Can You Get Punitive Damages in a Connecticut Personal Injury Case?

The goal of a personal injury case in Connecticut is for the injured plaintiff to hold a defendant accountable for the damages the defendant caused. In most cases, this means claiming economic and non-economic damages from the defendant, but in some cases, a plaintiff could also receive punitive damages. As the name suggests, these damages are meant to penalize a defendant for acting with intentional malice, reckless disregard for others’ safety, or criminal negligence.

Understanding Punitive Damages in Connecticut Personal Injury Cases

The majority of personal injury claims filed in Connecticut each year arise from acts of negligence, which is defined as a failure to use reasonable care in a given situation or a breach of a specific duty of care. For example, property owners have a duty of care to address foreseeable safety hazards on their properties that could harm lawful visitors, and drivers have a duty of care to operate their vehicles responsibly and obey the traffic laws.

When negligence results in harm, the injured victim has the right to pursue compensation for the resulting damages. Success with this claim will require evidence proving the defendant directly caused the damages cited in the claim, and you should hire a New London personal injury lawyer to assist you with building your case to have the greatest chance of reaching a favorable outcome.

Under Connecticut personal injury laws, punitive damages may only be claimed when a defendant’s behavior has exceeded the scope of typical negligence, or if there is clear evidence that the defendant acted with intentional malice or reckless disregard for the safety of others. State law restricts punitive damages to pay for the plaintiff’s legal expenses in most personal injury cases, but there are some exceptions to this.

For example, punitive damages could amount to double or triple the total of the plaintiff’s compensatory damages if the defendant caused their injury through an intentional traffic violation, such as drinking and driving. If you were injured in such an accident, a New London drunk driving accident lawyer will be a crucial asset to your case.

Of the 103,790 total crashes recorded statewide in 2025, 2,696 were directly linked to intoxicated driving. This is one of the most common reasons for punitive damages to be awarded in Connecticut personal injury claims. If a defendant injured you by breaking the law or through any form of egregious negligence, hiring experienced legal counsel significantly increases your chances of obtaining suitable punitive damages along with compensation for your other losses.

What to Expect From a Connecticut Personal Injury Attorney

Even if you believe that liability for your recent injury is obvious, the formal process of holding a defendant accountable for your damages is likely to be far more difficult than you expect. You will need a skilled attorney on your side to not only help you prove fault for the injury you suffered, but also to accurately calculate the various damages you are eligible to claim and to guide you through your case efficiently.

When you choose Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law to handle your personal injury claim, our goal is to help you recover as much compensation as state law allows and to do so as swiftly as possible. We have successfully helped many clients in New London and surrounding communities of Connecticut with a wide range of personal injury cases, so reach out to our firm as soon as possible to learn how we can help with your case.

FAQs

What Is the Maximum Amount of Punitive Damages Allowed in Connecticut?

The maximum amount of punitive damages allowed in Connecticut depends on the type of case and whether it falls under common law. If it does, punitive damages are capped at the plaintiff’s legal expenses. However, if the case falls under product liability law, or if the defendant caused the injury through some type of egregious or illegal misconduct, then the plaintiff could be awarded double or triple their compensatory damages in punitive damages.

What Is a Personal Injury Claim Worth in Connecticut?

The value of a personal injury claim in Connecticut mostly depends on the severity of the victim’s injury. The plaintiff has the right to claim compensation for property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Punitive damages are typically reserved for certain types of claims, such as product liability suits, drunk driving accident claims, and claims arising from intentional malice.

How Is Pain and Suffering Compensation Calculated in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, there is no strict formula for calculating pain and suffering compensation, nor is pain and suffering compensation limited for most cases. Your Connecticut personal injury attorney can help you determine a suitable amount to claim from the defendant that reflects the scope of physical pain and emotional distress you experienced from the defendant’s actions.

Can a Defendant Go to Jail for Causing a Personal Injury?

Yes, it is possible for a defendant to go to jail for causing a personal injury based on how they caused it. For example, if a plaintiff was injured by a drunk driver, the drunk driver not only faces civil liability for the plaintiff’s damages but also criminal prosecution from the state. Penalties for breaking the law in Connecticut are usually increased when the illegal misconduct results in severe bodily harm or death.

Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

You should hire a personal injury lawyer to increase your chances of reaching a favorable outcome in your case. A skilled attorney can explain how Connecticut’s personal injury laws apply to your case, what damages you are eligible to claim, and whether punitive damages could come into play based on the defendant’s behavior. Ultimately, you are more likely to secure appropriate compensation with an attorney representing you.

The team at Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law has successfully resolved many personal injury cases from our home office in New London, including many in which our clients received punitive damages. You’re likely to have many complex legal questions in the aftermath of your injury, so contact us today to schedule your consultation with an experienced Connecticut personal injury attorney you can trust.