Hartford Personal Injury Lawyers

If you’ve been injured in a car crash, slip and fall, dog attack, or another type of accident, you may be wondering about your options. The medical bills are piling up, you may be out of work indefinitely, and you’re not sure what you’re going to do. The physical pain is often compounded by the stress of an uncertain financial future, making it difficult to focus on your recovery. Fortunately, you have options. With a personal injury lawsuit, you may be able to hold the negligent party accountable and secure the financial resources you need to get your life back on track.

It all starts with a free, no-obligation consultation at The Dodd Law Firm. Our compassionate team understands the challenges you are facing and is committed to helping victims like you fight for the full and fair compensation they deserve. We believe that your focus should be on healing, not on battling insurance companies. By entrusting your case to our dedicated attorneys, you can gain peace of mind knowing that every legal detail is being handled by a professional. Call us at 203-272-1883 to set up a consultation now and take the first step toward recovery.

Our Personal Injury Services

The team at The Dodd Law Firm handles a wide range of personal injury claims, providing comprehensive legal support from the initial consultation to the final resolution. Each type of case presents its own unique complexities, requiring a tailored and strategic approach. By working with our firm, you can be confident that your case is being handled by a team that understands the nuances of various accident types.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents—including those involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, pedestrians, and bicycles—are among the most common causes of serious injury in Connecticut. The aftermath can be chaotic and overwhelming. While you are trying to deal with your injuries, medical appointments, and vehicle repairs, insurance companies are already working to minimize your claim.

Our attorneys are proficient at navigating these complex situations. We investigate the cause of the crash, whether it was due to distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, or a violation of traffic laws. We gather critical evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and black box data from commercial vehicles.

Our goal is to establish clear liability and calculate the total value of your damages, including both immediate and future medical costs, lost income, and the significant impact on your quality of life. We represent you against large insurance corporations, ensuring they do not take advantage of you during a vulnerable time.

Slip and Fall Injuries

A slip and fall or another premises liability case can occur anywhere—at a grocery store, a restaurant, a friend’s house, or on a public sidewalk. Property owners have a legal obligation to maintain a safe environment for visitors. When they fail to do so, and someone is injured as a result, they can be held liable.

The Dodd Law Firm has a strong background with these cases. We work to prove that the property owner was negligent, demonstrating that they knew or should have known about a hazardous condition and failed to fix it or warn you about it. This could be a poorly lit staircase, an unmarked wet floor, a broken handrail, or a dangerous parking lot with potholes.

We collect photographic evidence, maintenance records, and security footage to build a compelling case that holds the responsible party accountable for your injuries.

Dog Bites 

Connecticut’s dog bite laws are particularly favorable to victims, a crucial distinction from many other states. Unlike jurisdictions that have a “one bite” rule, which requires a history of aggressive behavior, Connecticut holds dog owners strictly liable for any damage their dog causes to a person. 

This is the case even if the owner had no prior knowledge of the dog’s aggressive tendencies or if the dog had never bitten anyone before. This strict liability law means that proving your case often focuses on identifying the dog’s owner and establishing that the attack occurred. 

The Dodd Law Firm understands the physical and psychological trauma of a dog attack and works to ensure you are fully compensated for your medical bills, scarring, and the emotional distress caused by the incident.

Defective Products 

When you purchase and use a product, you have a right to expect that it is safe. Unfortunately, design flaws, manufacturing errors, or inadequate warnings can turn everyday items into dangerous weapons.

Product liability cases are often highly complex, as they involve suing large corporations and require a deep understanding of manufacturing processes and safety standards. Our firm has the resources to take on these powerful entities. 

We can consult with professionals to prove that the product was defective and that the defect was the direct cause of your injury. Whether it’s a malfunctioning household appliance, a dangerous children’s toy, or a medical device that causes harm, we are prepared to fight for justice on your behalf.

Personal Injury Laws in Connecticut

Understanding the specific laws that govern personal injury claims in Connecticut is essential for building a strong case. The legal framework determines your rights, the deadlines you must meet, and how your claim will be valued.

Statute of Limitations 

One of the most critical aspects of any personal injury case is the statute of limitations, which is the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. In Connecticut, the general rule is that you have two years from the date of your injury to initiate a personal injury claim.

While two years may seem like a long time, the investigative process and case preparation can be lengthy, making it crucial to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Missing this deadline, even by one day, can result in the court dismissing your case, regardless of its merits.

There are also specific exceptions and limitations. For instance, if you have a claim against a government entity at the city or county level, you must provide written notice to them within six months. 

If your claim is against the state, you must report it to the State Claims Commissioner within one year. A knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate these complex deadlines and ensure your claim is filed correctly and on time.

