Old Saybrook Personal Injury Attorney
Experiencing an injury in Old Saybrook can be life-altering and extremely traumatic for survivors. When someone else is responsible for the injury, it’s normal to want to seek compensation for your pain. While a settlement can’t take away what happened, it can help make the present easier to navigate. An experienced Old Saybrook personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options and pursue justice.
Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys in Old Saybrook, CT
Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law has provided legal services to Connecticut residents for more than 80 years. We have handled a high volume of personal injury cases and understand the devastation it can cause for victims and their loved ones.
After experiencing an injury due to someone’s negligence, the journey to recovery can be extensive. Our team can help you pursue financial compensation to help cover medical bills, lost wages due to missed work, and a lowered quality of life. We offer free consultations to injured residents of Old Saybrook.
Connecticut Personal Injury Laws
Connecticut General Statutes § 52-572h outlines the state’s laws on personal injury cases. This law explains how damages are awarded in Connecticut personal injury cases based on negligence. There are two main types of damages that can be recovered in a personal injury case:
- Economic damages, which cover things like medical bills and lost income
- Non-economic damages, which cover things like pain and suffering
If more than one party is at fault for the incident, each party only has to pay their share based on how much they were to blame. If the injured person was also partly at fault, their damages will be reduced by their percentage of fault, but they can still recover money as long as they are not more than 50% responsible for the incident.
For example, if you’re injured in a car accident by a driver running a red light, they may be assigned 80% at fault for the incident. But if you were found to be speeding at the time of the incident, you may be assigned 20% at fault for the incident.
This means that if you were awarded a $100,000 settlement, you would only receive $80,000.
In Connecticut, there were 102,800 car crashes in 2022. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of injury and death in the United States, making them common personal injury cases our firm takes on.
A judge makes this decision through evidence provided by the person filing the case. These cases are typically overseen by the Connecticut Superior Court, located at 1 Court Street in Middletown. Having a lawyer to help you gather evidence and argue on your behalf can help ensure the most favorable outcome for your case.
Deadline to File Your Claim
As outlined in Connecticut General Statutes § 52-584, you must file your personal injury case within two years. The two-year clock starts either:
- When the injury happens
- When you first realize you’ve been injured
However, there is a strict three-year deadline that starts from the date the harmful act occurred, no matter when you discovered the injury. After that, you cannot file a claim, even if you didn’t know you were hurt right away. Because of this strict deadline, it’s important to hire a personal injury lawyer to get started on your case as quickly as possible.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
In 2023, 12.5% of Connecticut residents were living with a disability, many caused by injury. As longtime Connecticut residents, the team at Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law is driven by its passion for community and protecting the rights of its neighbors.
Our team works hard to ensure survivors get the compensation they deserve. During your case, you’ll receive consistent case updates and transparent legal advice and strategy. Our attorneys offer realistic case expectations while approaching your situation with the compassion it requires.
FAQs
A: After an incident, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Internal injuries or concussions can take longer for symptoms to present. Having medical records can also help document the incident.
Be sure to gather the contact information of all parties involved and contact local authorities to file an incident report if necessary. Then, hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you. Do not admit fault or apologize, as this can be used against you later.
A: To prove negligence in Connecticut, you must show four things. First, the person had a legal duty to act carefully. For example, a store owner must keep aisles safe. Second, you must prove they breached that duty, such as by leaving a wet floor unmarked. Third, you must show that this breach directly caused your injury. Then, you must prove damages like medical expenses or pain and suffering.
A: Non-economic damages are harder to calculate than economic damages, but they can be equally as damaging to the victim. They include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, or permanent disfigurement. While economic damages reimburse you for what you’ve spent or lost, non-economic damages are meant to compensate for how the injury has affected your quality of life. Both types help make the injured person as comfortable as possible after an accident.
A: Evidence is the primary piece that influences the outcome of your case. Medical records help show the nature and cause of your injuries. Accident reports, such as police or incident reports, provide official documentation of what happened. Witness statements and expert testimony can help back your claim. Be sure to get photos or videos of the incident scene. Further evidence can include medical bills, repair estimates, and proof of lost income.
Choose a Trusted Old Saybrook Firm
Here at Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law, we have a deep understanding of the widespread effects an injury can have. You deserve help in your case. Let our experienced team take care of the legal side of things so you can focus on healing mentally and physically.
We offer free consultations to residents in Old Saybrook and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to find out how we can help.
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