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1996 New Hampshire Attorney General Reports and Opinions 1 (1996)

handle is hein.sag/sagnh0019 and id is 1 raw text is: DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
33 CAPITOL STREET
CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03301-6397
JEFFREY R. HOWARD
ATTORNEY GENERAL
February 22, 1996
George L. Iverson, Director
office of Emergency Management
State Office Park South
107 Pleasant Street
Concord, New Hampshire  03301
Re: Immunity for services by volunteer emergency workers
Dear George:
You recently requested legal advice concerning whether RSA
338-A prohibiting contracts for indemnification of engineers,
has any impact on the immunity provisions of RSA 107-C:10, which
provides that any volunteer including engineers are immune from
liability for services provided during an emergency. It is our
view that RSA 338-A has no impact on the immunity established
for engineers providing emergency services under RSA 107-C.
RSA 338-A prohibits contracts or agreements providing for
the indemnity of engineers. It does not prohibit a statutory
grant of immunity. RSA 338-A was intended to prevent the
widespread use by architects, engineers or surveyors of
exculpatory clauses in contracts to consumers. Such adhesion
contracts are against public policy, as a homeowner or consumer
would not be able to obtain the services of an engineer or
architect without agreeing to absolve the professional from all
liability for negligence. This public policy does not apply to
a situation in which the engineer or professional is
volunteering their services to assist the public during an
emergency. Furthermore, the immunity provided by RSA 107-C is
statutory. As there is no contract or agreement, RSA 338-A
cannot have any effect.

Telephone 603-271-3658 * FAX 603-271-2110 * TDD Access: Relay NH 1.800-735-2964

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