New Hampshire Mesothelioma Lawyers

Filing an Asbestos Claim in New Hampshire

A skilled New Hampshire mesothelioma lawyer can help you file a claim seeking compensation for an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma. They know the state laws and can make sure you follow them, ensuring your claim is filed correctly and on time. 

Your asbestos attorney can assess if you qualify to file a personal injury lawsuit in New Hampshire. If a loved one died from asbestos exposure, you and your family may be able to file a wrongful death claim. 

Key Facts About Filing an Asbestos Claim in New Hampshire

1. You must file a personal injury claim within 3 years after receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis. 
2. Surviving family members have 3 years from the date of the loss of their loved one to mesothelioma to file a wrongful death claim. 
3. New Hampshire has no statute of repose for asbestos claims, meaning there’s no fixed deadline based on the date of exposure. You can still file a claim even if symptoms appear decades later.

An experienced New Hampshire asbestos attorney can assist you and your family and explain the best options for your claim. Talk to your attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you file, the sooner you may receive compensation.

Good legal help can significantly impact your compensation. An experienced New Hampshire law firm can strengthen your mesothelioma case. 

Why Should You Hire a New Hampshire Mesothelioma Lawyer?

Choosing a skilled mesothelioma lawyer in New Hampshire means you’ll have expert help. Ask a mesothelioma law firm about their experience with similar cases.

Questions you should ask: How many mesothelioma claims have they handled? What settlements or verdicts have they achieved? Their track record shows how well they can achieve your goals.

New Hampshire Mesothelioma Law Firms

New Hampshire mesothelioma law firms are familiar with the state’s asbestos laws and procedures. A firm that knows local judges and local jury trends can offer useful advice on the best legal strategy. 

They may also have knowledge of known asbestos exposure sites across New Hampshire and the companies involved. This can help them gather strong evidence to support your claim. New Hampshire-based law firms will also be locally licensed to handle your case quickly.

Nationwide Asbestos Law Firms Outside New Hampshire

Many plaintiffs have had success working with a national asbestos law firm. They have years of experience helping plaintiffs get the compensation they deserve. This record of success helps them take on big corporations more effectively. 

National firms also have experienced investigators and databases to gather evidence to document your past asbestos exposure. Another advantage compared to a state firm is their work with medical experts who can explain how asbestos caused your mesothelioma.

Top national firms will travel to you for a free initial consultation. Their flexibility and expertise allow you to focus on your treatment while they manage your case.

Your lawyer may also assess if your mesothelioma claim should be filed in a different state. If your asbestos exposure happened outside of New Hampshire, it may be ideal to file in the state where it happened. This can also apply if the company responsible for your illness is headquartered in another state.

Asbestos Compensation in New Hampshire

Plaintiffs in New Hampshire have received millions of dollars in mesothelioma compensation. Several factors can affect the amount of your verdict or mesothelioma settlement, including the duration and intensity of your asbestos exposure. The determined extent of the defendants’ liability plays a significant role in the outcome.

Notable New Hampshire Settlements and Verdicts

• $4.67 million: Awarded to a U.S. Navy veteran in Milton.
• $4.37 million: Awarded to a U.S. Navy veteran in Eaton Center.
• $2.54 million: Awarded to a ball mill operator in Berlin.

Each mesothelioma case has its own unique circumstances. Settlements generally range from $1 million to $2 million. Verdicts typically average between $5 million and $20.7 million. It’s important to talk with your New Hampshire attorney about any specific details of your case that could impact your claim.

New Hampshire Asbestos Laws and Regulations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to implement and enforce federal asbestos laws in New Hampshire. These laws come from the Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants regulations, which specify how workers must manage asbestos materials while renovating or demolishing buildings.

States and towns can also make their own asbestos laws. These laws must be as strict as federal regulations. In New Hampshire, Title X of the Public Health Services Act outlines laws for many public health issues. This includes managing asbestos. Additional asbestos requirements are found in the New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules.

New Hampshire Asbestos Laws and Regulations 

• Env-A 1800: These regulations protect people from health risks associated with asbestos. 
• Env-Sw 2100: These regulations address the management and control of asbestos sites not operated after July 9, 1981. 
• RSA 141-E: This law outlines asbestos management and control requirements. 

Companies and individuals performing asbestos-related work in New Hampshire must be licensed or have certification from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Facility owners must notify the NHDES and the local health officer at least 10 working days before starting any activities related to building demolition. This applies to all demolition projects, even when asbestos isn’t present.

How Are People Exposed to Asbestos in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire was heavily involved in manufacturing throughout the 1950s. Textiles, shoe making and paper mills were key to the state’s economy. New Hampshire has no natural asbestos deposits or mines. However, the biggest concentration of asbestos disposal sites is in the Nashua-Hudson area.

Sites in New Hampshire Known for Asbestos Exposure

• Charles Poletti Power Project: Also known as the Astoria Power Station, this site has known asbestos risks. 
• Johns-Manville manufacturing plant: The Nashua plant produced asbestos tiles and plates from 1900 to 1985 when it was shut down and sold. The EPA condemned the site in 1995 and demolished it in 1996.
• Merrimack Power Plant: This coal-fired facility on the Merrimack River generated a lot of heat through combustion turbines, which were insulated with asbestos. 
• Monadnock Paper Mills: The Bennington plant may have had asbestos exposure issues since most paper mills used talc, which can be contaminated with talc, in the paper-making process.
• Mt. Carberry Landfill: The disposal facility in Berlin is permitted to accept asbestos waste.
• New Hampshire Plating Company: The 13-acre Superfund site in Merrimack was once an electroplating facility from 1962 to 1985. The site was contaminated with wastewater containing metals, solvents, cyanide and other pollutants. 
• Portsmouth Naval Yard: The shipyard is across the river from Portsmouth, Maine. In the early 1800s, U.S. Navy vessels were built and repaired at the facility. In 1993, the site contained asbestos insulation, among other contaminants. The final cleanup was completed in 2003. 
• Seabrook Station: Like similar facilities, the nuclear power plant used asbestos-containing materials for insulation and other purposes. 
• Star Specialty Knitting: The textile company in Laconia used asbestos to insulate the machinery. 
• Troy Mills Landfill: The Superfund site in Troy was once home to a fabric manufacturer the EPA says disposed of thousands of drums of liquid waste and sludge on the site.
• Turnkey Landfill: The disposal facility in Rochester is permitted to accept asbestos waste.

Older buildings across the state are also a potential source of asbestos exposure. Many were constructed with asbestos-containing products and building materials. All schools built before the 1980s likely contain legacy asbestos. The NHDES conducts periodic inspections of New Hampshire schools and requires notification before renovation or demolition projects to ensure that students, faculty and the public avoid asbestos exposure.

Occupations & Industries Known for Asbestos Exposure in New Hampshire

Workers in New Hampshire were exposed to asbestos on the job. Higher-risk job sites in the state include textile mills, naval yards and power plants. Certain occupations are considered at higher risk for asbestos exposure. 

Higher-Risk Jobs in New Hampshire

• Construction worker
• General manufacturing worker 
• Industrial worker
• Mechanics
• Military member
• Mill worker
• Power generation worker
• Shipbuilder
• Textile worker

New Hampshire courts will hold companies responsible for secondhand asbestos exposure. Also known as “take-home exposure,” secondhand exposure happens when someone who works with asbestos carries home toxic fibers on their skin, clothing or hair. Like primary exposure, secondary exposure can also lead to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses.

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