SJC: Personal Injury Case May Proceed Against City of Newton

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has rejected an appeal by the City of Newton which attempted to claim an exemption from liability for personal injuries suffered by a softball player on one of its fields. The City claimed it was exempt from liability under the Recreational Use Statute, but the court ruled the statute did not apply.

The plaintiff in the case was a paying member of a softball league in Newton. While at a game one day in July, 2007, he was sitting in a grassy area, waiting for his turn at bat and watching the game. He heard a cracking sound, and turned to see a tree falling on him. He could not escape the falling tree, and suffered injuries to his back, shoulder blades, and other parts of his body.

The name of the case discussed is Marcus v. City of Newton, 462 Mass. 148 (2012), and was decided on May 7, 2012.

Click here to read our case summary and for a link to the opinion.

The Boston personal injury lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck have over 80 years of experience handling personal injury cases in Massachusetts. We can be reached at 800-379-1244, 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.