Hartford Wrongful Death Attorney

Over 80 Years of Combined Experience Fighting for Hartford Families

Losing a loved one to someone else’s negligence is a devastating experience no family should have to face alone. If your loved one died because of another party’s reckless or careless actions, you may have the right to pursue compensation, and we’re here to help you do it.

At Cicchiello & Cicchiello, LLP, we have over 80 years of combined experience helping families of wrongful death victims file claims against responsible parties. We offer free consultations, work on a contingency fee basis so families pay nothing unless we win, and can come to you, including home and hospital visits, if travel is difficult.

If you’ve lost a loved one due to negligence, call us at (860) 866-1024 or message us online to request a free consultation.

What Is Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death occurs when a person dies as the direct result of another party’s negligence or reckless conduct. Our Hartford fatal accident attorneys have worked with hundreds of families who have lost a loved one under these circumstances.

Common causes of wrongful death include:

Types of Compensation in Connecticut Wrongful Death Cases

When a wrongful death results from another party’s negligence, the family may be able to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.

Economic losses include compensation for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical costs
• Lost earnings and wages
• Loss of financial support

Non-economic losses include damages for:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship

Connecticut law also permits a judge or jury to award double or treble damages when the defendant deliberately or recklessly committed specific traffic offenses that were a substantial factor in causing the fatal injuries. This remedy is available in qualifying circumstances, not in every case, but it’s one we evaluate for every eligible claim. We strive to pursue every category of compensation available under Connecticut law based on your family’s circumstances.

How a Connecticut Wrongful Death Claim Works

Families who haven’t navigated the legal system before are often surprised by how involved this process can be. Knowing what to expect helps, and having legal representation from the start can make a meaningful difference in preserving evidence and protecting your rights.

The General Process

A wrongful death claim moves through several stages: an initial consultation, investigation and evidence gathering, filing the claim on behalf of the estate in Superior Court, discovery, negotiation, and trial if a fair settlement can’t be reached. These cases are filed in Superior Court, not probate court. Many cases settle before trial, but thorough preparation for litigation typically strengthens a family’s position at the negotiating table.

How We Work on Your Behalf

Our Hartford wrongful death attorneys investigate accident scenes, question witnesses, and work directly with physicians, first responders, police officers, and insurance companies on behalf of the families we represent. When a negotiated settlement doesn’t reflect the full value of what a family has lost, we’re prepared to take the case to court. Throughout every stage, you work one-on-one with the attorney handling your case. Early legal involvement can help preserve evidence, meet filing deadlines, and ensure the estate is properly positioned to pursue the claim.

Connecticut’s Comparative Negligence Rule and Wrongful Death Claims

Connecticut applies a modified comparative negligence standard under C.G.S. 52-572h. Recovery may be available even when the deceased was partially at fault, as long as their share of responsibility doesn’t exceed the defendant’s share. If partial fault is assigned to the deceased, the family’s recovery is reduced proportionally by that percentage.

Insurance companies defending wrongful death claims frequently attempt to shift blame onto the deceased to reduce or eliminate the family’s recovery. Anticipating this defense and countering it with a thorough factual record is often important in these cases. Our attorneys are prepared to challenge fault-shifting tactics and protect the full value of your claim. Families working with a Hartford wrongful death lawyer from our firm benefit from that preparation from day one.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Connecticut?

Under C.G.S. 52-555, the legal authority to file a wrongful death lawsuit belongs to the appointed executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate. Family members, including spouses, children, and parents, may receive compensation but don’t bring the case themselves. This distinction affects every stage of the legal process.

If no estate has been established, someone must petition the probate court to be appointed administrator before the lawsuit can proceed. Spouses, parents, grandparents, and children may petition to serve in that role. Compensation awarded goes to the estate and is distributed to heirs according to the will or applicable intestacy laws. We help families understand these requirements and coordinate with the estate process so the legal claim can move forward without unnecessary delay.