If a negligent act has injured you, you could file a personal injury lawsuit. There are several different types of scenarios that do fall under this umbrella, each with its subtle nuances. The average person on the street probably knows little about Connecticut personal injury cases unless they’ve been involved with one. In this article, you will get the basic information you need.
Constitution State residents who are victims of an incident that was no fault of their own that caused them damages should speak with a personal injury lawyer in Hartford. Connecticut’s personal injury laws can be tricky for the novice and should only be handled by an experienced attorney.
5 Common Personal Injury Cases in Connecticut
Many different types of accidents and scenarios can fall under the blanket of a personal injury lawsuit. To have a strong personal injury case in Connecticut, you’ll have the burden of proving:
- The at-fault party or entity owed you an expected duty of care
- The party or entity acted negligently that resulted in them breaching the duty of care
- Their action or inaction caused you to be injured
- These injuries caused damages
For the layperson, the above 4 points mean that a party (person) or an entity (a business or company) acted carelessly in one way or another, resulting in an accident in which you received injuries. Connecticut allows accident victims to seek compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Victims should seek out legal representation sooner rather than later. Connecticut’s personal injury statute of limitations is a mere two years. This means that legal action must be taken within two years of the date of the accident or the date when the injuries were discovered.
Vehicle Accidents
Accidents involving passenger vehicles, motorcycles, or commercial trucks due to a negligent act resulting in damages fall under the umbrella of a personal injury case. Connecticut isn’t a “no-fault” state, so those injured in motor vehicle accidents can sue the at-fault driver to recover damages.
Slip and Fall
Suppose a property owner doesn’t provide a safe and hazard-free location, and someone falls and is injured. In that case, the injured party can file a personal injury claim against the property owner. Slip and fall cases are usually problematic to prove without solid evidence that the property owner was negligent. Cases can get more difficult if the accident occurs in a public space and could require an attorney to investigate who the at-fault party is.
Medical Malpractice
Doctors take an oath to “Not harm,” but medical mishaps occur. Medical malpractice cases are considered personal injury lawsuits and will require the legal savvy of an attorney. Medical malpractice personal injury cases could include an injury during surgery or even being prescribed the wrong medication dosage.
The victim must provide an Affidavit of Merit to prove medical malpractice in Connecticut. This is a statement from a medical expert whose opinion is that medical malpractice did occur. Personal injury attorneys have the contacts to find the right medical expert for all medical malpractice cases.
Product Liability
Those who a defective or malfunctioning product has injured can file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for their damages. These types of cases can be due to not only a defective product but also those a design defect or manufacturing defect, or ones that didn’t provide an adequate warning label. Victims will be burdened to prove that the defect or flaw was present at the time of purchase.
Dog Bites
Victims of a dog bite that causes injuries can file a compensation claim to seek damages from the dog’s owner. They’ll need to prove that they didn’t provoke the dog to bite, and if the attack occurred on private property, they would have to prove that they were invited. Connecticut dog bite law states that the dog’s owner or keeper is at fault for any damages the dog causes, regardless of how friendly and safe the owner or keeper believes the dog to be.
Personal Injury Cases in Connecticut: The Bottom Line
Connecticut residents have the right to file a lawsuit regardless of the accident type – a slip and fall, a car crash, a medical mistake, a truck accident, or a dog bite. They’ll have the burden of proving that a person or entity was negligent, caused the accident, and sustained injuries and damages.
Regardless of how cut and dry a case may seem, it’s foolish to go up against insurance companies with a fleet of lawyers fighting to reduce their client’s liability. Never attempt to file a claim or seek compensation without having a legal team of your own.
Featured Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash
