Detailed Answer
Under Connecticut law, the time to resolve a personal injury case involving lost wages varies widely based on case complexity, medical treatment duration, insurance negotiations, and court schedules. Simple claims often settle in 6 to 12 months, while contested cases can stretch 18 months to 3 years or more.
Key factors include:
- Statute of Limitations: You must file a lawsuit within two years from the date of injury. See Connecticut General Statutes § 52-577 (cga.ct.gov/52-577).
- Medical Treatment: Insurers want complete medical records. Ongoing or future treatments can delay settlement until your prognosis stabilizes.
- Lost Wage Documentation: You need pay stubs, employer statements, and tax returns. Gathering and verifying these records can add weeks to the timeline.
- Insurance Negotiations: Insurers may dispute wage amounts or causation. Multiple negotiation rounds can extend the process months or longer.
- Litigation and Trial: If you file suit, discovery (interviews, depositions, document exchange) can take 6–12 months. Court calendars and pretrial motions can add time. A full trial plus any appeals may take 2–3 years total.
Here’s a rough timeline:
- Pre-suit investigation and demand: 3–6 months
- Settlement negotiations: 3–12 months
- Filing suit and discovery: 6–18 months
- Trial and resolution: 12–36 months
Because each claim differs, talk to an attorney early to understand your case-specific timeline. Meeting key deadlines and providing clear wage records helps speed up resolution.
Helpful Hints
- Begin medical treatment immediately and keep all bills and records.
- Collect detailed wage documentation: pay stubs, letters from supervisors, tax forms.
- Notify the at-fault party’s insurer promptly and track your claim number.
- Consult a personal injury attorney before sending any recorded statements.
- Ask about alternative dispute resolution (mediation) to shorten the process.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information on Connecticut law. It does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for advice on your specific situation.