When to Hire a Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyer

After an accident, if your injuries are purely bumps and minor bruises, you may not need to hire a personal injury attorney. You may be able to work things out with the insurance company yourself. However, many accident injuries present initially as minor and continue for longer periods of time or worsen over the days and weeks following an accident. That is why it is important to contact a personal injury attorney right away if you were involved in a crash.

Particularly, if you suffer from serious injuries that require medical attention and/or prevent you from returning to work, it’s often in your best interests to get a Connecticut attorney on your side.

The legal processes can be complicated. The insurance company or the defendant on the other side of your case is likely to have the support of representation. They may also hire experts and present evidence to show that you were not injured, or if you were, it was caused by something or someone else. If you hire a personal injury lawyer, you will level the playing field and increase your odds of getting the compensation you deserve.

A Connecticut personal injury law firm can also help with the expenses of a personal injury case. They typically advance the legal costs, which means you pay only if you recover compensation.

Choosing the Right Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyer

Once you decide to hire a Connecticut personal injury attorney, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, whom you choose to represent you can have a big impact on the outcome of your case. An experienced lawyer with a good reputation will know how to manage the complexities of Connecticut law, how to deal with insurance companies, what evidence will be important to your case and how to gather it, how to properly calculate compensation, and what questions to ask experts and witnesses.

A highly experienced law firm will also have the resources you need to present your case in the best light. These include access to a network of experts who can help strengthen your case, as well as a deep knowledge of which cases to reference and laws to evoke to support your position.

You’ll also want a lawyer who has experience going to trial. Many personal injury cases are solved in the negotiating room, but a lawyer with clout in the courtroom is more likely to have the negotiating power you need to get the compensation you deserve.

Most personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation. During that initial call or meeting, ask about their history with cases like yours. Find out what their fees are, what staff members may be involved in your case, and what additional resources they offer.

Trust your gut as you’re interacting with them. Do you feel like this firm is interested in helping you? Did you feel comfortable with the firm? The attorney-client relationship is important to your future.

Why Choose Our Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyers

Chaffin Luhana is a plaintiffs-only law firm, which means we focus solely on representing injured victims. We’ve been doing that for over 13 years, during which time our hard-working team has recovered over $1 billion for our clients.

You may find that some law firms divide their time between personal injury and other types of cases. We don’t defend lawsuits on behalf of corporations and we don’t represent insurance companies. Instead, we bring cases on behalf of individuals like you who have been injured and suffered serious losses in life. 

Our Experience and Expertise

At Chaffin Luhana, we have an entire team of law professionals working for you. That includes highly experienced personal injury lawyers, an on-staff social worker, mass-tort managing experts, medical records specialists and nurse paralegals, former state and federal judicial law clerks, court-appointed leaders in the national plaintiffs’ bar, and more.

Our founders—Eric Chaffin and Roopal Luhana—have both achieved multimillion-dollar recoveries for our clients. Both have held leadership positions in large, multi-district litigation and have litigated several significant nationwide class actions.

With our combined expertise, we have achieved extraordinary results for our clients in pharmaceutical and medical device litigation, personal injury litigation, product liability litigation, and more in state and federal courts across the country.

Several of our lawyers, including both of our founders, have also been repeatedly named to the esteemed “Super Lawyers” list. This is a prestigious listing of outstanding attorneys selected each year by the Super Lawyers research staff. Through a multi-phase rating process, they select those attorneys best able to assist consumers.

Our Approach to Personal Injury Law

We are focused on plaintiffs only, which has allowed us to fine-tune our process to improve your odds of winning your case.

We Communicate

You’ve heard horror stories about lawyers who take forever to get back to you. Meanwhile, you worry and fret and try to keep everything afloat.

At Chaffin Luhana, we make sure to keep you up to date throughout the legal process. We also give you a myriad of ways to get ahold of us by phone, email, printed letter, or even text message.

We Have a Unique Focus

Personal injury law is all we do! That means we’ve become true experts at it over the years. To date, we’ve helped thousands of victims and families secure the compensation they needed and deserved in their lives. That’s because we do everything possible to properly litigate a case.

