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Peterborough Personal Injury Lawyers

Filing a Personal Injury Claim in New Hampshire

If you have been injured by the negligent or wrongful conduct of another, you could be entitled to significant financial compensation. You should not have to deal with the far-reaching aftermath of someone else’s carelessness on your own; by filing a personal injury claim, you can seek the fair recovery you are owed. This can help you manage unexpected medical bills, make up for lost wages and other income, compensate for pain and suffering, and provide the financial support you need to heal and move forward with your life.

At Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., we represent clients in Peterborough and throughout New Hampshire in all types of personal injury matters. Our experienced and award-winning trial attorneys have a long history of success, having secured millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. We can help you understand your legal options and begin building a case aimed at maximizing your recovery.

Learn more, including how our Peterborough personal injury lawyers can help you with your case, by calling (603) 634-9887 or by contacting us online. Your initial consultation is free.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

New Hampshire imposes a statute of limitations on nearly all personal injury cases. This means that you only have a limited amount of time to bring your claim in court. If you fail to file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations passes, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case.

In New Hampshire, the statute of limitations on most personal injury cases is three years from the date of injury. In some cases, the three-year deadline may begin on the date on which the injury was discovered or reasonably could have been discovered, if the injury was not and could not have been discovered right away. This may arise in certain medical malpractice cases and other claims involving underlying or difficult-to-diagnose injuries.

Proving Your Personal Injury Claim

When you file a personal injury claim against another person or party, you have the burden of proof. This simply means that you are responsible for proving your case against the defendant, not the other way around.

To prove a negligence-based personal injury case, you must typically prove that each of the following statements is true:

• You Were Injured: You only have a personal injury case if you were actually injured. Even if you can prove all of the other elements of your claim—including negligence, duty of care, etc.—if you were not injured, you do not have a case.
• You Sustained Damages: You will also need to prove that you sustained damages as a result of your injury. Damages refers to both economic and non-economic losses, such as medical expenses, lost income, and pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
• You Were Owed a Duty of Care: You must establish the duty of care. This is the legal responsibility the defendant has to take certain actions and/or avoid certain actions in order to prevent foreseeable injury or harm.
• The Duty of Care Was Breached: You will need to demonstrate how the defendant failed to uphold (or breached) the duty of care. In most cases, this involves proving that the defendant acted negligently or wrongfully in some way.
• The Defendant’s Conduct Was the Cause of Your Injury: Lastly, you must prove “causation,” or the fact that the defendant’s negligent or wrongful conduct was the proximate cause of your injury and, therefore, your resulting damages.

Proving each of these elements establishes the defendant’s liability, or their legal responsibility for paying your damages.

At Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., we help our clients develop powerful, evidence-based claims and seek maximum compensation for their damages. Our attorneys can assist you in proving the various elements of your case; get in touch with us today to learn more.

What Types of Damages Can You Recover?

Filing a personal injury claim allows you to not only hold the liable party accountable but also seek fair compensation for your damages. The exact types of damages you can recover, as well as the potential value of your claim, depend on many factors, such as the severity of your injuries, the extent of your medical care, and the complexity of your case.

However, many people are able to recover the following types of damages in personal injury claims:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical care
• Lost income/wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

You may also be entitled to miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses associated with your injury, such as in-home assistance and care or transportation to and from medical appointments. In some cases, injured victims are also entitled to punitive damages, which are meant to punish the defendant for acts of gross negligence or egregious misconduct.

When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured by another person or as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should seek the counsel of a personal injury attorney. You may be entitled to compensation, but actually recovering that compensation can be extremely challenging without the help of an experienced lawyer. The insurance company will likely fight your claim. It may offer you a lowball settlement or deny your claim altogether. An attorney from Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. can help you fight back.

Our Peterborough personal injury lawyers have the resources and skills to go up against powerful insurance companies, manufacturers, corporations, and other entities. We are proud to stand up for the rights of the injured, as well as the families of those wrongfully killed. As your legal team, we will advocate tirelessly for you and your recovery throughout the entire legal process.

How the Personal Injury Team at Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. Can Help

We can assist you with all aspects of your case, from gathering evidence and negotiating with the insurance company to preparing your case for litigation and representing you at trial (if necessary). We are here to answer your questions and provide the ongoing support you need during this difficult time.