Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 12, § 11I (2026)

Violations of constitutional rights; civil actions by aggrieved persons; costs and fees

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 11I. Any person whose exercise or enjoyment of rights secured by the constitution or laws of the United States, or of rights secured by the constitution or laws of the commonwealth, has been interfered with, or attempted to be interfered with, as described in section 11H, may institute and prosecute in his own name and on his own behalf a civil action for injunctive and other appropriate equitable relief as provided for in said section, including the award of compensatory money damages. Any aggrieved person or persons who prevail in an action authorized by this section shall be entitled to an award of the costs of the litigation and reasonable attorneys' fees in an amount to be fixed by the court.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 193 cases (68 in the last 5 years), 1980–2026 · leading case: O'connell v. Chasdi, 511 N.E.2d 349 (Mass. 1987).

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O'connell v. Chasdi, 511 N.E.2d 349 (Mass. 1987). · cites it 24× “After the jury returned verdicts for the plaintiff on her claims against Chasdi for assault and battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, the judge granted Chasdi's motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdicts on the ground that those claims were barred by…”

Redgrave v. Boston Symphony Orchestra, Inc., 502 N.E.2d 1375 (Mass. 1987). · cites it 16× “I do not agree that G.L.c. 12, § 11I, imposes liability on a defendant whose intentional conduct unintentionally causes interference with a plaintiff's secured right.”

Batchelder v. Allied Stores Corp., 473 N.E.2d 1128 (Mass. 1985). · cites it 11× “After entry of judgment, the plaintiff moved for an award of attorneys’ fees pursuant to G. L. c. 12, § 11I. 2 A Superior Court judge denied this motion, stating that our holding only declared Batchelder’s rights under art.”

Madsen v. Erwin, 481 N.E.2d 1160 (Mass. 1985). · cites it 6× “We reverse the judge's denial of the defendants' motion for summary judgment with respect to the plaintiff's claims against the defendants under the Federal and State Constitutions, under G.L.c. 12, § 11I, her claim for breach of contract and for wrongful discharge.”

Bell v. Mazza, 474 N.E.2d 1111 (Mass. 1985). · cites it 5× “Bell, appeal from an order of a Superior Court judge which dismissed their complaint for failure to state a claim under G. L. c. 12, § 11I, and 42 U.S.C. § 1985 (3) (1982).”

Batchelder v. Allied Stores Int'l, Inc., 445 N.E.2d 590 (Mass. 1983). · cites it 4× “9 and 16 of the Declaration of Rights of the Constitution of the Commonwealth, and under G.L.c. 12, § 11I, to solicit signatures in support of ballot access in the mall, or common area, of the North Shore Shopping Center.”

Breault v. Chairman of Bd, Fire Commr. of Springfield, 513 N.E.2d 1277 (Mass. 1987). · cites it 6× “12, § 11H, incorporated by reference in G.L.c. 12, § 11I, the Act operates almost entirely within the realm of "intentional" behavior.”

Glovsky v. Roche Bros. Supermarkets, Inc., 17 N.E.3d 1026 (Mass. 2014). · cites it 4× “He requested relief under the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, G. L. c. 12, § 11I (act), for a violation of his rights "by threats, intimidation or coercion.”

Mancuso v. Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Ass'n, 453 Mass. 116 (Mass. 2009). · cites it 4× “” G. L. c. 12, § 11I, citing G. L. c. 12, § 11H.”

Spence v. Boston Edison Co., 459 N.E.2d 80 (Mass. 1983). · cites it 3× “V 1981) and G. L. c. 12, § 11I, the Federal and State Civil Rights Acts, though not initially addressed by the parties, is a crucial one.”

Deas v. Dempsey, 530 N.E.2d 1239 (Mass. 1988). · cites it 5× “This resulted in dismissal of the plaintiff's complaint which sought to make out a case under the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, G.L.c. 12, § 11I. We transferred the plaintiff's appeal to this court on our own motion.”

Wilber v. Curtis, 872 F.3d 15 (1st Cir. 2017). “§ 1983 and Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 12, § 11I, and as to Officer Rogers on the malicious prosecution and false arrest claims.”

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