How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take in Connecticut?

Personal injury cases can be grueling because those involved in them are likely suffering in more ways than one. If you’re pursuing a case, you are probably injured and dealing with a considerable amount of pain or discomfort. Add in escalating medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and most people are focused on getting their case resolved as soon as possible. This leads to a common question. How long does a personal injury case take in Connecticut?

Understanding what influences the length of a personal injury case can help you stay patient and focused during this trying time. When victims of personal injuries maintain realistic expectations of case lengths and procedures, it’s much easier to navigate the process while remaining confident about the outcome.

What Is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim arises when a person is injured because of the actions of another person. This can occur due to negligent and reckless behavior, or even wrongful conduct that’s intentional. These claims are based on the idea that individuals and organizations have an obligation to act with responsibility, professionalism, or reasonable care given the circumstances of their situation.

In Connecticut, many personal injury cases are subject to the state’s statute of limitations as defined in Connecticut General Statute 52-584. This is a period of two years from the date the injury was discovered or should have reasonably been discovered. The law also creates a statute of repose, which is three years from the act, meaning that waiting too long can prevent a claim from moving forward.

How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take?

While personal injury laws provide a timeline by which cases must be filed, there is no universal timeline for case resolution in Connecticut. For claims that are minor with relatively straightforward evidence, it’s possible that claims could be settled in a few months or at least less than a year. For claims that have more complex evidence and serious injuries where fault is disputed, it could take several years to reach a final verdict.

Some Connecticut legal concepts, like comparative fault per Connecticut General Statute 52-572h, could potentially lengthen a case. This allows partial fault to be determined in situations where both parties share blame. Though it could cause a case to take longer as the court determines each side’s share of fault, this can also allow for a person to still pursue an injury settlement even if they made a mistake in the situation.

What Can Personal Injuries Include?

A personal injury case can vary in length because there are many different kinds. Your case’s length depends on the evidence as well as situation-specific regulations. Common case types can include:

• Car, bike, and pedestrian accidents. These cases typically require police reports, witness testimonies from other drivers and pedestrians, as well as camera footage from dash, body, and traffic cameras.
• Medical malpractice. A more complex type of case, these usually involve a detailed examination of medical practices and medical institutions. This can involve a more thorough investigation, resulting in a longer case.
• Premises liability incidents. Slips and falls are some of the most common causes of injuries at various locations. This also includes worksites, as 885 workers died from falls in 2023. Other premises injuries can include falling objects, burns, smoke inhalation, and more.

Other common personal injury categories include defective products, dog bites, assaults, and more. When you hire a Fairfiled personal injury lawyer with experience in your specific case type, you could potentially decrease the time it takes to get a resolution.

What Factors Could Determine a Case’s Length?

Your personal injury case may be extended if more extensive evidence is required to resolve it. For example, in the category of medical malpractice, about 47% of claims result from diagnostic issues. A patient’s entire health history may need to be reviewed to determine if any signs could have led to a false diagnosis. The physician may also be reviewed to see if they have a history of similar mistakes that could imply negligence or careless conduct.

Some cases could proceed a little quicker because they’re more common, meaning precedents have been set. For example, in 2023, there were 33,975 Connecticut residents treated for auto accident injuries. Many of these cases can be easy to resolve, with some not even going to court as insurance companies choose to negotiate with a Connecticut personal injury attorney instead.

FAQs About How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take in Connecticut

Why Might a Personal Injury Case Be Dismissed?

A personal injury case may be dismissed if the court determines there is not enough evidence. The person making the accusation must prove that the other party engaged in reckless behavior or deliberate violent behavior to cause the injury. A court may also reject a person’s pursuit of a settlement if it’s determined that they were over 50% responsible for the accident.

Are All Medical-Related Injuries Grounds for a Personal Injury Case?

No, not all medical-related injuries are grounds for a personal injury case. Sometimes, a patient may suffer expected side effects due to their condition or the procedure. To have a case for malpractice-related personal injury, it must be proven that the care provider engaged in reckless behavior or policy violations.

What Happens if a Person Dies From Their Injuries?

If a person dies from their injuries, and they have or had grounds for a personal injury claim, their estate may pursue a wrongful death case on their behalf, according to Connecticut General Statute 52-555. It’s also possible to continue pursuing compensation for injuries they suffered, even if they pass away before or during the legal proceedings.

What’s the Easiest Way to Streamline a Personal Injury Case?

The easiest way to streamline a personal injury case is to hire a personal injury lawyer to help you prepare it. This can sometimes allow you to avoid a great deal of time gathering evidence and prepare you for potential counterarguments from the opposing party before your case even begins.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

When you have a personal injury case, there’s no time to waste. Jacobs & Jacobs has been handling these cases for a century, and while we can’t guarantee a certain timeframe for any case, we can act with a strategic and diligent approach.

We’ve recovered millions for clients and set records for our victories. Though no case outcome is guaranteed, you can move the proceedings along swiftly and skillfully when you call on our talented team. Reach out today to get started.

About the author: Bruce D. Jacobs

Partner at Jacobs & Jacobs, LLC

Bruce D. Jacobs, Partner at Jacobs & Jacobs, LLC, has dedicated over 48 years to advocating for personal injury victims across Connecticut. Admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1977, he earned his J.D. from Washington University School of Law after completing a B.A. in Economics at Washington University. Based in New Haven, Bruce combines decades of legal knowledge with client-centered advocacy, building a strong reputation for excellence in personal injury litigation.

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