New Britain Premises Liability Attorneys That You Can Trust
Getting injured while you’re out in public is more than embarrassing; it’s painful. Most people who suffer such injuries aren’t really sure what to do next, and they are especially unsure when their insurance denies coverage for their hospital bills. That’s when you need help you can trust.
At The Law Offices of Januszewski McQuillan and DeNigris, LLP, we have been a New Britain personal injury firm since 1952. In those decades, we’ve helped people all over Connecticut with slip-and-fall injuries, and other premises liability claims. We work hard to earn your trust and help you make smart choices in the pursuit of the compensation you deserve.
How We Assist You In Your Connecticut Premises Liability Case
When you call us, our personal injury attorneys will immediately talk with you about the particulars of your case. We’ll learn about you, about your injuries, and your continuing struggles with insurance and work. Once we’ve talked, we will advise you on whether you have a case.
If you do have a viable premises liability case, we will diligently take on speaking with insurance companies, investigating your circumstances and pursuing every bit of compensation you deserve. Many people tend to hold off on pursuing a premises liability case because it feels too personal, the injury is embarrassing or the plaintiff is potentially a neighbor. However, if you do not take action, you may lose out on any ability to recover compensation.
FAQ On Connecticut Premises Liability
Premises liability is one of the most misunderstood areas of the law, but our attorneys are dedicated to providing you clarity when it matters. We’ll answer most of your unique questions in our meetings, but often some of the earliest questions are much more general, like these below.
What are the primary issues that often lead to slips-and-falls and other injuries?
A slip-and-fall case is one of the most common types of premises liability cases, and it can be caused by such issues as:
- Unshoveled, unmaintained icy sidewalks
- Wet floors from dropped items or cleaning
- Steps of nonstandard height entering or exiting a facility
- Holes and other damage to the flooring
There are as many issues as there are ways to trip or slip that could lead to a serious injury.
How can property owners be liable?
An owner has a duty to maintain their property to a level that is safe for visitors. If it is a place open to the public, such as a grocery store, the standards for safety are quite high. Any hazard, even a potentially dangerous animal, that a property owner knows about or should know about, must be made safe either by immediate maintenance or warnings.
What can you do to prepare for the case?
Preparing for your premises liability case will require you to compile documents and other evidence. We can and will help you with that as part of our work as your premises liability attorneys. There is one thing that only you can do though, and that is to avoid making public statements about your case. Any social media post or comment to an acquaintance, no matter how innocuous, can turn into a complicated legal issue. It’s best to avoid commenting in any capacity.
What is the deadline for filing a Connecticut slip-and-fall claim?
The location of a slip-and-fall incident determines how long you have to take action. Most slips and falls occur on private property. If you fell in a grocery store or on a section of icy sidewalk next to a thriving business, then the general personal injury statute of limitations for Connecticut applies to your case.
You typically have up to two years from the date that you sustained injuries to take legal action. It is generally advisable to notify businesses, landlords and property owners of an incident as soon as possible after it occurs to ensure that they retain any relevant evidence, such as security camera footage.
In cases where you slip and fall on public property, such as a city-owned sidewalk or the hallways of a public school, then Connecticut’s Defective Highway Statute applies. To pursue compensation, you must send formal written notice to the municipality where the incident happened within 90 days. If you do not take this step, you may not be able to seek compensation at all, regardless of the extent of your losses.
How does an ongoing storm affect winter weather slip-and-fall claims in Connecticut?
Winter storms in Connecticut can sometimes last for days. The need to go outside and remove snow and ice repeatedly could create an undue hardship for landlords, businesses and individual property owners. The ongoing storm doctrine recognized in Connecticut absolves property owners and businesses of the need to clear snow and ice while the storm continues.
People hurt on slippery sidewalks may only have grounds to pursue a premises liability lawsuit for their injuries if the storm had already ended and a reasonable amount of time had passed. When property owners delay snow and ice removal, they could be liable for injuries that occur. Falls that occur a day or more after the end of active precipitation could provide the grounds for a premises liability lawsuit.
What types of compensation can I receive from a slip-and-fall claim?
Plaintiffs filing premises liability lawsuits in Connecticut can usually request a combination of economic damages and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are verifiable expenses, including previous and future medical costs, property damage losses and lost wages. Noneconomic damages can include pain and suffering caused by injuries, emotional distress and the loss of enjoyment of life in cases where the consequences of injuries interfere with a person’s overall quality of life.
Get Our Help With Your New Britain Premises Liability Matters Today
Our firm’s commitment to you comes from our deep roots in the community. As a small family-run firm, we see our clients as our neighbors. Call us to learn more and find out how we’ll fight for you. Call 860-505-4415 or send an email using this form.