Ted is chair of the firm's Personal Injury Litigation Group. He has practiced in the area of civil litigation for more than 25 years. Ted is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, membership in which is limited to trial lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional skill in advocacy by achieving a trial verdict, award or settlement in the amount of $1 million or more. Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly named Ted as one of the "Top Ten Lawyers in Massachusetts." Boston magazine and Law & Politics chose him as a Massachusetts "Super Lawyer" in 2004-2009, and 2011-2022 and as a New England "Super Lawyer" in 2007-2009. Ted has received an AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating available for legal ability and professional ethics.
In 2016, Ted was installed as the President of the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (APITLA) and received the Thurgood Marshall Fighting for Justice Award at the 2016 APITLA Summit.
Ted understands that being the victim in a personal injury case is a highly traumatic experience. It can become even worse if you are not represented by attorneys who have the experience to advocate for your rights and the best possible recovery you are entitled to under the law.
Ted handles all types of personal injury and product liability cases, including complex trial matters involving wrongful death and permanent disability. Ted regularly receives referrals from attorneys and professionals in Massachusetts and other states because of his reputation for handling car accident cases and interstate trucking accident cases in a professional and efficient manner.
If a case is accepted, the client and the referring attorney have Ted’s commitment that he will expend the necessary time and financial resources, as well as employ in-house staff and specially retained outside experts, to resolve the claim. For each case, the firm assembles the team of professionals best suited to pursue the maximum recovery for the client.
Because of Mirick O’Connell’s reputation in the community and in other states, the firm has developed strong relationships with many other professionals, including actuaries, doctors, accountants, economists, bankers, vocational experts, accident reconstruction experts, and engineers. These professionals provide pre-trial opinions and testify at trial. Their expert reports and testimony have resulted in many favorable settlements.
Because of the size of some settlements, Mirick O'Connell's Personal Injury attorneys work closely with our Trusts and Estates Practice Group, as well as with tax experts, actuaries and nationally-known consultants, in the preparation of structured settlements. This type of settlement can provide clients with funds to cover a minor's education expenses as well as lifetime income.
Bar & Court Admissions
Massachusetts
Education
Boston College Law School, JD
Boston College, BA, magna cum laude
Experience
Obtained a $22.65 million judgment in a drunk driving case - this is reported to be the largest award ever for a Worcester County personal injury case.
Served as co-counsel for Drs. Sunil and Deborah Eappen in the well-publicized wrongful death case of Matthew Eappen v. Louise Woodard (British Nanny)
Volunteered legal services to obtain a $2.15 million award for a young boy who lost his father on September 11 onboard Flight 11
Publications/Presentations
“Bad Faith Litigation in Personal Injury Cases” and “Tactics in Settling Personal Injury and Wrongful Death cases,” National Business Institute Seminar (April 18, 2023)
“Introduction of Medical Bills” and “Liens from Health Insurers in Personal Injury Cases,” National Business Institute Seminar (November 17, 2022)
"April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month," On Air with Mirick O’Connell legal podcast (April 2022)
Quoted in "Accountability remains elusive for veterans who died at Holyoke Soldiers' Home," The Boston Globe, December 1, 2021
Quoted in “Case Against ‘Careless’ Smoker Survives Summary Judgment,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, May 20, 2021
“Take Me Out to the Ball Game… and Take Away My Right to a Jury Trial,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, April 26, 2021
“Whiplash: It’s No Laughing Matter,” On Air with Mirick O’Connell legal podcast (January 2021)
“Whiplash: It Is Only Funny Until It Happens to You,” Mirick O’Connell’s Massachusetts Injury Lawyer Blog, November 6, 2020
“The Importance of Having Enough Automobile Insurance Coverage,” On Air with Mirick O’Connell legal podcast (October 22, 2020)
Quoted in "How effective are liability waivers in the age of the novel coronavirus?," American Bar Association Journal, July 2, 2020
