Firm News
Attorney Ronald Gluck Reaches $1.25 Million Settlement for Injured Motorcyclist
Attorney Ronald E. Gluck recently reached a $1.25 million dollar settlement in a case involving serious injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident which occurred in Massachusetts.
Attorney Gluck, who has successfully represented seriously injured motorcyclists for over thirty five years, obtained the full insurance liability policy limits for our client from the defendant’s insurance company.
The motorcycle accident occurred when the offending driver of a sedan made a sudden left turn in front of our client’s motorcycle, cutting off his path of travel and leaving him no room to stop. As a result he crashed into the side of the sedan, and suffered life altering injuries.
Our client, who was obeying traffic laws and was wearing proper motorcycle clothing, suffered severe injuries, including multiple fractures of his pelvis, fractures of his lower leg and an injury to his peroneal nerve which caused significant foot drop. During surgery to repair the fractures, he suffered a complication resulting in major loss of blood among other injuries. Doctors used heroic measures to stop the bleeding and save his life.
The client was hospitalized for weeks and required extensive post hospitalization inpatient rehabilitation. Due to his injuries he was unable to work for several months. When he returned to his employment as an executive at a national company, he remained on crutches and then a cane for several more months. Long distance travel was a struggle for an extended period of time.
The injury to our client’s peroneal nerve remains a lasting injury and he is required to wear a brace in his shoe to enable him to walk steadily on many surfaces. He is also unable to participate in activities such as golf and basketball as he had in the past.
This case was reported in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly on December 1, 2016.
Our Experience: Previous Motorcycle Accident Settlements
Attorney Gluck has extensive experience representing motorcyclists. His experience includes a $3.75 million settlement for an injured motorcyclist in 2012, which was reported as among the state’s largest verdicts and settlements that year by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.
In that case, the motorcyclist was critically injured when a Lexus cut into his traffic lane, causing the rider to slam into the vehicle. The motorcyclist suffered major facial fractures, a concussion, blindness in one eye and orthopedic injuries.
The client was rendered unable to work as a result of his injuries. The proof of his loss of earning capacity by use of expert testimony was critical to Attorney Gluck’s successful resolution of the case for $3.75 million. The loss of earning capacity amount claimed by our client was disputed by the insurance company’s expert, but was proven to be accurate. The case was settled at the end of an all-day mediation, which took place two weeks before the scheduled trial date.
Breakstone, White & Gluck has over 100 years combined experience representing those who have been injured by negligence in auto accidents, truck accidents, bus accidents and motorcycle accidents.
Motorcycle accidents are not the same as other traffic accidents and if you have been injured, it is important to find an attorney who has specific experience obtaining compensation for motorcyclists.
About Attorney Ronald E. Gluck
Ronald E. Gluck is a Boston personal injury attorney who has been practicing law for over 35 years and has obtained multi-million dollar awards for individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries and damages from acts of negligence. Attorney Gluck has been consistently recognized as one of the top lawyers in the state and has been selected to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list each year since 2005. Read more about Attorney Gluck.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
The Boston personal injury attorneys at Breakstone, White & Gluck have over 100 years combined experience handling motor vehicle accident cases resulting in serious personal injury or wrongful death. If you have been injured, it is important to learn your rights. For a free legal consultation, contact us at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.
Attorney Marc Breakstone Reaches $1.375 Million Settlement for Pedestrian Struck and Seriously Injured by MBTA Bus
Attorney Marc Breakstone recently reached a $1.375 million settlement for an elderly man who was hit by an MBTA bus in a pedestrian crash while crossing Dudley Street in Roxbury. The man suffered a traumatic brain injury and bone fractures.
The on-board bus video showed the pedestrian bus accident was preventable. The plaintiff was clearly visible to the operator, who did not respond for several seconds. The investigation revealed the bus driver was traveling above the speed limit.
The video also confirmed the bus driver gave a false account to MBTA Police. The driver said the man had run out from behind parked vehicles. But the video showed there were no parked vehicles obstructing the view and the victim was not running.
