Injuries disrupt your life. Even minor ones can lead to long-term challenges, impacting your ability to work or perform daily activities. Recovery can be lengthy and costly, often involving medical treatments that extend over months or years. Severe injuries, such as spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries, might permanently alter your life.
Our community offers residents a wide range of activities, from shopping and entertainment at Blue Back Square to exercising or relaxing in Elizabeth Park. Unfortunately, this variety also increases the potential for injuries.
If someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions caused your injuries, you could seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim. The West Hartford personal injury lawyers at Trantolo & Trantolo are here to assist you. Contact us now for legal support.
Legal Support From an Established Personal Injury Law Firm Serving West Hartford
Choosing Trantolo & Trantolo means benefiting from our decades of experience and successful track record. Since our firm began in 1938, we have secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for injury clients across West Hartford and Connecticut.
When you hire our personal injury law firm, you can expect:
Thorough Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Building a strong injury case requires high-quality evidence. Our meticulous investigation includes:
- Gathering medical bills and records
- Reviewing invoices for medical devices and medication
- Testimony from medical experts
- Financial statements and income evidence
- Witness statements
- Photos and videos of the accident scene and injuries
Prompt and Timely Communication
We understand the frustration and helplessness that personal injuries can cause. At Trantolo & Trantolo, we keep you informed about your case and promptly respond to your questions. We ensure you understand the legal process and terminology, keeping you updated at every step.
Aggressive Advocacy and Negotiation
Our experienced attorneys handle all communications with at-fault parties and their insurers, allowing you to focus on recovery. We counter pushy insurance companies and aggressive corporate lawyers, advocating for fair compensation in negotiations and the courtroom.
Personalized Legal Assistance
From the moment you become a client of Trantolo & Trantolo, we tailor our approach to your specific situation. We leverage our extensive experience to pursue compensation for your financial, psychological, and physical injuries, working closely with you to achieve the best possible outcome.
Skilled Legal Advocacy on a Contingency-Fee Basis
We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. You only pay once we secure financial compensation for you, ensuring accessible legal representation regardless of your financial situation.
Start your case today by calling us for your free consultation with a personal injury lawyer representing West Hartford today.
Pursuing Compensation After a West Hartford Personal Injury Accident
In Connecticut, victims of personal injuries can pursue economic and non-economic damages in a West Hartford personal injury case.
Economic Damages You May Be Able to Recover
Economic damages refer to the tangible losses you incurred due to the accident. These can include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Long-term medical treatments
- Property repair and replacement costs
Non-Economic Damages for West Hartford Personal Injury Victims
Non-economic damages cover intangible losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Reduced quality of life
The compensation you can seek depends on the severity of your injuries and specific details of your case. While no law firm can guarantee the value of your claim, Trantolo & Trantolo strives to secure fair compensation for West Hartford accident victims.
Determining Liability in Personal Injury Cases in Connecticut
Determining liability in personal injury cases in Connecticut involves identifying who is legally responsible for the harm or injury sustained by the victim. This process is critical, as it influences the compensation the injured party may receive. The following factors are typically considered when determining liability in these cases:
- Negligence: The cornerstone of most personal injury claims is negligence. To establish negligence, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and directly caused the injury. For example, in a car accident case, a driver who runs a red light and causes a collision has likely breached their duty to drive safely and follow traffic laws.
- Comparative Fault: Connecticut follows a “modified comparative fault” rule, which means that if the injured party is found to be partially at fault for their injuries, their compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault. If the plaintiff is found to be 51% or more at fault, they are barred from recovering any damages. For instance, if a pedestrian jaywalks and is hit by a speeding car, both parties might share the blame, impacting the final compensation.
- Strict Liability: In certain cases, such as those involving defective products or dog bites, liability can be established without proving negligence. Under Connecticut law, a dog owner can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
- Evidence Collection: Establishing liability requires substantial evidence. This can include police reports, medical records, witness statements, photographs of the accident scene, and expert testimony. Prompt and thorough evidence collection is essential for building a strong case.
- Legal Standards and Precedents: Connecticut courts rely on established legal standards and precedents to determine liability. Previous rulings in similar cases can provide a framework for decision-making in new cases. An experienced personal injury attorney will be well-versed in these standards and how they apply to your specific case.
- Consulting Experts: In complex cases, such as medical malpractice or product liability, expert witnesses may be needed to establish fault. These experts can provide specialized knowledge and insights that are crucial for proving how the defendant’s actions led to the injury.
Determining liability in personal injury cases in Connecticut involves a detailed analysis of the circumstances surrounding the injury, the application of legal principles, and the gathering of comprehensive evidence. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney is crucial to navigate this complex process and to ensure that the injured party’s rights are protected.
