Who do you sue for asbestos exposure?

People with an asbestos-related disease often file claims against the companies that made, sold, supplied, or installed asbestos-containing products. Depending on the exposure history, lawsuits may also target property owners, contractors, landlords, or other third parties that failed to warn about or control asbestos hazards. In most states, workers’ compensation limits direct lawsuits against employers, but third-party claims against product manufacturers are still common. Veterans generally do not sue the military itself, but may bring claims against asbestos manufacturers or contractors tied to their exposure.

What is an asbestos lawyer?

An asbestos lawyer is a trial lawyer who focuses on legal cases involving exposure to asbestos, including claims by people with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. These attorneys investigate where and how exposure occurred, gather work and medical records, and identify potentially responsible companies or products. They prepare and file claims or lawsuits, negotiate with defendants and insurers for settlements, and may present cases in court if a trial occurs. Some asbestos lawyers also handle claims against asbestos bankruptcy trust funds, which were set up to compensate people harmed by asbestos exposure.

What is considered wrongful termination in NH?

Wrongful termination in New Hampshire occurs when an employer fires someone in violation of anti-discrimination laws, retaliation protections, contract terms, or fundamental public policy. Anti-discrimination rules under federal law and the New Hampshire Law Against Discrimination bar firing based on protected traits such as race, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Termination may also be wrongful if it punishes an employee for protected actions like reporting unsafe or illegal practices, filing a wage or workers’ compensation claim, or taking protected leave under laws such as the FMLA. New Hampshire courts also describe a common law wrongful discharge claim that requires proof the employer acted with bad faith, malice, or retaliation and that the firing was because the worker did something public policy encourages or refused to do something public policy condemns.

What is the statute of limitations on medical malpractice in NH?

New Hampshire medical malpractice lawsuits are generally governed by the state’s general personal injury statute of limitations in N.H. Rev. Stat. § 508:4. Most sources agree that people typically have 3 years to file, either from the date of the alleged malpractice or from when the injury was, or reasonably should have been, discovered (the “discovery rule”). Some sources describe an additional 3‑year statute of repose that can bar claims more than 3 years after the negligent act, unless there was fraudulent concealment. Separate federal rules may apply if the claim involves a federally funded health care provider, where a 2‑year federal deadline is often cited. Legal commentators note that missing the applicable deadline usually prevents a court from hearing the case, which can eliminate the possibility of compensation.

New Hampshire Mesothelioma Lawyer: Asbestos Lawsuit Help

Filing Deadlines in New Hampshire

New Hampshire sets a statute of limitations on mesothelioma lawsuits. The clock starts at diagnosis, not exposure.

Personal Injury

3 Years from Diagnosis

For claims filed by mesothelioma patients

Wrongful Death

3 Years from Death

For claims filed by surviving family members

Missing these deadlines can permanently bar a family's right to compensation.

When the Clock Starts

In New Hampshire, the statute of limitations begins on the date of diagnosis, not the date of asbestos exposure. This is called the "discovery rule."

Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years. Without the discovery rule, most patients would lose their right to file before they even knew they were sick.

The clock starts when:

A physician provides a formal mesothelioma diagnosis
Symptoms reasonably indicated the disease was present

Personal Injury Claims in New Hampshire

New Hampshire allows 3 years from diagnosis to file a personal injury claim. These claims are filed by the patient and typically seek recovery for medical expenses (past and future treatment), lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life, meaning the impact of the disease on daily activities, relationships, and ability to work.

Wrongful Death Claims in New Hampshire

New Hampshire allows 3 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. These claims can be filed by:

Surviving spouse
Children (including adult children)
Parents (in some cases)
Estate representative

Wrongful death claims can recover compensation for:

Medical expenses incurred before death
Funeral and burial costs
Loss of financial support
Loss of companionship and guidance

Asbestos Exposure Sites in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has 10 cities with documented asbestos exposure sites and 16 liable parties on record. Workers in these areas may have grounds for mesothelioma claims.

Select a city to view specific exposure sites, companies, and facilities with known asbestos exposure history.

Hampton 3 sites Littleton 3 sites Manchester 2 sites Nashua 2 sites

New Hampshire has 1 cancer centers specializing in mesothelioma treatment. For a complete list of documented asbestos exposure sites in New Hampshire, see our exposure database.

Types of Compensation in New Hampshire

Families in New Hampshire affected by mesothelioma may qualify for multiple forms of compensation. Most cases involve a combination of trust fund claims and litigation.

Lawsuits and Settlements

Personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits can be filed against companies responsible for asbestos exposure. Most cases settle before trial, with average mesothelioma settlements ranging from amounts that vary widely by case. Total compensation can be significantly higher when combining multiple sources. New Hampshire courts generally allow expedited scheduling for mesothelioma cases.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Over 60 bankruptcy trusts hold more than $30 billion for people harmed by asbestos exposure. These claims are separate from lawsuits and can be filed regardless of whether a company is still operating. Trust fund claims have their own deadlines and requirements.

Learn about trust fund claims →

Asbestos Exposure History in New Hampshire

Shipyards and manufacturing drove the state's exposure, particularly along the eastern coastal corridor near Portsmouth and in northern paper mill hubs like Berlin. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, a 278-acre facility added to the EPA Superfund list in 1994, contained asbestos in nearly 400 structures. Ships like the Abraham Lincoln and Sand Lance carried it in insulation and equipment. Pipefitters, welders, electricians, and sheet metal workers faced poor ventilation.

Paper mills in Berlin used asbestos in textiles and building products until the 1980s. Brown Company's Cascade Mill and Burgess Mill, Berlin Paper Mill, and International Paper Company all contributed. Power plants like Merrimack Station and Seabrook Station used it in boilers, turbines, and insulation.

The state's dense concentration of shipbuilding paired with pulp and paper operations left toxic waste in landfills, waterways, and communities.

Beyond these sectors, people faced exposure in construction, power generation, and military bases across Manchester, Concord, Dover, and Claremont. Ten documented exposure sites span Rockingham, Merrimack, and Coos counties. Employees at Anheuser Busch in Merrimack and American Hoechst Corporation in Manchester were also at risk. Family members faced secondary contact from dust on clothing.

Over 300 residents have died from asbestos-related diseases since 1979. Contamination lingers under roadways, in homes, and along riverbanks.

Choosing a New Hampshire Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma litigation is a focused practice area. Not every personal injury attorney has the exposure databases, product identification resources, or trial experience these cases require. Our guide to choosing a mesothelioma law firm covers this in detail.

A few things to look at when narrowing a shortlist. Attorneys who concentrate on mesothelioma and asbestos cases typically maintain databases of products, manufacturers, and job sites that most general personal injury firms don't have. A firm's past settlements and verdicts in asbestos cases say more about depth than general trial experience. Familiarity with New Hampshire procedures, judges, and filing requirements shortens the learning curve, especially in an expedited docket. And most mesothelioma attorneys work on contingency, so the family pays nothing unless compensation is recovered.

Learn more about mesothelioma lawyer costs and how contingency fees work.

New Hampshire Mesothelioma Lawyers