Massachusetts law gives families three years to file a wrongful death claim. The clock starts ticking the day a loved one dies.
Most people do not know this. They are planning funerals. They are comforting children. They are trying to pay bills.
A wrongful death lawyer in Boston handles the legal side. Families get room to grieve. The attorney manages the paperwork and insurance companies. A successful claim pays for funeral costs and medical bills. It covers lost income. It compensates for the loss of companionship.
Picking the right Boston wrongful death law firm makes all the difference. Here are seven firms with proven records in Massachusetts.
1. Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers
Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers has helped Massachusetts families since 2013. Their main office is at 65A Atlantic Ave in Boston’s North End. They have offices across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. This Boston wrongful death law firm has recovered over $200 million for clients.
They helped more than 10,000 people. Yahoo Finance reported their $17.6 million judgment. They won $2.5 million for a fatal motorcycle accident. A $455,000 wrongful death settlement is also on their record.
This firm offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. No other Boston firm puts this in writing. Clients can ask for their file back within the first month. No charges. No questions.
They created a Director of Client Settlements role. This person focuses only on getting money to clients. They also have a Case Status app for tracking cases.
TrustAnalytica ranked them the top personal injury firm in Boston. Their Google rating is 4.9 stars from over 1,600 reviews. The team speaks Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Cantonese.
Key strengths:
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 support with live people
- Director of Client Settlements for fast payouts
- Case Status app for tracking
- 4.9-star Google rating
- TrustAnalytica #1 in Boston
- Four languages spoken
- No payment unless they win
2. Santoro & Gray
Santoro & Gray handles only personal injury and wrongful death cases. Victoria M. Santoro and Jessica M. Gray started the firm with a simple belief. Every client deserves individual attention.
Their biggest case came from the Big Dig tunnel. A woman died when a three-ton ceiling panel fell on her car. The firm won $28.5 million for her family.
They also secured $3 million for a father of four who drowned in a hotel pool. The pool had poor maintenance. The emergency phone system did not work. His children could not call for help.
Another case brought a multi-million dollar recovery. A man drowned in a pool without a lifeguard or life-saving devices nearby.
Santoro & Gray works with police and traffic experts. They examine cell phone records and black boxes. They look at prior complaints about dangerous conditions. This thorough work proves fault when the victim cannot speak.
Key strengths:
- $28.5 million Big Dig settlement
- $3 million hotel drowning judgment
- Multi-million dollar recovery for an unguarded pool drowning
- Victoria Santoro, Super Lawyers 2023-2025
- Bradley M. Henry, Rising Stars 2016-2024
- 131 Dartmouth Street, third floor, Boston
- Free consultations
- Contingency fee basis
3. Lubin & Meyer PC
Lubin & Meyer PC opened in 1974. The firm is known nationally for medical malpractice and catastrophic injury work. They are among the most respected Massachusetts wrongful death lawyers in the state.
Nineteen lawyers work there. Four registered nurses are on staff too. This mix of legal and medical knowledge helps with complex cases. The firm recovered over $650 million in the past decade.
They won a $40 million verdict. That is the largest personal injury verdict in Massachusetts history. They also secured $8.5 million for a New Hampshire cyclist killed by a tractor-trailer.
In 2025, the firm had four cases recognized at the Leaders in the Law event. These included a $3.4 million medical malpractice verdict for a stroke death. Also a $7 million birth injury settlement.
Best Law Firms ranked Lubin & Meyer as a top Boston firm. Five attorneys make The Best Lawyers in America each year. Robert M. Higgins was “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice in Boston for 2025.
Key strengths:
- Opened in 1974
- $40 million verdict, largest in state history
- $8.5 million cyclist wrongful death verdict
- $650+ million recovered in ten years
- 19 lawyers and 4 nurses on staff
- Best Law Firms top-ranked in Boston
- Five attorneys in Best Lawyers in America
- Offices in Boston, serves MA, NH, and RI
4. Rawson, Merrigan & Litner, LLP
Rawson, Merrigan & Litner, LLP has over 75 years of combined experience. The firm only handles personal injury and wrongful death cases.
Their attorneys know what families go through after a fatal accident. Every client gets personal attention. A partner works on each case from beginning to end. That partner answers questions directly.
The firm collects surveillance footage and witness statements. They get company safety records and driving reports. Financial experts calculate total losses, including future income.
They also work with multiple insurance companies. This includes Personal Injury Protection and Medical Payments coverage. They handle the complex paperwork.
