The Malowitz Law Firm, LLCStamford Personal Injury Attorney | Car & Motorcycle Accidents2026-10-13T13:30:12Zhttps://www.malowitzlaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1201468/2021/03/cropped-favicon-wesley512-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[What happens after you file a workers’ comp claim in CT?]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=502342026-10-13T13:30:12Z2026-10-13T13:30:12ZWhat happens after you report a workplace injury?
Reporting an injury and filing a formal claim are related but separate steps. Report your injury to your employer promptly. To formally seek benefits, you must also submit a written Notice of Claim for Compensation, known as Form 30C.
After receiving your claim, the employer or its insurer must either begin paying compensation within 28 days or file a Form 43 to contest liability.
Your employer or its carrier may also file a First Report of Occupational Injury or Illness with the Connecticut Workers' Compensation Commission. This report is separate from your Form 30C claim.
How does the insurance company handle your claim?
The insurer may review medical records, the injury report and other claim information. It may also request documents or statements from you.
If the claim is accepted and you qualify for benefits, the employer or insurer generally begins providing covered medical care and wage-replacement benefits.
If the claim is contested, the dispute may proceed through the Commission's hearing process, which can include informal, pre-formal and formal proceedings.
What should you do while your claim is pending?
Taking a few practical steps can help you document your injury and manage your claim:
Attend medical appointments and follow your treatment plan. Missing appointments or failing to follow treatment can affect your benefits or make it harder to document your condition.
Keep copies of medical records and claim documents. Save communications with your employer or insurer.
Respond promptly to requests for information. Timely responses can help keep the claim moving.
Staying organized can make it easier to respond as your claim moves through the workers' compensation process.
What happens if your claim is denied?
A contested claim does not end your case. You can request a Commission hearing to resolve the dispute.
After a formal hearing, a Workers' Compensation Commissioner issues a written decision. If you disagree, you have 20 days to appeal to the Compensation Review Board.
What are your next steps with a workers' comp claim?
A workers' compensation dispute can involve several steps, from filing your claim to resolving a contested benefit. Understanding where your claim stands can help you protect your rights.
If your claim has been contested or denied, speaking with a Connecticut workers' compensation attorney can help you understand your options and determine what steps may be available.]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[How electronic data helps establish fault in a truck accident]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500862026-09-24T12:26:25Z2026-09-24T12:26:25ZEvent data recorders can show what the truck was doing
Many commercial trucks carry an event data recorder, or EDR. This device stores information such as speed, braking and steering activity around the time of a crash.
Investigators can use that data to assess whether driver actions or mechanical problems may have contributed to the collision. Federal material on event data recorders shows the kind of operational details these systems may capture.
ELD and telematics records can show a larger pattern
Crash data may cover only a short period around the collision. Other systems, such as electronic logging devices and telematics tools, can show how the truck operated over a longer stretch of time. Useful records may include:
Hours-of-service logs
GPS location history
Maintenance alerts
Engine fault codes
This information can help show whether fatigue, speeding or repeated safety problems contributed to the crash.
Digital records can disappear if no one preserves them
Electronic records may not stay available for long. Some systems overwrite or delete data unless someone acts quickly to preserve it.
That issue can become important in truck accident cases involving unsafe driving or vehicle problems because the missing data may have shown how the truck was being operated before impact. A truck accident attorney can review the available records and assess whether the electronic evidence supports fault.]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[Who is liable for passenger injuries in a rideshare crash?]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500842026-09-21T15:59:39Z2026-09-21T15:59:39ZWho may be responsible?
Connecticut law lets injured passengers seek money from people who caused the crash by careless driving. Negligence means failing to use reasonable care. The facts of the crash help determine who may be responsible.
The rideshare driver
A rideshare driver may cause a crash by speeding, texting or driving carelessly. In these cases, the driver may be responsible for passenger injuries.
Insurance coverage also matters. Rideshare companies often provide additional coverage during active trips. The available coverage depends on the driver's status and the details of the crash.
Another driver
A passenger may suffer injuries because another motorist runs a red light or fails to yield. The other driver may be responsible for the resulting harm.
The other driver's insurance may cover medical bills and other losses. Police reports, witness statements and video footage can help show what happened.
Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If an injured person shares some fault, the amount recovered may decrease. A person who bears more than half of the responsibility generally cannot recover damages.
The rideshare company
A rideshare company may provide insurance coverage for a crash. However, the company is not always responsible for the driver's actions.
The driver's work relationship with the company may affect liability. The driver's status during the trip may also matter.
What passengers should document
After a crash, passengers should seek medical care. They should also preserve important information, such as:
The rideshare receipt and trip details
The driver's name and vehicle information
Photos of the crash scene and visible injuries
Names and contact information for witnesses
Medical records and bills related to the injuries
Passengers should report the crash through the rideshare platform. They should also notify their own insurance company if their policy requires it.
Understanding your options
Passenger injury claims depend on evidence, insurance coverage and fault. Knowing these factors can help injured passengers make informed decisions. Careful documentation can also help clarify potential sources of compensation under Connecticut law.]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[Who may be liable after a fall on broken apartment stairs?]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500532026-09-01T03:16:25Z2026-09-01T03:16:25ZA missed step on a cracked stair can upend your week in seconds, leaving you with a swollen ankle, medical bills and questions. When the fall happens on the shared stairs of your apartment building, one question rises above the rest: who is actually responsible? The answer usually depends on a few details worth piecing together.
Identify who controlled the apartment stairs
Responsibility tends to follow control. In most apartment buildings, no single tenant maintains the shared stairwells, so the landlord or property owner usually keeps that duty. When broken stairs sit in a common area, the party that maintained it is generally the first place to look.
