If you’re a grieving family that has suffered the wrongful death of a loved one, one major question you should ask potential attorneys is: “How many of your cases make it to trial?”
Many law firms are quick to market their sympathy, but not always transparent about whether partners personally work on your case, how many wrongful death cases they have actually taken to trial, or what their track record of recovery is.
They also frequently use the same buzzwords as their competitors without ever providing examples of their “aggressive” representation or their willingness to go to trial if insurance companies refuse a just offer.
We’ve ranked these Boston wrongful death attorneys by trial aggression, settlement success rates, and hands-on partner representation because the firms that stand out aren’t always the ones with the flashiest websites. We considered dozens of firms during our research and narrowed our list down to only 8 wrongful death firms in Boston. We’ve also compiled some stats on each firm to make comparing them easy to understand.
Many lawyers promise personal attention and no upfront fees. But promises don’t always match reality. Some hand your case to a case manager instead of a partner. Others talk big but lack real results. Here’s a head-to-head comparison of the 8 best wrongful death firms in Boston.
Top 8 Boston Wrongful Death Attorneys
Wrongful death cases require attorneys who not only display empathy but can also recreate accident scenes, rebut expert witnesses from corporate defendants, and comply with the tight two-year timeframe prescribed by the statute of limitations, M.G.L. c. 229, § 2.
Our research has identified firms with proven wrongful death track records, specific experience in wrongful death, and a focus on client communication.
We evaluated each firm for trial experience, team size and composition, fee structure, and other criteria in order to recommend attorneys capable of recovering maximum statutory damages for loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and lost earnings.
Massachusetts attorney regulation rules prevent law firms from guaranteeing results; however, you’ll notice these firms demonstrate a willingness to proceed to jury trial rather than accept early lowball settlements.
Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers
Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers, headquartered in Boston, stands apart with a 30-day, risk-free satisfaction guarantee—if you’re unhappy for any reason within the first 30 days, your file can be returned free of charge.
The firm also works on a contingency-fee basis, so families pay no legal fees unless compensation is recovered. Clients work directly with their attorney rather than a case manager or paralegal, providing consistent communication throughout the case.
Led by Michael D. Kelly, Esq., the firm focuses on wrongful death, catastrophic injury, medical malpractice, and serious motor vehicle accident litigation. The legal team handles every stage of the claim, from accident investigations and evidence preservation to settlement negotiations and trial representation, while working with medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and financial analysts to strengthen each case.
The firm’s reported results include a $2.5 million motorcycle accident settlement, a $500,000 slip-and-fall settlement, and a $455,000 wrongful death settlement.
With offices in Boston, Cambridge, Lowell, Worcester, and Salem, Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers serves families throughout Massachusetts and offers consultations by phone, video conference, or in person.
| What Sets Them Apart | Why It Matters for Families |
| 30-day satisfaction guarantee | Change representation without penalty during the first 30 days |
| Direct attorney representation | Work directly with your attorney throughout the case |
| Wrongful death coverage | Explicit focus on fatal accident claims |
| Free initial consultation | No cost to explore your legal options |
Why Choose This Firm?
Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers combines real personal attention with smart policies that set them apart. You get direct access to your attorney, a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, and contingency fees, so you pay nothing up front.
With solid experience in wrongful death and serious injury cases, plus support from medical and reconstruction experts, they build strong claims. Multiple offices across Massachusetts and flexible consultations help families get reliable guidance when it matters most.
Santoro & Gray
Santoro & Gray holds the record for the highest personal injury verdict in Massachusetts history. This makes them a standout choice for families seeking aggressive trial representation after a fatal accident.
Wrongful death is a core practice area for the firm. Co-founders Victoria Santoro and Jessica Gray built it around catastrophic injuries and fatal cases that demand strong litigation. They don’t settle just for convenience.
Their track record shows they’re willing to take cases to verdict when insurers offer too little. Families need lawyers who fight hard, and Santoro & Gray delivers exactly that.
Key features:
- Highest personal injury verdict in Massachusetts history
- Explicit wrongful death practice area
- Co-founding partners handle cases directly
- Trial-first approach backed by catastrophic injury expertise
- Fierce advocacy for families seeking maximum recovery
Why Choose This Firm?