Key strengths:
- 75+ years of combined experience
- Partners personally handle every case
- Financial experts calculate full losses
- Coordinates with multiple insurance carriers
- Collects surveillance, witness statements, safety records
- 185 Devonshire Street, Suite 1100, Boston
- Additional office in Greenfield
- Free consultations
- Contingency fee basis
5. Joel H. Schwartz, P.C.
Joel H. Schwartz, P.C., opened its doors more than five decades ago. The firm’s attorneys collectively bring over 185 years of litigation experience to the table.
More than 30,000 claims have been resolved by this firm. Clients throughout the Boston metro area and beyond have received hundreds of millions in compensation.
The National Trial Lawyers Association placed their attorneys in the Top 100. Avvo gives them “Superb” ratings. Boston’s Top Rated Lawyers has also recognized the firm.
The firm covers investigation and litigation costs upfront. They pay for medical records and expert fees. These costs get reimbursed at the end. Clients do not pay anything during the case.
Key strengths:
- 55+ years in Massachusetts
- 185+ years of combined experience
- 30,000+ claims resolved
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers by National Trial Lawyers
- “Superb” Avvo ratings
- Boston’s Top Rated Lawyers featured firm
- Covers all upfront costs
- 1 Washington Street, Boston
6. Swartz & Swartz, P.C.
Swartz & Swartz, P.C. began in 1972. The firm has handled thousands of cases across New England in the decades since. They are a trusted wrongful death attorney in Boston for many families.
They take on wrongful death claims from car crashes, medical mistakes, faulty products, and workplace incidents. Nursing home abuse and premises liability cases are also part of their practice.
James Swartz earned Super Lawyers recognition every year from 2004 through 2026. The firm operates from the historic Hancock House at 10 Marshall Street in Boston. That building is on the Freedom Trail.
Senior trial attorney David P. Angueira has won record-setting verdicts and settlements. Spanish-speaking attorneys are available for families.
Key strengths:
- Founded in 1972
- James Swartz, Super Lawyers 2004-2026
- Historic Hancock House location on the Freedom Trail
- Senior trial attorney David P. Angueira
- Handles car accidents, medical malpractice, defective products
- Nursing home abuse and premises liability cases
- Thousands of cases across New England
- Free consultations
- Spanish-speaking attorneys available
7. Burns & Jain
Burns & Jain represents families across Massachusetts in wrongful death cases. Their Boston fatal injury lawyers handle car crashes, truck accidents, medical malpractice, workplace fatalities, and premises liability claims.
Their attorneys investigate thoroughly to find fault. They bring in accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and financial analysts when needed.
The firm works on contingency. Families pay nothing unless they recover compensation. Free consultations are available. The firm serves clients throughout Massachusetts and answers questions promptly.
Key strengths:
- Car accidents, truck crashes, medical malpractice
- Workplace fatalities and premises liability
- Works with accident reconstruction and medical experts
- Contingency fee basis
- Free consultations
- Serves all of Massachusetts
- Quick response to client questions
What Families Can Recover
Massachusetts law allows families to recover several types of damages. Medical bills from before the death are included. Funeral and burial costs are covered, too.
Families can recover the income their loved one would have earned. This includes future earnings over an entire career. Loss of companionship and emotional support are also compensable.
Punitive damages may apply in some cases. This happens when the defendant’s conduct was grossly negligent or willful. Punitive damages punish the wrongdoer.
Attorneys work with experts to calculate these damages. Financial analysts determine lost future earnings. Medical experts explain the cause of death. Accident reconstruction specialists show how the incident occurred.
How the Claims Process Works
The executor or administrator files the wrongful death claim. This person is usually named in the will. If there is no will, a court appoints someone.
Compensation goes to surviving family members. This includes spouses, children, parents, and siblings. If none of these relatives exist, other next of kin may receive compensation.
A survival claim may also be filed. This covers the deceased’s pain and suffering between the accident and their death. It covers medical bills and lost wages during that period. The estate files this claim. Proceeds go to beneficiaries named in the will.
The attorney’s investigation includes police reports, medical records, and witness statements. They hire experts when needed.
Final Thoughts
Ask every attorney this question directly. “How many wrongful death cases has your firm taken to trial in the last three years?” Some attorneys will give you specific details. Courthouse names. Judge names. Verdict amounts. Others will change the subject. They will talk about settlements instead. That tells you something important.
Massachusetts law sets a three-year deadline for filing wrongful death claims. That deadline is firm. Miss it and the case disappears forever. Surveillance footage gets recorded over. Witnesses move to other states. Phone records get deleted. The clock never stops. Contacting a Wrongful Death Lawyer Boston immediately preserves evidence. Experienced wrongful death lawyers in Boston know what to look for and how to protect families.
These seven firms have proven track records. Families who choose them get experienced representation. They get attorneys who fight for maximum compensation. They get someone who handles everything so they can focus on healing.