Leominster

At Pulgini & Norton, our Leominster real estate lawyers and workers' compensation attorneys are well positioned to help you understand the legal consequences of your transactions and claims. In Massachusetts, an attorney must preside over the closing for a piece of residential property, but in many cases it is important to obtain legal advice much earlier in the process, such as during negotiations over the purchase price, inspections, or title examinations. While you may be able to handle a workers' compensation claim yourself, in many cases valid claims are partially or fully denied, and representation by an experienced attorney may make a substantial difference in the ultimate outcome.

When you buy a home for the first time, it may be the most expensive financial decision that you have ever made. Many steps must be taken, and in most cases legal representation will minimize the potential for financial losses. For example, at closing, some homebuyers do not realize that they can ask a seller for concessions, such as paying some or all of the closing costs. These may include lender fees, state recording fees, title charges, and adjustments.

Seller concessions may also be beneficial to a seller because homes often sell faster with seller concessions. This may allow a seller to obtain funds for a new home more quickly. However, it is not always possible to obtain a seller concession. For example, when there is a bidding war over a fairly priced home, you may not be able to get a seller concession. As experienced attorneys, we can help you ask for a seller concession and give you a sense of whether the asking price is fair in light of the market. We can also negotiate the terms of the purchase and help you with the steps necessary to secure financing.

Most public and private employers in Massachusetts are required to carry workers' compensation insurance. Their insurer is supposed to pay benefits to employees who suffer job-related illnesses or injuries. There must be a causal relationship between the injury or illness and the job in order to recover benefits. A common reason that insurers deny claims is that there is a pre-existing injury. However, a pre-existing injury is not a valid reason to deny a claim as long as some aspect of the job was a major cause of the injury or illness.

The benefits to which you may be entitled include medical expenses, medical mileage, temporary or permanent disability benefits, disfigurement or loss of function benefits, and death benefits. Permanent disability benefits may be adjusted to reflect cost of living increases. The loss of function benefit is paid only once, which makes it critical to consult an attorney before accepting an insurer's offer or signing any paperwork.

If you are pursuing benefits through a workers' compensation claim or entering into a residential property transaction in Massachusetts, you should seek legal representation. At Pulgini & Norton, our Leominster workers’ compensation attorneys and real estate lawyers can provide comprehensive legal advice in a variety of situations. Call us at 781-843-2200 or use our online form to set up a consultation.