Our Lawyers Handle All Types of West Hartford Personal Injury Cases
Trantolo & Trantolo brings determination to every case, combating insurance companies and large corporations that obstruct fair compensation. We handle various cases, including:
- Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Accidents: Serious injuries and fatalities from vehicle collisions require skilled legal representation to seek deserved compensation.
- Dangerous Drugs: We handle cases where pharmaceuticals cause harm due to failure to meet safety and quality standards.
- Dog Bites: We help victims of traumatic dog bites seek compensation for their physical and psychological injuries.
- Nursing Home and Elderly Care Negligence: We offer legal support to victims of elder abuse and negligence in care facilities.
- Product Liability: We assist consumers injured by defective products in seeking compensation from responsible parties.
- Slips and Falls: We pursue financial recovery for victims of slip and fall accidents caused by another party’s negligence.
Statute of Limitations for a Connecticut Personal Injury Lawsuit
In Connecticut, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is typically two years from the date of the injury, per Connecticut General Statutes Section 52-584. This means that you have a limited amount of time to take legal action to seek compensation for your injuries. Understanding and adhering to this deadline is crucial for several reasons:
- Preservation of Evidence: As time passes, evidence can be lost, destroyed, or become less reliable. Witnesses’ memories may fade, physical evidence may be discarded, and other crucial information might become harder to obtain. Initiating your claim early helps ensure that all relevant evidence is collected and preserved.
- Legal Rights and Remedies: Failing to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations generally results in losing the right to pursue your claim in court. This means you could forfeit the opportunity to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from the injury.
- Negotiation and Settlement: Starting the legal process early allows more time for negotiation and potential settlement. Insurance companies and opposing parties are often more willing to negotiate when they know that the statute of limitations is still active, as there is a real possibility of a lawsuit being filed.
- Court Preparedness: Preparing a strong case takes time. Your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation, gather evidence, interview witnesses, consult with experts, and develop legal arguments. Filing your claim early gives your legal team the necessary time to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
- Statutory Variations: While the general rule in Connecticut is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, there are exceptions and variations depending on the specifics of your case. For instance, cases involving medical malpractice, government entities, or minors may have different timelines and requirements. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer can help you understand the exact deadline applicable to your situation.
This highlights the importance of acting quickly and consulting with a qualified attorney to ensure that your claim is filed within the legal timeframe. If you believe you have a personal injury claim, it is crucial to seek legal advice as soon as possible to protect your rights and maximize your chances of a successful outcome.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim on Behalf of a Loved One
Filing a wrongful death claim after a personal injury accident in Connecticut involves a series of legal steps designed to provide justice and compensation for the deceased’s family. Understanding the process is crucial for those navigating this difficult time. If you lost a loved one due to someone’s negligence, we offer our condolences and are here to help you seek justice and compensation from the at-fault party.
The legal basis for such claims is that surviving family members deserve compensation for their loss, including economic and non-economic damages.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
In Connecticut, the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate typically files the wrongful death claim. This individual is either named in the deceased’s will or appointed by the court. The claim is filed on behalf of the deceased’s beneficiaries, such as the spouse, children, or parents.
Compensation You Can Receive in a Wrongful Death Claim
Damages in a wrongful death claim can include:
- Medical Expenses:
- Costs incurred for medical treatment and hospitalization before the deceased’s death.
- Ambulance fees and other emergency medical services.
- Funeral and Burial Expenses:
- Costs associated with funeral services, including the funeral home, burial, or cremation.
- Expenses for memorial services and related activities.
- Loss of Income and Benefits:
- Compensation for the deceased’s lost wages and future earnings that would have supported the family.
- Loss of benefits, such as health insurance, pension plans, and other employment-related benefits.
- Pain and Suffering of the Deceased Before Death:
- Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress experienced by the deceased before passing away.
- Consideration of the duration and severity of the deceased’s suffering.
- Loss of Companionship and Consortium:
- Damages for the emotional impact and loss of companionship, love, and support experienced by the surviving family members.
- Compensation for the loss of guidance, care, and nurturing the deceased provided.
Each of these damages aims to address different facets of the loss suffered by the family and to provide financial relief and a sense of justice in the aftermath of a wrongful death.
You Have a Limited Amount of Time to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Connecticut imposes a statute of limitations on wrongful death claims, generally requiring that the lawsuit be filed within two years from the date of the person’s passing. This makes it crucial to act promptly.
Partner With Trantolo & Trantolo for Your Personal Injury Case
The West Hartford personal injury attorneys at Trantolo & Trantolo are committed to holding negligent parties accountable for any harm they might have caused you or one of your family members.
We provide personal care and handle every step of the legal process so you can focus on healing from your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation with a member of our team.