Connecticut Personal Injury Attorneys

The last thing on your mind as you begin your day is that you might get into an accident that could change your life. Sadly, thousands of people in Connecticut each year are injured in personal injury accidents. An unexpected injury can burden you and your loved ones with medical bills, lost wages, and more stress than you can handle. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help in a situation like this.

For over five decades, the injury lawyers at The Dodd Law Firm have been fighting for the interests of accident victims throughout Connecticut. Our law firm only works on behalf of the injured and their loved ones, not big corporations, or insurance companies. When you work with us, you’ll know that your interests are our top priority. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Do You Have a Personal Injury Claim?

During a personal injury claim in Connecticut, the responsibility to prove negligence rests with the injured party. This is why it’s essential to retain a skilled accident lawyer to handle your claim for you. Your attorney will have experience conducting accident investigations, dealing with insurance companies, and convincing a judge or jury to take your evidence seriously.

To have a solid personal injury case, you must be able to show four main elements:

1. Duty of care owed— The party at fault for your injuries owed you a duty of care at the time of the accident.
2. Duty of care breached— That same party must have carelessly or intentionally breached their duty of care.
3. Causation established— There is a link between the breach of duty of care and your accident.
4. Damages suffered— The damages you suffered were a direct result of the accident.

A skilled personal injury law firm will be able to create a strategy for your case with the best possible chance of success.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

The attorneys at The Dodd Law Firm focus their practice on representing victims of all types of personal injuries. We represent clients in cases involving:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Premises liability
• Dangerous products
• Dog bites
• Wrongful death

We also handle issues involving workers’ compensation and Social Security disability.

Compensation You Can Recover Through a Personal Injury Claim

If you’ve been seriously hurt due to another party’s negligence, you have likely experienced various physical, emotional, and financial challenges. You may be facing mounting medical bills, having to take time off from work, learning how to navigate life with some new limitations, or dealing with the emotional aftermath of an accident.

The losses resulting from an accident or personal injury are known as “damages.” The purpose of a personal injury claim is for you to hold the responsible party accountable through the recovery of full damages. Some of the things you may be able to collect compensation for include:

• Medical bills
• Prescription medication
• Future medical care costs
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Home and vehicle modifications
• Counseling services
• Pain and suffering

Additionally, when negligence or wrongful actions result in the death of a loved one, eligible survivors may seek just compensation through a wrongful death claim.

Connecticut Laws That Impact Personal Injury Cases

If you’re thinking about filing a personal injury claim, it’s important to understand the different ways the legal system may come into play. Specifically, Connecticut has several personal injury laws that could impact the outcome of your case.

Time Limits on Filing

Every state places time limits for filing a lawsuit called a statute of limitations. In Connecticut, you have just two years from the date of the accident to begin your case.

Comparative Fault

It’s not unusual for an insurance company to try to shift the blame in the injured party’s direction. Depending on the state’s laws, this could reduce an award or even allow for a claim denial. Connecticut uses a modified comparative fault rule, which reduces damages to the degree that the person was at fault. So, if you were found to be 10 percent at fault, your damage award would be reduced by 10 percent.

Dog Bite Cases

In Connecticut, a dog owner is considered strictly liable, regardless of the animal’s past behavior. Dog owners don’t get a pass for the “first bite” but may not be held liable if the person bitten was trespassing, abusing, or tormenting the animal.

Damage Caps

Some states place damage caps on personal injury lawsuits. Connecticut currently doesn’t have these caps. In fact, the state even allows punitive damages in medical malpractice cases, which can increase an award substantially.

Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer

When you’ve been hurt through no fault of your own, you may think you only need to make a few phone calls or fill out some forms to get fairly compensated. If only it were that simple. Insurance companies are in the business of selling policies and collecting premiums, not paying out claims. You’re unlikely to get the fair and equitable treatment you deserve at a difficult time in your life.

A personal injury attorney’s role isn’t just for taking cases to court in Connecticut. Your lawyer can handle every aspect of your insurance claim, including negotiating a fair settlement agreement with the insurance company when the time is right. If your case does proceed to litigation, your lawyer will fight for your best interests in court, demanding maximum compensation for your damages.

There’s a common misconception that only wealthy people can afford an attorney. We believe you can’t afford NOT to have strong legal counsel in your corner. All of our personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only charge a fee if we obtain compensation for you. You pay us nothing upfront.

Contact an Experienced Connecticut Personal Injury Attorney

If you or someone you love was recently hurt in any type of accident in Connecticut, you may be entitled to compensation. The Connecticut personal injury attorneys at The Dodd Law Firm want to hear about your situation. At your free initial consultation, we will walk you through the entire legal process, from proving fault to achieving a full and fair settlement. Call our Cheshire office today at 203-272-1883 or contact us online to schedule your appointment today.