Medical negligence settlements
in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts applies modified-51 comparative fault with a full no-fault auto scheme and a $500,000 medical-malpractice cap. For medical negligence claims specifically, the band is built from the state-by-state tort law · jury verdict reporters · statutory caps framework and then adjusted for Massachusetts's modified comparative — 51% bar and any applicable statutory cap.
Massachusetts applies modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar. A medical negligence claimant who is 50% at fault still recovers 50% of damages; one assigned 51% recovers nothing. This is slightly more claimant-friendly than the 50% bar applied in some neighbouring states, and it leaves room for negotiation in mixed-liability medical negligence cases where the comparative-fault split is close to even.
For medical negligence claims specifically, statutory caps frequently apply to non-economic damages or to total recovery — Massachusetts's caps (medical malpractice cap) materially compress the upper end of the band. Catastrophic medical negligence cases that would otherwise produce seven- or eight-figure awards are routinely capped at the statutory ceiling.
The US band is the starting point. Massachusetts's fault rule and any applicable cap then adjust the figure.