The case was settled at mediation in May 2016 and later reported in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Read the case report.
Our Experience: One of the Largest Bus Accident Verdicts in Massachusetts
The attorneys of Breakstone, White & Gluck have over 100 years combined experience representing those who have been injured by the negligence of others in car, truck and bus accidents. Bus accident cases are complex and many attorneys do not have experience investigating these cases or representing those who have been injured or killed. But our attorneys have this unique experience; we have handled motor vehicle and bus accident cases from the insurance claims level through trial and appeal.
Many cases can be settled prior to trial, but not every case. In 2008, Attorney Marc Breakstone took a client’s case against the MBTA to Suffolk Superior Court. After a two-week trial, his client was awarded $5.4 million, including interest. It was believed to be one of the largest verdicts ever in Massachusetts for an injury of its kind.
The MBTA filed a motion for a new trial and was denied. It then appealed the case. The state’s Appeals Court affirmed the judgment and the Supreme Judicial Court denied a petition for further review. By the time the MBTA had exhausted its options, the judgment rose to $7.1 million, with interest and medical expenses and lost earning capacity. Read about this case.
About Attorney Marc Breakstone
Marc L. Breakstone has more than 30 years of experience practicing law in Boston. He has been selected as one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in New England and Top 100 Super Lawyers in Massachusetts. He has also been selected by his peers as one of the top medical malpractice plaintiff’s lawyers in the Super Lawyer balloting. In 2002, Attorney Breakstone was honored as one of ten “Lawyers of the Year” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. More on Marc Breakstone.
Attorney Marc Breakstone Settles Motorcyclist Wrongful Death Case for Family for $3.5 Million
Attorney Marc Breakstone recently settled a wrongful death case for the family of a motorcyclist for $3.5 million. The case was settled in March 2016.
The motorcyclist was tragically killed by a waste disposal truck in West Bridgewater in 2013. The truck, which was being operated by a subcontractor, pulled out across the road in the path of the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist applied the brakes and laid down his motorcycle, attempting to avoid the collision and struck the defendant’s truck at less than 5 mph.
The motorcyclist continued to roll under the truck. The truck driver did not see him and ran the rear tires over his body, killing him.
The truck driver should never have been behind the wheel. The driver had a “Z” restriction on his license, which prohibited him for operating any vehicles that did not have a breathalyzer interlock on the ignition. The truck had no interlock and the driver was criminally charged.
About Attorney Marc Breakstone
Marc L. Breakstone has established a reputation as one of the top medical malpractice and personal injury lawyers in New England. His record-setting settlements and verdicts have earned him the distinction of being selected as one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in New England and Top 100 Super Lawyers in Massachusetts. He has also been selected by his peers as one of the top medical malpractice plaintiff’s lawyers in the Super Lawyer balloting. In 2002, Attorney Breakstone was honored as one of ten “Lawyers of the Year” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. More on Marc Breakstone.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
The Boston personal injury attorneys at Breakstone, White & Gluck have over 100 years combined experience handling motor vehicle accident cases resulting in serious personal injury or wrongful death. If you have been injured, it is important to learn your rights. For a free legal consultation, contact us at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.
Attorney Ronald Gluck Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Truck Driver and Company in Cyclist’s Death
The family of Dr. Anita Kurmann, who was tragically hit and killed by a truck last summer in Back Bay, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the truck driver and the trucking company. Attorney Ronald E. Gluck of Breakstone, White & Gluck filed the lawsuit on behalf of the family in Suffolk Superior Court. The Boston Globe reported on the case on May 19, 2016.
Read The Boston Globe article, “Family of cyclist killed in Back Bay last year sues truck driver.”
Panel Voir Dire Embraced by Judges and Attorneys in First Year
A front page story in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly reported that judges in the Commonwealth have embraced attorney-panel voir dire. The process was introduced in February 2015 and in the first year, lawyers conducted panel voir dire in 14 percent of Superior Court jury trials.
