You have suffered a significant loss at the hands of someone else’s negligence. You need a Boston wrongful death lawyer who will actually put up a fight, not one that merely files documents and accepts the lowest penny settlement you might be able to accept. The wrong attorney for you can mean a number of months wasted on delay tactics, settlement offers that are lower than what they are worth, and no justice being served to those who are responsible.
Many firms boast a certain level of qualifications and expertise, but it is not the qualifications and expertise that win cases; it is trial readiness. This is why we have ranked the best Boston wrongful death lawyers by trial readiness, settlement history, and client satisfaction guarantees.
We searched for Boston attorneys who are genuinely willing to take your case to trial if the other side does not settle, lawyers who personally handle each of their cases (no case managers), and firms whose recovery numbers are actually documented and verifiable.
Some provide no risk of financial loss to you. Others can point to decades of courtroom triumphs. All seven of the firms listed here meet the criteria required of a Boston wrongful death lawyer in terms of specialization or years of experience handling fatal accident cases. Here is how each of these 7 Boston wrongful death lawyers compares side by side.
Quick Comparison
Scan this table to compare trial approach, specialty focus, and what sets each firm apart in Boston wrongful death representation.
| # | Firm Name | Wrongful Death Focus | Key Differentiator | Trial vs. Settlement Approach |
| 1 | Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers | Personal injury with wrongful death coverage | Direct attorney representation, no case managers | Settlement-focused with personalized service |
| 2 | Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers | Core wrongful death practice area | Trial-ready approach | Prepared to negotiate or litigate |
| 3 | Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers | Tough cases others declined | 25,000+ clients served | Hundreds of millions recovered through verdicts |
| 4 | Joel H. Schwartz, P.C. | Personal injury with a wrongful death track record | 30,000+ claims resolved | 185+ years combined litigation expertise |
| 5 | Lubin & Meyer PC | Medical malpractice and fatal injuries | Nationwide attorney referrals | Accountability-focused with a full compensation goal |
| 6 | Altman & Altman | Aggressive personal injury representation | 24/7 consultation availability | Personalized attention with creative solutions |
| 7 | DOLAN CONNLY, P.C. | Personal injury with wrongful death experience | Veteran-owned with insurance insider knowledge | Million-dollar settlement track record |
Top 7 Wrongful Death Lawyers In Boston
We have arranged the firms according to your needs. Each law firm offers a competitive edge in handling wrongful death cases, whether that be a money-back guarantee, a litigious reputation, or specialized knowledge in medical malpractice.
Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers
Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers in Boston, MA offers a 30-day, risk-free satisfaction guarantee. If you’re unhappy with the firm’s service for any reason within the first 30 days, your file can be returned free of charge.
Their legal representation is direct, meaning that the family works directly with one attorney on the claim; case managers and paralegals aren’t used. Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers handles wrongful death in the context of a larger personal injury practice, including cases involving car accidents, medical malpractice, and slips and falls. That may be an advantage in the courtroom, since some wrongful death cases involve multiple causes and different theories of liability.
Headquartered in the office space at 65A Atlantic Ave in Boston, and with a presence throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, the law firm may be helpful even for families located outside of the immediate Boston area. Attorney Michael D. Kelly, Esq. leads the practice, personally handling wrongful death claims from intake through resolution.
| Attribute | Value |
| Best For | Families wanting direct attorney access with zero early-stage risk |
| Key Guarantee | 30-day satisfaction promise |
| Wrongful Death Focus | Explicit practice area within personal injury |
| Lead Attorney | Michael D. Kelly, Esq. |
| Geographic Reach | MA, NH, CT satellite offices |
Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers
Sweeney Merrigan has over 3 decades of experience standing with victims in Boston during some of the hardest times of their lives, and they explicitly list wrongful death as a core practice area—not a side specialty buried in a general injury menu.
Founded in 2010, the firm built its reputation on a trial-ready philosophy: they’ll negotiate aggressively for fair settlements, but they’re equally prepared to take cases to court when insurers refuse to pay what families deserve. That dual-track approach matters in wrongful death cases, where insurers often lowball initial offers, hoping families will settle quickly.
