Medical Liens in Connecticut
A lien is a legal claim against your personal injury settlement by a third party who paid for your medical treatment. In Connecticut, liens from hospitals, health insurers, Medicare, and Medicaid must be addressed before you receive your net settlement funds.
For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney.
Modified comparative fault (51% bar)
Fault System
2 years
Filing Deadline
$18,000 – $80,000
Avg Settlement
Types of Medical Liens in Connecticut
Hospital Liens
Connecticut hospitals that treated you for accident injuries may file a hospital lien against your settlement to recover unpaid bills. The lien attaches to your recovery before you are paid.
Health Insurance Subrogation
If your health insurer paid your medical bills, they have a subrogation right to be reimbursed from your settlement. Many states allow negotiation to reduce these amounts.
Medicare & Medicaid
Federal law requires Medicare and Medicaid liens to be paid in full — with limited exceptions. Your attorney must resolve these before settlement funds are distributed.
Workers' Compensation
If workers' comp covered your treatment for a work-related injury in Connecticut, they have a lien on any third-party recovery you obtain.
Connecticut Injury Law Overview
Connecticut applies modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar, meaning plaintiffs who are found majority at fault cannot recover. Damages are proportionally reduced for any lower degree of plaintiff fault. Connecticut does not operate as a no-fault auto insurance state. The statute of limitations is 2 years, with a discovery rule applicable to latent injury cases. Connecticut imposes no general cap on compensatory damages, making it a favorable jurisdiction for seriously injured plaintiffs. Product liability actions are governed by the Connecticut Product Liability Act (CPLA), which provides a comprehensive framework for defective product claims. Medical malpractice cases require a good-faith certificate from a similar health care provider before suit can be filed. Connecticut courts follow federal Daubert standards for expert witness testimony. Punitive damages are allowed in cases of reckless or wanton conduct, though Connecticut limits them to litigation costs plus attorney fees rather than a separate damages category.