There was a pilot project for a group of judges to use panel voir dire in most cases, except for life-felony matters or cases with good cause not to use it. While 15 Superior Court judges were part of the program, 38 of the 80 judges ended up trying panel voir dire.
“…The response of judges is extremely encouraging,” said Attorney Marc L. Breakstone.
While plaintiffs’ lawyers are seeking to use panel voir dire, defense attorneys and prosecutors requested it more frequently in criminal cases this first year. There was some form of attorney participation in voir dire in 81 percent of criminal impanelments and 54 percent of civil ones, according to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.
Attorney Breakstone predicted judges and attorneys will use panel voir dire for more cases going forward.
“Ultimately, judges will see its utility in every case as a time-saver and as a justice-enhancer. Lawyers and judges have a very steep learning curve,” Attorney Breakstone said.
About Attorney Marc L. Breakstone
Attorney Marc L. Breakstone has established a reputation as one of the top medical malpractice and personal injury lawyers in Massachusetts and New England. Attorney Breakstone has represented seriously injured clients in medical malpractice and personal injury cases since 1986. He is a founder and principal at Breakstone, White & Gluck since 1992. Attorney Breakstone works tirelessly to ensure that his clients receive full and fair compensation as well as achieve the most favorable medical result. He has been recognized as a Top 100 New England Super Lawyer, a Top 100 Massachusetts Super Lawyer and a Massachusetts Super Lawyer in Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
The Boston personal injury attorneys of Breakstone, White & Gluck have over 100 years combined experience representing clients who have been seriously injured by negligence in Massachusetts. If you have been injured, it is important to learn your rights. For a free legal consultation, contact us at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.
Annual Walk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid: Lawyers, Advocates Seek $27 Million Budget for Low-Income Services
We joined hundreds of lawyers at the Massachusetts State House Thursday to lobby for increased funding for civil legal aid. We gathered as part of the 17th Annual Walk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid. Funding is in crisis in Massachusetts, with nearly two-thirds of eligible low-income residents who seek help being turned away.
With an increase, more people will be able to stay in their homes, find shelter and avoid hardship. Please keep reading this blog on the $27 million budget appropriation sought and visit this page to contact your legislator.
Right to Left: Attorney David W. White, Massachusetts Bar Association President (2007-2008), Attorney Ronald E. Gluck, Attorney Marc L. Breakstone and Attorney Reza Breakstone at the Annual Walk for Civil Legal Aid on January 28, 2016.
The annual event, sponsored by the Equal Justice Coalition, draws lawyers from across the Commonwealth for a day of lobbying for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, which provides legal aid for the poor and underserved.
This year, lawyers asked for the state appropriation for civil legal aid services to be increased from $17 million to $27 million in Fiscal Year 2017. Governor Charlie Baker has proposed $17.17 million, a $170,000 increase.
Lawyers from more than 40 private firms attended this year, along with Attorney General Maura Healey and Chief Justice Ralph Gants of the Supreme Judicial Court, who addressed participants:
“In a few minutes you will meet with legislators and members of their staff to ask them to increase the state appropriation for civil legal services from $17 million to $27 million,” Gants said. “Many will ask you: ‘How can we afford an increase of that size during a challenging budget season?’ And you will answer: ‘How can we afford not to?'” Gants’ comments were published by the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Lawyers E-Journal.
Contact Your State Legislator
Search this website to find your legislator.Find Out How to Contact Your State Legislator
Once you have the name of your legislator, look up their address on this website or you can do a general Google search.
Post blog note: Our thanks to the Equal Justice Coalition, who later recognized us with the Nancy King Award for the highest percentage of attorneys participating at a firm – 4 out of 4, or 100 percent!
The coalition also recognized: Wilmer Hale for having the most attorneys participate and Ropes & Gray and Foley Hoag with exceptional support awards. Sally & Fitch was honorably mentioned. Highest participation among law schools went to UMass Law, which had 56 students in attendance. Liberty Mutual was the leading corporate law department, with 24 participants.
