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How Can YOU Maximize the Value of Your Connecticut Personal Injury Accident Claim?

Bridgeport, Norwalk, Danbury, Ridgefield, Stamford, Connecticut

After my teenage son was involved in a Connecticut car accident I was contacted by the insurance adjuster of the at fault driver. The insurance adjuster did not know that I was a CT personal injury lawyer and he began to tell me a number of different things that were completely and utterly false. I questioned him about what he told me and he assured me that the information that he was providing me was accurate. After I told him that I was a Connecticut personal injury lawyer and I advised him that the bulk of what he told me was not true, he began to backpedal and attempted to make excuses about the misrepresentations that he had made to me. This is one of a number of reasons why you should not speak with the insurance adjuster of the at fault party unless and until you first speak with an experienced Connecticut accident attorney.

Insurance companies are in the business to pay injured parties the least amount of money possible. Unfortunately, insurance adjusters are not there to help an injured party and are not interested in doing the right thing because someone has been injured as a result of the fault of their insured. Rather, they will look for ways to pay you the least amount of money possible. The insurance adjuster might advise you that you need to give a recorded statement in order to properly process your claim. This information is completely false and you should not do that until you first speak with an experienced Connecticut personal injury lawyer, who, in all likelihood will advise you not to give this recorded statement.

But what is the harm in giving a recorded statement to the insurance company so they can get going on processing your claim? The reason is that the insurance adjuster is not looking to gather information on your case so much as the adjuster is looking for ways to undermine your claim and pay you as little as possible. The adjuster will ask you questions about what happened in the accident in an effort to get you to admit that you did something wrong or could have done something to avoid the accident. For example, were you speeding, why didn’t you turn your vehicle to the right or to the left to avoid the accident, was there anything that you could have done to avoid the accident and if so, why didn’t you do it, did you tell the police officer at the accident site that you were injured and if you did not, the claim will be that you were not injured in this accident, were you taken by ambulance to the hospital and if you were not, the argument will be made that you were not really injured, what pre-existing medical problems that you have, what prior accidents were you involved in, what medical treatment did you previously received for any of the body parts which you claim have been injured in this accident, and on and on and on.

If you give a statement to the insurance company of the at fault party you could very well completely damage your case or you could end up costing yourself tens of thousands of dollars. Do not speak with the insurance adjuster until you first speak with an experienced Connecticut personal injury lawyer. Our Connecticut accident attorneys and personal injury lawyers will be happy to speak with you and provide you with free legal advice. We will tell you what to do and what not to do. You can call our toll-free number at 888-842-8466 and get this information immediately. You can also schedule a free office consultation where we will review the facts of your case with you and will provide you with very detailed information about what you need to be doing. You can also download our free accident and injury book by visiting www.HCWLAW.com. This valuable book will advise you as to what you should be doing, what you should not be doing, how to get better medical care, how to get better quicker, how to properly develop your case, and what you need to do to help your lawyer get you more money.

Do not try and represent yourself and then determine that you have made some very large mistakes and then contact a Connecticut personal injury attorney. We provide all of this information for free so there is no reason for you not to contact us immediately. You need to educate yourself to make an intelligent decision as to how you should be proceeding. Do not delay in contacting an experienced Connecticut accident lawyer. Call us today before you make a mistake that can end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars.

CONNECTICUT PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER TELLS HOW TO GET MORE MONEY FOR YOUR CASE‏

Bridgeport, Norwalk, Danbury, Ridgefield, Stamford, Connecticut

If you have been involved in a seriously injured in a Connecticut car accident case one of the things that you can do to help your Connecticut personal injury lawyer add value of to your case is to create a photographic record of all accident related issues.The insurance company of the at fault party will want to be provided with copies of the CT police accident report, all of your medical records, all of your medical reports, therapy bills, therapy notes, lost wage information, and information about how this accident has had an impact upon your life.

