Personal Injury Law in New Haven, CT

Your life can change in a split second. A distracted driver could cause a lifetime of medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma in an instant.

Personal injury law protects you or your loved ones when harm happens due to negligence. There are provisions for car accidents, slips and falls, medical malpractice, and other events. Insurance companies may offer a quick settlement, but that amount often falls short.

This guide will give you insights New Haven residents need to seek compensation. Learn about the types of cases and your rights in the paragraphs below.

What Is Personal Injury Law?

Personal injury law in New Haven relates to the legal process of getting compensation for an injury caused by someone else’s negligent behavior. These cases involve one party, the plaintiff, trying to seek financial compensation for expenses incurred and money lost as a result of the defendant’s reckless behavior. These cases involve both parties’ insurance companies and may even settle before proceeding to litigation.

Examples of Personal Injury Claims in New Haven, CT

Some personal injury claims are more common than others. However, almost any incident that ends with a physical or mental injury could qualify, depending on the circumstances.

A few of the most common personal injury claims are:

• Car Accidents
• Slip and Fall
• Dog Bites
• Medical Malpractice
• Workplace Accidents
• Burn Injuries

Most Common Injuries in New Haven 

The Department of Public Health identifies falling as the leading cause of injuries in Connecticut. However, the mitigating factor changes based on age and trends. For example, unintentional harm in auto accidents is more prevalent among younger people in New Haven.

Steps in a Personal Injury Lawsuit in New Haven, CT

Once you determine that you wish to proceed forward with a personal injury action in Connecticut

A lawsuit begins when a complaint is filed with the court and served on the defendant. The complaint alleges your assertion as the plaintiff that the defendant’s negligent behavior resulted in damage to your body or mental state. As the process proceeds forward, you may have to go through depositions, independent medical evaluations, and document production. This discovery process is lengthy and ends in either a settlement or a court appearance.

Both parties typically engage in settlement negotiations after the discovery phase. However, if this process fails, the case moves to trial. Pre-trial motions happen first, which include requests to dismiss claims or evidence. Then, your attorney will present your case to the judge or jury. Their deliberations will end with a verdict and assigning damages or a decision in favor of the defendant.

Connecticut Personal Injury Settlement

With most personal injury cases, insurance companies and injured parties prefer settlement negotiations rather than going to court for a trial. You may wonder how much you should seek in your settlement and the factors that impact the final amount.

Generally, there are no caps on compensatory damages for personal injury cases from New Haven. These include medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering. However, there is a limit on non-economic damages for medical malpractice. The state government has limited this category to $1.25 million.

If the other party has insurance, the insurance company likely wants to settle out of court to avoid leaving the final settlement decision to a jury. Settlements benefit injured parties as much as they do insurance companies. This is because accepting a settlement means you receive compensation sooner rather than later. Also, by going to court in CT, that means you risk not receiving any compensation at all.

Damage Awards in Connecticut

If your Connecticut personal injury lawsuit goes before a judge or jury, your legal team will be ready with a request for damages. In personal injury cases, there are three types of damage awards a court may order the defendant to pay to compensate you for the damage he or she inflicted.

Special compensatory damages reimburse you for things such as lost income, medical bills, and insurance deductibles. You submit receipts proving these losses.

General compensatory damages are subjective. If you receive special compensatory damages, you may also collect general damages. If your injury was particularly painful, you might request that the judge order the defendant to compensate you for the pain and anguish.

Punitive damages are the most rarely awarded and are up to the court. The judge or jury may determine that the defendant’s negligence was particularly heinous and the resulting injury to you was equally horrific.

Generally, there are no caps on compensatory damages for personal injury cases from New Haven. These include medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering. However, there is a limit on non-economic damages for medical malpractice. The state government has limited this category to $1.25 million.

Statute of Limitations in New Haven, CT Personal Injury Law?

The injured party may have a set amount of time to file suit for a personal injury case. State law establishes statutes of limitation. Commonly, the plaintiff’s injury or discovery of the injury begins the statute of limitations. However, the latter factor is trickier, as the plaintiff will have to prove when the injury was first realized.

In Connecticut, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is generally two years. Missing this critical deadline could significantly jeopardize your right to legal recourse in New Haven.

We recommend you speak with a personal injury lawyer for this matter. Don’t wait too long and miss out on receiving the compensation you deserve for your injury.

Work With an Experienced New Haven, CT Lawyer

Pursue a personal injury claim in New Haven against the responsible person if you are dealing with an injury caused by someone else. One of our experienced lawyers can help you navigate your personal injury claim. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Connecticut state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!