Not a Bot!™ Call and you get Attorney Joseph Kelly Levasseur himself. When a family is grieving, the last thing anyone needs is a phone tree. 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.
Losing someone because of another person's carelessness is devastating, and the legal questions that follow can feel overwhelming. Attorney Levasseur has practiced law in New Hampshire for 24 years from his office at 396 S Willow St in Manchester. He helps families in Manchester, Londonderry, Derry, Merrimack, Nashua, and across southern New Hampshire understand whether they have a claim and what the process looks like, at a pace that respects what they are going through.
Compassionate, Direct Help for Grieving Families
Wrongful death cases involve the probate court, insurance carriers, and sometimes more than one at-fault party. Families often hear from adjusters while they are still planning a funeral. Having one lawyer you can actually reach makes a difficult time a little more manageable.
- One point of contact. You speak with Attorney Levasseur, not a rotating staff of case managers.
- Plain explanations. He walks you through the estate process, the deadlines, and the damages the law allows.
- Rooted in Manchester. He works in Hillsborough County and nearby courts and knows the local landscape.
Situations That May Lead to a Wrongful Death Claim
- Fatal crashes involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, and pedestrians
- Collisions caused by impaired, distracted, or reckless drivers
- Deadly falls or hazards on unsafe property
- Workplace and construction incidents involving third parties
- Defective products
- Other incidents caused by someone's negligence or wrongful conduct
See all of the injury cases the firm handles on our personal injury practice page.
How a New Hampshire Wrongful Death Claim Works
The Estate Brings the Case
In New Hampshire, the lawsuit is filed by the administrator or executor of the deceased person's estate rather than by individual relatives. If no estate has been opened, that step comes first through the Circuit Court, Probate Division. Attorney Levasseur can explain how the estate and the injury claim fit together.
Filing Deadlines
RSA 556:11 permits an action within six years after the death when no case was pending, subject to the provisions of RSA 508, and RSA 508:4 generally sets a three-year limit. Evidence such as vehicle data, video, and witness memories can also fade quickly, which is another reason not to wait.
Shared Fault
If the person who died was partly responsible, New Hampshire's comparative fault statute, RSA 507:7-d, reduces damages by that share and bars recovery only if it is greater than the fault of the defendants.
Damages Under RSA 556:12
Every family's loss is different, and no amount of money replaces a person. The statute lets a jury consider several categories of loss, including:
- Reasonable expenses to the estate caused by the injury, such as medical and funeral costs
- The deceased person's pain and suffering before death
- Lost earning capacity
- A surviving spouse's loss of comfort, society, and companionship, up to $500,000
- Loss of familial relationship for minor children of a deceased parent, or parents of a deceased minor child, up to $300,000 per claimant
For a deeper look, read Wrongful Death Claims in New Hampshire: Who Can File, Deadlines, and Damage Limits and Wrongful Death in New Hampshire: Laws, Procedures, and Probate Considerations.
Steps Families Can Take Now
- Request copies of the police or incident report and the death certificate.
- Keep medical bills, funeral receipts, and pay records in one place.
- Write down names of witnesses and anyone who contacted you about the incident.
- Avoid signing releases or giving recorded statements to an insurer before getting advice.
- Talk with a lawyer about opening the estate and preserving evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in New Hampshire?
The claim is brought by the administrator or executor of the deceased person's estate, who is appointed through the Circuit Court, Probate Division. Family members usually work through that estate representative, and an estate may need to be opened first.
How long does a family have to bring a wrongful death claim?
RSA 556:11 allows an action within six years after the death when no case was pending, but that period is "subject to the provisions of RSA 508," which generally sets a three-year limit from the act or omission. Because the two statutes interact, families should get advice early instead of counting on the longer period.
Is there a limit on what a spouse or child can recover?
For certain losses, yes. Under RSA 556:12, a surviving spouse may recover up to $500,000 for loss of comfort, society, and companionship, and a minor child of a deceased parent, or a parent of a deceased minor child, may recover up to $300,000 per claimant for loss of familial relationship. Other categories, such as lost earning capacity and medical and funeral expenses, are figured separately.
What if my loved one was partly at fault?
Recovery may still be possible. Under RSA 507:7-d, damages are reduced by the deceased person's share of fault and are barred only if that share is greater than the fault of the defendants.
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 really answer?
Yes. That is the Not a Bot!™ promise. He answers his own phone, and office calls ring through to his cell. If he is in court or meeting with a client, leave a message and he will return your call personally.
Speak With a Manchester Wrongful Death Attorney
If your family lost someone in Manchester or elsewhere in southern New Hampshire, call Attorney Joseph Kelly Levasseur at 603-622-7575 or use our contact page. You will talk with him directly. 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.