What our Clients Say...

We are proud and honored by the compliments that we receive from our clients. Here are a few of them... Please contact us for answers to more complex questions or questions specific to your case. The initial consultation is free.

Evie Newbold, Attacked by Akita dog.

My name is Evie Newbold.  In June of 2003, at the age of 18 I came from my home in the United Kingdom to work at a children’s summer camp in northern New Hampshire.  Not long after I arrived, I was bitten in the face by a large Akita dog.  The owner of the dog never warned me that his dog could be dangerous.  I ended up requiring a three layer skin closure and some scaring is still visible on the left side of my face. 

Being only 18 and from a foreign country as well, I didn’t really have any idea what I should be doing to protect my rights against the dog owner. My parents contacted Robin Curtiss via the internet and I’m really glad they did.  Robin explained to us that he could handle my claim even after I returned to England.  He and his assistant Shelly always kept me well informed about what was going on with my case.

Later, my parents and I came to New Hampshire to enter into settlement discussions with the dog owner’s insurance company. Robin really took the time to explain the process to all of us. He also made us very comfortable that if the insurance company didn’t make a fair offer he would take our case to trial. In the end I was quite pleased with the settlement Robin negotiated on my behalf.  I am certainly happy that we found Van Dorn & Curtiss. They made a tough experience much easier to get through.

Rick Kelley, Auto Accident, Back Injury, $750,00 Settlement 

Diana Willoughby, Auto Accident, Orthopedic Injuries

My name is Diana Willoughby and I am from Claremont, New Hampshire.  I was involved in an automobile accident in 2004 when my vehicle was struck in the rear by a careless driver.  This began my journey through a quagmire of pain, orthopedic specialists, painful medical procedures, referrals, rigorous physical therapy, and additional hospitalizations stemming from the accidents.

As painful as these injuries and rehabilitation were, I truly did not consider them to be part of the nightmare, because they were, after all, accidents. The actual nightmares were delivered through the callous indifference of insurance companies and the sheer insanity of the Workers Compensation system. Insurance companies fought with each other and Workers Comp fought with me.  My checks were often withheld for months at a time with no explanation and few options for recourse. During all of this fighting, my bills piled higher as my financial resources dwindled. I was confounded by the conflicting directions I was expected to follow, especially when my case worker’s name seemed to change on a weekly basis. When a Workers’ Comp doctor actually hurt me during an examination in order to prove that I was not really injured, I finally understood that these institutions were not invested in my well-being at all.  It was all about saving them money.

After two years, I was finally well enough to return to work full time, although I would never be able to resume my normal duties, and it was time to discuss a financial settlement.  My attorney referred me to Robin Curtiss of Van Dorn and Curtiss, PLLC.  That same month, we learned that my sweetheart, now my husband, had cancer and was facing a battle for his life.  I nearly despaired of the task before me: How could I get anyone to really understand the ordeal I’d been through, much less place a monetary value on it? Would these people understand that my energies needed to be devoted to helping my husband instead of my “case?” With much trepidation, I finally responded to their letter of inquiry.

As I reflect upon my experience with Robin and Shelly, his most capable assistant, I find myself thinking in superlatives.  Words like integrity, honesty, and diligence flow effortlessly from my fingers, but even those hardly describe the courtesy and respect I was afforded by these remarkable individuals.  They quietly and unobtrusively took my burden as their own, untangling my nightmare with all its complications, all while giving me the privacy and space I needed to deal with my husband’s illness.  In a relatively short time, long-delayed medical bills were paid, insurance companies stopped calling me, and the Workers’ Comp demons simply disappeared.   The dollar amount of my settlement was larger than I would have ever imagined, even in my wildest dreams.  Thank you, Robin and Shelly, for your part in restoring serenity and peace of mind to my world. I know that whoever finds their way to your door will find compassion, competence, ethical treatment, and - above all - justice.

