Search Site
Menu

The Horse's Tort

A local racetrack has been advertising quite a bit on the Boston stations. When I hear their ad I am reminded of a case I had against them more than 20 years ago when a horse kicked a client and fractured the client’s patella. We sued the racetrack and naturally the owner of the horse. The owner of the horse came from Texas and just happened to have had some horses, including the offending one, in Massachusetts for a short while during the racing season. When I brought suit, the Texas owner had a Boston attorney file a motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction. I was surprised because clearly this horse, by then located in Texas, caused “tortuous injury by an act or omission in this Commonwealth.” M.G.L.c. 223A S. 3, “Transactions or Conduct for Personal Jurisdiction”. That statute allows for jurisdiction if the defendant transacts business in the Commonwealth, supplies services or things in the Commonwealth, derives substantial revenue from goods used or consumed in the Commonwealth, and so forth. It was the tortious injury part of 223A which made me confident that I had jurisdiction over the horse or, more accurately, over the Texan owner. Fortunately, the judge agreed and the case proceeded. In actuality, the jurisdictional issue was easy, contrary to the defense attorney’s impression, because the horse caused a Massachusetts injury. But it bears noting that jurisdiction is just as easily established if a producer or merchandiser brings, or has delivered, something to the state which causes injury despite the producer/merchandiser not having a presence in Massachusetts.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Feinberg & Alban, P.C. fervently protects your rights
  • The Boston firm of Feinberg & Alban, P.C. specializes its practice in the area of personal injury.

    The attorneys serve the entire state of Massachusetts in addition to affiliating with lawyers in other states to handle cases outside of Massachusetts.

  • $7.7 Million Award for Feinberg & Alban Client in Personal Injury Trial

    Boston Attorneys Win Highest Injury Verdict in Massachusetts in 2011 & 2012.

Client Reviews
  • google
    5.0/5.0

    Colleen Santora Has been amazing throughout this whole process. I am 100% satisfied with how she has been there and represented me.

    Read more

    Nicholas Lugo

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    I worked with Perry Feinberg, as my personal injury attorney for an auto accident, Perry was very responsive, and available to answer all my questions. They are good at communicating with you and keep you informed. I’m finally able to put this acc...

    Read more

    Veronica Pleitez

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    Some of the best lawyers I have ever had very caring and friendly they helped me and my family tremendously, I would 100 percent recommend them and not look any further they will get the job done.

    Read more

    Brandon Welliver

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    Colleen Santora and Robert Feinberg at Feinberg and Alban treated my husband and I like family. Their concern for us felt personal and genuine. Colleen and Rob always kept on the details of my case fighting for me and guiding me along during a stress...

    Read more

    Marchant

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    Colleen was excellent to work with- great communication from start to finish. Highly recommend!

    Read more

    Paige Duane

See all reviews
Awards & Affiliations
Contact us

Quick Contact Form