Personal Injury

Our office welcomes speaking to you about: divorce and domestic relations matters (custody, support, visitation), criminal matters (misdemeanors & felonies), and personal injury (auto accidents, slip and fall, dog bites).

• Dangerous Property
• Wrongful Death
• Personal Injury - Defense
• Personal Injury Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Truck Accidents

• Slip & Fall
• Sports Injuries
• Petrochemical Accidents

• Whiplash
• Felony Auto Accident

• Design Defects
• Manufacturing Defects

• Assault & Battery
• Child abuse
• Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
• Domestic Violence
• Sexual Assault

• Airplanes
• Buildings
• Mass Transit - Bus, Train, Subway
• Ships & Boats

• Financial Malpractice
• Legal Malpractice

• Anesthesia Malpractice
• Birth Injuries and Defects
• Cosmetic Surgery
• Dental Malpractice
• Elder and Nursing Home Abuse
• Emergency Room Errors
• HMO Managed Case
• Lasik Eye Surgery
• Medication Malpractice
• Optometry Malpractice
• Prescription/Drug Malpractice
• Psychiatric Malpractice
• Surgical Errors
• Wrong Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis
• Nursing Home Negligence
• Spinal Cord Injury

• Asbestos Mesothelioma
• Chemicals & Cosmetics
• Dangerous Drugs & Products
• Hazardous Waste
• Medical Products & Devices
• Pesticides
• Radiation & Electromagnetic Energy
• Tobacco
• Toxic Mold

• Amputation
• Birth Injury
• Burn Injury
• Head/Brain Injury
• Paralysis

Criminal Defense

Our office welcomes speaking to you about: divorce and domestic relations matters (custody, support, visitation), criminal matters (misdemeanors & felonies), and personal injury (auto accidents, slip and fall, dog bites).

• Aiding, Abetting, Accessory, Conspiracy
• Appeals
• Capital Crimes/Capital Cases
• Environmental Violations
• Felonies
• Grand Jury Proceedings
• Juvenile Crimes
• False Identification
• Truancy
• Misdemeanors
• Parole
• Probation
• Perjury
• Plea Negotiation
• Search & Seizure
• Victims' Rights
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights

• Animal Abuse
• Child Abuse
• Domestic Violence
• Elder Abuse

• Hacking
• Malicious Code
• Unauthorized Access

• Expungement or Expunction

• Drug Cultivation & Manufacturing
• Drug Possession
• Intent to Distribute Drugs
• Intent to Sell Drugs
• Medical Marijuana

• Constitutional Rights Defense
• Illegal Possession or Transportation
• Other Weapons & Devices

• Bank Fraud
• Checks & Credit Cards
• Corporate Espionage & Sabotage
• Embezzlement
• Extortion
• Forgery
• Identity Theft
• Insider Trading
• Insurance Claims
• Money Laundering
• Public Offerings
• Racketeering & RICO
• Smuggling
• Tax Evasion & Fraud
• Trade Secrets
• Wire Transfer

• Arson
• Burglary
• Embezzlement
• Larceny
• Shoplifting
• Theft
• Trespass
• Vandalism

• Abduction
• Child Abuse
• Child Pornography
• Indecent Exposure
• Prostitution, Solicitation, & Pandering
• Rape
• Sexual Assault
• Stalking
• Trafficking in Women

• Assault & Battery
• Domestic Violence
• Extortion
• Kidnapping
• Manslaughter
• Robbery

Family Law

Our office welcomes speaking to you about: divorce and domestic relations matters (custody, support, visitation), criminal matters (misdemeanors & felonies), and personal injury (auto accidents, slip and fall, dog bites).

• Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Name Changes
• Restraining Orders
• Enforcement Actions

• Child Abuse
• Domestic Violence
• Elder Abuse
• Sexual Abuse

• Adoptions
• Child Support
• Children's Rights
• Custody
• Paternity
• State Child Protection
• Visitation

• Civil Unions
• Domestic Partnerships
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender Rights
• Living Together/Cohabitation
• Marriage
• Power of Attorney
• Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

• Competency Hearings
• Guardianships & Conservatorships
• Long-Term Care
• Nursing Homes
• Powers of Attorney
• Healthcare Power of Attorney
• Healthcare Proxy
• Nursing Home Negligence

• Grandparent Rights
• Termination of Parental Rights

Divorce

Our office welcomes speaking to you about: divorce and domestic relations matters (custody, support, visitation), criminal matters (misdemeanors & felonies), and personal injury (auto accidents, slip and fall, dog bites).

• Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
• Annulment
• Child Support
• Custody/Visitation Rights
• Delinquent Support Payments
• Division of Property
• Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR)
• Restraining Orders
• Uncontested Divorce
• Collaborative Law
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights

MA, Dec 1991
Bar Number: 559944

CA, Jun 2003

Massachusetts, District of Columbia, and California (Federal and State).

Massachusetts Bar Association, Worcester County Bar Association, and Northern Worcester County Bar Association.

While Massachusetts does not formally require Continuing Legal Education (CLE), I am a frequent attendant at CLE courses and seminars pertinent to our practice.

OPERATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF LIQUOR (OUI/DWI)
A thirty one year old man was stopped on a highway in Massachusetts after a long pursuit. The stop occurred at 3:00 a.m. and the defendant was alone in the car. The officer alleged the defendant was speeding in excess of 80 mph and changed lanes without signaling. In her report, the investigating officer alleged she detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the defendant and observed his eyes to be blood shot and his speech slurred. The defendant agreed to perform certain field sobriety tests including the one legged stand, nine step walk and turn test, and a counting test (43 to 28 backwards). The officer believed the defendant failed each test. The defendant refused the breathalyzer. As such, his license was suspended immediately for the statutory period. Verdict: NOT GUILTY (after trial). The Defendant's license was reinstated after trial upon motion.

MOTOR VEHICLE NEGLIGENCE - Rear-End Collision/Back Injury
Lower back strain, nerve root impingement of spine. Amount of Settlement: $553,326.
The plaintiff, then a 26-year-old married mother of two minor children, was rear-ended in her vehicle by the defendant's vehicle while stopped at an intersection in Lancaster. The defendant was driving a truck in the course of his employment for defendant employer. The plaintiff was transported via ambulance to the emergency room. Initially, treatment focused on a lower back strain. The plaintiff was referred to her first course of physical therapy. A MRI revealed disc bulging at L4-5 and L3-4. The plaintiff was treated by an orthopedic surgeon who recommended microsurgery/disentomb on L4-5. Surgery was performed. The post-operative recovery was allegedly not good. The plaintiff's expert opined a 10 percent whole person impairment and a casual relationship to the motor vehicle accident. The defendant's experts opined a partial disability with restrictions. The case was mediated two weeks prior to trial and settled once week later. A portion of the settlement proceeds was placed in an annuity for the minor children's college fund.

PHARMACY ERROR - Chain Fills Wrong Prescription
Settled for $40,000. Our client was given a written prescription for high blood pressure by his primary care doctor. He presented the written prescription to a local branch of a national pharmacy chain. Unfortunately, the script was incorrectly filled with another medication that had similar spelling. The pharmacy continued to incorrectly refill this prescription over the course of the next five months. The error was eventually discovered by the treating physician when he called the pharmacy to renew the prescription. Our client's blood pressure fortunately was not affected; however, he experienced side effects from the wrong medication that were interpreted as symptoms of unrelated illnesses and disease. As a result, he experienced significant distress and consequently underwent several unnecessary expensive and invasive diagnostic studies. Additionally, he went without treatment for his high blood pressure which put him at a significant health risk. Monetary settlement was negotiated out of court.

WRONGFUL DEATH - Mother and Unborn Child vs. Motor Vehicle Accident
Settled for the Full Insurance Policy Limits. Our client, a 22 year old pregnant woman, was a passenger in a motor vehicle that was traveling on a rainy evening. Their vehicle was struck "head on" by the operator of a van. The impact of the accident was so serious that the young mother and her unborn child were killed instantly. Our clients were the estates of the young mother and her unborn child. Monetary settlement was negotiated out of court and the full policy limits were obtained for both estates.

3

Massachusetts, California, and District of Columbia.

We are a small general practice law firm located in central Massachusetts. Our clients range from local to national and from individuals and small businesses to large international corporations. Our attorneys have over 65 years of combined experience, representing clients in all types of probate and family law matters (divorce, paternity, support, custody disputes & visitation), criminal matters (drunk driving, DWI, drug charges, violent crimes, motor vehicle offenses), and personal injury cases (from dog bites, car accidents, death cases, chemical burns, fire, dog bites, and slip and fall).

Originally established in 1962, John Roncone Sr. began his practice of law in Leominster, Massachusetts. His son, Jay Roncone, joined the firm in 1991 and the two have worked together since. Over the years, the firm has enjoyed a loyal client following, often representing several generations of family members. We also receive professional referrals from our peers and other attorneys.

I have worked at the Roncone Law Offices, P.C. since 1994. Prior to that, I worked for Solomon, Roncone & Gazourian as an associate attorney.

• Superior Court approved Arbitrator/Mediator
• Special Prosecutor for the Worcester County District Attorney's Office
• Special Assistant Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Probate and Family Court approved Guardian ad Litem
• Former Assistant City Solicitor (City of Leominster)
• Former Member Conservation Commission (City of Leominster)
• BV-Rated Martindale-Hubbell

Patty Kirouac is always happy to speak to you when you call.

(978) 840-6000

Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

After hours by appointment.

Yes

Most translation available upon reasonable notice.

There are some matters that have "fixed" prices; however, most matters are handled on an hourly basis. Divorces and family law matters require retainers from which fees and costs are deducted as incurred. Criminal matters also require a retainer; however, some cases can have a fixed or flat fee. Personal Injury matters are always handled on a contingent fee basis excluding expenses and out of pocket costs which are the client's responsibility. I always discuss expected fees with each client and provided written fee agreements for each matter.

$250 to $295 depending on the attorney and $85.00 for support staff.

Free phone consultation. Face to face consultations may result in an hourly fee, however, we credit clients back that fee towards their retainer should we be retained.

It depends on the nature and complexity of the matter. For example, contested (divorce) child custody cases typically are $5,000 (and up) retainers while uncontested divorces typically are $1,500 retainers. Criminal matters also require retainers which are dependent on the seriousness of the charge, likelihood of a plea or trial, and the expected time involved. Since every case is unique, you should speak to us about what your expected legal fees may be.