Reardon, Joyce & Akerson, Attorneys at Law

Reardon, Joyce & Akerson, Attorneys at Law The Worcester law firm of Reardon, Joyce & Akerson, PC has deep roots in Worcester County that stretc

If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation through...
04/03/2026

If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation through a personal injury claim. In Massachusetts, compensation helps restore what was lost—physically, financially, and emotionally—after an accident. Understanding the types of damages available in a personal injury case can help you better evaluate your claim and what you may be able to recover.

What Is Compensation in a Personal Injury Case?

Compensation, often referred to as “damages,” is the money recovered by an injured person to cover losses resulting from an accident. These damages generally fall into two main categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

In some cases, additional damages may be available depending on the circumstances.

What Are Economic Damages?

Economic damages are the measurable financial losses directly related to your injury. These are typically bills, receipts, and other documentation.

If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation through a personal injury claim. In

After a car accident, you will often receive a call from an insurance adjuster within days, sometimes even hours. You m...
03/02/2026

After a car accident, you will often receive a call from an insurance adjuster within days, sometimes even hours. You may get calls from more than one adjuster as both your insurance company and other driver’s insurance company want to speak with you. The adjuster may sound friendly and helpful, but many injured individuals understandably wonder: Should I speak to the insurance adjuster after my car accident?

The short answer is that caution is essential. What is said early in a claim can significantly affect the outcome of a personal injury claim.

Why Is the Insurance Adjuster Calling?

Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for the injured person. Their role is to investigate the claim, evaluate liability, and determine how much the insurer should pay. While many adjusters are professional and courteous, their responsibility is to protect the financial interests of the company.

After a car accident, you will often receive a call from an insurance adjuster within days, sometimes even hours. You may get calls from more than one

Starting a business in Massachusetts requires important legal and financial decisions, and one of the first is choosing ...
03/02/2026

Starting a business in Massachusetts requires important legal and financial decisions, and one of the first is choosing the right business structure. Many entrepreneurs ask: Should I form an LLC or a corporation in Massachusetts?

The answer depends on your business goals, ownership structure, tax preferences, and long-term growth plans. Understanding the differences between a Massachusetts Limited Liability Company (LLC) and a Massachusetts corporation can help you make an informed decision that protects your interests and positions your business for success.

What Is an LLC in Massachusetts?

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a flexible business entity that combines aspects of a corporation and a partnership. It provides liability protection to its owners (called “members”), meaning their personal assets are generally shielded from business debts and lawsuits.

If you are starting a business in Massachusetts and are unsure whether to form an LLC or corporation, our business law attorneys can help evaluate your goals

Many employees believe that being paid a salary automatically means they are expected to work more than 40 hours per wee...
02/02/2026

Many employees believe that being paid a salary automatically means they are expected to work more than 40 hours per week and are not entitled to overtime. This is one of the most common, and costly, misunderstandings in employment law. Under Massachusetts wage and hour laws and federal overtime law, being salaried does not automatically eliminate an employee’s right to overtime pay. The key issue is whether the employee is properly classified as exempt or non-exempt, not how they are paid.

Does Being Paid a Salary Mean You Must Work More Than 40 Hours?
No law, either state or federal, requires salaried employees to work more than 40 hours per week. Employers may expect additional hours, but that expectation alone does not determine whether overtime is owed. Many salaried employees are still legally entitled to overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours in a workweek. The misconception that salary equals unlimited hours often leads to unpaid overtime and wage violations.

Many employees believe that being paid a salary automatically means they are expected to work more than 40 hours per week and are not entitled to overtime.

The end-of-year holiday season is one of the busiest times for many workplaces. Retail, hospitality, logistics, healthca...
01/01/2026

The end-of-year holiday season is one of the busiest times for many workplaces. Retail, hospitality, logistics, healthcare, and office environments often see increased workloads, extended hours, and staffing shortages. While employers may rely on employees to work longer or irregular schedules during this time, overtime laws still apply. Understanding how overtime rules work during the holidays can help employees ensure they are paid fairly for their time.

Does Working Extra Hours During the Holidays Automatically Mean Overtime Pay?

Not always. Overtime is generally based on hours worked over a set threshold, typically more than 40 hours in a workweek, not on working holidays or weekends alone.

The end-of-year holiday season is one of the busiest times for many workplaces. Retail, hospitality, logistics, healthcare, and office environments often see

After a car crash, slip and fall, or other injury caused by someone else’s negligence, one of the first obstacles you’ll...
11/20/2025

After a car crash, slip and fall, or other injury caused by someone else’s negligence, one of the first obstacles you’ll face is dealing with insurance companies. Whether you’re filing a claim with your own insurer or the at-fault party’s, understanding how the process works, and what to watch out for, can make a major difference in the outcome of your case. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters trained to limit payouts, so it’s important to protect your rights before accepting any settlement or providing information.