We have all heard the saying, that a picture is worth 1,000 words. This is especially true in the development of your personal injury case. It is one thing to try and explain in words what your motor vehicle looked like after the accident, what the accident scene look like, the bruises or other visible injuries that you sustained, or any one of a number of other visual problems that has resulted from this accident but it is something else to provide the insurance adjuster of the at fault party with photographs that detail the evidence of the severity of the crash, and the nature and extent of the injuries of the accident victim.

This is one of the many reasons why it is important that you involve an experienced Connecticut personal injury lawyer and accident attorney in your case at the earliest possible moment. Many of the pictures that need to be taken, that may very well increase the value of your case, should be photographed as close to the time of the accident as possible. For example, the point of impact might be apparent from the broken glass, dirt and sand that has fallen from your vehicle, or other debris that falls in the roadway. The longer you wait, the greater the chance that the accident site will change. Your injuries will also improve over time which includes your physical appearance. Therefore it is quite helpful to take photographs of your physical injuries as close to the time of the accident as possible.

We have written the book on personal injury law in the State of Connecticut. Please go to our website which is located at www.HCWLAW.com and download a free copy of our book “The Crash Course on Personal Injury Claims in Connecticut.” This comprehensive book will tell you what to do, what not to do, how to get better medical care, how to get better quicker, how to properly develop your loss of income claim, and how you can help your attorney get you more money for your case. You can also call our toll-free number at 888-842-8466 and speak with one of our experienced Connecticut personal injury lawyers and accident attorneys. We will be happy to answer your questions over the telephone or you can schedule a free, no obligation, in office consultation where we will review the facts of your case with you in detail and then advise you as to what you should be doing.

We take all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. In other words, you owe us know legal fees unless and until we collect money damages for you. Additionally, we will advance the cost to properly develop your case. You will also owe us no costs unless and until we recover money damages for you. If there is no recovery, then you will owe us know legal fees and no cost. We assume all of the financial risk so you can concentrate on getting better. Don’t make a mistake in trying to handle your own case as it may end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars. Don’t delay get this very valuable information today. Don’t harm your CT accident case by proceeding without the advice of experienced Connecticut personal injury lawyer.

Middlebury CT Car Accident in Sends Three to the Hospital

Bridgeport, Norwalk, Danbury, Ridgefield, Stamford, Connecticut

Three individuals were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries after an Middlebury CT car accident.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that a Middlebury woman made a left hand turn into the parking lot and may have pulled out in front of the other car.

The driver’s side door had to be cut off of her vehicle so that emergency response crews could get to the driver, a 53-year-old Middlebury woman.

The occupants of the vehicle were a 48-year-old Middletown woman and a 29-year-old Colchester man.

 

read more: http://woodbury-middlebury.patch.com/articles/car-accident-sends-three-to-hospital

 

Wrongful Birth: Medical Malpractice or Procedural Occurrence? A Controversial Decision in a Very Rare Type of Case

Bridgeport, Norwalk, Danbury, Ridgefield, Stamford, Connecticut

This week, the court of public opinion weighed in on a controversial decision in a wrongful birth case, which was delivered by a Portland, OR jury that awarded the parents of a girl who was born with Down’s syndrome the sum of $2.9 million. The parents of the now 4-year-old girl originally went to their doctor to determine if their 13-week-old baby had any chromosomal problems and were told there were none.  Their daughter was later born with Down’s syndrome.

The jury found five instances of medical malpractice including a doctor’s finding that the baby had no chromosomal problems based upon the results of a test that was improperly performed and analyzed incorrectly. The parents were awarded damages in their wrongful birth lawsuit because they argued that they chose to continue with their pregnancy based upon what their doctors had advised them.  They also claimed that they would have terminated the pregnancy if they had been advised that their baby had Down’s syndrome.

Wrongful birth cases are extremely rare nationwide because, in cases such as this, prenatal testing for determining this condition are 99.7% accurate and few parents are willing to undergo the ordeal of a trial. A number of studies have shown that approximately nine out of ten women who learn they will give birth to a Down’s syndrome child will choose to terminate their pregnancy.

