How Does the Personal Injury Claim Process Work in Connecticut?

By John F. Buckley, Jr.

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Personal Injury

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Last Modified on May 08, 2026

Injuries can occur for any number of reasons. They are unexpected and can be minor or have significant, long-lasting consequences. While many injuries are the result of pure accidents, there are equally as many that are caused by the negligence of someone else. When this happens, you could be left wondering how the personal injury claim process works in Connecticut. Understanding the answer to this can prepare you for the next steps for both your medical healing and your financial well-being.

What Constitutes a Legitimate Personal Injury Case in Connecticut?

Personal injury cases are very common. Any time one person is injured because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, the injured party could have grounds to file a personal injury claim to recover any losses. For a personal injury case to hold water in the eyes of the law, the following must be true:

• The defendant had a duty of care to the injured person.
• The defendant, through negligence or wrongful actions, breached their duty of care.
• The plaintiff’s injuries or losses are direct results of the defendant’s breach of duty.
• The plaintiff suffered financial losses in the form of medical bills, lost wages, or both.

Car accidents represent one of the most common ways a person may suffer an injury. In 2025, Connecticut reported 97,233 car accidents, and 23,395 of those resulted in injuries. People who are injured in roadway accidents often incur significant medical bills and may miss work to recover, so car crashes are frequent catalysts for personal injury claims.

Damages Recoverable in a Personal Injury Claim

A personal injury victim can recover compensation for all their financial losses, plus some psychological or punitive damages if they are deemed appropriate. Compensation categories are as follows:

• Medical expenses: The cost of medical care is quite high and can represent a significant burden for injury victims and their families as bills pile up. A settlement should offset all the victim’s medical costs.
• Lost wages: Sustaining a serious injury often means being out of work for a while, which can also cause financial strain. Fair compensation should include the pay a victim would have received for missed work.
• Pain and suffering: Victims can also be compensated for both physical and psychological pain associated with the injury.
• Punitive damages: In cases of extreme negligence or egregious wrongdoing, a victim may seek punitive damages. This is extra compensation intended to punish the defendant and discourage similar behavior in the future.

The Personal Injury Claim Process

If you have been injured and need to pursue compensation from the liable party, the first thing you should do is hire a personal injury lawyer. An experienced attorney can help you through every step of the personal injury claim process and provide valuable insight as to your legal position, the fairness of prospective settlements, and more.

File an Insurance Claim

After you have been injured, the most likely first step toward compensation is to file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company. Your lawyer can file your initial claim and communicate with the insurance company for you.

File a Personal Injury Claim

Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and they tend to pay as little as they can for claims that fall under their coverage. If you are offered an inadequate settlement from the insurance company, the next step is to file a personal injury claim through the Connecticut Superior Court. Your attorney can do this for you.

Negotiate a Settlement

After an official claim has been filed, your attorney can begin to negotiate a settlement on your behalf. These negotiations may take place between your attorney and the liable party themselves, their insurance company, their attorney, or all the above.

Litigate

If you are unable to reach a satisfactory and fair settlement using negotiation and mediation, it may be time to litigate your case. During litigation, you and the defendant, through your legal representation, present your side of the case to a judge, with supporting evidence. The judge then decides on the outcome of the case, similarly to a criminal trial.

FAQs

How Much Does a Personal Injury Attorney Cost in Connecticut?

The cost of your personal injury case in Connecticut will be influenced by several factors. The experience of your attorney, the complexity of your case, and even whether your case is litigated in court will all contribute to your final costs. To receive the most accurate information on costs, speak with your attorney during an initial consultation, and they will be able to more accurately estimate the costs you could incur.

Can I File a Personal Injury Claim Against More than One Defendant?

You can file a personal injury claim against more than one defendant for a single incident. In some cases, more than one party is liable for your injury. Sometimes, plaintiffs also file personal injury cases against both the defendant themselves and their insurance company. Your attorney can advise you on how to pursue the settlement you need.

How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Personal Injury Case?

The time frame to resolve a personal injury case depends on a wide variety of factors. Usually, personal injury cases cannot conclude until the injured person has either fully recovered or reached a point of maximum recovery beyond which they are not expected to improve. Some cases only take a matter of months to resolve, while others can stretch on for a year or more.

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Connecticut?

Connecticut has an established statute of limitations that applies to personal injury cases. In most scenarios, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the injury. After this window has passed, an injured person can no longer file a claim for compensation through the legal system. If you need to pursue a settlement, it is imperative that you contact an attorney and act as soon as you can.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you need a personal injury attorney, trust Buckley Wynne & Parese. Our law firm is built on over 140 years of legal excellence, and we have the knowledge and experience it takes to advocate for you. Contact us today to take your first steps toward recovery and restoration.