Frequently asked questions by some of our clients are set forth below for your benefit. It is important to remember that this guidance is no substitute for direct personal guidance by a qualified and competent Connecticut lawyer. Though my personal injury and workers compensation practice is based in Hartford my office is also actively assisting individuals who live in Waterbury, Danbury, New Haven, Meriden, Norwich, New London, Bridgeport and Fairfield.

1. What is the most important thing for me to do after my injury?

ANSWER: Get good quality medical care, don't speak with insurance adjusters and obtain prompt legal guidance.

2. How do I pay my medical bills?

ANSWER: Utilize your personal injury insurance benefits if you have this under your automobile policy, otherwise rely on your health insurance. You will ordinarily be able to obtain reimbursement for out of pocket expenses such as deductibles and co-pays if the incident is caused by the fault of another. Generally, the insurance company for the at fault party will not advance medical payments and will rather attempt to reach a settlement of the entire claim.

3. What will the negligent party's insurance company do about my claim?

ANSWER: Generally, they will conduct their own investigation or review and may want to speak with you in order to find information that will help them defend against your claim or at least minimize their exposure. Property damage reimbursement may sometimes proceed on a separate track but it is still useful to keep in mind the suggestion to question number 1 above. There may be an attempt to settle the claim directly with you as when insurance companies are able to accomplish that it tends to save them significant monies. Most persons who are injured by the negligence of others whether from a car accident, work injury or other situation may do much better in terms of financial compensation that attempting to handle it themselves.

4. How will an insurance company value my case?

ANSWER: Some will utilize professional insurance adjustors and others may rely primarily on a computer program to do this taking account of medical bill, lost wages and the type and extent of the medical care involved. The problem is that even if they determine a fair value for your injury they may not offer this amount to you as it is in the insurance company's direct interest to have you settle for less.

5. How long will it take to settle my case?

ANSWER: There is some variability here but generally it is necessary for you to have completed medical treatment and reached a point in time when the full magnitude of the injury's impact on you personally, professionally, medically and economically can be understood. Also, that the future implications of the injury are ascertained and projected as well. With more severe injuries it often takes longer for all this to occur. Smaller injuries with no permanent repercussions can obviously be dealt with in a more expeditious manner.