The parents’ medical malpractice case alleges that their doctor tested tissue samples and concluded that their baby did not have any chromosomal problems despite the fact that later tests suggested the baby did have Down’s syndrome.  Their doctors, despite the suggestions of Down’s, assured the parents that nothing was wrong.

The parents sued for $7 million, which was alleged to be the lifetime cost of care for their daughter.

The parents’ position is that they went to a doctor to have certain testing performed to allow them to make a decision as to their future plans. If medical malpractice had not been present in this case, they would have opted to terminate the pregnancy.  Due to the medical malpractice, they have a daughter who suffers from a medical condition that the physician told them she did not have, which will result in significant lifetime care costs.

This article is meant to report the facts of this case and in no way sets forth a moral judgment regarding either side of it.  This article is not intended to open this forum up to a debate on Pro Choice v. Right to Life viewpoints.

Given the foregoing caveat, what do you think?

Jury Verdict Research in CT Personal Injury and Accident Cases

Bridgeport, Norwalk, Danbury, Ridgefield, Stamford, Connecticut

The jury system provides that you are able to present your case to “your peers” who then pass judgment on the issue(s) presented to them.  One thing is certain with the jury system and that is you never know what a jury is going to decide in  CT Personal Injury and Accident Cases.  As one senior judge once remarked, the jury system is the largest floating crap game on the planet.

Therefore when it comes to CT Personal Injury and Accident Cases, plaintiffs need to be careful regarding how much money they request from a jury and which requests yield higher awards.

In one study, a plaintiffs’ attorney made a request from different groups of jurors of $750,000, $1,500,000 or $5,000,000 for a case that was evaluated, absent a request, as being worth $250,000.00.  In all cases, the jurors awarded less than the plaintiffs’ attorney requested, but the larger the request for damages was made, the larger the award from the jury was given.

Another study attempted to determine if the plaintiffs’ request could be perceived to be so high that it would reduce the award when compared to the lesser extreme.

In this second study, the plaintiffs’ attorney requested, from a different jury, the sum of $1,500,000, $15,000,000 and $25,000,000 for the case that had been evaluated at $250,000.

Interestingly, these jurors awarded almost three times more in damages in response to the $15,000,000 request. However, the $25,000,000 request provided an award of only two thirds of the award for the $15,000,000 request but that was still two and a half times larger than the $1,500,000 request.

The two lines of thought that come out of this research are:  the more you request from the jury the more you will get; and be careful what you ask the jury to award you. Although a imperfect system, it still provides one of the best time tested ways of seeking redress for your injuries absent a negotiated settlement.

Download our FREE book to get more of your questions relating to CT Personal Injury and Accident Cases answered.

Putting the Brakes on Holiday Accidents and Injuries: Understanding and Avoiding The Common Causes of Holiday Accidents

Bridgeport, Norwalk, Danbury, Ridgefield, Stamford, Connecticut

As we gather with family and friends this holiday season we should be mindful of the fact that this time of the year is the worst season for accidents. We all want to spend time with those we care for but want to be as safe as possible so it would be helpful to review some of the most common causes of holiday accidents and review how we can avoid these injuries.

Ironically, holiday parties are one of the biggest causes of motor vehicle accidents at this time of the year. Far too often free flowing alcohol and excessive consumption can combine to result in a recipe for disaster. As a party host we have a legal responsibility to make sure that those who overindulge do not drive off from our parties while intoxicated. If you are hosting a holiday party you must be vigilant in monitoring your party guests and insure their safety and those who are on the road by making sure that they do not leave your party intoxicated and get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

Holiday decorations are also a cause of a number of deaths and injuries. The Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that holiday decorating accidents result in over 1,200 people going to the hospital each year. Many people try and outdo their neighbors in home decorating. Climbing up on ladders and going up on the roof are two common tasks that sometimes result in falls that cause serious injury or death. Another decorating activity that causes injury is the plugging in of endless strings of lights in extension cords that are over loaded or are not water proof which are placed outside or in using indoor lights outside both of which can either shock someone or start a fire.

