If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, slip and fall, or another incident, filing a personal injury claim can feel overwhelming. Each state has its own legal procedures and time limits, so knowing what to expect is essential.
At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, we help victims across Connecticut and Massachusetts recover the compensation they deserve. With offices in Hartford, Bridgeport, and Springfield, our experienced attorneys handle the legal process from start to finish — while you focus on healing.
Step 1: Consult a Local Personal Injury Lawyer
Whether your accident occurred on I-91 in Hartford, downtown Bridgeport, or Main Street in Springfield, your first step is to contact a qualified personal injury lawyer.
During your free consultation, your attorney will:
- Review your medical treatment and injuries
- Examine police or incident reports
- Evaluate evidence and witness statements
- Estimate your potential compensation
At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, we offer no-win, no-fee representation and honest case assessments to help you move forward confidently.
Schedule a free legal consultation with our personal injury team.
Step 2: Investigation and Evidence Collection
Your Hartford CT or Springfield MA personal injury attorney will immediately begin investigating your case. This includes obtaining:
- Medical and hospital records
- Photos, videos, and accident reconstructions
- Witness and expert statements
- Employment records to document wage loss
Our team leaves no detail unchecked. By conducting thorough investigations, we build strong cases that clearly establish fault and support your claim for full compensation.
Step 3: Issuing a Demand Letter
Once evidence is gathered, your attorney will send a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company. The letter summarizes:
- The cause of the accident
- The extent of your injuries
- All related damages (medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering)
A well-written demand letter can prompt early settlement discussions and save months of litigation. Our attorneys in Connecticut and Massachusetts are known for preparing persuasive, fact-driven demands that get results.
Step 4: Negotiating a Settlement
Insurance companies often undervalue personal injury claims. That’s why negotiation skill matters.
Your personal injury lawyer in Hartford, Bridgeport, or Springfield will negotiate aggressively using medical records, expert opinions, and evidence gathered during investigation to push for the maximum settlement.
We keep clients informed at every stage and only recommend settlements that fairly cover current and future medical costs, lost wages, and non-economic damages.
Step 5: Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If negotiations fail, your attorney will file a personal injury lawsuit.
- Connecticut: 2-year statute of limitations (C.G.S. § 52-584)
- Massachusetts: 3-year statute of limitations
Your complaint will outline your injuries, the defendant’s negligence, and your damages. Once filed, the case enters discovery — depositions, document exchanges, and motion practice — all handled by our seasoned litigation team.
Step 6: Preparing for Trial
Trial preparation is crucial to success. Our lawyers:
- Conduct mock trials and witness prep sessions
- Work with accident reconstruction and medical experts
- Develop courtroom exhibits and opening statements
We focus on presenting clear, evidence-based stories that resonate with juries in Hartford County, Fairfield County, and Hampden County (Springfield MA).
Step 7: Going to Trial
If your case goes before a judge or jury, your Connecticut or Massachusetts trial lawyer will present the evidence, call witnesses, and cross-examine the defense.
We build compelling cases backed by medical documentation, expert analysis, and real-world testimony — ensuring your pain, financial loss, and long-term impact are fully understood.
Our mission: secure justice and fair compensation for every client we represent.
Determining Liability in a Personal Injury Case
Determining liability in personal injury cases depends on where and how your injuries happened. Generally, everyone is expected to act with a certain level of reasonable care, and failure to do this means they could be held responsible for paying compensation to the injured party.
Usually, personal injury claims are based on negligence. To show negligence, it’s important to prove the four elements that make it up:
- The party or entity that is considered at-fault for the accident owed you (the victim) a duty of care
- The failure of that party to act in a reasonable matter resulted in them breaching the duty of care
- The inaction or action of the other party resulted in your injury
- Your injuries caused damages that you could receive compensation for
You may wonder how this works in real life. Consider drivers, for example. When you are driving, you are expected to do so safely and take steps to prevent a car accident. If this care is not taken, then you can be considered liable for any damages caused by the accident.
This includes property damage and personal injuries. In personal injury claims, you must prove the other driver acted negligently or recklessly, which is why an accident occurred. It’s also necessary to prove that the accident caused your injuries.
Additionally, companies can be liable for any injuries that are caused by a defective product they sell or manufacture. This may include a defect in the design, manufacturer, or warning defect. Called product liability, a company will be strictly liable for products, which means you only must show the product is defective and that the company designed a defective product, manufactured it incorrectly, or did not warn about a defect and that you suffered an injury because of it. In a product liability case, you have the right to hold the retail store (seller), manufacturer, designer, or all three liable for the injuries you experience.
