Litigation

When communication breaks down and a dispute reaches a point where informal resolution is no longer viable, having a skilled legal team in your corner can make all the difference. At Bacon Wilson, P.C., our litigation attorneys guide clients through the legal process with a focus on efficiency, cost-effectiveness and results.

We represent businesses and individuals throughout Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties in a broad range of civil litigation matters in both federal and state courts, including:

Automobile Accidents

An auto accident can leave you overwhelmed – dealing with mounting medical bills, uncooperative insurers and the physical toll of recovery all at once. Our legal team steps in to handle settlement negotiations, manage communications with insurance companies and pursue litigation for your injuries when necessary.

Brownfields Redevelopment Counseling

A brownfield site is a parcel of real property where the potential or confirmed presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant creates complications for any future expansion, redevelopment or reuse. Many of these sites share a common history as former industrial or commercial properties that have sat unused and overlooked for years.

For a long time, developers and lenders treated these properties as liabilities rather than opportunities. The prospect of costly environmental remediation threatened to wipe out projected returns, while lenders feared that a default could leave them responsible for a contaminated property and the significant cleanup obligations that came with it.

That calculus has shifted considerably. Both the federal Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act and the Massachusetts Brownfields Act – Chapter 206 of the Acts of 1998 – introduced financial incentives that have made these sites far more attractive and financially viable to develop. Our attorneys can help you navigate the legal and regulatory landscape involved in acquiring and developing a brownfield property from start to finish.

Consumer Protection Claims

Our attorneys represent clients on both sides of consumer protection matters, whether you need to bring a claim or mount a defense against one. We work to protect your interests and pursue the most favorable outcome available under the law.

Contract Disputes

A breach of contract dispute can put your business or personal interests at serious risk. Our attorneys work toward favorable resolutions when disputes arise and can also review contracts before you sign them to identify potential issues before they become costly problems.

Discrimination

While most people understand that the law prohibits discrimination based on sex, age, religion or ethnicity, employers frequently encounter less obvious areas of exposure. Decisions around leave policies, disability accommodations and other employment matters carry real legal risk. Consulting with our employment law attorneys before making those calls is a smart and proactive step.

General Civil Litigation

When legal disputes require formal resolution – whether through the courts, mediation or arbitration – our litigation team is prepared to represent your interests at every stage of the process.

Harassment

Massachusetts law can hold employers liable for workplace harassment or retaliation – including sexual harassment – even when the offending conduct comes from a nonsupervisory employee. When a manager or supervisor becomes aware that harassment is occurring, taking immediate corrective action is critical to limiting liability. Our employment attorneys can help you understand your obligations and protect your organization.

Injury Claims

Whether your injury stems from an auto accident, a slip-and-fall or a workplace incident, our goal is to help you get your life back on track. Our legal team coordinates medical expense payments, handles insurer communications and pursues the compensation you deserve so you can focus on your recovery.

Medical Malpractice

When medical errors cause serious harm to you or someone you love, our attorneys can help you pursue the compensation and accountability you deserve for your pain, suffering and losses.

Negligent Hiring Prevention and Defense

Employers can face liability for wrongful acts committed by employees when prior knowledge of that employee’s history of misconduct existed. Our attorneys counsel employers on responsible hiring practices and provide strong defense representation when a negligent hiring claim arises.

Personal Injury Claims

A serious injury affects every part of your daily life. Our legal team works to handle the legal and financial complexities of your claim – coordinating medical payments and managing insurer negotiations – so your energy stays focused on healing rather than paperwork.

Probate

Probate is a formal court proceeding that typically involves the following steps:

• Determining the validity of your will or settling your estate if you pass without one
• Appointing an executor or administrator to oversee the estate
• Inventorying all assets held individually at the time of death
• Paying outstanding debts, taxes and probate administration fees
• Distributing remaining assets according to your will or the Massachusetts intestacy law

The probate process takes time, requires careful administration and can become costly if not handled properly. It is also a public process – meaning your assets and their distribution become part of the public record. If any of these factors concern you, our attorneys can help you explore strategies to minimize or avoid probate altogether.

Product Liability

When a defective product causes injury to you or a family member, you have the right to pursue recovery against the manufacturer. Our legal team can guide you through the claims process and fight for the compensation you are entitled to.

Severance Agreements

Employers offer severance packages for two primary reasons: to treat long-term employees fairly and to reduce exposure to future legal claims. These agreements carry real legal complexity, and structuring them properly requires experienced legal guidance from the start.

Slip-and-Fall Cases

Property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors. If you suffered injuries from a fall at a store, parking lot or any other poorly maintained property, our attorneys can help you build a strong claim and pursue the compensation you need.

Wage and Hour

How employers track time and compensate their workers has become one of the most closely scrutinized areas of employment law. Courts continue to increase penalty awards – on top of unpaid wages, interest and attorney fees – making full compliance a business priority rather than just a best practice. Our employment law attorneys represent both employers and employees in wage and hour matters, including:

• Defending employers against individual and class action litigation brought by private plaintiffs
• Representing employers in disputes with government agencies
• Auditing pay policies to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations
• Advising employers on day-to-day payroll processing questions and disputes
• Representing employees in claims against employers for failure to properly pay wages

Our ability to represent both sides of wage and hour disputes gives our clients a distinct advantage – we understand how each side thinks and what it takes to reach a resolution.

Work With Us

Whether you are facing a dispute or trying to get ahead of one, our attorneys at Bacon Wilson, P.C., are ready to help. We serve clients throughout Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. Call us at 413-693-2787 or reach out online to schedule a consultation today.