What You Need To Know About Personal Injury Lawsuits and Settlements in Connecticut
Most people sustain physical injuries after an accident. In addition to bodily harm, there is the possibility of expensive medical bills, loss of wages, and, in some cases, long-term disabilities. Understanding your rights is important because it will help you recover any losses you may have incurred due to the accident. Whether you slip on an icy sidewalk or are in a road accident, you need to know what you are in for when you enter the field of personal injury claims and compensation in Connecticut.
Understanding Personal Injury Claims
Not all types of injuries are compensable personal injuries. They must meet a legal threshold: all elements of negligence must be provable with evidence. The first element is the duty of care, which is the responsibility to conduct oneself in a certain way in an attempt not to cause harm. Secondly, you must prove a breach of duty. You establish a breach of duty if there is evidence that the defendant failed to uphold the duty of care and the accident occurred because of inaction or action on their behalf. Then there is causation—when their fault directly causes or results in injuries or damages. Lastly, there are damages, where you have actual losses like medical bills or a psychological toll. You will most likely have a case if all of these are present in your situation. Seasoned attorneys from Berkowitz Hanna Malpractice & Injury Lawyers have obtained substantial verdicts and settlements on behalf of personal injury victims throughout Connecticut and can help you recover the compensation you need after you have been harmed by someone else’s reckless actions.
Types of Personal Injury Cases in Connecticut
Personal injury claims are diverse, and each case has its own complications in a legal scenario. The most prevalent types of personal injury cases are automobile accidents. A lapse in attention can lead to property damage and personal injuries, while slip-and-fall cases usually happen when public or private property is not maintained. These include icy supermarket parking lots or slippery floor surfaces. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider’s negligence in treatment causes serious health consequences and leads to injury, worsening of the victim’s condition, or death. Defective product lawsuits arise when substandard products cause injuries. These can range from malfunctioning gadgetry to unsafe children’s items that are supposedly safety-checked before being put on sale.
Navigating Timelines in Personal Injury Cases
Time is of the essence when dealing with personal injuries in Connecticut. In most instances of personal injuries like slip-and-falls or car accidents, you have a full two years from when you got injured to file a lawsuit. If your complaint is with a government agency, those deadlines are more specific—you can only make a formal complaint in 90 days. In cases of automobile accidents, Connecticut law usually gives you five days to make a police report. It is important to always keep these deadlines in mind. If you miss these deadlines, the court may not allow you to bring your claim.
Why Hiring a Lawyer Is Logical
For straightforward cases like minor accidents with no one injured, you might be able to make your case yourself. However, you will need a lawyer when things become more complex. Choosing a legal representative is not a question of hiring just anyone; it is a question of hiring someone with experience in handling cases like yours. If you have been a victim of medical malpractice, for example, you should look for attorneys who specialize in that field and not one who has a practice in workplace accidents. The main benefits of hiring personal injury attorneys are their experience with insurance companies and knowledge of complex legal jargon. They can thoroughly investigate the cause of the incident, identify all potentially liable parties, hire the services of expert witnesses, and file all necessary paperwork, ensuring you meet all deadlines.
