Manchester, NH Slip and Fall Lawyer

Not a Bot!™ Call and you get Attorney Joseph Kelly Levasseur himself. If you were hurt in a fall, you can explain what happened to the lawyer himself. Office calls ring straight to his cell, so there is no answering service or automated menu between you and your lawyer. Tap to call 603-622-7575.

Free consultation. No fee unless we win.

A fall in a store aisle, an icy parking lot, or a broken apartment stairway can cause fractures, head injuries, and back injuries that take months to heal. New Hampshire winters make falls especially common. Attorney Levasseur has practiced law in New Hampshire for 24 years, and from his office at 396 S Willow St in Manchester he helps people throughout Manchester, Concord, Nashua, Salem, and the rest of southern New Hampshire evaluate premises liability claims.

Why Fall Cases Need Prompt Attention

Hazards get cleaned up, ice melts, and surveillance video is often recorded over within days or weeks. Property owners and their insurers frequently argue that the danger was obvious or that they had no chance to fix it. Acting quickly helps preserve the proof that shows what really happened.

  • Personal attention. Attorney Levasseur takes your call and reviews your situation himself.
  • Local experience. He knows Manchester's businesses, landlords, and courts.
  • Clear advice. He tells you honestly whether your fall looks like a claim worth pursuing.

Where Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries Happen

  • Grocery stores, big-box retailers, and restaurants with spills or cluttered aisles
  • Parking lots and sidewalks with untreated snow and ice
  • Apartment buildings with broken stairs, railings, or poor lighting
  • Hotels, gyms, and entertainment venues
  • Uneven pavement, potholes, and loose mats at building entrances
  • Construction areas left unmarked or unsecured

Learn more on our slip and falls and premises liability page and our personal injury practice page.

Premises Liability Law in New Hampshire

The Reasonable Care Standard

Many states treat visitors differently depending on whether they are customers, social guests, or trespassers. New Hampshire largely does not. In Ouellette v. Blanchard, 116 N.H. 552 (1976), the New Hampshire Supreme Court held that owners and occupiers of land must use reasonable care under all the circumstances in maintaining and operating their property. Foreseeability remains central, and the circumstances of your visit are still relevant.

Notice of the Hazard

A key question is often whether the owner created the hazard, knew about it, or should have discovered it through reasonable inspection. Store sweep logs, maintenance records, and video can help answer that question.

Comparative Fault and Deadlines

Under RSA 507:7-d, your recovery is reduced by your share of fault and barred only if your fault is greater than the defendant's. Most injury lawsuits must be filed within three years under RSA 508:4, though claims involving government property can have special requirements. For more background, read Understanding Premises Liability in New Hampshire and What You Need to Know About Slip and Fall Accidents in New Hampshire.

What to Do After a Fall

  1. Report the fall to the manager, landlord, or property owner and ask for a copy of the incident report.
  2. Photograph the exact spot, the hazard, lighting, and any missing warning signs.
  3. Keep the shoes and clothing you were wearing.
  4. Get contact information for witnesses and employees who responded.
  5. See a doctor promptly and keep all medical records and bills.
  6. Avoid giving a recorded statement to the owner's insurer until you have advice.

Losses You May Be Able to Recover

Depending on the facts, an injured person may seek compensation for medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages, reduced earning ability, and pain and suffering. Every case is different, and Attorney Levasseur will explain what may apply to yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I have to prove in a New Hampshire slip and fall case?

Generally, that the property owner or occupier failed to use reasonable care under all the circumstances, and that this failure caused your injury. Whether the owner knew or should have known about the hazard is often a key question.

Does it matter whether I was a customer or a guest?

Less than in many states. In Ouellette v. Blanchard (1976), the New Hampshire Supreme Court replaced the old invitee, licensee, and trespasser categories with a single reasonable-care standard, although the reason you were on the property can still matter.

How long do I have to file?

Usually three years from the injury under RSA 508:4. Claims against a city, town, or the State can involve special notice rules and shorter timelines, so talk to a lawyer promptly if public property is involved.

What if I wasn't watching where I was going?

An owner may argue you were partly at fault. Under RSA 507:7-d, you can still recover if your fault is not greater than the defendant's, but your damages are reduced by your share.

Can I bring a claim for a fall on snow or ice?

Possibly. Winter falls in New Hampshire depend on the specific facts, such as how long the condition existed and what the owner or snow removal contractor did about it. Document the conditions and call for advice.

How much does it cost?

The consultation is free. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee, which means no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. You may still be responsible for case costs and expenses, as explained in the written fee agreement you will review before deciding anything.

Will Attorney Levasseur actually answer the phone?

Yes. That is the Not a Bot!™ difference. He answers his own phone and office calls ring to his cell. If he is in court, leave a message and he will return the call himself.

Talk With a Manchester Slip and Fall Attorney

If you were hurt in a fall on someone else's property in Manchester or southern New Hampshire, call Attorney Joseph Kelly Levasseur at 603-622-7575 or visit our contact page. Office: 396 S Willow St, Manchester, NH.

Free consultation. No fee unless we win.

This page is attorney advertising and provides general information, not legal advice. Reading it or contacting the office does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past outcomes do not predict future results.

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