Another thing that we often do during the holiday season is to burn candles as a way of adding ambiance to our homes. Scented candles can add a nice aroma and produce pleasant lighting that make our homes seem more warm and inviting. Unfortunately,  candle related house fires are a common mishap during this time of the year and claim 166 lives, cause more than 12,000 injuries and cost almost a half a billion dollars in property damage. Therefore it is important that you not leave burning candles unattended, keep them away from flammable items, make sure they are on stable, heat resistant surfaces, make sure they are blown out before retiring for the night and have a functioning fire extinguisher in your home.

Many holiday plants including holly berries, mistletoe and Christmas cactus are poisonous if swallowed so be sure to keep them away from pets and small children. Additionally, poinsettias can also make humans and pets seriously ill so be sure to keep them in a less accessible place.

Lastly, when families gather we often gravitate, at some point, to outdoor winter activities such as sledding, skiing, skating and hiking. Slip and falls, collisions and other traumatic accidents occur which result in head injuries and broken bones. Make sure that you wear safety protection, watch for others and be careful while on slippery or other dangerous surfaces.

Be careful and have a safe and joyous holiday season!

CT Snow and Ice Accident and Injury Cases

Bridgeport, Norwalk, Danbury, Ridgefield, Stamford, Connecticut

If you have been hospitalized as a result of an accident that occurred as a result of snow and ice either in a car or because you slipped and fell then you need immediate legal representation. Snow and ice cases present unique fact patterns and situations that require immediate investigation. What was the cause of your slip and fall? What caused the other car to skid out of control? How long was this condition present? What notice did the at fault party have of this condition? Had this happened before at or near the same location? What was the weather like before this accident? What other parties could be liable? These and other issues need to be investigated.

In Connecticut, winter weather mean lots of snow and ice, including black ice, that creates problems for people driving on the roads, walking on sidewalks or in parking lots, shopping at stores, visiting businesses, going to see friends or relatives and trying to move about outdoors. Snow and ice conditions can create dangerous situations for pedestrians who are injured in slip-and-fall accidents or for motorists who are injured in motor vehicle accidents. Property owners and those that have the care, custody and control of a property have a responsibility to reasonably protect those that are on their property and may be held liable for the injuries and damages that result from an accident that occurs on snow or ice due to their substandard care or negligence. In certain cases, the contractor who was responsible for removing the snow and ice hazard may also be held liable for an injured party’s damages resulting from their negligence. Our firm has decades of experience in representing people who have been injured in snow and ice accidents as well as other types of premises liability and other accidents. We know how to determine who is responsible for your injuries and how to get you compensated for your losses.

One of the issues that might come up in your CT  snow and ice case is foreseeable risk. The CT jury instructions state as follows:

To prove that an injury is a reasonably foreseeable consequence of negligent
conduct, a plaintiff need not prove that the defendant actually foresaw or
should have foreseen the extent of the harm suffered or the manner in which
it occurred. Instead, the plaintiff must prove that it is a harm of the
same general nature as that which a reasonably prudent person in the
defendant’s position should have anticipated, in view of what the defendant
knew or should have known at the time of the negligent conduct.

It is important to keep in mind that insurance companies have a team of experts working hard looking for ways to pay you the least amount of money possible for your case. You can help them in paying you as little money as possible every time you speak to the insurance company or insurance adjuster. You have to realize that the insurance company representative is not your friend and is not looking to help you. Their job is to save the insurance company money. So do not speak with them and do not agree to give a recorded statement but instead. Don’t forget that anything you say can and will be used against you.  So before you hire an attorney, speak to an insurance company representative or sign anything get a copy of our FREE book “The Crash Course on Personal Injury Claims” or call us right away and speak to one of our lawyers at (888) CT-LAW 00.

What You NEED To Do in the Case of a Hartford, CT Wrongful Death of Your Loved One

Bridgeport, Norwalk, Danbury, Ridgefield, Stamford, Connecticut

An accident or injury case in Hartford, Connecticut resulting in the death of an individual can be devastating to the family of the innocent victim. Any CT Wrongful Death Case must be investigated immediately so the rights of the survivors are protected. You need an experienced wrongful death lawyer to help you through this most difficult time. Find out what you need to be doing right away. Contact us today.