Santoro & Gray’s record-setting verdict proves they don’t fear trial—a critical advantage when insurers drag out negotiations, hoping families settle low. Their commitment to fighting for your truth translates into exhaustive case preparation and expert testimony that overwhelms defense strategies.
Families who choose this firm gain partners willing to litigate as long as it takes to secure full compensation for loss of companionship, financial support, and emotional devastation.
Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers
Founded in 1991, Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers has built a three-decade track record representing Boston families in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.
The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for over 25,000 injured clients, establishing itself as a volume leader willing to take on complex litigation that other attorneys decline. Their mission centers on holding negligent parties accountable—whether through aggressive settlement negotiation or courtroom trial.
What sets this firm apart is its willingness to accept difficult cases. They’ve taken on tough cases that other attorneys turned down and won, demonstrating the trial confidence grieving families need when insurers lowball initial offers.
Key features:
- 30+ years litigating fatal injury cases in Massachusetts courts
- Hundreds of millions recovered across 25,000+ client representations
- Accepts complex wrongful death cases that other firms reject
- Free case evaluation with experienced trial attorneys
- No upfront fees—contingency-based representation
Why Choose This Firm?
Families overwhelmed by sudden loss need attorneys with institutional knowledge and volume capacity.
Jeffrey Glassman’s three-decade presence means they’ve navigated every wrongful death scenario—from disputed liability in multi-vehicle crashes to premises negligence claims against corporate defendants.
Their large caseload translates to pattern recognition: they’ve seen how insurers delay, deny, and deflect, and they’ve developed counter-strategies that maximize recovery timelines while maintaining an aggressive posture through litigation.
Breakstone, White & Gluck
Breakstone, White & Gluck limits their caseload deliberately, ensuring every client works directly with one of the three founding partners. No case managers. No junior associates handling critical discovery. Wrongful death is an explicit practice area, backed by decades of litigation experience across catastrophic injury and fatal accident claims. This selective intake model means families get senior attorney attention from day one through verdict or settlement.
The founding partners personally handle depositions, expert witness coordination, and courtroom arguments. That partner-level representation translates to stronger negotiating leverage with insurers who recognize the firm’s trial readiness.
Free consultations let grieving families assess fit without financial pressure. The firm’s refusal to scale beyond its capacity signals commitment to volume—a rare stance in personal injury practice where many firms chase quantity.
Key features:
- Always represented by the founding partner, never delegated
- Selective case intake dedicates full firm resources
- Decades of trial litigation experience
- Wrongful death explicit focus area
- Free consultation to assess case merit
Why Choose This Firm?
Families overwhelmed by fatal accident aftermath need attorneys who answer their calls directly, not paralegals reading scripts. Breakstone, White & Gluck’s partner-only model ensures the lawyer who signs the retainer is the same person cross-examining negligent parties at deposition.
That continuity builds trust and case knowledge that insurers can’t easily dismiss. The selective caseload approach means your wrongful death claim isn’t competing with hundreds of others for attention—it receives the exhaustive investigation and expert collaboration required to maximize recovery for surviving dependents.
Joel H. Schwartz, P.C.
Joel H. Schwartz, P.C., brings over 60 years of firm experience and 185+ years of combined litigation expertise across their eight-attorney team, positioning them as one of Boston’s most seasoned wrongful death advocates. The firm has resolved more than 30,000 claims and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for families navigating catastrophic loss.
They’re best for clients seeking institutional depth paired with modern case management—their approach combines the latest technology, including specially designed software, with painstaking research and personal care to streamline what’s typically an overwhelming legal process.
Their roster spans President Joel H. Schwartz, Managing Partner Steven A. Schwartz, and six senior and associate attorneys, ensuring continuity across complex wrongful death litigation. Worth noting for grieving families. The firm covers car accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian fatalities, truck collisions, construction site deaths, and other catastrophic injury scenarios
Key features:
- 60+ years firm experience, 185+ combined team litigation expertise
- Resolved 30,000+ claims, recovered hundreds of millions
- Proprietary software and painstaking research methodology
- Eight-attorney roster across senior and associate levels
Why Choose This Firm?
