Connecticut Personal Injury Law Guide

Overview of Connecticut Personal Injury Law

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.

Statute of Limitations in Connecticut

In Connecticut, you generally have 2 years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline almost always results in your case being permanently dismissed, regardless of how strong your claim is.

Learn more: What is a Statute of Limitations?

Connecticut Auto Insurance & Fault System

Connecticut operates under a fault-based system. Injured drivers sue the at-fault party directly. Your ability to recover depends on the comparative or contributory negligence rules that apply in this state.

Key Facts — Connecticut Injury Law

• 1

  Connecticut uses modified comparative negligence under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-572h — plaintiffs are barred from recovering if they are 51% or more at fault, and awards are reduced proportionally for any fault below that threshold.

• 2

  Personal injury claims must be filed within 2 years of the date of injury or discovery of injury under Connecticut General Statutes; product liability and medical malpractice claims have separate rules and prerequisites that must be carefully followed.

• 3

  Connecticut has no statutory cap on compensatory damages for most personal injury cases, allowing full recovery of medical expenses, lost wages, future costs, and noneconomic damages such as pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Average Personal Injury Settlements in Connecticut

Typical personal injury settlements in Connecticut range from $18,000 – $80,000. The final amount depends heavily on injury severity, total medical costs, lost wages, and the clarity of liability. Cases that proceed to trial often yield higher verdicts but take significantly longer to resolve.