The first thing you must establish and/or prove in any CT Wrongful Death Case  is who is at fault. Liability or fault can be proven by showing a violation of common law, which is decided by Appellate Court and Supreme Court Justices [in cases of first impression a lower court decision might be looked at, but is not controlling to other Superior (lower) court judges.] Another way to establish or prove liability is to show a violation of statutory law or the Connecticut General Statutes. There are a number of statutes that deal with motor vehicle law. You might be able to establish liability is you showed that the defendant violated Connecticut General Statute Section  14-222a which states:

Sec. 14-222a. Negligent homicide with a motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any person who, in consequence of the negligent operation of a motor vehicle, causes the death of another person shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than six months or both.

(b) Any person who, in consequence of the negligent operation of a commercial motor vehicle, causes the death of another person shall be fined not more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

Do not retain an attorney, say anything to anyone from the insurance company or sign any type of documents until you read a copy of our FREE book ”The Crash Course on Personal Injury Cases in Connecticut”. A wrongful death case must be investigated immediately.

Learn what you need to do and how a CT Wrongful Death Case  is developed and put together. Learn how cases are evaluated and what insurance adjusters look for before making offers of money to the estate of the deceased party. Call us at (888) 842-8466, visit us at www.hcwlaw.com and tell us about the facts of the case. We’ll call you and answer your questions. Get the answers you need today!

You’ve Been in an Accident. You are Injured. Do you need a lawyer? What will the lawyer cost? How do you pick a lawyer? What if….?

Bridgeport, Norwalk, Danbury, Ridgefield, Stamford, Connecticut

People who are injured in a car, truck, motorcycle or some other type of CT accident generally have questions about their case that are commonly asked of  lawyers. Generally speaking, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer if you have been injured in any type of an accident so you can have your rights explained to you and so you can be advised as to what you should do and just as importantly, learn what you should not be doing. If you do not need the services of a lawyer then a reputable and experienced accident lawyer can tell you how you should proceed with your case. Often times, an injured party will first speak with an insurance adjuster who will attempt to greatly compromise the injured person’s case by pointing out potential liability problems, will down play the injuries or will try to convince the injured party that they do not need  the services of a lawyer. It is very important that you first speak with a lawyer so you do not make any critical mistakes in the handling of your claim that can otherwise greatly reduce the value of your case.

Another question that is frequently asked is how much the lawyer will charge to give advice to the injured party. At Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP we never charge for an initial consultation for any injured party. If we decide to take your case then it will be handled on a contingency fee basis which means we are not paid unless we collect money for you. We also understand that many injured people do not have the money to pay for expert opinions, investigative work, medical records and reports and other expenses which need to be paid to develop the case which is why our firm advances all costs. Those costs are repaid to us at the conclusion of your case out of your recovery. If there is no recovery then you will not owe us for our costs and you will not owe us any legal fees. There is no financial risk for you as our firm takes all of that responsibility so you can concentrate on getting better.

If you cannot leave the hospital, a rehabilitative care facility, your home or some other location then we can meet with you. One of our attorneys can drive to a location selected by you so you can tell our attorney the facts of your case so we can determine how we can best help you. If we decide to take your case we can get started on our investigation immediately and will keep you updated as to our progress. We are very accessible and can be reached at our office, via email and on our cell phones after hours and on weekends if you need immediate answers.

Many times people want to know if they will have to go to court and the answer is statistically; no. Most cases settle without the need to go to trial. In many instances, this will be determined by how well your case is investigated and developed, the strength of your case, your injuries and damages, the experience and reputation of your lawyer or law firm and a number of other factors. You will have many questions as you proceed with your recovery and need to get prompt answers to your important questions. We pride ourselves on being very communicative and responsive. We realize this is a very difficult time made worse by physical pain, economic pressures and fear related to uncertainty. We have been doing this for decades and we know what to do and will be there every step of the way to guide you through this process.