Property owners, occupiers, and managers can also be held liable for an injury that occurs on a commercial or residential property. If you are injured in a store or while at another person’s house, you must prove there was an unsafe condition on the property the owner or occupier should have been aware of and did not. You must also prove this is what caused your injury.
While a municipality may be held responsible for your injuries if you were on public property, remember the filing rules (mentioned above) that apply to these situations.
Top Myths Surrounding Filing Personal Injury Claims
If you are unfamiliar with the filing process, it can leave you wondering exactly what to do. As you can imagine, myths and misconceptions about the personal injury claims process can significantly deter victims from pursuing the compensation they rightfully deserve.
Myth 1: Filing a Personal Injury Claim Is Always a Lengthy and Complicated Process
One common misconception is that all personal injury claims are inherently complex and will inevitably drag on for years.
While it’s true that some cases can be complicated and lengthy, many are resolved much more swiftly. The duration and complexity of your case will depend on several factors, including the severity of injuries, clarity of liability, and whether the case is settled out of court or goes to trial.
An experienced injury attorney can streamline the process, efficiently handling negotiations and procedural requirements to expedite your claim.
Myth 2: You Can Easily Handle Your Claim Without a Lawyer
Another common myth is the belief that personal injury claims can be effectively handled without professional legal assistance, particularly if the case seems straightforward.
This assumption underestimates the complexities of personal injury law and the tactics insurance companies may use to minimize payouts.
A skilled personal injury lawyer brings invaluable knowledge, resources, and experience, ensuring your rights are protected, evidence is meticulously gathered, and negotiations are conducted to secure maximum compensation.
Myth 3: You Must Go to Court to Receive Compensation
Many people are reluctant to file a personal injury claim out of fear of enduring a stressful and public court trial. However, the truth is that the majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court. A competent lawyer will work diligently to negotiate a fair settlement with the opposing party or their insurance company, resorting to litigation only when necessary to achieve a just outcome.
Myth 4: Minor Injuries Don’t Justify Filing a Claim
Some individuals mistakenly believe that personal injury claims are only worth pursuing in cases of severe or catastrophic injuries. This misconception can lead victims with “minor” injuries to forego seeking legal recourse, potentially leaving significant medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages uncompensated.
No matter the extent of your injuries, consulting with an injury attorney can help determine your claim’s viability and ensure that you are compensated for all incurred losses.
Myth 5: If You Contributed to the Accident, You Cannot File a Claim
Many people incorrectly assume that any contribution to the accident nullifies their right to compensation. An experienced personal injury lawyer can assess the details of your case, accurately determine fault, and advocate for your right to recovery under the correct negligence rules of each state.
Myth 6: Filing a Personal Injury Claim Will Always Result in a Windfall
While movies and sensational news stories might lead some to believe that personal injury claims invariably result in substantial financial windfalls, the reality is more nuanced.
Compensation is calculated based on actual losses, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other relevant damages. A reputable injury attorney will aim to secure a settlement or verdict that fully addresses your specific losses rather than pursuing an unrealistic or exaggerated claim.
Myth 7: There’s Plenty of Time to File a Personal Injury Claim
Procrastination based on the belief that there’s ample time to file a claim can be detrimental. Failure to file within each state’s statute of limitations period typically results in losing the right to seek compensation. Promptly consulting with a personal injury lawyer ensures that your claim is filed timely, preserving your eligibility for compensation.
First Steps to Take After Suffering an Injury
If you are involved in an accident where you are injured, check for injuries first. If it is a car accident, it’s also a good idea to check on others involved. Even if you don’t feel like you are injured, you should seek medical attention. You may have an injury that takes time to appear.
After everyone, including you, is safe, you should start documenting the accident. For example, if you slipped and fell while shopping in a store, you could take pictures of where you fell and note any type of dangerous conditions in the area. Be sure you get a copy or any other accident record from the store where it happened and keep track of the injuries. You should also keep copies of medical tests and your doctor’s recommended treatment.
Do You Need a Connecticut Personal Injury Attorney?
In some situations, if liability is clear and uncontested, you may be able to settle your case without hiring a personal injury attorney. However, this isn’t recommended. A personal injury attorney from Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers knows the law and how to use it to help you recover the most compensation possible for your case.
It is best to hire an attorney for a personal injury lawsuit. They will investigate the claim, gather evidence, and help you each step of the way. Also, you don’t have to pay the attorney unless they help you recover compensation successfully. This means there is no risk in hiring a personal injury attorney.
Contact our legal offices to schedule a free initial consultation to get started.
