Connecticut wrongful death laws provide a legal remedy for victims’ families to seek financial recovery when someone dies as a result of the negligent, reckless, or wrongful actions of another party. The death of a loved one can result in overwhelming emotional and financial consequences, often leaving survivors with many questions about their rights and available legal remedies.
Understanding who can file a wrongful death claim, what damages may be available, and the applicable filing deadlines can help families make informed decisions after a preventable loss.
Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer
Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, has a long history of representing families who have been impacted by wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases throughout Connecticut. The attorneys at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor have more than 150 years of combined legal experience representing clients in complex injury and wrongful death matters.
Our firm has secured some of the largest verdicts and settlements in cases involving wrongful death from motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, work-related accidents, premises liability, and other types of negligence. Several of our attorneys have been rated as AV Preeminent® or Distinguished® by Martindale-Hubbell through its peer-review process.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim Under Connecticut Law?
A wrongful death claim is a civil action that may be available when a person’s death is caused by the negligence, recklessness, or other wrongful conduct of a party. Connecticut General Statutes § 52-555 establishes Connecticut’s wrongful death cause of action and allows damages to be sought when a death results from another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct.
Cases under this law can be based on motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, workplace accidents, hazardous property conditions, defective products, and other preventable causes of death. A wrongful death action is distinct from a criminal case based on the same conduct.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Connecticut?
Connecticut’s wrongful death claims are different from many other states. Instead of being brought by the deceased person’s surviving family members directly, Connecticut law typically requires the executor or administrator of the decedent’s estate to bring a legal claim for wrongful death.
If an estate representative has not yet been appointed, probate proceedings may need to be started before the case can be filed. The estate representative brings the claim on behalf of the decedent’s estate, with any recovery ultimately distributed according to applicable estate and probate laws.
What Damages Are Available in a Connecticut Wrongful Death Case?
Connecticut law provides for a wide range of losses that may be claimed in a wrongful death claim based on a fatal injury. The damages available for recovery in such cases may include medical bills from before death, funeral and burial expenses, lost earning capacity, and other compensation for the loss of the decedent’s enjoyment of life’s activities.
The value of any given claim will depend on the person’s age, health, life expectancy, occupation, and other factors. Wrongful death claims also involve an analysis of the particular circumstances of the fatality.
How Long Do Families Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Connecticut General Statutes § 52-555 generally requires a wrongful death action to be brought within two years of the date of death and also contains an outside limitations period that may affect when a claim can be filed.
If a deadline under the statute is missed, the estate may be barred from seeking compensation through the courts. The various filing deadlines can have important implications, so families can often benefit from an early understanding of which, if any, apply to a potential wrongful death case.
What Evidence Can Help Support a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death claim can be proven by circumstantial evidence and direct evidence. The evidence presented in a wrongful death claim can vary from one case to another. It can include police reports, medical records, autopsy reports, photographs, video surveillance, witness statements, professional testimony, and employment records.
Documents and financial information may also be used to assess lost earning capacity and other economic losses. There are many reasons why evidence must be preserved. Documents, physical evidence, and the memories of witnesses become more difficult to locate as time goes by after a death.
FAQs
What Is the Difference Between a Wrongful Death Claim and a Criminal Case?
A wrongful death claim is a civil legal claim to recover financial compensation, whereas a criminal case is an action brought by a government to enforce the criminal laws. The two are completely independent of each other and may run concurrently.
A civil claim for wrongful death can still be pursued even if criminal charges aren’t brought or if the accused is acquitted. The burden of proof and the legal standards applied to the cases are different.
Can a Wrongful Death Claim Be Filed After a Workplace Fatality?
In certain cases, a wrongful death claim may be an option following a workplace fatality. This is dependent on the circumstances of the accident. Some of these cases stem from third-party liability instead of just a claim against an employer.
This could include defective equipment, unsafe property conditions, negligence by contractors, or dangerous vehicle operations. Cause of death is often investigated to see if there are other legal claims possible in addition to workers’ compensation-related benefits.
How Common Are Fatal Workplace Injuries in Connecticut?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were 41 fatal occupational injuries in Connecticut in 2024. Workplace fatalities can be caused by transportation accidents, falls, exposure to hazardous substances or environments, equipment or machinery accidents, and other work-related dangers.
Although not all workplace deaths lead to a wrongful death claim, some involve claims that negligence, safety violations, dangerous conditions on property, or defective products played a role in the fatal accident.
How Many Fatal Traffic Crashes Occur in Connecticut?
Preliminary data from the Connecticut Department of Transportation shows 274 roadway fatalities occurred in Connecticut in 2025. A large number of wrongful death claims stem from crashes involving passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
The particular facts of the crash determine whether negligence, recklessness, or some other wrongful act might support a wrongful death claim.
Contact a Connecticut Wrongful Death Lawyer
Understanding Connecticut wrongful death laws can help families make informed decisions after a tragic loss. Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC represents families throughout Connecticut and helps them pursue accountability and compensation when a loved one’s death was caused by negligence. Schedule a consultation today to hire a wrongful death lawyer.