Breakstone, White & Gluck Welcomes Attorney Reza Breakstone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPY94mFkyQI
From the stage to the courtroom, Attorney Reza Breakstone brings a unique blend of skills and experience to the firm. We are pleased to welcome Reza, who will focus on representing personal injury clients at Breakstone, White & Gluck. He will also counsel small businesses in strategic development, litigation and contract matters.
Reza graduated from the University of Michigan in 2002, where he received several leadership awards. After college, Reza worked for two years as a legislative aide for the junior Senator from Michigan in Washington D.C. He returned to Boston to attend Northeastern University School of Law. After graduation from law school in 2008, Reza worked for four years at a prestigious Boston firm, concentrating in complex business litigation, federal antitrust defense and security litigation. During that period, he received a special assignment as an Assistant District Attorney in Suffolk County District Attorney’s office where he prosecuted criminal cases. Working in the West Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court, he tried numerous bench and jury trials to verdicts.
“What I learned in the DA’s office is your value as a lawyer is embedded in your judgment, interpersonal skills and treatment of others,”
Reza says. “Having good relationships is essential. When you are at a large firm, having good relationships is important, but productivity is a much more important measure.”
In addition to his legal pursuits, Reza has a passion for acting and improvisational theater. He has performed in numerous independent films and improvisational theater troupes in New England and Los Angeles.
Reza looks forward to working on behalf of the firm’s injured clients while continuing to assist small businesses and start-ups with development strategies. In both pursuits, he looks forward to furthering his commitment to “the business of helping people.”
“When you are put in a position to represent someone, it really comes down to confidence and trust,” he said. “I have a lot of people who respect me and trust me. I think the latter is as important as anything.
That really helps when people are bringing their lives to you and saying help me out. It’s because they trust you to get the job done.
To learn more about Reza, please visit his attorney bio page.
Breakstone, White & Gluck Attorneys Named to Top 100 Massachusetts Super Lawyers List
Our partners, Marc L. Breakstone, David W. White and Ronald E. Gluck, have been selected to various 2015 Massachusetts Super Lawyers lists, for their work in the practice areas of personal injury and medical malpractice.
We are pleased to announce this honor. This is the 12th year in a row our attorneys have been selected to various Super Lawyers lists, a recognition of excellence. Super Lawyers, part of the Thomson Reuters company, makes annual selections using a multi-phase process of peer nominations, independent research and attorney evaluations. It only recognizes 5 percent of attorneys in each state.
The Massachusetts Super Lawyers lists are published online and in the November issue of Boston Magazine. You can also read more about our attorneys here:
Marc L. Breakstone
Attorney Breakstone was selected for these 2015 lists: Top 100 Massachusetts Super Lawyers and Massachusetts Super Lawyers, Top Rated Medical Malpractice Attorney.
Attorney Breakstone has established a reputation as one of the top medical malpractice and personal injury lawyers in Massachusetts and New England. He has been selected to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list for medical malpractice 12 years in a row, to the Top 100 Massachusetts Super Lawyers list nine times and to the Top 100 New England Super Lawyers list four times.
A graduate of Northeastern University School of Law, Attorney Breakstone has been practicing in Boston since 1986. He has represented clients who have been seriously injured by negligence, including in cases of wrongful death, medical malpractice, bus and truck accidents and propane gas explosions. Read his bio.
Attorney David W. White
Attorney White was selected for these 2015 lists: Top 100 Massachusetts Super Lawyers and Massachusetts Super Lawyers, Top Rated Personal Injury – Plaintiff Attorney.
Attorney White is a Northeastern University School of Law graduate and has 30 years of experience representing victims of personal injury and insurance bad faith cases in Massachusetts. He is a past president of the Massachusetts Bar Association.
Attorney White has been named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list 12 years in a row. He has been included in the Top 100 Massachusetts Super Lawyers list seven times. He has also been named to the Top 100 New England Super Lawyers list three times.
