractures. Despite clear risk factors for internal injury, no FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) scan was performed, either upon arrival or during observation.

As the afternoon progressed, her blood pressure and respiratory rate began to drop, signaling internal bleeding. Only then was a scan ordered, revealing free fluid in her abdomen, which is a telltale sign of internal hemorrhage. Emergency surgery began around 4:00 p.m., but by then, it was tragically too late to save her life.

A medical malpractice claim was filed against the hospital and treating physicians for failing to properly assess and monitor her condition. After extensive discovery and expert review, Attorney Goodman secured a $1.5 million settlement for the woman’s family, holding the hospital accountable for its fatal oversight and bringing the family long-overdue justice.

Speak With a Trusted Wrongful Death Lawyer in Western Massachusetts

A wrongful death claim is about accountability, closure, and preventing other victims from suffering the same fate. At Better Call Al, we stand up for families who have lost everything because of someone else’s careless behavior. We know how to take on powerful defendants and win.

You deserve a law firm that treats your loss with compassion and handles your case with urgency. Let us fight for your family’s future and the justice your loved one deserves.

Call (413) 736-1616 to learn more today.

Wrongful Death FAQs

What is considered a wrongful death case in Massachusetts?

A wrongful death occurs when someone dies due to another person or entity’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act. This includes fatal car crashes, medical errors, defective products, or unsafe property conditions. Under Massachusetts law, the victim’s estate can seek damages for the family’s financial and emotional losses.

Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Massachusetts?

Only the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate can file a wrongful death claim, but the compensation is distributed to the surviving family members. This is usually the spouse, children, or parents. If the deceased had no immediate family, other next of kin may be eligible beneficiaries.

How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim?

In Massachusetts, you typically have three years from the date of death, or from when you reasonably should have known that negligence caused the death, to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

What types of compensation can families recover?

A wrongful death claim may include:

• Medical bills and funeral expenses
• Lost wages and benefits the deceased would have earned
• Loss of companionship and emotional support
• Pain and suffering experienced by the victim before death
• Punitive damages for reckless or intentional conduct

How do I know if I have a valid wrongful death case?

If your loved one’s death resulted from negligence, malpractice, or misconduct, you may have a case. Examples include fatal accidents caused by drunk drivers, doctors who failed to diagnose life-threatening conditions, or employers who ignored safety regulations. Al Goodman can review the facts and tell you if your case qualifies.

How much does it cost to hire a Springfield wrongful death lawyer?

You pay no upfront fees at Better Call Al. We work on a contingency basis, which means we only get paid if we win compensation for you. Your consultation is free, and you owe nothing unless we recover damages on your behalf.

What evidence is needed to prove wrongful death?

Evidence varies by case it may include:

• Police or accident reports
• Medical records and autopsy results
• Witness statements
• Photos, videos, or surveillance footage
• Expert testimony from doctors or accident reconstruction specialists

What’s the difference between a wrongful death claim and a criminal case?

A criminal case is brought by the state to punish a defendant for breaking the law (e.g., homicide or manslaughter). A wrongful death lawsuit, on the other hand, is a civil action brought by the family to recover financial compensation. You can pursue a wrongful death case even if no criminal charges were filed or if the defendant was acquitted.

How long does a wrongful death case take to resolve?

It depends on the complexity of the case. Some claims settle within a few months through negotiation, while others can take a year or more to reach resolution. Better Call Al keeps you informed every step of the way and pushes for a fair, timely outcome.

Meet Our Springfield MA Wrongful Death Attorney

Al Goodman

Al Goodman is a nationally recognized trial attorney and strategic legal consultant known for his relentless pursuit of justice for victims of negligence and catastrophic injury. For over three decades, Al has built a reputation as one of Western Massachusetts’s most respected and effective personal injury lawyers, fighting for families devastated by wrongful death, medical malpractice, and life-changing accidents.

Al’s approach is simple but powerful: combine deep compassion for clients with aggressive, evidence-driven advocacy in the courtroom. Al works closely with medical experts, accident reconstructionists, and economic analysts to develop compelling narratives that expose negligence and prove the full extent of his clients’ losses.