Personal Injury
Personal Injury Lawyer
Matt Lahey is a personal injury lawyer in Laconia NH. He has been representing clients against insurance companies for 40 years. Insurance companies will only pay full value for a case if they know the attorney will take the case to trial, and can do it well. They keep a book on attorneys. Matt has tried over 100 jury trials, and recovered millions of dollars.
Case Results & Settlements
Mary Carignan v. New Hampshire International Speedway, et al
Mary Carignan was a passenger on her husband Dennis’ motorcycle as they headed south on Route 106 in Loudon to meet friends for breakfast. As they drove past the New Hampshire International Speedway, a Winnebago towing a pick-up truck pulled out in front of them and proceeded slowly. Dennis Carignan put on his directional and pulled out to pass the Winnebago. When the Carignan motorcycle was alongside the Winnebago, its directional came on and it began turning left into the path of the motorcycle. At the same time, Speedway personnel were standing at the south entrance waving in the Winnebago. Dennis laid the motorcycle down to avoid a collision. Mary was ejected from the motorcycle and suffered a fractured hip that ultimately required replacement surgery.
Matt filed suit on behalf of Mary Carignan against the Winnebago operator and the Speedway. Prior to trial, the total settlement offer from the insurance companies was $25,000. After a one-week trial, a Belknap County Superior Court jury returned a verdict of $1.2 million. This was the second largest jury verdict in the history of Belknap County Superior Court.
Matt successfully argued the case before the New Hampshire Supreme Court twice to preserve the verdict.
http://www.courts.state.nh.us/supreme/opinions/2004/carig121.htm
http://www.courts.state.nh.us/supreme/opinions/2006/carig044.pdf
“Prior to trial, the total settlement offer from the insurance companies was $25,000. After a one-week trial, a Belknap County Superior Court jury returned a verdict of $1.2 million. This was the second largest jury verdict in the history of Belknap County Superior Court.”
Personal Injury Related Questions
What is the legal definition of “negligence” as it relates to personal injury law?
The term “negligence” is a legal theory that describes a degree of carelessness by a person that ultimately causes an injury to another person or their property. There are four elements of negligence that must be proven for a plaintiff to win their case. These are duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and injury. Matt will be able to explain all these terms to you in preparing your case.
Do I even have a case here?
Suffering from a personal injury caused by the negligence of another person certainly justifies your right to proceed with a case. It is critically important that you speak with an experienced attorney who will help you find the best course of action for your particular situation.
Will I need to hire a personal injury lawyer to win my case?
It is highly recommended that you hire a skilled and experienced lawyer to represent you in a personal injury suit. You would have to understand a vast body of law and procedure to successfully represent yourself in a personal injury action.
What is the statute of limitations in filing a personal injury suit?
In the state of New Hampshire, in most cases, the statute of limitations on personal injury claims is three (3) years from the date of the accident, however, in those cases where the victim’s injury was not immediately obvious, the statute of limitations is three (3) years from the date that the victim should have known that their injuries were caused by the other party’s negligence. The statue of limitations is also longer for injuries to minor children.
Will my case wind up going to court?
Many personal injury cases are settled out of court and going to trial is not necessary. There are, however, cases where a fair recovery can only be achieved by going to trial. Matt will be able to explain all the possible scenarios so that you are fully prepared for any contingency.
What costs are involved in hiring a personal injury lawyer?
Matt will take your case with no money up front. If your case is successful, he will take a percentage of the settlement for his services. He will also deduct any fees or expenses they paid up front such as filing, expert and deposition fees. Matt will be happy to speak with you so that you understand exactly how he is paid.
How long does a lawsuit in a personal injury accident take?
The specifics and circumstances of your case will determine the answer. Sometimes, cases can be prolonged if you’re still in recovery from your injuries.
What might my case be worth?
There are many factors that will determine the value of your case, and early estimations can be difficult, until your specific injuries are thoroughly examined and understood. Compensation will include the injuries themselves, permanent impairment, medical bills, the cost of future treatment, lost wages and more.
Should I just accept the settlement that the insurance company offers me?
The main goal of an insurance company is to minimize their payouts. Being a business, they are always looking to minimize payouts and maximize profits. This model is certainly not in your best interests. Accepting an insurance company’s settlement may get things over quickly, but you may not receive what the case is worth. Working with an attorney may take longer for your settlement to arrive, but the payout will often be much higher, so it’s worth the wait.
