Personal Injury Claims & Lawsuits In Connecticut

Common Types of Personal Injury Claims in Connecticut

Personal injury claims in Connecticut can result from a variety of negligent or intentional conduct.

Motor Vehicle Accident

Motor vehicle accidents are some of the most common reasons for these claims. You will negotiate with the other party’s insurer for compensation and can sue the driver, the manufacturer of the vehicle if it malfunctioned and other third parties. As the plaintiff, you will have to demonstrate that the defendant was responsible for the crash.

Although there aren’t specific Connecticut statistics, throughout the country, about 50% of all of the cases that go to court for car accidents are successful.

General Injury

General injuries can occur as a result of any negligent or wrongful action on another person’s part. You will typically negotiate with their vehicle insurance, home insurance or other coverage they may have. It’s also possible to sue the defendant if you can’t reach a settlement.

Workers’ Compensation

Workers compensation claims allow you to recover losses from your employer’s insurance. You can only sue if there was a third party involved in the accident, like a contractor. Your employer is protected from these lawsuits.

Sexual Assault

You can file a sexual assault civil case against the perpetrator. Their general liability insurance (home or auto) will cover the settlement. You can also file a lawsuit, where you, as the plaintiff, will need to prove that the assault occurred by a preponderance of evidence. These cases have a lower standard of proof than criminal ones, so success rates are higher.

Dog Bite

After a dog bite, you can negotiate with the other party’s renters’ or homeowner's insurance. If you need to file a lawsuit, you would do so against the dog’s owner, its keeper or both.

In Connecticut, there are strict liability laws for dog bites, so all you have to demonstrate in a lawsuit is that you didn’t provoke the dog and that you were allowed to be on the property.

Slip and Fall

In a slip and fall accident, you can file a claim against the property owner’s insurance or sue the manager or owner. As the plaintiff, you have to demonstrate that the defendant knew or should have known that a danger existed on the property and took no steps to fix it. You must also show that you were not trespassing.

Medical Malpractice

In a medical malpractice case, you negotiate with the healthcare provider’s insurance. That sometimes includes hospital insurers. In a lawsuit, you must show that the defendant didn’t offer the accepted standard of care.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

For personal injury claims in Connecticut, you must file against the other party’s insurance. You must get medical care and gather evidence to bolster your claim.

The most effective way to negotiate with insurance companies is to have an attorney by your side. They will know what evidence can make the most significant difference. About 60% to 70% of cases reach a settlement. If negotiations fail and you’re planning on suing the other party, you must fill out Form JD-CV-1 to get started.

Remember that you generally only have two years from the date of the injury to begin a personal injury case, though there can be exceptions.

Typical Personal Injury Settlement Amounts In Connecticut

Although there aren’t settlement amounts specific to Connecticut, average personal injury settlements are typically around $40,500.

An average settlement for car accident claims is $30,416, while an average workers comp settlement is $44,200. For a dog bite, it’s $69,300.

In the majority of cases, it’s better to settle out of court. The process is shorter and there are fewer fees to worry about.

When You Need to File a Lawsuit

There are instances when you need to file a lawsuit. These include when you can’t reach a fair settlement, when there are disputes over who was at fault for the accident or when your claim was denied.

Your lawyer will prepare the complaint, which outlines the reasons for the lawsuit and the people involved, and then file it with the court. The defendant will then be served, and the discovery phase can then begin, which involves exchanging information with the defendant.

Negotiations can continue throughout this entire process. Keep in mind that 15% to 20% of cases file lawsuits, but only 3% to 5% of these actually go to trial.

Get Matched With a Personal Injury Lawyer in Connecticut

Local attorneys understand the challenges of filing a claim or lawsuit in Connecticut. At ConsumerShield, we can help connect you with vetted attorneys in your area so that you have the best chance of recovering your losses. Contact us to get fast and easy access to leading legal services in Connecticut.