What Damages Can I Recover?

You are entitled to recover for any actual damages that were proximately caused by the wrongful conduct of the defendant. Actual damages refers to the amount of money it would take to fully compensate you and place you in the same position you would have been in had the injury never taken place. You can recover for losses such as costs of reasonable and necessary medical care, property damage, car rental expenses, costs of domestic services, and loss of earnings. The law allows compensation for future medical and care expenses that the claimant can prove will be reasonably necessary to treat the injury. The claim may include income the claimant can prove will probably be lost in the future because of the injuries. Loss of earning capacity is also allowed when the patient proves he or she is less able to earn a living as a result of the injuries

You are also entitled to non­economic damages for physical pain and suffering, mental and emotional suffering, physical impairment, inconvenience, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium (disruption of your personal relationship with your spouse), etc. There is no definite standard of calculating reasonable compensation for these types of damages other than being just and reasonable in light of the evidence. New Hampshire has statutes limiting non­economic damages in personal injury cases to $875,000 and in medical malpractice cases to $250,000; however, these caps have been held to be unconstitutional.

In certain instances, damages may be awarded to families of injured claimants for loss of care, companionship, love and affection. Family members can be compensated for the wrongful death of a loved one. These damages may include medical and burial expenses, loss of income that would have supported the family members, emotional suffering, and loss of the pleasures of the family relationship. Damages in a wrongful death action may not exceed $50,000, except when the recovering party is the spouse, child, parent, or dependent relative. Damages for loss of society and companionship may only be awarded to a surviving spouse and may not exceed $150,000.

Punitive damages are intended to punish a defendant and deter others from similar conduct. They may not be awarded unless specifically provided by statute.

The state is only liable for up to $250,000 per claimant and $2,000,000 per occurrence in compensatory damages. Political subdivisions such as towns, cities and counties are liable for $150,000 per claimant and $500,000 per occurrence.