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Understanding Proximate Cause in Connecticut Car Accident Cases A car accident can take a serious toll on your physical health, emotional well-being, and finances. If you’ve been injured, it’s essential to understand your legal rights—starting with the concept of proximate cause. Under Connecticut law, proximate cause means that another party’s negligence was a substantial factor in bringing about your injury. According to state jury instructions, if the at-fault driver’s actions played a significant role in the accident, they can be held legally responsible for the resulting harm. While you're focused on healing, the insurance company will work to protect their bottom line. That’s why having experienced legal representation is crucial. At Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP, we handle the legal complexities so you can focus on recovery. Call 203-438-7450 or visit www.hcwlaw.com for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.

Surgical Errors and Medical Malpractice Surgical errors can occur during procedures or post-operative care, often leading to severe complications. Common negligent actions by surgeons include damaging internal organs, operating on the wrong body part, leaving surgical instruments inside the body, and providing inadequate post-op care that results in infections. Types of Surgical Malpractice Cases Damage to Internal Organs: When preventable, it violates the standard of care. If unavoidable, failure to inform the patient may constitute medical battery. Wrong-Site Surgery: Occurs due to miscommunication or failure to follow proper protocols, affecting thousands of patients annually. Retained Surgical Instruments: Leaving tools inside a patient is considered per se malpractice, meaning negligence is automatically assumed. Why Legal Representation is Critical Surgical malpractice cases require a thorough review of medical records, expert testimony, and knowledge of Connecticut medical malpractice laws. Consulting with an experienced attorney is essential to proving negligence and securing compensation. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a surgical error, Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP is ready to fight for your rights. Call 203-438-7450 or visit www.hcwlaw.com for a free consultation.

Drunk Driving in Connecticut: A Serious Public Safety Issue Drunk driving continues to be a major cause of fatalities in Connecticut, with 135 alcohol-related deaths in 2021, making up 38.5% of all fatal crashes. Operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or higher is illegal, though impairment can begin at lower levels. Connecticut’s Drunk Driving Laws First Offense: Misdemeanor with fines, license suspension, and alcohol education programs. Second Offense: Increased penalties, longer suspension, and potential jail time. Third Offense & Beyond: Felony charges with severe fines, extended imprisonment, and prolonged license revocation. Prevention & Enforcement Sobriety checkpoints and increased law enforcement patrols. Public awareness campaigns on the dangers of impaired driving. Community initiatives promoting responsible drinking and designated drivers. How You Can Help Plan Ahead: Arrange for a designated driver or ride-sharing service. Stay Informed: Recognize the effects of alcohol and impairment. Intervene: Stop friends or family from driving under the influence. Drunk driving puts lives at risk. If you or a loved one has been impacted by a drunk driving accident, Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP is here to help. Call 203-438-7450 or visit www.hcwlaw.com for a free consultation.

Drunk Driving Accidents: Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable Drunk driving remains a major cause of serious accidents and fatalities, as impaired judgment, slowed reaction times, and decreased motor skills significantly increase crash risks. In Connecticut, drunk drivers face severe criminal penalties, including fines, license suspension, and imprisonment. Additionally, victims can pursue personal injury claims to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Connecticut's Dram Shop Law allows victims to hold bars, restaurants, and other establishments liable if they serve alcohol to an intoxicated person who then causes an accident. This law ensures that negligent alcohol service does not go unpunished. If you're involved in a drunk driving accident, prioritize safety, seek medical attention, and report the incident to law enforcement to document evidence. Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP specializes in representing drunk driving accident victims, ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve. Call 203-438-7450 or visit www.hcwlaw.com for a free consultation.

Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you, and their goal is to minimize payouts. Common tactics include offering lowball settlements, requesting recorded statements to use against you, and delaying the process to pressure you into accepting less. To protect your claim, provide only basic accident information, document all communications, avoid giving recorded statements, and never accept the first offer without consulting an attorney. A personal injury attorney can handle communications with the adjuster, prevent mistakes that harm your case, and negotiate a fair settlement. Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP offers free consultations and fights to secure the best possible outcome for clients. Call 203-438-7450 or visit www.hcwlaw.com.

The surge in e-commerce has significantly increased delivery truck traffic on Connecticut highways, especially along I-84, a key route connecting western Connecticut to Hartford. FedEx, UPS, and Amazon trucks frequently share these roads with commuters, often operating under tight delivery schedules. National data from the FMCSA shows a 12% rise in truck-related accidents between 2019 and 2022, and a 2023 CTDOT report revealed that 18% of commercial vehicle crashes on I-84 involved delivery trucks.

Slips, trips, and falls cause over 1 million emergency room visits annually in the U.S., often due to unsafe property conditions. Connecticut’s premises liability laws hold property owners responsible for maintaining safe environments for visitors. Liability depends on the visitor's status and whether the owner knew or should have known about hazardous conditions. Common causes of these accidents include wet floors, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, and uncleared snow or ice. To prove negligence, victims must show a dangerous condition existed, the owner failed to address it, and it directly caused the injury. Connecticut’s modified comparative negligence rule may reduce compensation if the victim is partly at fault, but recovery is barred if they are more than 50% responsible. Victims should report the incident, document the scene, seek medical attention, and consult an attorney. Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP offers free consultations and legal support for premises liability cases, with no fees unless compensation is recovered.

