Hiring a Wrongful Death Lawyer in New Hampshire
Who can bring a wrongful death claim in New Hampshire, the deadline, limits on damages, how lawyers usually charge (contingency fees), how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in New Hampshire: fee rules
| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The New Hampshire Bar Association's Dispute Resolution Committee tries to resolve disputes between NH attorneys and clients that fall short of an ethics violation, including fee questions. The service is free and voluntary; if the attorney declines, the committee cannot proceed. It does not handle fees set by statute, agency rule or court order, or disputes in pending litigation. Send a written notice (names, the attorney's role, whether a case is pending, the facts, the resolution you want and your contact details) to NH Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Committee, 2 Pillsbury Street, Suite 300, Concord, NH 03301, or email NHBA.DRC@nhbar.org. |
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| If a lawyer takes your money | The Public Protection Fund, administered by the New Hampshire Bar Association under Supreme Court Rule 55, reimburses money or property lost through theft or misappropriation by a New Hampshire attorney in New Hampshire, within a client-attorney relationship or while the attorney served as a fiduciary (such as trustee, guardian or conservator), for thefts after June 1, 1998. File within three years of when you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the theft, and never more than one year after the attorney is suspended, disbarred, dies or is judged incompetent. The Fund is a last resort: you must show reasonable efforts to collect from the attorney's assets, insurance and sureties, the law firm, and other liable third parties. Send the Statement of Claim form to the NH Bar Association, 2 Pillsbury Street, Suite 300, Concord, NH 03301, Attn: Public Protection Fund Committee; phone 603-715-3289. |
New Hampshire rules to know first
| Who can sue | The action is brought by the administrator (personal representative) of the estate. Damages may include the decedent's pain and suffering, expenses, and lost earning capacity. In addition, a surviving spouse may recover for loss of comfort, society and companionship (up to $500,000), and minor children of a parent who died, or parents of a minor child who died, may recover for loss of familial relationship (up to $300,000 per claimant). Source: RSA 556:12 |
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| Deadline to file | If no action was pending when the person died, a wrongful death action may be brought within 6 years after the death, "subject to the provisions of RSA 508" (the general limitation statute). How the 6-year period in RSA 556:11 interacts with the 3-year rule in RSA 508:4 depends on court decisions; confirm the deadline for a specific case. Source: RSA 556:11 |
| Damage caps | No general cap on damages in ordinary injury cases was found. In wrongful death cases, a surviving spouse's damages for loss of companionship are capped at $500,000 and loss of familial relationship damages at $300,000 per claimant; total wrongful death damages are capped at $50,000 only when the decedent left no spouse, child, parent or dependent relative. Claims against the state and local governments are also capped. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The New Hampshire Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) helps people find a qualified, conveniently located attorney. Call 603-229-0002 and a referral specialist will help clarify your legal issue and refer you to an attorney who handles that type of issue, or use the online referral. LRS charges a nonrefundable $25 administrative fee. The page also links to reduced-fee services. |
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| Check discipline history or file a complaint | The New Hampshire Supreme Court's Attorney Discipline Office (4 Chenell Drive, Suite 102, Concord, NH 03301; 603-224-5828) handles misconduct complaints and can tell you whether complaints have been filed against a lawyer. A grievance is a letter giving the attorney's name and address, a description of the legal matter, a detailed factual account with dates, relevant documents and the proof you would offer (including witnesses). It must be signed under oath: sign the Oath Form before a notary public or justice of the peace, complete the Certification of Copies Form, attach both, and send a copy of the letter and enclosures to the attorney. Grievances cannot be filed by email or fax because they need original signatures. Public disciplinary decisions can be searched on the Attorney Discipline System site. Office address and phone as listed by the NH Bar Association: https://www.nhbar.org/dispute-with-an-attorney/ |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | 603 Legal Aid generally helps people with low incomes with civil legal problems. Apply online (24/7) or by phone at (603) 224-3333 (intake calls Monday-Wednesday, 9:00 am-12:30 pm; no intake calls Thursday or Friday). After you apply, 603 Legal Aid may schedule a phone appointment for free legal advice, and you may be able to get free legal help. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) lists 603 Legal Aid as the LSC-funded grantee in the state. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in New Hampshire
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.