We Take Cases to Trial if Necessary

When you’re looking for a personal injury attorney in Connecticut, be sure to check their trial experience. Some lawyers don’t have any. They stick to negotiating and that’s it. That may serve some clients, but there’s no doubt that having trial experience is important—even if only to show the other side that you can take this case to court if you have to.

We regularly take cases to trial. We’re very comfortable in court and know how to fight for our clients there. You can rest easy knowing that if the parties can’t agree, we’re not going to back down because we’re new to the courtroom. We have a reputation for being willing to go all the way, which often serves us well in negotiations.

We Have the Experience You Need

Insurance companies and defendants will logically look out for their best interests—not yours. They may negotiate with you, but they will do so with an eye toward their bottom lines. Your injuries will be of secondary concern to them.

If your law firm doesn’t know what they’re doing in terms of securing records, presenting the appropriate precedents, and hiring the right experts, you could end up getting a lower level of compensation than you deserve.

We’ve been fighting for victims for over a decade now. We’ve represented plaintiffs in some large and complicated cases, sometimes involving thousands of people with similar complaints. When you hire us, you’ll know that we have the experience you need to tip the scales in your favor.

We Have a Mission to Do Good Work

Our mission at Chaffin Luhana is “Doing Good by Doing Right.” At the core of our business, we seek to do work that will benefit our clients and our community. As part of that mission, we created the Chaffin Luhana Foundation, funded with a portion of the profits from the firm. To date, the foundation has donated to dozens of charities, advanced scientific research, worked to combat distracted driving, and awarded scholarships to promising youth.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

The Chaffin Luhana law firm is committed to protecting the legal rights of individuals throughout the state of Connecticut. No matter how you were injured or who the negligent parties may be, you can contact us and we will use our skills and resources to fight for you.

Our practice areas include the following.

Car Accidents

As noted above, there were nearly 300 fatalities caused by car accidents in Connecticut in 2021. According to the “Connecticut Insider,” 2022 was among the deadliest for CT drivers and pedestrians in decades. As of December 12, 2022, a total of 357 crash-related fatalities had been recorded.

It may seem that a car crash should be a clear case if someone else hits you. But car accident lawsuits can present unique challenges. As the plaintiff, you have to show that the other person or persons were responsible for the accident. It’s possible that other parties were involved too, such as the car manufacturer, a construction company if there was construction going on at the site of the accident, or even the municipality responsible for the roads.

A Chaffin Luhana Connecticut personal injury attorney has the expertise to support you in your case. He or she will thoroughly review the police report and conditions at the site of the accident, hire experts as needed, and gather information about the other driver and/or the company she was working for, if applicable, to help prove liability.

Truck Accidents

In 2021, there were about 5,700 large trucks involved in fatal crashes across the United States, an increase of 18 percent from 2020 and a 49 percent increase over the past 10 years. Nearly 5,800 people died in these crashes. In addition, there were over 117,000 large trucks involved in crashes resulting in an injury, which was an increase from 2020.

An accident with a big rig or 18-wheeler can be particularly devastating because of the truck’s size and weight. Victims may be permanently injured and may require medical care for the rest of their lives.

Personal injury cases involving a big truck can also be more complex as they typically involve not only the driver but the company he was working for. If that company was lax about maintaining their trucks or if they pushed the employee to drive for long, unsafe periods, they may share in liability.

Chaffin Luhana Connecticut attorneys understand how important it is to investigate your case thoroughly. Identifying all parties that may share in liability gives you more resources from which to gather the compensation you need to try to put your life back together.

Premises Liability

Premises liability lawsuits are designed to hold a property owner liable for injuries you may suffer while you’re on their property. Connecticut law requires that property owners ensure a safe environment for visitors.

As the plaintiff, however, you have to prove that the property owner was negligent, and that’s not always easy. It depends on whether you were an invitee to the property, a licensee, or a trespasser. The Connecticut personal injury lawyers at Chaffin Luhana know the law in Connecticut and can help guide you through the complex facets of your case.