What Should I Do If the Insurance Company Offers Me a Quick Settlement?
It’s common for an insurance company to offer a settlement soon after an accident, sometimes within days. While it may be tempting to accept, especially if you’re facing medical bills or lost income, these early offers are often far less than what your claim is worth.

After a car crash, slip and fall, or other injury caused by someone else’s negligence, one of the first obstacles you’ll face is dealing with insurance

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have transformed transportation across Massachusetts, offering convenience for com...
10/20/2025

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have transformed transportation across Massachusetts, offering convenience for commuters, travelers, and residents alike. Yet when a rideshare vehicle is involved in a collision, determining who is legally and financially responsible for personal injury is rarely straightforward. Many accident victims assume that the rideshare company automatically pays for all damages, but that’s not always true. Liability and insurance coverage depend on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash—whether they were off-duty, waiting for a ride, or actively transporting a passenger.

Understanding how Massachusetts rideshare insurance laws work can make a major difference in protecting your right to compensation for serious injuries after a motor vehicle accident involving a rideshare automobile.

How Massachusetts Regulates Rideshare Drivers

In Massachusetts, Uber and Lyft are classified as Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) under state law (M.G.L.

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have transformed transportation across Massachusetts, offering convenience for commuters, travelers, and residents

In August, 2024, the plaintiff was arrested by members of the Athol Police Department. Over the course of the next seve...
07/28/2025

In August, 2024, the plaintiff was arrested by members of the Athol Police Department. Over the course of the next several days, there were additional interactions between that plaintiff and members of the Athol Police Department, events that featured the search of a vehicle that the plaintiff had been operating and another arrest of the plaintiff. The plaintiff brought a federal civil rights lawsuit, alleging that he had been arrested twice without probable cause and, during the course of one of the arrests, he was the victim of unreasonable force when his arms were manipulated in the course of handcuffing and when an electronic control weapon was used. Two family members joined in the lawsuit, claiming that they also were aggrieved by the series of events.

In August, 2024, the plaintiff was arrested by members of the Athol Police Department. Over the course of the next several days, there were additional

In this federal civil rights claim, a citizen sued the City of Worcester, the City Manager, the former City Solicitor an...
07/21/2025

In this federal civil rights claim, a citizen sued the City of Worcester, the City Manager, the former City Solicitor and a member of the City Council. The plaintiff, who previously had petitioned the City Council for action on various topics, alleged that the City and its officials violated the applicable law based upon the handling of those petitions.

RJA Attorney Andy Gambaccini represented the defendants in the action and filed a motion to dismiss on behalf of all defendants, arguing that the complaint failed to state a viable legal claim. In part, the motion material argued that the plaintiff lacked standing, defined legally as a particularized injury affecting the claimant in a personal way.

In this federal civil rights claim, a citizen sued the City of Worcester, the City Manager, the former City Solicitor and a member of the City Council. The

A retired Dracut police officer sued the Dracut Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police in Middlesex Superior Court. ...
07/11/2025

A retired Dracut police officer sued the Dracut Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police in Middlesex Superior Court. In brief, the plaintiff alleged that, while he was a member of the Dracut Police Department, he was the subject of an internal affairs investigation that resulted in a negotiated disciplinary settlement.

The plaintiff later filed a breach of contract and defamation claim in Middlesex Superior Court. According to the complaint, the disclosure of the investigatory material associated with the prior disciplinary matter to the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission and to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office defamed him and was a breach of his agreement with the Town.

RJA Attorney Andy Gambaccini represented the Chief and Deputy Chief in the lawsuit.

A retired Dracut police officer sued the Dracut Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police in Middlesex Superior Court. In brief, the plaintiff alleged that,

RJA prevails in federal civil rights lawsuit against a police chief and police officer.
02/03/2025

RJA prevails in federal civil rights lawsuit against a police chief and police officer.

Late one evening, members of the Fall River Police Department responded to a report that an armed individual was holding hostages in a residential building.

Non-compete agreements are a common feature of employment contracts in Massachusetts to protect businesses from unfair c...
01/24/2025

Non-compete agreements are a common feature of employment contracts in Massachusetts to protect businesses from unfair competition by current and former employees. However, these agreements need to meet specific legal requirements under Massachusetts law to ensure fairness and enforceability. We review what non-compete agreements are, the legal framework governing them in Massachusetts, and key considerations for both employers and employees.

What Are Non-Compete Agreements?

A non-compete agreement is the part in an employment contract that restricts an employee from working for competitors or starting a competing business while working for the employer and for a specified period after leaving their current employer. These agreements aim to:

- Protect trade secrets and confidential information.
- Preserve customer relationships.
- Prevent unfair competition.

Non-compete agreements are a common feature of employment contracts in Massachusetts to protect businesses from unfair competition by current and former

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