If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence in Connecticut, understanding your legal rights is a critical first step toward justice. This guide covers Connecticut’s wrongful death laws, profiles three law firms that handle these cases, and answers the most important questions families face.
Introduction
Losing a family member due to another party’s negligence is devastating. Beyond the grief, families often face significant financial hardship and a confusing legal landscape when deciding how to pursue justice. Connecticut uses a unified lawsuit structure that is distinct from most other states, and understanding this framework is essential before taking legal action.
Connecticut Wrongful Death Laws
The Connecticut Wrongful Death Statute
Connecticut’s wrongful death law is governed by Connecticut General Statutes § 52-555. Connecticut uses a unified action structure – the wrongful death claim and the survival claim are legally blended into a single lawsuit. The lawsuit must be filed by the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate.
Who Can File
Only the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate may file. Family members cannot file directly. Prompt appointment through Connecticut’s probate courts is a necessary first step.
Statute of Limitations
Connecticut imposes a 2-year statute of limitations, measured from the date of death.
Recoverable Damages
Connecticut allows recovery for pecuniary damages, loss of income, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. There are no caps on wrongful death damages in Connecticut.
Unified Action Structure
Rather than two separate lawsuits, Connecticut blends the wrongful death claim and the survival action into a single proceeding. This requires careful legal pleading to ensure all damage categories are properly presented.
Top 3 Wrongful Death Attorneys in Connecticut
1. Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder PC
Location: Bridgeport, Danbury, and New Haven, CT
Phone: (203) 336-4421
Website: https://koskoff.com
Koskoff is legendary in Connecticut and nationally – they were lead counsel in the historic Sandy Hook litigation. Because Connecticut uses a unified action without damage caps, their elite trial lawyers excel at presenting a combined narrative of the deceased’s pre-death suffering and the estate’s total financial losses in a single, coherent case. They are the go-to firm for the most complex, high-value fatal negligence cases in the state.
2. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC
Location: Hartford, Waterbury, New Haven, CT
Phone: (844) 999-9999
Website: https://trantololaw.com
Serving Connecticut for over 80 years, Trantolo & Trantolo has deep understanding of the local probate courts. Since Connecticut requires an executor or administrator to file the suit, their firm provides comprehensive legal support to get the estate established rapidly so the 2-year deadline is strictly met.
3. Carter Mario Law Firm
Location: Milford, CT (Multiple locations statewide)
Phone: (203) 876-2711
Website: https://cartermario.com
A highly resourced firm with a Zero Fee Warranty. They are excellent at investigating fatal motor vehicle, motorcycle, and commercial trucking accidents, and aggressively pursue all available damages within Connecticut’s unified wrongful death framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Connecticut’s wrongful death structure unique?
Most states require two separate lawsuits – a wrongful death claim for the family’s losses and a survival action for the deceased’s pre-death losses. Connecticut blends these into a single unified lawsuit, requiring careful legal pleading to ensure every damage category is properly presented.
Are there caps on damages in Connecticut?
No. Connecticut imposes no caps on wrongful death damages, allowing for substantial verdicts in cases of severe negligence.
Does the outcome of a criminal case affect my civil claim?
No. Civil and criminal proceedings are entirely independent.
What should I do immediately after losing a loved one due to negligence?
Contact a wrongful death attorney immediately. The 2-year deadline runs from the date of death and probate appointment takes time. Preserve evidence, obtain the death certificate, and do not speak with insurance companies before consulting an attorney.
Closing
Connecticut’s unified wrongful death framework and absence of damage caps make it a meaningful jurisdiction for pursuing justice. The firms listed above have the resources and experience to maximize recovery. If you have lost a loved one due to another party’s negligence, contact one of these attorneys today.
For immediate grief support, contact the National Alliance for Grieving Children at (866) 432-1542.