Helping Clients Across the Country Pursue the Justice They Deserve
When negligent parties cause you injury, state law may grant you the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against them to recover compensation. What’s more, the law recognizes that accidents often result in pain that goes beyond the physical, regardless of whether the accident was a passenger car/commercial vehicle crash or involved a defective medical device or dangerous pharmaceutical drug, among others. Sometimes, an accident can cause you to endure mental or emotional anguish and saddle you with new financial obligations, from medical bills to property repairs.
Our attorneys at Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. understand that when someone harms you, it can hurt in more than just one way. If you have good reason to believe that you or someone you love has been injured as a result of another party’s negligence or wrongful act, our personal injury attorneys in New Hampshire can help.
We have experience obtaining settlements for less serious injuries, such as burns, neck strains and back injuries. Thanks to a vast array of legal and professional resources at our disposal, our advocacy has also been successful in more complicated and emotionally challenging cases involving paralysis, traumatic brain injuries and wrongful death.
What to Do After Being Injured by Negligence
If you were injured at work, make sure to tell your supervisor immediately — do not wait, no matter how minor your injury seems. Then, fill out a First Report of Injury. Employers should have this form on hand. Next, request the names and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed the accident that led to your injury. No one needs to be at fault for you to receive workers’ compensation; you only need to show that you were hurt while working.
In the event of a traffic collision, the first thing to do is to make sure that you are okay and to take stock of any injuries. Then, check on the other parties involved to see if they are injured, and if needed, contact emergency medical services (EMS). No matter what, make sure to call your local police department to file an accident report. As you wait for help to arrive, swap insurance and contact information with the other parties. It is also important to get the contact info of any witnesses.
If you were injured at a business — such as a retail store, restaurant or the like — tell the manager or employees immediately. Again, contact EMS (if needed) and make sure to get the information of any witnesses.
For all these accidents, it is vital that you consult a medical professional as soon as possible. Seemingly minor injuries may be more serious than they appear and, if left without treatment, may worsen. Moreover, if the injury does end up being one you need to file a complaint over, the defense will use any gap between the accident and when you sought medical help against you.
New Hampshire Personal Injury FAQ
What is the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, personal injury claims have a statute of limitations of three years. This means that you have three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. It is important to note that if you do not file your claim within this time frame, you may be barred from pursuing legal action in civil court against the at-fault party.
What should I do if an insurance adjuster contacts me?
If an insurance adjuster that represents the other party contacts you after an accident or after you file a claim, then you should not divulge any sensitive or new information right away. Instead, make it clear that you do not agree to making a recorded statement and then ask for their contact information. Pass this along to your attorney. If you have already hired a personal injury lawyer, then you can inform the insurance adjuster that they should stop contacting you directly and instead contact your lawyer.
Should I accept a settlement offer from an insurance company?
You should not accept a settlement offer from an insurance company after an accident without first allowing your attorney to review it. When the offer is given, if you are speaking directly with an insurance adjuster, make it clear that you must allow your attorney to review it before you sign it. Once you sign an offer, the case is over. It is worth restating: Do not sign any settlement offer without first talking with a personal injury attorney.
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?
Our New Hampshire personal injury lawyers take cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t owe any attorney fees unless your case ends in a successful settlement or award. The contingency fee amount will be based on a percentage of the total winnings. The more work that needs to go into a case, the higher the contingency percentage can be. However, we are always honest with our pricing, so you won’t be surprised, and you’ll get the peace of mind of experienced counsel handling everything on your behalf.