Personal Injury Attorney In Branford, CT
No one goes about their day expecting to get hurt. When an accident happens as a result of another party, survivors feel complex emotions and suffer real pain. A Branford personal injury lawyer can make your legal case easier to handle after an incident.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Branford
Using their 150 years of combined professional experience, the attorneys at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, have represented hundreds of Connecticut clients in seeking compensation for their pain.
We’ve recently secured:
- $1,004,424 for a client who broke their hip during a funeral
- $700,000 for a client who fell down an unlit staircase in a church hall
- $61,621 for a college student who was rear-ended by another car, leading to a spinal cord injury
We know how difficult it can be to move forward after a personal injury. It’s normal to want compensation for your pain. We’re proud to offer Connecticut residents initial consultations at our New Haven office to discuss their cases.
What Is a Personal Injury Case?
A personal injury case occurs when someone seeks money for harm caused by another person’s carelessness or wrongful actions. A claim can arise from a wide variety of incidents, such as:
- Car accidents. Between 2022 and 2024, there were 2,003 crashes in Branford.
- Medical malpractice. Between 2020 and 2025, there were 2,241 total closed medical malpractice claims in Connecticut. 1,270 claims were resolved in favor of the plaintiff, with $987,710 being the average compensation.
- Premises liability. These incidents happen because the owner or occupier of a building fails to keep their property safe for others. They can include slip and fall accidents, exposure to hazardous materials, or improper security measures that lead to criminal activity. In 2023, there were 83,300 deaths in the United States because of unintentional injuries.
Connecticut’s Personal Injury Laws
In Connecticut, survivors of personal injury incidents can pursue compensation for their pain. These cases are generally overseen at the Superior Court, located at 235 Church Street in New Haven.
The court will assign all the involved parties a percentage of fault. If you’re found to be more than 50% at fault for the crash, you cannot pursue compensation.
For example:
- If you were texting while walking, you may be found to be 10% at fault.
- If there was a hazard in a store that caused you to trip and fall, the owner of the business may be found to be 90% at fault.
Using this system, the court will reduce any compensation won by your percentage of fault. In the example above, if you won a $100,000 settlement, it would be reduced by 10%, making your final amount $90,000.
Steps to Take After an Accident Happens
Depending on the specifics of your unique situation, certain steps can ensure your safety and preserve your legal rights.
No matter what, be sure to call 911 and report the incident. While you wait for the police and paramedics to arrive, collect the contact information from the other party involved in the incident. If it’s a car accident, be sure to get their insurance information. If it’s a business, report the incident to the people in charge, and get the contact information of the owner.
If the other party refuses to cooperate with you, don’t argue. Doing so will only escalate the matter and make it worse. Wait for law enforcement to arrive, and they can get the information on your behalf.
Then, take photos and videos of:
- The site of the incident, including any proof of what caused your injuries
- Any visible injuries you have
- Any damage to your vehicle, if applicable, as well as damage to your personal belongings, such as your cell phone, clothing, or other items
During this time, don’t apologize or admit fault for anything, as it can be used against you later in your case. Get looked at by a medical professional as soon as possible.
Then, contact Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, to set up a consultation and discuss your next steps.
FAQs
How Do Courts Make Their Final Decisions?
Courts rely on the evidence that both sides provide during the case to make their final judgments. Your attorney can gather and preserve a diverse array of evidence. This can include any surveillance tapes from surrounding businesses and homes that caught the incident. Having copies of all official documents, like the incident report and your medical records, is key. Your lawyer can also get eyewitness and expert testimony to bolster your personal injury claim.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Seek in My Personal Injury Case?
Survivors can seek two main types of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages encompass real monetary losses, including medical bills and lost income. Non-economic damages are more subjective and can include pain and suffering, along with loss of enjoyment of life. Your Branford personal injury attorney can calculate the maximum amount of compensation that you can seek in your unique case.
What Are Punitive Damages in a Personal Injury Case?
Punitive damages are a special kind of damages that courts may award in specific cases. These damages may apply when the guilty party engaged in extreme malice or recklessness. For example, if a factory owner received complaints about faulty machines for a long period but failed to fix them, and that led to an injury, they may have to pay punitive damages. These damages further punish the guilty party and deter similar behavior in the future.
How Long Do I Have to File My Personal Injury Case in Connecticut?
Survivors of incidents generally have two years to file a legal case after a personal injury incident happens. It’s important to hire a personal injury lawyer and file early, as your monetary losses may add up quickly. Resolving your legal case can bring closure to the experience and give you the strength to move forward. If you don’t file within two years, the courts will likely dismiss your case entirely.
Hire a Personal Injury Law Firm That Connecticut Residents Trust
The attorneys at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, can represent your legal case. Reach out to our team today to learn how we can help you. We’re proud to offer new clients a consultation at our New Haven location.