Slip and Fall Accidents

According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), falls account for over one million emergency room visits a year. They also represent the primary cause of lost days from work.

Slip and fall accidents are the most common type of premises liability. Common locations where these types of injuries can occur include sidewalks, swimming pools, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, stairways, decks, apartment complexes, amusement parks, escalators, and even parking lots.

A slip and fall injury can cause you to suffer from broken bones, spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, and concussions. If you can prove that the property owner was negligent and that their negligence caused your injury, you may be able to win compensation to help cover your expenses. Like premises liability, however, there are state laws that apply.

Dog Bites

More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 800,000 receive medical attention for those bites, with children being the most common victims.

Connecticut’s dog bite statute makes a dog’s owner or keeper liable for injuries caused by the dog to someone else’s person or property, as long as that person was not trespassing at the time of the injury and was not teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog.

The state also holds any person responsible for dog bites caused by that person’s negligence, provided the victim can prove that the defendant knew of the dog’s dangerous propensities.

Dog bites can cause serious harm, particularly to children. Connecticut law assumes that if a child under the age of seven was bitten, the owner is liable, period.

Medical Malpractice

In 2016, safety experts from Johns Hopkins Medicine reported that more than 250,000 people die each year due to medical errors in the U.S. That made medical error the third highest cause of death. A recent study showed that about 400,000 hospitalized patients experience some type of preventable harm each year, with medical errors costing the U.S. economy about $20 billion a year.

If you were harmed while under the care of a doctor or medical center, you may be able to hold the healthcare providers or the entity they work for liable for damages. Medical malpractice cases are complicated, as they require the plaintiff to first file a “reasonable inquiry” to determine there are grounds for a good faith belief that negligence occurred on the part of the defendant.

The plaintiff must also obtain a written and signed opinion from a qualified medical expert in which the expert provides details supporting the plaintiff’s position. A Chaffin Luhana medical malpractice attorney understands these facets of the law and can help navigate the process for you.

According to the Connecticut Insurance Department, there were 2,555 total closed medical malpractice claims over the past five years. The average payout to a claimant was $890,333. Connecticut does not have a “cap” on the amount of damages a plaintiff can recover during a medical malpractice case. Punitive damages, however, are limited to the actual cost of litigation.

Workers’ Compensation

In Connecticut, businesses with one or more employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance. This is a no-fault system, meaning that no matter whose fault the injury was, the insurance will cover the medical costs.

In return for receiving compensation, employees are prohibited (in most but not all cases) from suing their employers or fellow employees for damages arising from work-related injuries or accidents.

If you make a workers’ compensation claim, the insurance company will likely approach you about a settlement. This is a lump sum you receive in exchange for avoiding the hassle of a workers’ compensation hearing. Though this can be beneficial, it may also be too low to cover your expenses. A Connecticut workers’ compensation attorney can help you make sure you’re getting the best settlement possible.

Workers’ Injuries

Private industry employers reported 32,700 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in Connecticut in 2021, resulting in an incidence rate of 3.0 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Of those, 21,700 were more severe, involving days away from work, job transfer, or restriction.

In the state and local government sector in CT, 7,100 injuries and illnesses were reported in 2021, resulting in a rate of 5.2 cases per 100 full-time workers.

The state of Connecticut Worker’s Compensation Program requires that an employee report a work-related injury or illness to his/her employer immediately. The program ensures workers with a job-related injury or illness receive payment for lost work time and medical expenses. All Connecticut businesses with at least one employee are required to have workers’ compensation insurance.

If you are injured on the job, your workers’ compensation will typically cover the damages. Because settlements are usually final, though, it’s wise to check with a Connecticut workers’ injury attorney before you sign anything to be sure you’re getting the compensation you deserve.

What Happens During the Personal Injury Claim Process?

If you decide to file a personal injury case, you may wonder what happens next. Below are the basic steps that you take as you go through the process.