Quoted in “State to send another $130 million in emergency aid to long-term care sites,” The Boston Globe, April 27, 2020
"COVID-19 Nursing Home Funding,” On Air with Mirick O’Connell legal podcast (April 24, 2020)
“COVID-19 Nursing Home Funding,” Mirick O’Connell’s Massachusetts Injury Lawyer Blog, April 24, 202
"Quoted in "Appeals Court revives case against Cape Cod skydiving company," Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, July 12, 2018
“The U.S. Department of Transportation is accepting comments on a proposal requiring speed limiters on certain trucks and buses,” Mirick O’Connell Client Alert, November 2016
"Understanding the New "Hours of Service" Regulations" (Winter 2014)
"Trucking Regulations and Trucking Company Liability, The National Business Institute
"Litigating Spinal Cord Injuries," The Lawyer's Log Book, Volume 3
"What to do When You are Injured by a Drunk Driver," The Lawyer's Log Book, Volume 2
"Underinsurance Coverage - Purchase the Maximum Coverage Available," The Lawyer's Log Book, Volume 1
Quoted in "Lawyers Predict Expansion of Social Host Liability Law," Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, (February 29, 2012)
Verdicts & Settlements
Record Setting Traumatic Brain Injury Case $22,650,000 million
Ted Bassett represented a young woman hit by a drunk driver who was on his way home from a local bar. The young girl sustained permanent brain damage with memory loss and cognitive deficits. The defendant was sentenced to eight to ten years in jail. Ted sued the drunk driver and the six bars where he drank before the accident. Ted obtained a judgment totaling $22.65 million—which was reported to be the largest personal injury judgment in Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Premises Liability Accident Results in $2,200,000 Settlement
Ted Bassett successfully prosecuted a case against a landlord who negligently failed to inspect the sliding glass doors in a second floor apartment.
Victim of Drunk Driving Accident Awarded $2,000,000
Ted Bassett also obtained a judgment in the Worcester Superior Court for $2,049,867.00 for the victim of a drunk driving accident.
Interstate Truck Accident Results in $2,000,000 Settlement
Ted Bassett secured a $2.1 million settlement for a client injured when a Canadian Trucking Company failed to properly secure a cargo of lumber. It was later discovered that the truck driver was fatigued and had falsified his logbook.
Motorcycle Driver Recovers $900,000
Ted Bassett settled a personal injury case for a motorcycle driver even though the police reconstruction team concluded that the motorcycle had crossed over the center line. Ted assembled an accident reconstruction team which proved that other vehicle crossed the center line.
Electrocution Case Results in $895,000 Settlement
Although plaintiff was injured in a foreign country, Ted Bassett successfully negotiated a settlement in the Federal District Court of Massachusetts for the injured plaintiff.
Amusement Park Injury Results in $600,000 Settlement
Ted Bassett has been an advocate for safety regulations at amusement parks. Quoted in the Boston Herald, I don’t think anybody can give a rational reason why amusement parks should be exempt from regulations when the safety of our children is at stake.
Cable Car Accident in Canada Results in Confidential Settlement
Ted Bassett secured confidential settlements for three clients injured in a freak cable car accident in Canada. The case was featured on Canadian National Television.
Defective Toy Case Results in $270,000 Award
Court approved an award of $270,000 for child who was injured by a dangerous toy which had been the subject of a recall by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Confidential Settlement in Louise Woodward Case
Ted Bassett served as co-counsel for Drs. Sunil and Deborah Eappen in the well-publicized wrongful death case of Matthew Eappen v. Louise Woodward (British nanny).
"Legislative Update - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Including Hours of Service," The Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America National Conference, September 2009
Ted has been invited to speak in Las Vegas, Atlanta, St. Louis, Boston and Chicago on the preparation and trial of personal injury cases and interstate trucking cases. He has been a featured speaker on a number of occasions on trial topics and on brain injury cases of the West LegalEdcenter©. These national web seminars are broadcast throughout the United States.
Ted's high-profile cases have been featured in many news publications, including the National Law Journal, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. He has also been interviewed or featured on television news programs in New England and Canada
