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How to File a Personal Injury Claim in Connecticut

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In the wake of an injury to your child, your family has a lot of decisions to make. What kind of treatment should you seek? How can you best get help for your child? How can your family recover, physically, emotionally, and financially?

One option that many families choose to take is filing a personal injury claim against the person who is at fault for a child’s injuries. If your family has decided that this is an option you want to pursue, there are some things that you should know about the personal injury process. Here, I will discuss a few important elements that you should be aware of to help you through this process. Personal injury cases can be difficult, but they can also be rewarding for your family as you try to move on from this experience.

File the Paperwork

In order to begin a personal injury lawsuit, you (the plaintiff) must file a lawsuit against the other party (the defendant). You need to fill out and file paperwork with the court. There is also a filing fee associated with this paperwork. Make sure that the information you provide is accurate to ensure a speedy process. You don’t want to have to go back and redo the paperwork because you filled things out incorrectly or were confused the first time around.

Prepare Your Case

Even before you file paperwork, make sure that you have your evidence organized and in an easily accessible place. Evidence might include:

  • A doctor’s diagnosis of your child’s injuries.
  • Photographs of your child’s injuries.
  • Video footage of your child getting injured.
  • Eyewitness testimonies.
  • Expert testimony from a medical professional.
  • Deposition transcripts to support your case.

Make sure that your evidence is ready to go whenever necessary, and that you have easy access to it. This evidence may be used during a settlement or in court.

Consider the Settlement

Chances are that the other party will come to you with a settlement offer. Many personal injury cases eventually settle in order to avoid the stress, cost, and uncertainty of a trial.

Settling your child’s case has its benefits. One good benefit is knowing that you will receive some form of compensation, and knowing exactly what that is. Instead of gambling on what a judge will think, if you take the settlement you will definitely get paid. You also don’t have to go through the time that it takes to go to trial, nor do you have to deal with the stress of proving your case.

On the other hand, a settlement is not always the right option for your situation. Even though you will get some money in a settlement, you likely won’t get as much as you would if the case goes to trial. Ultimately, you have to decide if you want to gamble with a trial, or accept compensation in a settlement.

Contacting a Lawyer

I truly believe that the best thing that you can do to prove your case and get the compensation that your family deserves is to hire a lawyer. Personal injury lawyers have been through this process before. This means that they can guide you and your family. Chances are you will have questions and be frustrated by the entire process. It can make a world of difference to have someone with experience answer your questions and fight for your child. For more information about hiring an attorney, please contact my office.