Bridgeport Personal Injury Trial Lawyers With A History Of Success
Last updated on May 5, 2025
An injury can occur when you least expect it and change your life and the lives of your family members forever. When faced with such a terrible situation, you can turn to our experienced personal injury lawyers at Tremont Sheldon P.C. in Bridgeport to obtain help and make sure you have the means to put your life back together.
We provide skilled representation for people who have been harmed by negligent individuals, corporations, institutions and other facilities. Learn how their dedication to obtaining successful case results has helped injury victims.
Types Of Personal Injury Claims
A personal injury claim can stem from a wide range and variety of accident situations, including:
- Traffic collisions and motor vehicle accidents that cause injuries
- Slip-and-fall accidents that result in injuries
- Dog bites
- Medical professional mistakes that lead to complications, more surgeries or death
- The sexual abuse of a child
- If someone you love was killed because of the negligence or wrongful actions of another, you may be able to file a personal injury claim on their behalf in the form of a wrongful death lawsuit.
An injured person must be able to show that the harm, damages and losses were caused by someone else’s carelessness or wrongdoing in order to file a claim. Injuries can be mental or emotional in nature in addition to the physical injuries that people suffer.
What Is Your Personal Injury Case Worth?
Many of our clients ask us how much compensation they should expect from a personal injury case. There are a lot of variables that must be considered before valuing a case.
Our lawyers at Tremont Sheldon P.C. look at economic damages, such as medical expenses, property damage and lost wages that might occur because of a personal injury. We also consider noneconomic damages when calculating compensation, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment. In some cases, when the defendant’s actions were intentional or particularly reckless and indifferent to the safety of others, the court may also award punitive damages. These are designed solely to punish the defendant for their bad behavior.
Will You Have To Go To Court To Settle Your Claim?
Most personal injury claims are eventually settled through negotiations. Both sides may consider that preferable to the time and expense of a trial. A negotiated settlement, when fair, can be perfectly acceptable.
However, when the insurance company does not want to be reasonable with their offers or there are disputes over liability, litigation is always possible. At Tremont Sheldon P.C., we know how to protect our clients’ interests both at the negotiation table and at trial.
What Evidence Do You Need To Win A Personal Injury Claim?
Many of our personal injury claims have been successful with the help of strong evidence, such as accident and medical reports, video or photographic documentation, witness testimonies and expert opinions. This evidence can prove that an injury was the result of an accident. Our lawyers gather the necessary information to build a personal injury case.
How Do Personal Injury Attorneys Get Paid?
How attorneys get paid in personal injury cases in Connecticut is dictated by state law. Under Sec. 52-251c, attorney fees in personal injury cases are paid on a contingency fee basis. This means the fee is paid at the end of the case and is calculated on the amount of the final settlement or judgment. We discuss our fees with clients before taking on a case. There are no fees unless we recover compensation for you. More details about how this contingency fee works can be found in our FAQ section below.
Personal Injury Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have a personal injury case?
If you are injured because of the fault or wrongful conduct of another person or entity, you may have the right to bring a lawsuit to recover money damages for your losses. Some examples of the types of incidents that give rise to personal injury claims include: car accidents, motorcycle accidents, falls, sexual abuse, workplace injuries, defective products, medical malpractice, legal malpractice and nursing home negligence. You should consult with a lawyer as soon as possible after your injury to determine whether or not you have a case.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim or case?
Under the law, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit that is based on the negligent conduct of another person or entity. The time limitation for filing a lawsuit varies, however, depending upon the nature of the claim. With certain types of claims, there are also notice requirements that must be met before you file suit. It is therefore always wise to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible after your injury to make certain that your case is not time-barred.
How long will my personal injury case take?
How long a personal injury case takes depends upon a number of factors, including how long you are required to be treated for your injuries, whether the responsible party contests how the accident happened or whether it caused your injuries, and whether the responsible party and his or her insurance carrier fairly evaluate your case. Typically, if a case does not settle, a case reaches trial approximately two years from the time that it is filed in court.
What damages am I entitled to claim in a personal injury case?
In Connecticut, you are entitled to claim two types of damages: economic and noneconomic. Economic damages are intended to compensate you for past and future out-of-pocket losses. These damages may include compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and loss of earning capacity. Noneconomic damages are intended to compensate you for the past and future effects of the injuries on your life. These damages may include payment for your pain and suffering, permanent disability and loss of enjoyment of your normal activities of daily living.
How much of my time will be required in a personal injury case?
Unless your case goes to trial, the actual amount of time that will require your personal involvement in a personal injury case is relatively minimal. The initial office conference to discuss your claim usually takes about one hour. Follow-up conferences to check on your medical progress and to update you on your case generally take less time and can be done in the office or by phone. If a lawsuit is filed, you would likely need to come into the office to review and sign certain papers required under our court rules. You may also be required to answer questions under oath at a deposition, undergo a medical examination by a doctor selected by the other party and attend a pretrial conference at court.
How much will it cost to go forward with a personal injury case?
Under the law, attorney fees in personal injury cases are paid on a contingency fee* basis. This means the fee is paid at the end of the case and is calculated on the amount of the final settlement or judgment. The fee is 33.33 percent of the first $300,000 of recovery, 25 percent of the next $300,000, 20 percent on the next $300,000, 15 percent on the next $300,000, and 10 percent on any recovery over $1.2 million. In addition, any costs incurred for medical records, court filing fees, depositions, expert fees, etc., are deducted at the end of the case from the settlement or court judgment.
*Contingency fee is defined as payment to an attorney for legal services that depends, or is contingent, upon there being some recovery or award in the case. The payment is then a percentage of the amount recovered. You pay nothing unless payment/recovery is received.
Can I sue someone if I am hurt at their home?
Property owners are responsible for the condition of their property. Dangerous property conditions must be swiftly addressed to keep those who may be visiting the property safe. Any given property could have security concerns or an area where guests and visitors might be more prone to a fall. Or, homeowners in Connecticut may not have their pets properly secured, leading to one of the most common causes of serious injuries: dog bites.
Whatever the circumstances of the injury you suffered, it is important to consider your options to attempt to recover compensation so that you can pay for medical expenses. In the case of a private homeowner, perhaps all you will need to do is submit a claim against the property owner’s homeowner’s insurance.
You are also allowed to sue a family member or submit a claim against a family member’s insurance policy. For example, you are at your aunt’s house and her dog bites you or you are at your cousin’s house and you fall through the deck. You are allowed to sue family members under Connecticut law in order to recover money to pay for your injuries and medical treatment.
Injured? We Are Here to Help.
If you have been injured, please do not hesitate to contact our attorneys for a free consultation. They have extensive experience handling these claims and will examine your individual circumstances and make a judgment about whether you have a personal injury claim. Arrange a free consultation by calling 203-212-9075 or contacting us online.