A simple slip and fall can change your life in an instant. One moment you’re walking through a Bridgeport grocery store, a restaurant in Fairfield, or a public sidewalk downtown, and the next, you’re dealing with serious injuries, medical bills, and missed work. In Connecticut, slip and fall victims have strong legal rights, but those rights depend on proving liability under state law and properly valuing every type of damage.
At Cellino Law, our Connecticut slip and fall attorneys know how to uncover evidence, identify responsible property owners, and pursue full compensation for victims. From Bridgeport to New Haven and across the state, we’ve helped clients recover millions for preventable injuries caused by unsafe premises.
This page explains how Connecticut law handles slip and fall liability, what damages you can recover, and why working with an experienced Bridgeport premises liability lawyer can make all the difference.
Understanding Slip and Fall Liability in Connecticut
Slip and fall claims in Connecticut fall under the category of premises liability, meaning property owners and occupiers have a legal duty to keep their property reasonably safe for visitors.
To hold a property owner liable, an injured person must show:
- A dangerous condition existed (wet floors, ice, uneven pavement, poor lighting, etc.).
- The property owner knew or should have known about the condition.
- They failed to fix it or warn visitors within a reasonable amount of time.
- That negligence directly caused the injury.
This standard applies to:
- Private homes and apartment complexes
- Retail stores, restaurants, and hotels
- Office buildings and workplaces
- Municipal sidewalks and public facilities
Bridgeport’s mix of older buildings, icy winters, and high foot traffic makes these cases common, and complex. Our attorneys understand how to investigate, gather maintenance records, and prove fault under Connecticut’s liability standards.
Connecticut’s Comparative Negligence Rule
Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence system (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-572h). This means:
- You can still recover damages if you were less than 51% at fault for your own accident.
- However, your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but found 20% responsible for not noticing a visible hazard, your recovery would be $80,000.
Insurance companies often use this rule to reduce payouts. At Cellino Law, our Bridgeport slip and fall lawyers know how to challenge unfair fault claims and ensure responsibility stays where it belongs, with negligent property owners.
Damages You Can Recover in a Connecticut Slip and Fall Case
Slip and fall injuries can lead to lasting physical, emotional, and financial harm. Under Connecticut law, victims may recover both economic and non-economic damages:
Economic Damages
These cover measurable financial losses, such as:
- Emergency medical care, surgery, and rehabilitation
- Future medical expenses and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to mobility or home adjustments
Non-Economic Damages
These compensate for more personal losses, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
In the most severe cases, where a fall leads to fatal injuries, a wrongful death claim may also be available to the victim’s surviving family under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-555.
Special Rules for Slip and Falls on Public Property
If your accident occurred on city or state property, for example, a Bridgeport sidewalk or a government building, special notice requirements apply. Under Connecticut law:
- You must notify the appropriate government agency within a short statutory period (often as little as 90 days).
- Claims against the State of Connecticut typically go through the Office of the Claims Commissioner.
- Claims against municipalities like Bridgeport must be filed with the City Clerk or legal department.
Missing these notice deadlines can prevent recovery entirely, so it’s critical to contact a personal injury lawyer right away.
Proving Damages: How Cellino Law Builds a Strong Case
Winning a slip and fall case in Connecticut isn’t just about proving fault, it’s about proving the full extent of the harm. At Cellino Law, we:
- Work with medical experts to document every injury and future care need.
- Gather witness statements, video footage, and property inspection records.
- Collaborate with economists to calculate total lifetime financial losses.
- Negotiate aggressively with insurers and, when needed, take cases to trial.
Our Bridgeport attorneys understand what it takes to turn an insurance company’s low offer into the full value your case deserves.
Local Resources for Slip and Fall Victims in Connecticut
If you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall, these resources can help you take the next steps:
- Bridgeport Superior Court – handles civil injury cases in Fairfield County.
- City of Bridgeport Legal Department – for municipal claims.
- Yale New Haven Hospital – Rehabilitation Services – provides advanced recovery care for orthopedic and neurological injuries.
Contact Cellino Law Today
Proving liability and damages in a Connecticut slip and fall case takes experience, precision, and persistence. Our attorneys at Cellino Law have helped countless victims across the state recover the compensation they need to move forward, and we’re ready to help you too.
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident in Bridgeport or anywhere in Connecticut, call Cellino Law today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and fight for the financial recovery you deserve.
Bridgeport Office:1000 Lafayette Blvd, 11th Floor
Bridgeport, CT 06604