Here to help you move forward after an injury

An injury can interrupt your routine quickly. What starts as a single incident often turns into medical appointments and time away from work. When someone else is responsible for what happened, the situation becomes more complicated than recovery alone. There are questions about who is at fault, what the claim is worth, and how to handle the process without making things harder down the line.

Working with a Massachusetts personal injury attorney can help bring some structure to that process. At Shaheen & Gordon, we work with people across the state who are trying to sort through what comes next after an accident. Call us today at (800) 451-1002 for a free case review.

Why Bay Staters choose to work with Shaheen & Gordon

Finding the right legal representation after an injury is not always straightforward. You want a team that will take the time to understand what you’re dealing with, but you also need the experience and resources to handle a claim that may not be simple.

At Shaheen & Gordon, you don’t have to choose between the two.

Since 1981, our law firm has grown from a small practice into a team of 65+ experienced attorneys serving clients across New England and in Hawaii. That growth has made it possible to take on complex cases while still maintaining direct and consistent communication.

In a personal injury case, how a firm approaches the work makes a difference. Shaheen & Gordon was built by attorneys who spent years handling serious cases at the federal level, and that background still shows in how claims are evaluated and prepared.

That means looking beyond the initial reports and understanding where issues may come up, whether it’s disputed liability, gaps in documentation, or insurance pushback. Some cases are straightforward, but many are not, and taking the time to work through those details early can change how a claim develops.

Clients are not left trying to piece that together on their own. The focus is on informed progress, so decisions are made with a clear understanding of what’s at stake.

What a personal injury claim involves

Most personal injury claims begin with the same question: Could this have been prevented?

From there, the focus shifts to understanding how the injury happened and what the consequences have been. That includes medical treatment, recovery time, and any changes to your ability to work or manage daily responsibilities.

Insurance companies are almost always involved. Once a claim is opened, they begin reviewing what happened and deciding how they want to respond. Early conversations may seem straightforward, but they are often focused on limiting what the company pays rather than accounting for the full impact of the injury.

What kinds of personal injury cases come up in Massachusetts?

Personal injury cases often grow out of everyday situations.

Vehicle accidents are common, particularly on heavily traveled roads like I-90, I-93, and Route 128, where traffic patterns can change quickly. In areas like Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, pedestrian and bicycle accidents are also common.

Other cases involve unsafe property conditions, workplace incidents, or medical care that did not meet expected standards. But a list of case types may be limiting — personal injury is a varied and wide-ranging field of law that encompasses a variety of injuries and losses. In more serious situations, when a family is dealing with the loss of a loved one or someone is figuring out what their life looks like after a disabling injury, the important thing is that their case is tailored to their unique circumstances. That personalized approach is what we provide.

What does the process look like after a personal injury in Massachusetts?

Most cases follow a similar path, though the details can vary.

The first step is gathering the records and information that explain how the injury occurred. This often includes medical documentation, reports from the scene, and any other evidence that helps clarify what happened.

From there, the focus shifts to insurance. The insurance company will review the claim and, in many cases, question fault or the extent of the injury. As more information comes in, there may be discussions about resolving the case. Some claims are settled through mediation or negotiation. Others require filing a lawsuit and moving through the court process.

We keep clients informed along the way so they understand what’s happening and what comes next.

What our case results show

Shaheen & Gordon has handled serious personal injury cases across New England, including claims involving wrongful death and long-term injuries. While no two cases are the same, past results can offer some context for the types of matters we take on.

• $15 million settlement in a truck accident involving a fatality
• $6 million settlement in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in wrongful death
• $1.5 million settlement in a premises liability case involving a serious fall

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and any result depends on the specific facts and circumstances involved.

How is fault determined in a Massachusetts personal injury case?

Most personal injury cases are based on negligence. That means looking at whether someone failed to act with reasonable care under the circumstances.

That usually involves looking at whether a duty of care existed, whether it was breached, whether that breach caused the injury, and what damages resulted.

Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation if you were less than 51% responsible, but your recovery may be reduced based on your share of fault.

What kinds of injuries are common in personal injury cases?

Some injuries are obvious right away. Others take time to fully understand, especially when symptoms develop over days or weeks.

Common injuries include head injuries, back and neck injuries, fractures, and soft tissue damage. In more serious cases, people may deal with long-term limitations that affect their ability to work or return to normal routines. These limitations are often seen in catastrophic injuries, like traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries, where recovery can be more complex and long-term care might be needed.

Even injuries that seem manageable at first can have lasting effects. That’s one reason it’s important to work with a personal injury lawyer in Massachusetts​ to understand the full scope of what you’re dealing with before resolving a claim. 

How do insurance companies evaluate a personal injury claim?

Once a claim is underway, the insurance company begins forming its own view of what happened. That usually involves reviewing records, medical bills, looking at any available reports, and assessing how serious the injury appears to be.

From there, decisions are made about how to respond. In some cases, that means a quick offer. In others, there may be questions about fault or the extent of the injury.

These decisions are based on what the company believes it is responsible for paying, which is not always the same as the full impact of the injury.

What factors affect the value of a personal injury case?

There isn’t a standard formula for what a case is worth, but certain factors tend to shape the outcome.

The starting point is usually the injury itself. How serious it is, how long recovery takes, and whether there are lasting effects all play a role. Medical treatment and time away from work are part of that picture, but they’re not the whole story. The goal is to understand how the injury affects both the immediate situation and what may come next.

What clients say about working with Shaheen & Gordon

People who reach out to us are often dealing with uncertainty and trying to understand what comes next. Here’s what some former clients have shared about their experience: