FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Common Connecticut Personal Injury Questions
The following information is general and is not a substitute for advice about your particular circumstances. Every claim depends on its own facts.
- What should I do first after an injury? Get appropriate medical care and follow your providers’ instructions. When possible, preserve photographs, witness information, incident reports, insurance information and other evidence. Consider obtaining legal advice promptly, because evidence can disappear and legal deadlines may apply.
- What rights may I have if someone else caused my injury? If another person or company’s negligence caused your injury, you may be entitled to compensation for legally recoverable losses. Your rights depend on the facts, available insurance coverage and applicable law.
- Do I need a personal injury attorney? Not every injury claim requires a lawyer. Legal representation may be especially valuable when injuries are serious, responsibility is disputed, several insurance policies may apply or an insurer challenges the medical evidence. A free consultation can help you understand whether representation makes sense.
- What is my case worth? No reliable value can be assigned until the facts, insurance coverage, medical evidence and effect of the injury are understood. Recoverable losses may include medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- How much do your services cost? Personal injury matters are handled on a contingency-fee basis. The attorney’s fee is a percentage of the recovery, and no attorney’s fee is owed unless compensation is recovered. The written fee agreement explains the percentage, case expenses and other terms before representation begins.
- What should I do if an insurance representative contacts me? You may provide basic identifying information, but avoid recorded statements, broad medical authorizations, releases or settlement documents until you understand their consequences. An insurer’s interests may differ from yours, even when the representative is courteous.
- Will my case go to trial? Many personal injury cases resolve without trial. Whether a case should settle or proceed to trial depends on the evidence, the available offer, the risks and the client’s goals. We prepare claims carefully so that both options remain available.
- Can my case be settled without my consent? No. We provide advice and negotiate on your behalf, but the decision to accept or reject a settlement belongs to you.
- How soon is settlement money disbursed? Timing varies. After settlement documents are signed and funds clear, medical liens, benefit-repayment claims and outstanding case expenses may need to be resolved before the net proceeds can be distributed. We explain the status and accounting throughout that process.
- How long will my personal injury claim take? The timeline depends on the length of medical treatment, the investigation, whether responsibility is disputed, the insurer’s response and whether litigation is necessary. It is usually important to understand the long-term medical consequences before resolving a claim permanently.
- What should I bring to an initial consultation? Bring whatever is readily available, such as photographs, incident or police reports, insurance information, medical-provider names, bills, correspondence, witness details and a timeline of what happened. Do not delay a consultation simply because you do not yet have every document.