When Can You Sue for an Injury at a Store in Connecticut?
You can sue a store for an injury in Connecticut when the business failed to use reasonable care in maintaining safe conditions, and that failure caused you harm.
Under Connecticut premises liability law, stores owe customers a duty to inspect their property, fix dangerous conditions, or warn customers about hazards they knew or reasonably should have known about. Common situations include:
- A slip and fall in a store caused by wet floors, spilled liquids, or recently mopped areas without warning signs
- Falls caused by uneven flooring, loose mats, broken steps, or poor lighting
- Injuries from falling merchandise or unstable displays
- Negligent security, such as inadequate lighting or security measures
In most personal injury cases in Connecticut, the statute of limitations provides two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Waiting too long can permanently bar your claim, so understanding the timeline is critical.
Who Is Responsible for Injuries Sustained at a Business?
Determining who is legally responsible after a store injury isn’t always straightforward. Liability depends on who had possession and control of the area where the injury occurred, and that responsibility may extend beyond the store manager on duty.
Depending on the circumstances, potentially responsible parties may include:
- The Store Owner or Corporate Entity: The company that owns or operates the business may be liable if it failed to maintain safe conditions, properly train employees, or enforce safety policies.
- The Property Owner or Landlord: In shopping plazas or leased retail spaces, the landlord may be responsible for maintaining common areas such as sidewalks, parking lots, stairwells, or exterior lighting.
- A Property Management Company: Some commercial properties are managed by third-party companies responsible for inspections, maintenance, and repairs.
- Outside Contractors: Snow removal companies, cleaning crews, or security providers may be liable if their negligence created or failed to correct a hazardous condition.
Identifying the correct party and all available sources of insurance coverage is critical, especially in cases involving serious injuries. An experienced Connecticut premises liability lawyer can review the facts and determine which parties may be legally responsible.
What Damages Can I Receive for a Connecticut Premises Liability Claim?
A premises liability claim is intended to compensate you for the full impact of your injuries, not just your initial medical expenses.
In Connecticut, injured customers may be able to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses, future treatment, and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, including trauma-related conditions
- Permanent disability or loss of function
The value of a claim depends on the severity of the injury, the extent of long-term impact, and the strength of the evidence establishing liability.
Connecticut Store Injury And Premises Liability Case Results
At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C., our attorneys have handled complex premises liability cases involving significant injuries, including:
- $800,000 for a 45-year-old man struck in the head by a falling display rack sign, resulting in infection and loss of sight
- $375,000 for a woman who required hip surgery after falling into a floor depression inside a retail store
- $345,000 for a young woman who underwent neck fusion surgery after slipping on ice outside a store
- $300,000 in a negligent security case involving assault and robbery outside a retail business
Every case is unique, and its outcome depends on the specific facts and circumstances involved. At KJSR, our attorneys approach each case with a team-focused approach and action plan backed by effective and aggressive representation designed to position serious injury cases for the best possible results for our clients.
How Do You Prove Liability in a Premises Liability Case in Connecticut?
To succeed in a Connecticut premises liability claim, you must show that the store or property owner failed to use reasonable care and that this failure caused your injuries.
In most cases, this requires evidence demonstrating that:
- A dangerous condition existed on the property
- The store knew or reasonably should have known about the hazard
- The store failed to fix the condition or provide adequate warning
- The hazard caused your injuries and damages
Businesses are not automatically responsible for every accident that occurs on their premises. The central question is whether they knew, or reasonably should have known, about the hazard and failed to act appropriately.
Building a strong case often depends on obtaining and preserving key evidence, such as:
- A copy of the incident report
- Surveillance video footage
- Witness statements
- Photographs of the hazard
- Records of prior similar incidents
- Property inspection reports
- Documentation of building or safety code violations
- Employee testimony
- Expert witness testimony
- Medical records linking the injury to the incident
How Kennedy Johnson Can Help
After a serious store injury, you may be facing mounting medical bills, time away from work, and uncertainty about what comes next. These cases often rely on detailed investigations, careful documentation, and a clear understanding of Connecticut premises liability law.
Since 1988, Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C. has served Connecticut, building a strong reputation for securing significant recoveries in serious injury cases. Our attorneys are known for effective and aggressive representation, a personalized approach for every client, and a deep commitment to handling complex, high-exposure claims with integrity and professionalism.
If you believe a store’s negligence caused your injuries, call 203-865-8430 or contact us online for a free, no obligation case evaluation.