Please contact Richard at mandel@richardmandel.com
if you cannot find an answer to your question.
A: My mission is to help you rebuild and recover by taking the legal, logistical, and financial strain off your shoulders. You will never pay anything out-of-pocket. Initial consultations are always free, and my practice covers all legal and investigative costs throughout the process. I work entirely on a contingency basis, meaning I collect my fee only as a percentage of the final recovery once we win your case.
A: I operate on a contingency fee model. You pay no hourly rates or upfront retainers.
A: I take the full scope of your long-term needs into account from day one. I work closely with treating physicians, economic specialists, and life-care planners to accurately forecast lifetime medical expenses and lost earnings. Throughout your case, I will guide you through every factor affecting your potential recovery, ensuring you have the information you need to make informed decisions that protect your family’s future.
A: A realistic valuation requires a comprehensive evaluation of your case’s specific facts. I will look at proof of liability (who was at fault), medical causation (the event that caused your condition), and the full extent of your damages (which includes past and future medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering). I do not offer a speculative figure. Instead, I build a strong case to seek the highest possible value.
A: Timelines depend primarily on the severity of your injuries and the complexity of the legal issues involved. In personal injury law, we generally advise waiting until you reach "maximum medical improvement,” so we know the true extent of your losses before entering settlement discussions. While straightforward car accident claims can be resolved in 6 to 12 months, complex disputes involving catastrophic injuries, multiple parties, or commercial carriers often take two to five years.
A: Insurance adjusters prioritize their bottom line, not the compensation you deserve for your suffering and injury. Having worked on the insurance side for many years, I know how insurance companies evaluate a case and approach settlement negotiations. Initial offers are typically a percentage of what a claim is worth, offered in the hope that you will settle before realizing your future medical needs. Before you are pressured to sign anything or waive your rights, hiring an attorney to advocate for you is in your long-term best interest. I will review the offer with you and give an honest opinion on whether it is fair and reasonable.
A: Yes. In Massachusetts, the general statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims is three years from the date of the incident. However, certain claims have much stricter deadlines. These include cases involving municipal entities, state agencies, or specific notice statutes. Hiring an attorney as soon as possible will protect your legal rights and safeguard critical physical evidence.
A: Most personal injury cases are resolved through structured negotiation, mediation, or arbitration without ever setting foot in a courtroom. However, the best settlements happen when the insurance company knows your lawyer has trial experience and won’t hesitate to go to court. I prepare every case as though the matter could go before a judge or jury, giving our case the leverage needed to negotiate from a position of strength. This approach helps us pursue a fair settlement outside of court.
A: Yes. I am an experienced trial attorney with my own practice. If the defense refuses to offer a settlement that fairly reflects your losses, I will not hesitate to take your case before a judge and jury.
A: Yes. You will never be left wondering where your case stands. I communicate regular updates and explain every phase of the legal process in plain English. I will provide strategic recommendations; however, whether to accept an offer is your decision.
A: I represent individuals and families across a broad spectrum of personal injury and catastrophic loss matters, from dog bites and slip-and-fall accidents to wrongful death and traumatic brain injuries. For a complete list of the different types of cases, please click here.