Worked example: Damages Allocation in New Hampshire

Example inputs

This worked example shows how DocketMath can allocate damages with New Hampshire jurisdiction-aware rules for timing, using the general statute of limitations (SOL) for civil actions.

Jurisdiction: New Hampshire (US-NH)
General SOL period: 3 years
General statute cited: RSA 508:4
Source: https://www.thelaw.com/law/new-hampshire-statute-of-limitations-civil-actions.391/?utm_source=openai

Scenario overview (assumed facts)

You have a single dispute with multiple damages categories arising from the same overall timeline:

• Property damage: $24,000
• Medical expenses: $9,500
• Lost wages: $13,200
• Other out-of-pocket costs: $3,800

The key variable for allocation in this example is the date of accrual (the date each category effectively “became due”/was incurred for SOL purposes). To show how timing affects results, the example uses accrual dates per category and then checks whether each accrual falls inside the 3-year lookback from the filing date.

Dates used in the example

• Filing date: October 1, 2025
• Accrual (or last-incurred / when the damage became actionable):

  • Property damage: October 20, 2021
  • Medical expenses: February 10, 2023
  • Lost wages: November 1, 2022
  • Other out-of-pocket costs: July 15, 2020

Damages totals (before allocation)

Example run

Open DocketMath’s calculator here: /tools/damages-allocation.

DocketMath’s approach in this example uses the jurisdiction SOL rule for New Hampshire—RSA 508:4 (general 3-year period)—to determine whether each damages category is time-barred or included based on whether its accrual falls within the 3-year lookback from the filing date.

Gentle reminder: This is an educational worked example and not legal advice. Real-world outcomes can depend on additional facts and how specific accrual rules apply to each category.

Step 1: Compute the SOL lookback window

• Filing date: 2025-10-01
• General SOL (RSA 508:4): 3 years
• Lookback start date: 2022-10-01

Rule used for allocation in this model:

• Categories accruing on/after 2022-10-01 are treated as within the SOL window for inclusion.
• Categories accruing before 2022-10-01 are treated as outside the SOL window (excluded from recoverable allocation in this model).

Step 2: Apply the window to each category

DocketMath output (allocation model result): $22,700 included in the damages allocation.

What changed (practical interpretation)

This worked example doesn’t change the nominal category amounts you input. Instead, it changes whether each category is counted as recoverable under the general SOL window:

• Included: medical expenses ($9,500) and lost wages ($13,200)
• Excluded: property damage ($24,000) and other out-of-pocket costs ($3,800)

Quick checklist to verify your inputs

Before running DocketMath, confirm:

Sensitivity check

When a damages category accrual date is near the SOL boundary, small timing changes can produce large differences in allocation. Here are two quick “what if” tests.

To test sensitivity, change one high-impact input (like the rate, start date, or cap) and rerun the calculation. Compare the outputs side by side so you can see how small input shifts affect the result.

Sensitivity test A: Property damage accrual moves forward

Assume property damage isn’t fully actionable until later.

• Property damage accrual becomes: December 5, 2022 (instead of 2021-10-20)
• Everything else stays the same.

Now property damage is inside the window starting 2022-10-01.

Re-run allocation:

• Property damage: $24,000 included
• Medical expenses: $9,500 included
• Lost wages: $13,200 included
• Other out-of-pocket costs: $0 included (still outside)

Total included becomes: $24,000 + $9,500 + $13,200 = $46,700

Sensitivity outcome (A): Included damages rose from $22,700 → $46,700 (+$24,000) by moving one category’s accrual into the SOL window.

Sensitivity test B: Lost wages accrue slightly earlier

Now assume lost wages accrue earlier than initially modeled.

• Lost wages accrual becomes: September 15, 2022 (instead of 2022-11-01)
• Everything else stays the same.

Since 2022-09-15 is before 2022-10-01, lost wages fall outside the SOL window.

Re-run allocation:

• Property damage: $0 (still outside)
• Medical expenses: $9,500 included
• Lost wages: $0 (excluded)
• Other out-of-pocket costs: $0 (excluded)

Total included becomes: $9,500

Sensitivity outcome (B): Included damages dropped from $22,700 → $9,500 (-$13,200) from moving wages accrual outside the lookback period.

Summary of sensitivity results

Related reading

• Damages Allocation Guide for Alabama — Comparative Fault Rules
• Damages Allocation Guide for Alaska — Comparative Fault Rules
• Damages Allocation Guide for American Samoa — Comparative Fault Rules