Connecticut Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

After suffering an injury through no fault of your own, it is important that you understand the Connecticut statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Whether you were hit by a negligent driver in Bridgeport or you suffered a fall due to a dangerous condition on a property in West Haven, understanding the time limits you now face to file your official claim is essential.

At Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-At-Law, our personal injury lawyers in Connecticut can help protect your rights to compensation.

Understanding the Connecticut Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

In 2024, personal injury cases across the United States surged by 78%, and the United States reported around $1.3 billion in personal injury costs. While around 35% of preventable nonfatal injuries are fall-related, other personal injury claims can include motor vehicle accidents, defective products, dog bites, and nursing home neglect.

Under Connecticut law, a personal injury victim has two years from the date of their injury to file their official claim for compensation. This means that if you were to miss the deadline by a day, your case will likely be immediately dismissed, and you will be unable to recover any kind of compensation.

Why Does Connecticut Have a Personal Injury Statute of Limitations?

It is understandable to wonder why exactly the government would set a time limit for those seeking compensation for injury. The reality is that no amount of time will change the fact that you have sustained serious and life-changing harm. However, there are several reasons why a statute of limitations is in place regarding these cases. These reasons include:

• Fairness to defendants. While the individual who caused your injury should be held liable to compensate you, it wouldn’t be right to let the threat of a court trial haunt them in an indefinite manner. Instead, they hold the right to due process, and this right is protected by a set legal timeframe for these claims.
• Efficient court systems. If a personal injury claim could hang in the balance indefinitely, then the court systems would be forced to handle an unimaginable backlog of cases that would likely not possess the necessary evidence to move the case forward. This would place a substantial amount of strain on the court system and its resources, which are already spread thin as it is.
• Evidence preservation. The longer an individual waits to pursue a legal injury claim, the more likely it is that crucial physical evidence will be destroyed or lost, and the memories of eyewitnesses will become cloudy or inaccurate. With a time limit set in these cases, a fair and accurate trial is often allowed to take place.

Exceptions to the Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in CT

Despite this strict two-year time limit, it is important to be aware that there are a few exceptions to this statute of limitations in Connecticut. At Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-At-Law, our attorneys can review the facts of your case to determine if any of the following exceptions might apply:

• Discovery. Not every injury is immediately felt or found directly following the accident or exposure. In these cases, Connecticut law may allow the official statute of limitations to begin on the day you actually discover your injury or your exposure-related illness. One of the leading examples of this would be in a toxic exposure case where the injury or illness does not show itself in full until many years later.
• Tolling. This exception can suspend the official statute of limitations in cases where children suffered injuries, until the age of majority is reached, or if the defendant is missing or out of state. This exception might also apply in situations where the liable party is guilty of committing fraud or intentional concealment, which can result in further case delays.
• Defective products. In most cases of defective products causing injury, the two-year deadline still applies. However, there is also a 10-year statute that works to prevent any claims being brought against the at-fault party more than 10 years after the product was sold.
• Wrongful death. In Connecticut, wrongful death legal claims can be filed by the administrator or the executor of the deceased victim’s estate and must be filed within two years following the date of death and not more than five years from the date of the injury that resulted in the death.

FAQs

What Happens if My Personal Injury Claim Is Filed Against the Government?

If your personal injury claim seeks compensation from a government body, there are some unique challenges that come with these cases. First of all, it is important to realize that the filing deadline is significantly shorter and the legal process much more complicated. You not only now have one year to file your claim, but you also need to file a Notice of Claim with the Office of the Claims Commissioner.

How Long Can a Personal Injury Claim Take?

The length of time it takes to resolve a personal injury claim will depend on the nature of the claim itself. A case where liability is clearly defined, there is strong supporting evidence available, and the defendant accepts their responsibility will be concluded in a much shorter time frame than a case with weak evidence and unclear liability.

What Damages Can I Receive Compensation for in a Personal Injury Claim?

In a personal injury claim, there are a number of damages you may be able to recover, based on the extent and severity of your injuries. These damages include all the related medical expenses, lost wages, loss of employment benefits, loss of future physical pain and emotional suffering, earning capacity, loss of the enjoyment of life, wrongful death damages, and, in very rare cases, punitive damages.

What Information Needs to Be Included in a Personal Injury Claim?

When you go to file your official personal injury claim, there are a number of things that should be included and described in detail. These include paragraphs regarding your injuries, the parties you believe were involved in the accident, when, where, and how the accident happened, how your injuries came as a result, and the damages you are now seeking.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer Today

When you need to hire a personal injury lawyer, Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-At-Law is here to serve you. Contact our offices today to learn more and set up an initial consultation.