Boston Personal Injury Settlement Calculator
Suffolk + Middlesex County Superior Courts — 3-year SOL (one of longest in US). Corsetti retained-control construction liability. MBTA 2-year presentment. G.L. c. 152 §28 WC doubling
Last reviewed: April 2026
⚖ Boston Suffolk/Middlesex: 3-YEAR SOL (longest in US). Corsetti GC retained-control. MBTA 2-year Presentment. §28 WC benefit doubling for willful misconduct.
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Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
Boston Personal Injury
Suffolk County Superior Court (Boston/Chelsea/Revere/Winthrop) + Middlesex County Superior Court (Cambridge/Somerville/Everett). MBTA claims: MA Superior Court, typically Suffolk County.
3-year SOL (G.L. c. 260 §2A) — one of longest in US. MBTA Presentment (G.L. c. 258 §4): written notice within 2 years of injury. Then 3-year suit SOL from injury date. More generous than NY (90 days) or GA (6 months).
Corsetti v. Stone Co. (396 Mass. 1, 1985): general contractor retaining ANY right to control safety on worksite owes duty of care to subcontractor employees. More plaintiff-favorable than CA Privette doctrine — retained control over safety programs = liability exposure. MA §28 Workers' Comp Doubling: if employer's 'serious and willful misconduct' caused workplace injury, ALL workers' comp benefits DOUBLED (near-criminal recklessness standard but powerful multiplier). Pure comparative fault (G.L. c. 231 §85): plaintiff barred if >50% at fault (similar to GA/IL). Settlement ranges 2025: minor $20K-$80K; moderate $80K-$400K; serious $400K-$3M+. MBTA slip/fall $80K-$500K; construction (Corsetti) $500K-$5M+.
Boston Personal Injury FAQs
How much is a personal injury settlement worth in Boston?
Minor $20K-$80K. Moderate $80K-$400K. Serious $400K-$3M+. Boston's high medical costs + above-average median household income inflate economic damage calculations.
How do I sue the MBTA for an injury?
Written Presentment to MBTA legal office (G.L. c. 258 §4) within 2 years of injury. Precondition to suit. After 6-month response period, file in Suffolk County Superior Court. More generous timeline than most states.
What's the SOL for PI in Boston?
3 years for general PI (G.L. c. 260 §2A) — one of longest in US. For MBTA/government claims: 2-year Presentment deadline applies separately.
What is Corsetti liability in construction cases?
Under Corsetti v. Stone Co. (1985), GC who retains ANY right to control safety on worksite can be liable for subcontractor employee injuries. More plaintiff-favorable than California's Privette doctrine — retained control over safety programs is sufficient (unlike Privette's affirmative contribution requirement).
What is Section 28 workers' comp doubling?
Under G.L. c. 152 §28, if employer's 'serious and willful misconduct' caused workplace injury, ALL WC benefits DOUBLED. Standard: near-criminal recklessness — known safety violations, ordered unsafe work, ignored OSHA citations. Hard to prove but powerful multiplier when established.
How long do Boston PI cases take?
Settlement 12-24 months. Trial 2-4 years. Superior Court backlog moderate; Middlesex County typically faster than Suffolk.
Do I need a Boston attorney?
YES. Corsetti construction liability, MBTA Presentment procedure, MA §28 workers' comp doubling require local expertise. Boston plaintiff bar specialized in these unique MA doctrines.
Are Boston verdicts capped?
General PI: NO cap on compensatory damages. Medical malpractice: $500K cap on non-economic (c. 231 §60H) — MUCH lower than NY/IL. Punitive: generally limited to wrongful death (c. 229 §2) + double damages for conscious disregard.