Criminal Cases

Client, a 44 year old Spencer man was charged with assault and battery and intimidation of a witness against his wife. The wife alleged that client had thrown a glass of iced tea at her and smashed a light fixture which caused glass to rain down upon her. The wife also alleged that the client then grabbed her cell phone away from her and threatened to kill her if she called the police. The case was tried before a jury. Result: After a jury trial, the Defendant was found not guilty on all counts.

Client, a 26 year old Warren man was charged with Assault and Battery against his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child. The client was alleged to have shoved his ex-girlfriend up against her car while she was transferring custody of their child to the client. Client was also alleged to have threatened the ex-girlfriend during the transfer. At the time of the client’s arrest, there was a case pending in the Worcester Probate Court regarding custody of the minor child. The case was tried before a jury. Result: After a jury trial, the Defendant was found not guilty on all counts.

Client, a 27 year old man, was charged with Assault and Battery on his former girlfriend in Hubbardston. Client denied any wrongdoing in this incident and the case was scheduled for Jury Trial. During the Jury Trial in Fitchburg, testimony was given by the former girlfriend, the police officers who investigated and the client. Attorney Reno cross examined the prosecution witnesses and presented evidence from his own client. Result: The Jury found the client Not Guilty.

Client, a 23 year old man was charged with Drunk Driving in Rutland. Prior to his arrest he was asked to perform a series of field sobriety tests. He was then brought to the police station where he was given a breath test. Attorney Reno filed a motion to exclude the breath test and a hearing was held on that motion. Result: The motion to suppress the breath test was allowed. 

Client, a 44 year old man was charged with subsequent possession of Class B drug, crack cocaine in Leicester. The drugs were allegedly found hidden in the motor vehicle in which the client was driving. The police officer searched the motor vehicle after stopping the client for speeding. Attorney Reno filed a motion to suppress any evidence seized during the search.
Result: Motion to suppress allowed and the Possession of Class B charges were dismissed.

Client, a 33 year old man was charged with operating under the influence of liquor in Paxton. Attorney Reno represented the man at trial.
Result: Not Guilty.

Client, a 50 year old woman is charged with filing a false police report in Barre. It is alleged that client had forced her boyfriend's daughter to falsely complain to the police that she had been raped. Attorney Reno obtained records from other sources which showed that the boyfriend's daughter had actually complained of the incident prior to the client's involvement.
Result: Case dismissed.

Client, a 53 year old man was charged with assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in Spencer. At the time of this alleged offense, client was already on probation for another matter. Because he was charged with a new offense, the probation officer moved to violate the client's probation and asked the judge to sentence him to jail. Attorney Reno represented the client at both the probation violation hearing and the underlying criminal case. After a hearing on the probation violation, the judge sentenced client to jail. Attorney Reno appealed that decision and the Appeals Court vacated the judge's decision and released the client from jail.
Result: the Appeals Court vacated the judge's decision and set the client free. The underlying charges of assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon were dismissed.

Client, a 50 year old man, was charged with operating while under the influence of alcohol, 3^rd offense in Brookfield. The client was stopped by a police officer after receiving a tip from a convenience store clerk. The stop was made by the police officer in another jurisdiction. Attorney Reno filed a motion to suppress the stop.
Result: Trial Judge allowed the motion to suppress the stop and the case was dismissed.

Client, a 35 year old man was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in Warren. Client claimed that he had acted in self defense. Attorney Reno scheduled the case for trial.
Result: On the trial day Attorney Reno convinced the Prosecutor to reduce the charges to disturbing the peace and client pled out to that lesser charge.

Workers' Compensation cases

Client, a 36 year old Worcester resident and former factory worker, sustained an injury to her low back after lifting a 60lb. bucket of oil. She went out of work and underwent back surgery. The worker’s comp. insurer terminated her benefits and Attorney Reno filed a claim at the Department of Industrial Accidents on her behalf. The employee prevailed at the pre-hearing conference and the insurer appealed to a de novo hearing. The employee prevailed at that stage as well. Several years later, the insurer filed a claim to modify the employee’s benefits, arguing that she had an earning capacity. Attorney Reno defended that claim and also brought and joined a claim for permanent and total disability benefits under c. 152 § 34A. In addition, Attorney Reno brought a claim to join an emotional injury to the employee’s already accepted physical injury claim. Result: After a hearing, the employee prevailed on all counts. Not only was the insurer not allowed to modify her benefits, but she was awarded permanent and total disability benefits at a higher rate than her total disability benefits. The insurer appealed that decision to the Reviewing Board of the Department of Industrial Accidents. Result: After briefs were filed with that court, the employee again prevailed and the lower court’s decision was upheld.

Client, a 57 year old former mason sustained injuries after falling 30 feet from scaffolding in Grafton. He was unable to work and needed extensive medical attention. The insurer paid the employee total disability benefits. When his total disability benefits exhausted, Attorney Reno brought a claim with the Department of Industrial Accidents for permanent and total disability benefits. To substantiate that claim, Attorney Reno obtained medical records from various providers and arranged for expert medical opinions regarding the employee's injuries and disability. Result: The case was settled for $250,000.00.

