Average Personal Injury Settlement in Connecticut [2025 Updated]

Personal Injury On Monday, February 3, 2025

When you’re considering filing a claim after an accident, it’s common to want to know how much you might receive as a settlement. However, looking at numbers for the median or average personal injury settlement in Connecticut does not necessarily give an accurate idea of what to expect in your situation. Because each case is unique and the economic damages can vary greatly from one case to another, even comparing similar cases doesn’t always show the whole picture

The most dependable way to determine how much you might receive in a settlement is to consult with a qualified personal injury attorney. However, knowing what factors are considered in a settlement amount – and what costs must come out of the total – can give you a better understanding of what to expect.

Personal Injury Explained

A personal injury is any injury to someone’s body, emotions, or reputation, but to have grounds for a legal claim seeking damages, specific conditions have to be met. In general, the injuries suffered must be caused by someone else’s actions, which can be broadly categorized as negligence, strict liability, and intentional wrongs.

• Negligence means someone did not take the level of care that most people would consider appropriate for the situation. A classic example is when a business’s employee mops but does not put up a “Wet Floor” sign.
• Strict liability applies to someone when they are legally responsible for an injury, regardless of intent or negligence. For example, if a dog bites a visitor, the dog owner is liable for the person’s injuries.
• Intentional wrong refers to intentionally harming another person, such as committing criminal assault and battery.

Kinds of Damages

Damages are the financial compensation that the plaintiff requests as reparation for the injuries they suffered and can include economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

Economic damages relate to the money a person lost as a result of the injuries and include medical bills, lost earnings, and the cost of having their car, bicycle, motorcycle, or other property fixed or replaced. Non-economic damages seek to compensate the victim for emotional distress, physical pain, and other ways that the injury has a negative impact on their quality of life. Punitive damages are awarded as a punishment for intentional or malicious behavior.

Calculating Personal Injury Settlements

Economic damages are the easiest to determine in many cases because they are calculated based on how much money the injured person lost due to the injuries they sustained in the incident. Punitive damages are not included in most settlements, and when they are included, they often only cover legal fees.

• Non-economic damages are sometimes called pain and suffering and are the most difficult to predict and calculate because they are more subjective and dependent on several factors, which can include:
• The severity of the injury. More severe injuries, or those that leave victims with long-term or permanent consequences like disability or chronic pain, generally receive higher compensation.
• Length of recovery. Longer recoveries can mean more pain and more emotional distress, which may influence a higher settlement.
• Effect on daily life. If the injury prevents the person from being able to work, participate in activities they used to enjoy, or have a significant impact on their personal relationships, that is considered a contributing factor to pain and suffering.
• Emotional distress. This is related to the mental health of the person who was injured, as serious injuries can cause anxiety, depression, trauma, or other emotional difficulties.

To show the extent of the pain and suffering, a personal injury attorney will present evidence of these factors and, in some cases, may have experts and other witnesses give testimony to the extent of the difficulties the injured person has experienced or will experience in the future.

FAQs

Q: How Much Do Most Personal Injury Cases Settle for?

A: Because each case is unique in Connecticut, settlements can vary widely depending on the specific factors involved. In general, the more severe the injuries sustained, the larger the settlement amount. The most reliable way to get an idea of what you may expect from a settlement is to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney, who can help you calculate each kind of damage and what you may be entitled to receive.

Q: What Percentage Does a Lawyer Get of a Settlement in Connecticut?

A: The percentage a lawyer gets of a settlement in Connecticut depends on several factors. However, state law sets limits on attorney fees for personal injury cases. For every $300,000 of settlement, the percentage the attorney can take goes down. This means no more than 33% of the first $300,000, 25% of the second, 20% of the third, 15% of the fourth, and 10% of anything over $1,250,000.

Q: What Other Costs Might There Be in My Personal Injury Case?

A: Other costs in your case might be any outstanding medical debt from the accident, as well as court filing and other procedural fees like serving papers, transcript fees, medical records, police reports, and fees for witnesses, investigators, and other professionals. Some cases may also incur travel expenses or other expenses specific to the needs of the case. In general, these costs will also come out of your final settlement.

Q: Do I Have to Pay if I Lose My Case?

A: Most Middletown personal injury lawyers charge on a contingency fee basis, which means that if you don’t receive a settlement, you don’t have to pay their fees. Some fee structures may be different, or there may be exceptions for some out-of-pocket expenses. However, in most cases, you would only be expected to pay if you decide you no longer want the lawyer to work on your case.

Get the Answers You Need

At Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C., our skilled attorneys have over thirty years of combined experience in personal injury law. That means that we have represented thousands of clients and have worked tirelessly to maximize settlements for their personal injury claims. If you or a family member have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, contact our office today to schedule a consultation and learn what kind of settlement you might expect from a legal claim.