Comparative Negligence 

Like many other states, Connecticut follows a doctrine of modified comparative negligence. This means that a victim can still recover compensation even if they are partially at fault for the accident, as long as their share of the blame is less than 51 percent. If the court or insurance company determines that your fault is 51 percent or more, you are barred from recovering any compensation.

Consider, for example, a car accident in a busy roundabout. You were in the roundabout and someone entering it did not know that they were supposed to yield to you, so they struck you on your right side. 

While they are clearly at fault, the insurance company or courts may argue that you should have noticed they were not yielding and stopped to avoid the accident. As a result, they may determine that you were 10% at fault for the crash. 

Since the other party has a greater share of liability (90%), you can still recover compensation from them. Your total award will just be decreased by 10%. This modified comparative negligence rule is a powerful tool that allows many victims to seek justice, even in situations where liability is not entirely one-sided.

Types of Damages Available 

The purpose of a personal injury claim is to make the injured party “whole” again by providing compensation for the losses they have suffered. These damages fall into three primary categories:

Economic Damages

These are the tangible, quantifiable financial losses directly caused by the accident. They include past and future medical expenses, such as hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, physical therapy, and prescription medications. Economic damages also cover lost wages and benefits from time missed at work, as well as the loss of future earning capacity if your injury prevents you from returning to your job or working at the same level as before. Finally, they cover any property damage, such as the cost to repair or replace your vehicle.

Non-Economic Damages

These are the intangible, subjective losses that are more difficult to quantify but can be just as significant. The most common form of non-economic damage is pain and suffering, which accounts for the physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries. It also includes emotional distress, which covers psychological impacts like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Other non-economic damages can include disfigurement, loss of consortium (the impact on your relationship with your spouse), and loss of enjoyment of life (the inability to participate in hobbies and activities you once enjoyed).

Punitive Damages

In rare cases, the court may award punitive damages. These are not intended to compensate the victim but rather to punish the at-fault party for particularly egregious or malicious conduct. Punitive damages are typically reserved for cases involving gross negligence or reckless disregard for the safety of others.

The Dodd Law Firm is here to help you navigate this complex legal landscape. Cases vary significantly when it comes to potential payouts, necessary evidence, and your overall timeline. That’s why it’s so important to talk to a personal injury lawyer in Hartford, CT, as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected and your case is handled with the attention and care it deserves.

How to Protect Yourself After an Accident

Taking the right steps after an injury protects your personal injury claim and your health. After an injury, we recommend:

• Checking for injuries immediately: If there are any serious injuries, it’s important to call for emergency services right away.
• Reporting the accident: Reporting the incident to the proper authorities ensures that you start a paper trail tying the incident to your injuries. For a car crash, pedestrian accident, or bike accident, you would call the Hartford Police Department. After a dog bite, you would reach out to the Animal Control division of the Police Department.
• Taking photos: Take photos of the scene and any injuries you notice. You’ll also want to get contact information for the other party and any witnesses that stopped to provide assistance.
• Getting a full medical checkup: Prompt medical care is a crucial part of any personal injury claim. Medical documentation links the accident to your injuries and provides a starting point for determining compensation. Local facilities include Hartford Hospital, AFC Urgent Care, and DOCS Urgent Care.
• Talking to a personal injury lawyer in Hartford, CT: Your next call should be to a local personal injury lawyer. In order to get the compensation you deserve, you’ll need to prove to the other party’s insurance company that you are injured and that it was their client’s fault. As you may imagine, they will do a lot to dodge liability and limit the amount they pay out to victims.

Fighting for the Compensation You Deserve

After a personal injury, you may be entitled to several types of compensation. Depending on the accident, your injuries, and how much evidence you have, you may receive compensation for:

• Medical bills and related expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Any other losses and expenses related to your injuries

What does it take to receive a fair settlement? The team at The Dodd Law Firm is here to help you navigate this process. It all starts with gathering the evidence needed to prove liability. This involves proving that:

• The other party had a duty of care to you
• They failed to fulfill that duty
• That failure led to the accident and your injuries
• Your injuries left you with measurable losses

This looks slightly different for every type of accident. Consider, for example, a defective product claim. Your baby choked on a toy marketed for their age group.

The manufacturer had a duty of care to consumers to create safe products and test them thoroughly before releasing them. However, they failed in that duty by releasing a product that was not properly tested. As a result, your baby choked, you incurred medical bills, and your family suffered significant emotional distress.

Through an extensive investigation of your injuries and analysis of the evidence, we’ll build an ironclad case proving the other party’s liability. From there, we will send a demand letter to the insurance company and begin negotiations. While most claims settle out of court, we will file a lawsuit and make your case in court if necessary.

Contact The Dodd Law Firm Now

Get the strong, experienced advocate you deserve—choose The Dodd Law Firm. Start your claim now by calling us at 203-272-1883 or sending us a message online.