White represents clients who have been seriously injured by car accidents, bicycle accidents, dog bites, product liability, construction accidents and other personal injury claims. Read his bio.
Attorney Ronald E. Gluck
Attorney Gluck was named to these 2015 lists: Massachusetts Super Lawyers, Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney – Plaintiff Attorney and New England Super Lawyers, Personal Injury Attorney – Plaintiff Attorney.
Attorney Gluck has consistently been named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list each year since 2005. He is a graduate of Boston College and Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Over his career, he has represented clients who have been seriously injured in complex cases involving wrongful death, car and trucking accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, liquor liability and product liability.
After 9-11, he represented victims of the World Trade Center attacks. He has also served as an expert witness on behalf of the United States Justice Department. Read his bio.
Breakstone, White & Gluck Donates Bicycle Helmets to Tierney Learning Center in South Boston
Breakstone, White & Gluck recently donated bicycle helmets to the kids in the afterschool programs at the Tierney Learning Center in South Boston. The learning center and the Boston Bikes’ Roll It Forward program invited us to spend Friday afternoon at the center. Attorney David W. White fit the children for helmets while Boston Bikes’ Roll It Forward staff checked bikes and shared information about bike repairs.
Breakstone, White & Gluck donated the bicycle helmets as part of our Project KidSafe campaign, which we began in 2013. Our goal is to provide children who need one with a safe bicycle helmet. This year, we have donated 3,500 helmets to children in Watertown, Somerville, Dedham, Worcester and other communities.
The Tierney Learning Center is a hub in the South Boston community, providing early childhood programming, year-round youth programs, adult education and a technology center.
Programs include ABCD Head Start, an afterschool program with the Boys and Girls Club, language support classes, adult computer workshops with one-on-one assistance, counseling and career training programs. It also hosts holiday parties, community gatherings and job fairs. The center serves 150 children and families per day. Nearly 60 percent of these households are non-native English speakers while 90 percent are single-parent households.
Boston Bikes is operated by the City of Boston. Boston Bikes’ Roll It Forward collects, repairs and distributes bikes to low-income Boston residents who might not otherwise have access to a bike. The program also provides bike safety education with a goal of promoting a healthier lifestyle of increased physical activity and fewer trips by car. The program plans to donate 1,000 bicycles this year, on top of the 3,800 helmets donated in past years.
Breakstone, White & Gluck is proud to have supported the program since 2013, by donating bicycle helmets for children who receive a refurbished bike.
Learn more about the Tierney Learning Center and Boston Bikes’ Roll It Forward.
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Breakstone, White & Gluck Donates 125 Bicycle Helmets to Children at Westwood Day
The Westwood Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Committee distributed 125 bicycle helmets to children at Westwood Day over the weekend. Despite the cold and rainy day, families turned out and the committee distributed the helmets in a little more than two hours.
Breakstone, White & Gluck donated the bicycle helmets as part of our Project KidSafe campaign.
Attorney David W. White is a Westwood resident and participated as a member of the Westwood Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Committee.
Through our Project KidSafe campaign, Breakstone, White & Gluck has donated 3,500 helmets this year and over 8,000 helmets since our first donation in 2013. Our goal is to encourage children and families to wear bicycle helmets and reduce the risk of serious head injury should they fall or be injured in a bicycle accident.
Other events:
Watertown Faire on the Square: On Sept. 26th, the Watertown Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee distributed 120 Project KidSafe bicycle helmets to children in the community at the 16th annual Watertown Faire on the Square.
Boston Bikes’ Roll It Forward: Attorney David W. White will join Boston Bikes at the Old Colony public housing development in South Boston on Friday, Oct. 9th. Boston Bikes’ Roll It Forward program provides refurbished bikes to city residents each year and returns for bike repair events. Breakstone, White & Gluck is donating 100 helmets and Attorney White will fit children who need one for the new helmets.