N.H. Court Overturns Precedent on Decedents Without Dependents

The Supreme Court of New Hampshire overturned a 25-year-old precedent in ruling that decedents without dependents are bound by the exclusive remedy of the state's workers' compensation system. The court held that exclusivity does not violate the state's constitution in Alonzi v. Northeast Generation Services Co., No. 2007-039, 1/15/08.The case stems from the fatal accidental electrocution of Glen Hopkins while working for Northeast Generation. His decedent, Michelle Alonzi, filed a wrongful death claim against his employer. The court opinion did not explain Alonzi's relationshi...