Go To:
Next Section
Previous Section
Chapter Table of Contents
MGL Search Page
General Court Home
Mass.gov


PART III. COURTS, JUDICIAL OFFICERS AND PROCEEDINGS IN CIVIL CASES

TITLE II. ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS THEREIN

CHAPTER 233. WITNESSES AND EVIDENCE

WITNESSES

Chapter 233: Section 23D. Admissibility of benevolent statements, writings or gestures relating to accident victims

Section 23D. As used in this section the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:

“Accident”, an occurrence resulting in injury or death to one or more persons which is not the result of willful action by a party.

“Benevolent gestures”, actions which convey a sense of compassion or commiseration emanating from humane impulses.

“Family”, the spouse, parent, grandparent, stepmother, stepfather, child, grandchild, brother, sister, half brother, half sister, adopted children of parent, or spouse’s parents of an injured party.

Statements, writings or benevolent gestures expressing sympathy or a general sense of benevolence relating to the pain, suffering or death of a person involved in an accident and made to such person or to the family of such person shall be inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability in a civil action.