For the unversed, personal injury cases are related to negligence. If you have sustained an injury in Connecticut because someone was reckless, careless, or just didn’t adhere to the safety rules, you may have a potential claim against the other party. The biggest challenge is to recover a settlement, which can be hard because the burden of providing evidence is on the claimant. Also, you may not always understand the legal process and jargon. That’s exactly when you should consult a reliable Connecticut personal injury lawyer. Here are some essential facts for your help.
Common types of personal injury lawsuits
Besides car accidents, there are other examples of personal injury claims, including medical malpractice, dog bites, animal attacks, product liability, slip & fall accidents, workplace injuries, and burn injuries. As the claimant, you can file a lawsuit or an insurance claim with the other party’s carrier and recover money, which will pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other non-economic losses.
Know the time limit
There is a deadline for filing a civil lawsuit against the negligent party, and according to the statute of limitations in Connecticut, the time limit is two years. If you file a lawsuit after that period, the other side will ask the court to dismiss the lawsuit, although there are a few exceptions. If the at-fault party is a government agency, the deadline is even shorter – six months.
Comparative fault rule in Connecticut
What happens when two parties are to blame for an accident? In such cases, Connecticut relies on the modified comparative fault rule, where you are barred from recovering money if your fault share is over 50%. However, if you are less at fault (say – 20%), you can recover a settlement, but the amount will be adjusted for your fault, which is measured in percentage.
You should get an attorney
Insurance companies would do anything to cut down your compensation, and the other party is unlikely to accept fault. In such circumstances, you cannot expect to win the battle alone. Your best bet is an attorney who specializes in personal injury law in Connecticut and can offer assistance to recover money. They can be your guiding force as you file the claim/lawsuit, and no matter the expected amount, they will work on a contingency fee. The fee is only payable when you win, so there is no risk of hiring an attorney.