Joel H. Schwartz, P.C., combines decades of experience with a tech-driven approach that keeps cases moving smoothly.
With over 30,000 claims resolved, they handle high caseloads without losing personal attention. If you want proven systems over courtroom theatrics, this firm is a solid choice.
Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers
Sweeney Merrigan has been around since 2010 and brings decades of real experience standing by victims during incredibly hard times. Wrongful death is one of their main practice areas. The trial team, led by managing partners Peter Merrigan and J. Tucker Merrigan, is prepared to fight for fair settlements or take the case to court when it makes sense. They serve families all over Massachusetts from their Boston office.
Their client-first mindset makes a noticeable difference. They’re upfront about both the opportunities and challenges in every case, which builds real trust when families need it most.
What sets them apart:
- Trial-ready lawyers flexible enough to litigate or settle
- Honest, ongoing communication about case realities
- Boston-based service across all of Massachusetts
- 256 client reviews reflecting long-term reputation
Why Choose This Firm?
Sweeney Merrigan combines aggressive trial work with honest communication. They negotiate hard and won’t hesitate to go to court if settlement offers are too low. Families work directly with experienced partners—not case managers—throughout the entire case.
Peck Trial Attorneys
Peck Trial Attorneys brings solid personal injury experience to wrongful death cases. Founded in 2022, the firm has already recovered over $40 million for clients across Massachusetts and New England. Founder John H. Peck, III, earned Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyer recognition and multiple Super Lawyers Rising Star honors since 2020.
They take an aggressive approach, preparing every case as if it’s heading to trial. This evidence-focused strategy — with strong expert testimony and thorough investigations — pressures insurers to make better offers. Pedestrian accidents and fatal collisions get the same careful attention.
Here’s what stands out:
- Secured over $40 million for clients since 2022
- Founder named a Super Lawyers Rising Star since 2020
- Heavy trial preparation that challenges lowball offers
- Free consultation with direct attorney access
- Handles pedestrian and fatal accident cases statewide
Why Choose This Firm?
Peck Trial Attorneys suits families who want a newer firm with established trial credentials and a reputation for aggressive case development. The combination of John Peck’s decade of personal injury experience and the firm’s rapid $40M+ recovery track record demonstrates they can compete with legacy Boston firms on settlement outcomes.
Their evidence-driven approach—building cases as if every claim will reach a jury—gives families leverage during negotiations and confidence that their attorney won’t settle prematurely to close files.
Altman & Altman
Available 24/7 for consultations, Altman & Altman brings aggressive representation to Boston wrongful death cases with a commitment to personalized attention, examining every detail.
The firm’s free consultation model removes financial barriers for grieving families seeking immediate legal guidance. Their approach centers on creative solutions explored to ensure every possible avenue to success is left open, a critical advantage when insurance companies deploy delay tactics after fatal accidents.
Managing Partner Steven Altman leads a team that includes David Altman, Steven Goldwyn, Richard Floor, and Asia Fitzgerald—five attorneys providing depth across car accidents, construction site accidents, and medical malpractice wrongful death claims.
Key features:
- 24/7 consultation access removes timing barriers
- Five-attorney team covers diverse fatal accident scenarios
- Personalized case examination standard across all matters
- Free initial consultation with no financial commitment
- Creative legal strategy exploration for maximum recovery
Why Choose This Firm?
Personalized attention to details is critical in wrongful death cases, where key evidence can disappear fast. Their aggressive representation and free consultations make the firm accessible. Families get quick action and a thorough strategy without any upfront financial risk.
Conclusion
Families devastated by fatal accidents in Boston need attorneys who combine trial aggression with genuine commitment—these eight firms prove that the best wrongful death lawyers fight relentlessly and put clients first, not case volume.
The firms above distinguish themselves through documented verdict recovery, direct partner representation, and willingness to litigate to verdict rather than settle cheaply. Most critical? Avoid case-mill operations that hand grieving families to paralegals.