Personal Injury Law

  • Am I Owed Money for My Work Injury if I am Permanently Impaired?

    Permanent impairment injuries are a critical component of the workers’ compensation system in New Hampshire. While many workplace injuries heal over time, others leave lasting physical or functional limitations. Understanding how permanent impairment works—and how benefits are calculated—can help injured workers better navigate their rights and expectations under state law. What Is a Permanent Impairment? A permanent impairment refers to a lasting loss of function or use of a body part following a work-related injury or illness. These injuries persist even after medical treatment has concluded and the worker has reached what is known as Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)—the point at which further recovery is not expected. In New Hampshire, permanent impairment is distinct from temporary disability. It focuses specifically on the long-term physical consequences…

  • Understanding Medical Malpractice Law in New Hampshire

    Medical malpractice cases in New Hampshire represent one of the most complex and consequential areas of personal injury law. When patients seek medical care, they trust that doctors, nurses, and hospitals will provide treatment that meets accepted professional standards. However, when that trust is broken and negligence occurs, the legal system provides a pathway for victims to pursue compensation and accountability. Understanding Medical Malpractice Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider deviates from the accepted “standard of care” and causes injury or harm to a patient. This can include errors in diagnosis, treatment, aftercare, or overall health management. In New Hampshire, malpractice claims must meet four essential elements: These elements typically require expert medical testimony, making malpractice cases particularly challenging and resource-intensive. Common Types of…

  • Dog Bite Personal Injury Cases in New Hampshire and Massachusetts

    Dog attacks can cause serious physical injuries, emotional trauma, and significant financial hardship. Victims often face medical bills, lost wages, and long-term scarring or disfigurement. In both New Hampshire and Massachusetts, state laws allow victims to pursue compensation when a dog causes injury. Understanding how these laws work is essential for anyone who has been injured in a dog attack or who may be considering a personal injury claim. The Prevalence and Impact of Dog Bites Dog bites are more common than many people realize. Across the United States, millions of dog bites occur every year, and a large percentage of victims require medical treatment. Children are particularly vulnerable to severe injuries because of their size and inability to defend themselves effectively. Injuries from dog…

  • Understanding Trucking Accidents in New Hampshire and Massachusetts: What Victims Need to Know

    Trucking accidents are among the most devastating collisions on our roadways. Because of the size and weight of commercial trucks, crashes often result in catastrophic injuries, extensive property damage, and heartbreaking loss. For residents of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, where interstate travel is common and freight traffic is heavy, understanding the unique legal landscape surrounding trucking accidents can make all the difference in pursuing justice and fair compensation. Why Trucking Accidents Are Different Trucks are not ordinary vehicles. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds — nearly 20 times heavier than the average passenger car. This weight alone increases stopping distances and magnifies impacts. When a truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the results can be life-altering. But beyond the physics…

  • Spoliation: Top Five Reasons You Have To Preserve Evidence

    Spoliation is when evidence that is necessary to evaluate the merits of the case is destroyed or not maintained prior to a lawsuit. So, if you have been injured, and you are not sure what happened, you may have a duty to preserve evidence, as will the potential defendant in your case. Maybe you slipped on something in a grocery store, or maybe there was a mechanical failure in an ATV or snowmobile, and now you are in the hospital unsure of what to do. If you find yourself in this situation, here are the top five reasons to preserve evidence: If you are involved in a situation where you were injured, it is best to speak to an attorney early in the process to…

  • New Hampshire Product Liability Law: Design Defects, Warnings & Legal Time Limits

    Product liability refers to the legal responsibility of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and others in the supply chain for injuries or damages caused by a product. In New Hampshire, as in many states, there are statutes and case law that shape how product liability claims work. This blog explains the framework, important concepts, time limits, defenses, and recent developments in NH product liability law. What Is a Product Liability Action? Under New Hampshire law (RSA Chapter 507‑D, “Product Liability Actions”), a product liability action is broadly defined. It includes any lawsuit for injury, death, property damage, or other harm that arises from: Types of Defects Claims generally fall into a few categories of defect: Time Limits (Statute of Limitations) One of the critical issues in product liability…

  • The Road to the Nine Hells is Paved with Good Intentions – How my Adventuring Party Ended up Behind Bars

    Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is a game played by millions across the world. It is a massively popular roleplaying game that utilizes interwoven stories to make it compelling. In some worlds, laws are violated, and those dwarves, elves, and various monsters need to know their legal rights in those circumstances. In last week’s D&D session, our “heroes” committed a number of crimes—so many, in fact, that they required a legal analysis of their rights. The party had entered a dwarven city in order to “liberate” an artifact needed to save the world. The party decided to work with a group of thieves to try to steal this artifact. While planning the heist with the thief leader, the party – sans the Rogue, who stayed back…

  • Riding in the Granite State: When Drivers Don’t See Motorcycles

    New Hampshire is famously one of only three U.S. states without a universal motorcycle helmet law for adults. However, while helmet use may not be required, attentiveness certainly should be—especially when it comes to spotting smaller road users like motorcyclists. Tragically, despite visible and legal safety gaps, driver inattention remains a top cause of devastating motorcycle crashes here in the granite state The Scope of the Problem Motorcycles are inherently less visible than passenger cars. According to the landmark Hurt Report, two‑thirds of collisions between motorcycles and vehicles happen because the driver failed to detect the rider and violated their right-of-way en.wikipedia.org. New Hampshire attorneys, accident reconstructionists, and rider training specialists consistently confirm the same: drivers pulling left across a lane without spotting an oncoming…

  • Walking the Line: Understanding Pedestrian Laws in New Hampshire

    Pedestrian accidents in New Hampshire can present complex legal challenges, often involving questions of fault, insurance, and compensation. Understanding the state’s traffic laws, negligence principles, and insurance requirements is crucial for both pedestrians and motorists to navigate these incidents effectively. Having an experienced law firm can make the difference between being able to recover and being denied compensation. Legal Framework Governing Pedestrian Rights and Motorist Responsibilities New Hampshire law mandates that drivers yield the right of way to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections with traffic control devices. This obligation extends to situations where a vehicle is stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross; overtaking such a vehicle is prohibited. Additionally, drivers must exercise heightened caution when approaching children. Conversely, pedestrians are required to…

  • New Hampshire’s Elimination of the Civil Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault: A Landmark Change for Survivors

    In a significant legislative shift, New Hampshire has abolished the civil statute of limitations for sexual assault cases, offering survivors the opportunity to seek justice at any time, regardless of when the assault occurred. This change, effective since September 18, 2020, marks a pivotal moment in the state’s commitment to supporting victims and holding perpetrators accountable. Understanding the Previous Limitations Before the enactment of House Bill 705, the statute of limitations for civil sexual assault cases in New Hampshire varied based on the victim’s age and the timing of the assault: The Impact of House Bill 705 Signed into law by Governor Chris Sununu, House Bill 705, known as the “Crime Victims’ Rights Enhancement Act of 2020,” introduced several key changes. Broader Implications for Survivors…