Their client-partnership model emphasizes honest communication about both strengths and weaknesses from the first meeting through verdict or settlement. Every case is different, and so is every client—they build trust through discussing both the strengths and weaknesses of a case. No false promises. 256 reviews suggest families appreciate that transparency when navigating Massachusetts wrongful death statutes and damage caps.
| Attribute | Details |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Best For | Families who want trial readiness, not just settlement pressure |
| Wrongful Death Focus | Explicitly listed as a core practice area |
| Key Differentiator | 30+ years combined experience with dual-track negotiation/trial approach |
Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers
Founded in 1991, Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers brings over 30 years of experience recovering hundreds of millions of dollars for more than 25,000 injured clients across Massachusetts.
What sets this firm apart from wrongful death cases is their willingness to take on tough cases that other attorneys have turned down and win. That track record matters when insurance companies dig in, and families need someone who won’t fold under pressure.
Their mission centers on accountability. They hold those whose careless, reckless, or intentional acts caused lasting harm accountable, pursuing full and fair compensation without compromise. For Boston families navigating the aftermath of a preventable death, this firm’s documented settlement and verdict history provides tangible proof of their trial readiness and negotiation leverage—not just credentials on a wall.
| Attribute | Details |
| Founded | 1991 (30+ years) |
| Best For | Families seeking aggressive representation on cases that others refused |
| Track Record | Hundreds of millions recovered, 25,000+ clients served |
| Core Strength | Takes on tough wrongful death cases and wins |
Joel H. Schwartz, P.C.
Over 60 years of firm experience gives this Boston practice serious depth when families need wrongful death representation. The firm has successfully resolved more than 30,000 claims and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in total compensation, backing its track record with concrete volume.
What sets them apart is 185+ years of combined litigation expertise across the team—eight named attorneys, including President Joel H. Schwartz and Managing Partner Steven A. Schwartz, plus senior and associate-level counsel who handle everything from car accidents to construction site fatalities.
Their use of specially designed software, combined with painstaking research, aims to make the legal process hassle-free, a practical edge when grieving families face mountains of paperwork.
Worth noting: the firm’s caseload spans multiple personal injury categories, so wrongful death isn’t their sole focus. Still, six decades of settlements and verdicts mean they’ve seen nearly every fact pattern that leads to a fatal claim.
| Attribute | Value |
| Founded / Experience | 60+ years of firm history |
| Team Expertise | 185+ years combined litigation experience |
| Claims Resolved | 30,000+ successfully closed |
| Best For | High-volume practice with technology-driven efficiency |
Lubin & Meyer PC
For wrongful death cases rooted in medical negligence—birth injuries, surgical errors, misdiagnosis—Lubin & Meyer PC offers specialized expertise that general personal injury firms can’t match.
Founded in 1974, the firm brings over 50 years of experience to claims where medical error caused a preventable death. Their relentless focus on accountability and full compensation has made them the go-to referral destination for attorneys across New England and nationwide who encounter complex medical malpractice claims they can’t handle themselves. That peer respect matters. It signals trial readiness and a track record of not settling for cheap.
The firm’s core practice areas include maternal death, anesthesia accidents, brain injury, and cancer misdiagnosis—all scenarios where wrongful death overlaps with catastrophic medical error. Lawyers throughout the United States refer their most difficult medical negligence cases to Lubin & Meyer, a testament to their innovative litigation tactics and willingness to take on insurers who stonewall. Specific settlement or verdict amounts aren’t published on their site, but the referral network and five-decade tenure speak to consistent results.
| Attribute | Detail |
| Founded | 1974 (50+ years) |
| Best For | Medical malpractice wrongful death |
| Referral Network | Nationwide attorney referrals |
| Team Size | 5+ attorneys, including the founding partner |
Altman & Altman
Altman & Altman offers free consultations 24/7, making them one of the most accessible wrongful death firms in Boston when families face sudden tragedy.