We are sometimes contacted by injured people who are unhappy with their current lawyer or who want to switch lawyers and we are asked if this can be done. This answer is; yes, of course. An injured victim of an accident is free to discharge their current lawyer and hire a new lawyer at any step of the case. If our firm decides to take your case where you were represented by another lawyer, we will have you sign a retainer agreement with our firm and we will then deal directly with your old lawyer to get you file transferred over to our office. You will not have to have any further contact with your prior lawyer. Any fee owed to your old lawyer will be paid by our firm without you having to pay any more money than you would have paid your old firm if you left your file there. In other words, if you later hire our firm it will not cost you any extra money than if you kept your old firm.

If you are looking to hire a lawyer and want to get a sense of who might be a good fit for you then you should do some or all of the following: if the firm offers a free book on injury law, get it and read it (our firm offers such a free book); read the lawyers bio; see what awards or recognition the lawyer or firm received; are any of the lawyers  published authors who have received awards (one of our lawyers is a bestselling author); call the firm and speak with one of the lawyers you are interested in hiring and ask all of your questions; schedule a free consultation and get a feel for whether or not this is someone that you want to work with; and conduct whatever other due diligence you deem appropriate.

The most important thing to remember is to contact an attorney as soon as possible so you are protected. So before you hire a lawyer, speak to an insurance adjuster or sign any paperwork, get a copy of our free book “The Crash Course on Personal Injury Claims.”  The book, the call and the consultation are all free. Call us at (888) 842-8466 or visit us at www.hcwlaw.com.

WHAT IS MY CT ACCIDENT OR INJURY CASE WORTH?

Bridgeport, Norwalk, Danbury, Ridgefield, Stamford, Connecticut

What is my Connecticut accident or injury case worth? This is one of the first questions we are asked at a new client interview by someone who has been recently injured through the fault of another. Recently, there are a number of attorneys who claim to be able to have you input numbers into an injury case evaluator to advise you of the value of your case. If someone claims to be able to tell you the value of your case, right after you have been injured, I would not consider hiring them.

I saw such an evaluation tool online that promised to tell the injured party the value of their case.  I knew what they were going to do in advance but was curious to see how they would go about it. I inputted data about an accident including what happened, the current hospital and medical bills and the injuries sustained. I answered all of the questions asked.  I received an email response indicating that the attorney, who was on the west coast, wanted to talk to me about my CT accident case.

I responded to the lawyer, via email, that I just wanted to get the value of the case. I was told he needed more information and wanted to speak with me. I emailed him back and asked what else he needed. He responded with additional information that was not previously requested. I responded again with the missing data and asked for the value of the case. I received yet another email indicating that evaluating a case was a complicated situation and that he needed to speak with me. I responded via email that he promised to tell me the value of the case but still had not done so.

I then received another email stating that I needed to speak with this certain attorney in CT who was very highly regarded and would be able to answer my questions. I emailed him back and stated that my only question was what the case was worth. This west coast attorney concluded by stating that I needed to speak with this CT attorney. I knew when I first emailed that lawyer, requesting an evaluation, that I could not and would not be given one because there are far too many variables that are missing at the beginning of a case to give any type of meaningful evaluation of the case’s value.

So if you are injured in an accident one of your first questions should be what can I be doing to help increase the value of my case rather than what is my case worth. Our FREE book “The Crash Course on Personal Injury Claims in Connecticut” will tell you what you can be doing to increase the value of your injury case. We even have a chapter entitled “What is my Case Worth” that tells you what factors go into determining the ultimate value of your case.

So if you want free practical answers to your questions and no nonsense advice on what you should be doing, get our book emailed to you today by visiting www.hcwlaw.com. You can also call us at 888.842.8466 or fill out our online form and we can call you. We will even travel to meet with you if you want. The book, the call and the advice are all free. We will even advance all of your costs and only get paid if we collect money for you. Contact us today.