This bill expands the relationships eligible for potential loss of consortium damages. It adds language to RSA 507:8-a to define loss of consortium as the loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, and moral support, the loss of the enjoyment of sexual relation of a spouse, or the loss of the ability to have children with a spouse. The bill also allows a parent to recover damages for loss or impairment of right of consortium, and a person to recover damages for loss or impairment of right of consortium involving the death of their pet. The bill specifies that damages recoverable may be subject to diminution if fault is found on the part of the claimant or their spouse/child/pet owner.

The bill takes effect on January 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 507:8-a