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Jodi has diverse experience in the areas of product liability, construction site accidents, premises liability, and medical malpractice, with particular emphasis on sexual misconduct and professional abuse. She has also represented clients in a variety of other areas of civil practice including minority shareholders claims, accounting malpractice, insurance coverage disputes, and defamation. A fierce advocate for her clients, Jodi investigates her cases from every angle to fully present both the immediate and long-term ramifications of an injury or accident.
Jodi has taken leadership roles in a wide range of legal and civic organizations, including the Council of Women of Boston College. She is a past chair of the Women Trial Lawyers’ Caucus and the Medical Negligence Committee at the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, where she currently serves on the Board of Governors and Executive Committee. As co-chair of the State Legislative Committee (MATA), Jodi worked with the State Legislature for many years to develop and implement legislation. She also served six years on the Civil Litigation Section at the Massachusetts Bar Association. Jodi is a frequent faculty panelist at MCLE and other venues.
Jodi joined Sugarman in 1992 and has been a principal of the firm since 1998.
Currently, Jodi is investigating and pursuing claims on behalf of patients who were fitted with defective DePuy artificial hips. For more information about these claims, click here.
Selected Cases
Worker killed in mechanical lift accident, Settlement obtained for the family of a worker killed when a mechanical goods lift at his place of employment malfunctioned, causing the worker’s death. Sugarman successfully brought claims against the foreign parent corporation of the worker’s employer.
Sexual assault by school van driver, Settlement from the driver’s employer after 13-year-old special-needs student was sexually assaulted by her school van driver.
Seich v. Town of Canton 426 Mass. 84 (1997), Deciding that a Massachusetts statute prevents a claim for injuries sustained on town school property while attending a sporting event sponsored by the town.
Negligence during shoulder surgery, Settlement for a 26-year-old man who underwent surgery to treat a shoulder dislocation and suffered a brachial plexus injury as a result of the surgery, causing arm paralysis.
Morgan v. Lab. Corp. of Am., 65 Mass. App. Ct. 816 (2006), Jury verdict against medical laboratory for negligently reporting test results leading to a patient’s permanent nerve damage. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rejected the medical laboratory’s appeal and affirmed the jury’s verdict won by Sugarman.
Ironworker falls 30 feet from Boston highrise, Settlement for multiple fractures to ironworker who fell while erecting the steel frame of a new Boston highrise. General contractor failed to require 100% fall protection.
Defective aerial lift design, Settlement for the child’s family when young boy suffered severe brain damage that left him paralyzed, unable to speak or care for himself when an aerial lift truck he was riding in tipped over because of a defect in its design.