Their personalized attention examines every detail and explores creative solutions to ensure every possible avenue to success remains open—a critical advantage when wrongful death claims involve complex liability questions or multiple defendants. The firm’s aggressive representation approach means they don’t shy away from taking insurers to court when settlement offers fall short of fair compensation.
Managing Partner Steven Altman leads a team that includes David Altman, Steven Goldwyn, and three other attorneys handling cases ranging from birth injuries to medical malpractice. The firm doesn’t publish specific wrongful death settlement amounts or trial verdicts on their site, but their Boston-based practice and round-the-clock availability signal a client-first model built for families navigating grief alongside legal deadlines.
| Attribute | Details |
| Availability | 24/7 free consultation |
| Best For | Families needing immediate legal access after a sudden loss |
| Approach | Aggressive representation with creative case strategies |
| Team Size | 6+ named attorneys across multiple injury specialties |
DOLAN CONNLY, P.C.
Founded in 2000, DOLAN CONNLY, P.C. brings over two decades of experience as a veteran-owned firm with a distinct edge: insider knowledge of how insurance companies evaluate claims. That perspective matters. When you understand the adjuster’s playbook, you negotiate from strength, not hope.
The firm has secured millions in verdicts and settlements across personal injury cases, including wrongful death claims arising from medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, and premises liability.
Their client-focused approach emphasizes direct, honest advice without pressure or confusion, and the team page lists associate Barbara D. Connly but doesn’t detail trial experience or individual case results. Still, the firm’s veteran ownership and broad practice areas—spanning personal injury, real estate, estate planning, and dispute resolution—suggest a practical, no-nonsense style that Boston families often value when navigating wrongful death claims alongside estate administration.
| Attribute | Detail |
| Founded | 2000 (20+ years) |
| Best For | Families needing insurance-savvy negotiation |
| Specialty | Veteran-owned, multi-practice approach |
| Notable Edge | Insider claim evaluation knowledge |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the typical cost of hiring a wrongful death lawyer in Boston?
A: The cost structure for a wrongful death lawyer in Boston typically follows a contingency fee arrangement: you pay nothing upfront, the lawyer takes 33% to 40% of the final settlement or verdict, and you owe nothing if there’s no recovery. Many reputable firms advance expenses like expert witness fees and court filing costs, deducting them only from your final recovery.
Q: On average, how long does a wrongful death lawsuit take to resolve in MA?
A: While cases vary, most resolve between 12 and 36 months. Clear-cut cases, where liability is obvious, such as car crashes or cases with documented medical negligence, often settle within 12 to 18 months. If the case involves a large corporate defendant, contested liability, or goes to trial, the timeline often extends beyond 3 years. Please be aware of Massachusetts’s 3-year statute of limitations from the date of death.
Q: Is a settlement better than a trial verdict?
A: In short, settlements are generally faster (months versus years) and less risky, providing a guaranteed payout, but those amounts may be lower than what a jury awards for clear negligence and malice. Lawyers who are “trial-ready” often leverage the likelihood of going to court during settlement negotiations, as juries can and do award substantial verdicts. While settlement experience matters, ensure the attorney has a proven record of actual trial victories, not just settlement volume.
Q: Can I change lawyers during my wrongful death case?
A: You can always dismiss and change attorneys at any time. Your previous lawyer may charge for their work completed in the case up to that point. However, most individuals change counsel and still receive an attorney fee award. Look for attorneys who offer free trials of their services and satisfaction guarantees to avoid being stuck in this situation.
Conclusion
Losing a loved one to negligence demands more than credentials on paper. Boston families facing wrongful death need a lawyer who combines trial readiness with a genuine commitment to direct representation—and the seven firms above deliver exactly that.
We prioritized documented settlement history, willingness to litigate, and direct attorney access over marketing polish because your case deserves a fighter, not a middleman.
Review the comparison table to match your priorities—trial aggression versus settlement speed, satisfaction guarantees versus decades of courtroom wins. Then request consultations from your top two picks. Most offer free case reviews, and you’ll know within one conversation whether they’re prepared to go the distance for your family.
