Experience Means Results

Laconia NH Personal Injury Lawyer

Attorney Matthew Lahey

 

Matt Lahey is a personal injury lawyer in Laconia NH. He has been representing clients against insurance companies for 35 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 150 jury trials, and recovered millions of dollars.

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Matt Gets Full Value For His Clients

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 which ultimately causes an injury to another person or their property. Negligence, in personal injury law, comes under what is known as “unintentional tort”, which simply states that the negligent party didn’t necessarily mean to cause the injury to the other party.

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 knowledge 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 3 (three) 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 3 years from the date that the victim should have known that their injuries were caused by the other party’s negligence.

How is the fault of another party determined in a personal injury lawsuit?
There are 4 elements of negligence that must be proven in order for a plaintiff to win their case. These are Duty, Breach of Duty, Causation, and Injury. Your personal injury lawyer will be able to explain all these terms to you in preparing your case.

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, circumstances in which settling out of court is not possible. Your personal injury attorney will be able to explain all the possible scenarios to you so you are fully prepared for any contingency.

What costs are involved in hiring a personal injury lawyer?

Most Personal Injury attorneys will agree to work on your case with no money up front. If your case is successful, they will take a percentage of the settlement for their services. They will also deduct any fees or expenses they paid up front so that your case could proceed. Your attorney will be happy to speak with you,so that you understand exactly how they get 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. Your personal injury lawyer will be the one who has a complete understanding of your case, and may be able to determine how long the process may take.

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 that specific situation has been thoroughly examined and understood. Your personal injury lawyer will have the resources to research your case and be able to review past verdicts/settlements. Compensation that can potentially be received includes coverage for past medical bills,costs of rehabilitation, 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 will get things over pretty quickly, but you will probably be very underpaid in terms of what the case is really worth. Working with an attorney may take longer for your settlement to arrive, but the payout will often be much higher, so it’s definitely worth the wait.

CASE RESULTS AND 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 waiving 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 brought 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 $25,000.00. 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

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Please contact Matt to arrange for a free no-obligation consultation at his office in Laconia, NH. Thank you for your interest.

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