Defective products can cause serious injuries, leading to medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional trauma. Connecticut’s product liability laws hold manufacturers, distributors, and retailers strictly liable for defective products, including design, manufacturing, and marketing defects. Victims do not need to prove negligence, only that the product was defective and caused harm. Key steps for victims include preserving the product, documenting the incident, seeking medical attention, and consulting an attorney. Compensation may cover medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

The statute of limitations sets deadlines for filing lawsuits, and missing these deadlines can forfeit your right to seek compensation. In Connecticut, the time limits vary depending on the type of claim. For personal injury cases, you have 2 years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Medical malpractice claims must be filed within 2 years from the date of the injury or its discovery, with an absolute maximum of 3 years from the negligent act. Property damage claims have a 3-year filing deadline from the date the damage occurred. For wrongful death cases, you must file within 2 years from the date of death, but no later than 5 years from the negligent act. Exceptions to these deadlines may apply in certain circumstances, such as when the injured party is a minor, when the discovery rule applies (as in medical malpractice cases), or when fraud or concealment has occurred. Acting promptly is crucial to avoid case dismissal.

Nursing home negligence affects many families, with 1 in 10 elders experiencing abuse or neglect. Common signs include physical injuries like bedsores, emotional changes such as withdrawal, and unsanitary conditions. To prove negligence in Connecticut, it must be shown that the nursing home breached its duty of care, causing harm to the resident.

Winter in Connecticut increases the risk of slip and fall accidents due to icy sidewalks, snowy walkways, and inadequate snow removal. These accidents often result in serious injuries, such as broken bones, head trauma, and spinal damage, with elderly individuals being particularly vulnerable. Under Connecticut's premises liability laws, property owners must maintain safe conditions by clearing snow and ice promptly. Victims can pursue claims by proving negligence, causation, and damages. Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP offers legal support for slip and fall cases, helping victims recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact them for a free consultation; no fees are charged unless compensation is recovered.

Cycling in Connecticut is popular but risky, with cyclists vulnerable to severe injuries. Bicycle accidents often result from driver negligence, road hazards, or dooring incidents. Despite Connecticut's 3-foot passing law, violations are common. Injured cyclists can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering under state law.

Dealing with insurance companies after an injury can be challenging as insurers prioritize minimizing payouts. This guide offers tips for protecting your rights, including avoiding recorded statements without legal advice, documenting everything, rejecting low initial offers, understanding your policy, and seeking legal representation. It highlights the value of experienced attorneys in negotiating fair compensation and ensuring a smoother claims process.

Bicycle accidents in Connecticut pose serious risks due to driver negligence, road hazards, and dooring incidents, leading to severe injuries and fatalities. This guide outlines common causes, legal protections for cyclists, and the importance of seeking compensation for damages. It emphasizes the role of experienced attorneys in securing justice and fair compensation for accident victims.

Holiday driving between Thanksgiving Eve and New Year's Day presents increased risks, including drunk driving, distracted driving, and hazardous weather conditions. Drunk driving incidents spike during this festive season, with nearly 650 daily injuries or fatalities linked to alcohol-related accidents. To stay safe, avoid driving under the influence, designate a sober driver, or use rideshare services. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a drunk driver, Hastings Cohan & Walsh, LLP offers compassionate legal support to fight for justice and aid your recovery. Contact them for a free case review.

Premises liability involves legal cases where someone is injured due to hazardous conditions on another's property, like slips on spills or weather-related hazards. To succeed, you must prove there was a dangerous condition, the property owner was negligent, and this caused your injury. In Connecticut, the owner's duty of care varies with the visitor's status (trespasser, licensee, invitee). Common cases include falls and inadequate security. Legal advice from experts like Hastings Cohan & Walsh is crucial for navigating these claims. They offer free consultations to guide you through the process.

Delivery trucks are integral to the functioning of modern society. They are responsible for delivering food to local grocery stores, mail to post offices, and building materials to construction sites, and packages from FedEx, UPS, Amazon and countless other Ecommerce sites.

In Connecticut, the process of handling Uber or Lyft accidents involves navigating complex insurance policies and determining liability, which can be challenging due to the unique nature of ridesharing services.

Connecticut accidents caused by illegal U-turns, improper backing up, and failure to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks pose significant risks to everyone on the road.

I am Connecticut personal injury lawyer Richard Hastings If you've been injured in an accident, it's important to know Connecticut's statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident. Failing to file within this time l...

I am Connecticut personal injury lawyer Richard Hastings If you've been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. There are generally three types of damages available in a personal injury case: Economic damages, which are the costs associated with the injury...

If you've been injured in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident, it's important to take action as soon as possible.

We will listen to your story, answer your questions, and provide you with the guidance and support you need to move forward. We will develop a plan for your particular situation and will walk you through every step of the way.

There are time limits for filing a personal injury claim so it's important to act quickly. There may also be matters that need to be investigated at or near the time of the accident as quickly as possible. If you wait too long before contacting our Connecticut accident attorneys you could severely harm or even destroy your case