Zealously Advocating For The Injured
People who suffer losses because of the negligent conduct of a person or business often require assistance and guidance in dealing with their property damage, medical expenses, lost income and resulting injuries as well as determining how they may be compensated for their losses.
The Connecticut personal injury lawyers at Owens, Schine, & Nicola, P.C., have provided diligent legal representation to accident victims since 1928. Serious and catastrophic injuries, including burns, spinal cord and brain injuries, fractures, disc herniation, back and neck injuries as well as wrongful death claims. From our offices in Trumbull and New Britain, we assist clients through the process of settlement negotiations and litigation, keeping their specific objectives at the forefront of our minds.
Our litigation attorneys are experienced in all areas of personal injury law, including motor vehicle collisions, slip-and-fall accidents, nursing home abuse, medical malpractice and injuries caused by defective products.
Pursuing Just Compensation Through Personal Injury Claims
Under Connecticut law, negligence arises when an individual, business or any other entity fails to act or acts carelessly and thereby causes injuries to a person. The negligent party is generally referred to as the defendant.
To succeed in a personal injury claim based on negligence, an individual must establish that the defendant owed him or her a duty of care, the defendant failed to conform to that duty, the individual’s injuries were caused by the defendant’s actions or inactions, and the individual incurred damages. The relevant duty of care is based on the relationship between the parties. For example, health care providers are held to a specific standard of care in their profession, while property owners or businesses are required to take reasonable precautions to inspect their property, address any hazards that they discover and make their property safe for individuals.
When Motor Vehicle Accidents Are The Cause Of Serious Injuries
Many personal injury claims arise out of car accidents caused by negligent drivers. In these situations, the injured party must show that another party was the cause of those injuries. This may involve introducing testimony from an eyewitness who observed how the defendant was being inattentive, driving recklessly, speeding, going through a stop sign or violating a state statute.
In addition to showing that the defendant was driving negligently, a personal injury attorney in Connecticut must also establish that the defendant’s negligence was the cause of your injuries, which proof is normally provided through your testimony and medical testimony. Moreover, even if you were partially responsible for a collision, under Connecticut law, you may still be able to recover damages as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault. Damages in these cases will be in proportion to each party’s percentage of fault.
Rules And Types Of Compensation
Damages in Connecticut personal injury cases are not capped by statutory limits. Damages may be economic or noneconomic in nature. Compensation for past and future medical bills, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity, for instance, are economic damages, while awards for pain and suffering, disfigurement, permanent injuries, emotional distress, and other intangible losses are noneconomic.
In general, a personal injury case must be filed in court within two years of the date of the accident, or it may be barred as untimely, although there are some exceptions. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can provide further information to address your specific case.
Get The Legal Advice You Need After A Serious Accident
At Owens, Schine, & Nicola, P.C., we are prepared to evaluate and analyze your case and help you understand the legal options that are available to you. We welcome your inquiry and we are ready to meet with you immediately.
Our personal injury attorneys advocate on behalf of people who have been involved in a wide range of accidents in Connecticut, as well as those injured through medical malpractice or neglect by a hospital, nursing home, a doctor or another health care provider.
Ask for a free consultation at our offices in Trumbull and New Britain. We can also come to your location if you are unable to travel. To schedule your appointment, call Owens, Schine, & Nicola, P.C., at 203-375-0600 or contact us online.