Client, a 45 year old machinist, sustained an injury to his low back after loading a 175lb steel bar into a machine in Holden. The client went out of work. The workers' compensation insurer moved to discontinue the client's benefits after several months. The client developed depression as a result of his pain and being out of work. Attorney Reno brought a claim for emotional injuries and joined it to the insurer's claim to discontinue. After a hearing at the Department of Industrial Accidents in which live testimony was taken, the judge wrote a decision which enabled the employee to continue to receive benefits for both his back injury and his depression. The insurer appealed the judge's decision to the Workers' Compensation Reviewing Board and the Appeals Court. Attorney Reno submitted briefs in support of his client's position at both stages and his position was upheld. After the employee had received the maximum years of total disability benefits under §34, Attorney Reno filed a claim for permanent and total disability benefits under §34A. After a Conference at the Department of Industrial Accidents those benefits were awarded.
Result: The case was eventually settled for a value that reflected permanent and total disability, 600,000.00.

Client, a 35 year old cook, sustained injuries to his major hand after it was crushed in an industrial size mixer in Worcester. He went out of work. Attorney Reno brought a claim on his behalf and after a Conference at the Department of Industrial Accidents he was awarded benefits for his lost wages and his permanent loss of function and disfigurement. He also brought a lawsuit against the third party company that manufactured the mixer and secured a settlement from that company as well.
Result: Client was awarded benefits from the workers' compensation insurer for his lost wages and his permanent loss of function and disfigurement and a lump sum settlement. Also, client secured a settlement from the third party company that manufactured the mixer which caused his injuries.

Client, a 26 year old pipe fitter, sustained injuries to his head and neck after a bundle of pipes were dropped on his head in New Bedford. Client went out of work and the insurer commenced workers' compensation benefits. The insurer eventually brought a claim to terminate those benefits. Attorney Reno defended that claim and also brought a claim for double compensation under §28, alleging that the employer engaged in willful misconduct.
Result: The insurer agreed to settle the case by lump sum for a value which reflected ongoing lost wages and damages under §28.

Client, a 24 year old parking lot attendant, sustained injuries to her neck and back after being assaulted and having her money stolen in a parking lot in Boston. As a result of the assault, client suffered emotional injuries in the form of post traumatic stress disorder as well as physical injuries. Attorney Reno brought a claim with the Department of Industrial Accidents alleging both physical and emotional injuries. After a Conference, the client was awarded lost wage benefits. Attorney Reno also brought a claim for Social Security Disability Benefits.
Result: The client received a lump sum settlement of her workers' compensation benefits and was awarded Social Security Disability Benefits.

Client, a 69 year old delivery worker sustained injuries to her ankle after a dog jumped up on her and caused her to fall off a porch in Worcester. Attorney Reno brought a claim for lost wages and loss of function of her ankle. Attorney Reno also brought a claim against the owner of the dog.
Result: Client received a settlement on her workers' compensation case and her third party case.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Client, a 42 year old woman sustained injuries to her neck and back after being rear-ended on Route 395 in Oxford. The client was unemployed at the time of the accident. The client underwent conservative treatment in the form of office visits with her Doctor and chiropractic treatments.
Result: Attorney Reno secured a settlement for her in the amount of $75,000.00

Client, a 44 year old man, sustained injuries to his neck after he was rear-ended in a low impact crash. The property damage to his vehicle was only $400.00. The client treated conservatively with visits with his Doctor and physical therapy. He was determined to have soft-tissue injuries. The insurer made a low offer which was rejected. Attorney Reno filed suit.
Result: After filing suit, the case was settled. Result: the case settled for $25,000.00.

Client, a 52 year old woman, sustained a fracture of her ankle after another vehicle cut her off by taking a left turn in front of her lane of travel. The client was not employed at the time of the accident.
Result: Attorney Reno secured a settlement for her in the amount of the policy limits of $100,000.00.

Client a 36 year old man, sustained injuries to his neck and wrist after another vehicle cut him off by pulling out in front of his lane of travel in Auburn. He treated conservatively for his neck injuries with physical therapy. He underwent surgery for his wrist injury. He also developed a problem with his shoulder from physical therapy and eventually underwent surgery for that problem. Attorney Reno hired an expert orthopedist who causally related his shoulder symptoms to the motor vehicle accident.
Result: Attorney Reno secured a settlement against the other driver's insurance policy for the policy limits. He then pursued a claim against the client's own underinsurance policy and was able to secure a settlement against that insurer as well.

Client, a 45 year old woman, sustained injuries to her neck after being rear-ended by another vehicle in Gardner. The client treated with a neurosurgeon and underwent neck surgery. Attorney Reno negotiated with the insurance company and convinced them to offer the full policy limits without having to formally file a lawsuit.
Result: Attorney Reno secured a settlement for the policy limits without having to formally file a lawsuit.