A personal injury can have a serious impact on an individual's ability to perform daily activities and work. Fortunately, there are legal processes in place that can help you seek compensation for an injury incurred as a result of another party's negligence or carelessness. This compensation will ensure you get the financial support necessary to recover and move forward. Below is an overview of how to file a personal injury claim.

A Guide to Filing a Personal Injury Claim

Prepare a Complaint

The complaint gives you the opportunity to explain the basis of the lawsuit and the reasons you are suing the defendant. It’s a formal legal document that must follow a general structure. It should include the names of the plaintiff and defendant, the court where the lawsuit is being filed, the facts of the case, and the legal basis for filing, such as negligence. The complaint must be signed by the plaintiff and their attorney.

File a Summons

Connecticut requires residents to file a summons at the same time they file the complaint with the court. The summons names all parties involved and informs the defendant of the lawsuit. Connecticut law stipulates that all summonses must be signed by the court clerk before they can legally be served to the defendant. At this point, you will also have to pay a filing fee.

Serve the Defendant

Next, the plaintiff enlists the services of a process server to deliver the summons and a copy of the complaint to the defendant. Technically, a professional process server doesn't have to perform this task; any legal adult can do it, and some plaintiffs choose to have court officials or police officers deliver the documentation. But you want to have verifiable proof that the defendant received the paperwork, such as the defendant's signature acknowledging receipt.

Response From the Defendant

The defendant then has the chance to formally respond to the lawsuit. They will confirm, deny, or, in some cases, neither confirm nor deny the points outlined in the complaint—any of which are acceptable answers if submitted to the courts. Once the answer is filed, the courts will determine if there is a merit for the suit to move forward or if it should be thrown out. If it moves forward, negotiations will begin; if these fail to produce the desired result, a trial will commence.

An attorney will guide you and represent your interests at every step of a personal injury lawsuit. The law firm of Greene Law, PC is here to help. They have more than 25 years of experience serving the Hartford County, CT, region. Call (860) 676-1336 to schedule a consultation or visit them online to browse their services.