Diana Willoughby, Claremont, New Hampshire

Victor Kalina, Bicycle/Auto Accident, Traumatic Brain Injury

My name is Victor Kalina and I live in Windsor, Vermont. Several years ago I was riding my bicycle in Hanover, New Hampshire when a car suddenly pulled in front of me and caused a terrible accident.  I was knocked unconscious and was in a coma for several weeks in the hospital.  When I came out of the coma, I was at a loss about what to do.  A friend of mine who was a CPA recommended that I talk to Ed Van Dorn.  Ed agreed to take my case.

From the accident, I was diagnosed with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and had a very difficult time adjusting to normal life.  My ability to work was severely impaired and I was in serious financial straits. At first, the negligent driver’s insurance company refused to pay a good faith settlement.  Ed filed a law suit on my behalf and went head to head with the insurance company lawyers. 

Finally, when he convinced them he was taking the case to trial, they agreed to mediate.  At the mediation, even though the insurance company offered almost the entire policy limit, Ed and I decided to stand fast.  Several weeks after the mediation, Ed convinced one of the defense lawyers they’d better  pay the settlement I needed or the case was going to court. They paid the amount I needed.

Without Ed’s help I don’t know where I’d be today. Because of Ed’s help I now live a full and meaningful life. I’ve remarried and have a loving relationship with my family. I credit the help of Ed Van Dorn for making this possible. He was with me and fought for me every step of the way. 

I would whole heartedly recommend Ed and his firm Van Dorn & Curtiss to anyone who needs the best possible personal injury law firm for a serious accident.  I would be willing to talk to anyone with a serious personal injury about what Ed did to help me, especially anyone with a traumatic brain injury. You can contact Ed’s firm for my contact information.

Sincerely,

Victor Kalina

April Hudson, Surgical Medical Malpractice

Hello, my name is April Hudson and I live in Island Pond, Vermont in the Northeast Kingdom.  Several years ago a doctor performed surgery on my foot and made several bad mistakes.  As a result, I had to have more and more surgery and finally my ankle had to be fused so when I walked it was like permanently wearing a ski boot.

I went to see a lawyer in Newport, Vermont and he referred me to Ed Van Dorn.  Thank God he did.  The doctor and his insurance company refused to take responsibility for his mistakes and the disability they caused me.  So we had to take the case to court.  Ed Van Dorn and his firm worked long and hard and finally there was a jury trial in Guildhall, Vermont, in Essex County. During a long trial Ed convinced the jury that the doctor had committed malpractice and they gave me a financial award that I sorely needed.  Not only this, but after the trial, Ed was able to negotiate an addition to the award so I would have enough money to cover all my expenses.

There was a write-up in the paper about my case and I think Ed will make it available with this recommendation.

Ed and his firm truly go the extra mile.  I would highly recommend Ed and his firm, Van Dorn & Curtiss, to anyone who needed a lawyer for a malpractice or any serious personal injury claim. 

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FAQs

Personal Injury

• Am I eligible for a personal injury lawsuit?
• How do the attorneys determine how much my personal injury claim may be worth?
• When I meet with a personal injury attorney for my first consultation, what information should I provide?

Automobile Accidents

• I was in an automobile accident and the payout offered by the insurance company seems low. What should I do?
• I was injured in a car accident and it was the other driver's fault.  They didn't have insurance...what can I do?
• I was injured in a car accident and my car sustained very little visual damage.  The other driver was at fault and their insurance company is denying my claim.  They say because there was so little damage to the car, I am lying about my injury...what can I do?

Wrongful Death

• I recently lost a loved one in an accident.  What are my rights?
• How do I bring a wrongful death claim?
• What is a survival action?

Medical Malpractice

• Is it true that legislators are attempting to limit medical malpractice recovery in New Hampshire?
• What are some specific types of medical malpractice?
• My spouse recently died while being treated at a hospital.  I think the hospital did something wrong, but the hospital won't release the medical records...what can I do?

Premises Liability

• Are hotels responsible for criminal acts that take place on their property?

Dog Bites/Pet Attacks

• My child was bitten by a neighbor's dog and the neighbor refuses to pay the medical bills. What should I do?
• How many people are bitten by dogs each year?

General

• I am represented by a personal injury attorney, but I do not think they are doing a good job.  Can I hire another attorney?
• What is lost earning capacity?
• What is loss of quality of life?

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