1. Initial Consultation

Most personal injury attorneys—including those at Chaffin Luhana—offer a free initial consultation. This is when you can discuss the facts of your case and get a general idea of what your attorney can do to help you.

Bring whatever evidence you have to the consultation or send that information during your initial phone call. That includes things like police reports, witness information, photos, medical records, and personal notes. Your attorney will then give you a professional opinion on whether you have a valid claim.

Should your attorney believe you have a case, you can then discuss whether you’d like to file a claim. Should you decide to do so, you’ll hire a lawyer and move on to the next step.

2. Investigating Your Case

An experienced attorney will spend significant time investigating your case. This is often an extensive process and may include the following steps:

• Conducting a second interview. You went over your case in your initial consultation, but now your attorney will want more details. He or she will ask about your injuries and any medical treatment you received and/or may need in the future.
• Getting the documents together. Your Connecticut attorney will work with you to get all your medical records, police records, pay stubs (to determine lost wages), and other related documents for review and submission with the claim as necessary.
• Talking to witnesses and experts. If there were witnesses to your injury, your attorney will reach out and attempt to speak with them. At this stage, the firm should also contact any experts that may be able to help support your case.
• Examining other potentially liable parties. In many cases, there is more than one liable party. Your lawyer will investigate to determine if there were others involved and whether they may share in liability.

3. Documenting Your Damages

Part of the personal injury process is determining what damages you are owed. Of course, there will be your property damage and medical expenses. But what about long-term care costs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering? This is where your Connecticut personal injury lawyer can help is making sure that you take into account all damages that you may have suffered. 

Once you have a final figure, your attorney will ask for that amount in your insurance claim or lawsuit.

4. Filing the Lawsuit/Claim

There is often a lot of paperwork involved in a personal injury case. Your lawyer is responsible for filing the necessary documents with your insurance company or the appropriate court.

Often the first step is issuing a demand letter to the insurance company. The letter would include a summary of the accident, details of the harm you suffered, a statement of complaint against the defendant or parties responsible, applicable statutes under which you are entitled to compensation, and the compensation you’re seeking.

After receiving this demand letter, the hope is that the insurance company will work with your attorney to settle the case out of court. Only in some cases will you need to take the next step and file the lawsuit in court.

5. Negotiation and Settlement

Having a personal injury attorney on your side during the negotiating stage is a wise move, as often insurance companies will initially offer you less than what you deserve. An experienced attorney will be prepared for this and will know how to proceed to be sure that the settlement agreement is to your advantage.

Negotiations do take time. Most cases settle within a few months to a year. If the negotiations stall, you may decide together with your attorney to file a lawsuit. Again, your attorney will handle the paperwork at this stage. Sometimes, simply filing a case will be enough to bring the other parties back to the negotiating table. If not, the case proceeds to trial.

6. Trial (If Necessary)

The trial process can be lengthy and intense. But if the other side is not being fair, a lawsuit can be worth it in the long run.

After filing your case, your attorney will start preparing your case for trial. This involves the discovery process, which includes submitting written questions to the other side and requesting the defense to produce relevant documents.

When it’s time, your lawyer will then present your case before a judge or jury. The judge or jury, in turn, may side with you and award a judgment or side with the defendant and dismiss the case.

Once the judgment is made, both sides have a limited amount of time to either accept the decision or file an appeal.

Testimonials and Success Stories

Below is a small sampling of the testimonials we have received from our clients:

Client Testimonials

$4 Million Recovery

“I was very pleased with the representation that I received for my case. I had a positive experience with this firm and I would recommend your firm to my family and friends.”

– Judy R. Product Liability Injury Client

Auto Personal Injury Recovery

“It’s a shame that the insurance companies put you through this…I’m glad there are people like you out there because the insurance companies would walk all over victims otherwise.”

– Mark S., Personal Injury Client

Automobile Accident Victim

“I didn’t know what to expect since I never needed an attorney before. You took care of everything and were there for me.”

– Vicky B., Personal Injury Client