Wrongful Death Representation in New Hampshire
Apis Law represents families across New Hampshire who pursue wrongful death claims. These claims often arise from negligence, unsafe property. They may also stem from car crashes, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, or other preventable conduct. These cases require a careful review of what happened. They also require a clear understanding of RSA 556 and a focused look at causation, damages, and liability. Wrongful death cases demand sensitivity and precision. They also require the lawyer to manage complex legal and factual issues while protecting the estate and the family.
Understanding Wrongful Death Claims Under New Hampshire Law
Under RSA 556:12 14, the estate can pursue damages when another party causes a death through negligence, recklessness, or an intentional act. Key components include:
• Standing: The administrator or executor of the estate brings the claim.
• Liability: The family must show that the defendant caused the death. They must also show that the claim would have supported a personal injury case if the person had lived.
• Damages: RSA 556 allows recovery for medical bills, pain and suffering before death, lost earning ability, funeral costs, and loss of family relationship in some cases.
Each case needs detailed factual work. This includes accident reports, medical records, expert input, witness statements, and the full picture of the decedent’s life.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death
Fatalities caused by negligent driving, impaired operation, speeding, or commercial vehicle violations often involve complex accident reconstruction and insurance analysis.
Falls, structural failures, code violations, and unsafe walkways can support a wrongful death claim when a property owner knew about the danger and failed to correct it.
Cases involving unsafe jobsite conditions, fall hazards, lack of protective equipment, or OSHA violations. These claims may involve third-party liability beyond workers’ compensation.
Defective Products
Claims involving machinery failures, automotive defects, unsafe consumer products, or inadequate warnings.
Where appropriate, cases may involve improper care, delays, or failures in medical treatment. These matters require expert review and strict procedural compliance.
Legal Challenges in Wrongful Death Litigation
Wrongful death cases require careful management due to:
• Causation Disputes: Establishing the precise mechanism of injury and the medical sequence leading to death.
• Multiple Defendants: Commercial entities, contractors, property owners, and insurers share responsibility.
• Estate Administration: The court must appoint a personal representative before the family starts litigation.
• Insurance Coverage Issues: Potential layering of policies, UM/UIM coverage, or commercial general liability disputes.
• Damages Proof: Demonstrating economic and non-economic loss through expert testimony, employment history, medical evidence, and family impact.
These cases often involve substantial documentary evidence, expert opinions, and early preservation of key records, digital data, and physical evidence.
Apis Law’s Approach to Wrongful Death Litigation
Apis Law conducts a structured and evidence-driven approach to wrongful death cases:
-
Immediate evidence preservation and scene analysis
-
Comprehensive accident reconstruction and expert consultation
-
Investigation of code violations, regulatory breaches, or prior similar incidents
-
Detailed review of medical causation and treatment sequence
-
Careful assessment of economic loss, life expectancy, and earning capacity
-
Strategic litigation focused on accountability and compliance with RSA 556
Our firm develops every part of the case—liability, causation, and damages—before we negotiate or file suit.
Guidance for Families Pursuing a Wrongful Death Claim
Families should consider the following steps:
-
Obtain the death certificate and secure relevant medical records
-
Identify any witnesses and preserve communications or photographs
-
Retain legal counsel early to protect evidence and manage estate administration
-
Avoid speaking with insurance representatives before the consultation
-
Maintain documentation regarding the decedent’s employment, earnings, and financial contributions
Wrongful death claims benefit from early legal intervention to assemble necessary testimony, preserve digital evidence, and avoid statutory deadlines.
Contact Apis Law
If your family lost a loved one because of someone else’s negligence, contact Apis Law. We explain the legal process and your rights under RSA 556. We also outline the steps you must take to protect the estate’s claims.