Determine what made the staircase unsafe
Liability also turns on the specific hazard that caused your fall. A loose handrail, a cracked tread, worn coverings or poor lighting can each make an ordinary staircase dangerous. Pinning down the exact defect matters, because these conditions sit at the heart of defective stairway claims, which often turn on whether the danger was foreseeable and left unaddressed.
Establish what the landlord knew about the hazard
Knowing about a danger differs from being legally responsible for it. In most Connecticut cases, you generally must show the owner knew about the broken stairs, or reasonably should have known, and still failed to fix them. One exception matters: an owner usually gets a reasonable chance to find and repair a hazard, so courts may view a defect that appeared hours earlier differently.
Consider whether another party shares responsibility
The landlord is not always the only one on the hook. A property management company, a maintenance contractor who worked on the steps or the company that installed a faulty railing can share the blame when their choices contributed to the danger. Sorting out who did what often reveals more than one responsible party.
Account for your own role in the fall
It also helps to think honestly about your own actions, because the other side almost certainly will. Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence rule, so any fault assigned to you can reduce your compensation. If you bear 50% or less of the fault, you may still recover damages, although your percentage of fault reduces the amount. Once your share rises above 50%, Connecticut law prevents recovery.
Preserve evidence before the stairs are repaired
Broken stairs rarely stay broken for long, and a quick repair can erase the proof your claim depends on. As soon as you can, photograph the damaged step and write down what you remember about the lighting and the railing. Collect contact details for anyone who saw you fall, keep your medical records and report the hazard to the landlord in writing.
Decide which details deserve closer review
Here is what often surprises people: the answer rarely comes down to a single fact. The threads above can each pull a case in a different direction, and a detail that feels minor may carry the most weight.So the smartest next move is not to settle the question yourself, but to write down what you remember while it is fresh and let someone experienced weigh which facts matter. Acting before memories fade and someone repairs the stairs can help preserve your options.]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[When poor equipment maintenance causes an accident]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500512026-08-13T15:18:59Z2026-08-13T15:18:01ZMachines break down and that's normal. However, when a company skips routine maintenance, a small mechanical flaw can turn into a serious accident. When businesses cut corners on upkeep, workers, drivers and everyday consumers face real risks.
Why equipment fails without warning
Most machines give early signs of trouble: strange noises, leaks or slow performance. A responsible operator catches these signs and schedules repairs. A negligent one ignores them. Worn brake pads, frayed cables and rusted gears often cause the sudden failures that lead to crushing injuries, fires or vehicle crashes.
How Connecticut law handles these cases
Connecticut holds property owners, employers and equipment manufacturers to a duty of care. If a company knew about a hazard and didn't fix it, courts can find negligence. Workers' compensation covers many workplace injuries, but victims can sometimes file a separate claim against a negligent third party, like an equipment manufacturer or maintenance contractor.
What injured workers and consumers should do
Anyone hurt by faulty equipment should seek medical care first, then document the scene. Photos of the machine, maintenance logs and witness names all strengthen a claim. Connecticut's statute of limitations gives injured parties two years to file most personal injury lawsuits, so timing matters.
How companies can prevent these accidents
Regular inspections, staff training and clear repair schedules stop small problems before they become injuries. Businesses that invest in maintenance protect their workers and avoid costly lawsuits. In the end, prevention costs far less than an accident ever will.]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[How to prove someone was at fault in a car accident]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500432026-06-29T14:43:42Z2026-06-29T14:43:42ZSteps that can strengthen your liability claim
Liability usually depends on several facts, not just one document. Each piece of evidence can help establish negligence and connect the other driver's actions to the collision. You may begin building that record by taking these steps:
Report the collision right away: Call 911 so law enforcement can respond. The officer will usually prepare a report that notes the location, road conditions, driver statements and any traffic tickets.
Document the scene: Take photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, debris and traffic signs. You can also ask nearby businesses or public offices whether cameras captured the crash.
Talk to witnesses: Their independent statements can corroborate your account, especially when the drivers give conflicting versions of the collision.
Save digital records: Dashcam video or other vehicle data can help establish speed or other driving behavior before impact.
After you gather proof, the next issue is how the law weighs each driver’s conduct. Connecticut follows modified comparative negligence. This means your share of responsibility generally affects what you can recover.
If you are 50% or less at fault, your damages usually decrease by that percentage. However, if your share of responsibility is more than 50%, you typically cannot recover compensation.
Why early action matters after a crash
Evidence matters most when you act quickly. Witnesses may forget details, video can be erased and vehicle data may become harder to obtain.
For that reason, legal guidance often helps soon after a collision. An attorney can look for more sources of proof, help protect important records and explain how the facts fit the legal standards that apply to your claim. That support may also help you understand how fault findings can affect your recovery.]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[When dispatch device distraction is to blame for a semi-truck crash]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500382026-06-16T21:48:01Z2026-06-16T21:48:01ZTruck drivers should not text or email on the road
Most laws prohibiting texting while driving are state statutes. There is no federal law that applies to all motorists in every state.
However, there is a federal rule that governs device use by commercial drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has adopted a no-text rule. Truck drivers cannot handle a digital device manually for any reason while actively driving. Even the need to review a route update sent via email or text message could lead to a violation of this rule.
Those affected by semi-truck collisions may question whether digital distraction caused the crash. If communication with an employer was the source of distraction, the violation of the no-text rule could lead to company liability.
Working with an attorney to secure digital records can help people evaluate who was at fault for a semi-truck crash and what options they may have for covering their losses. If a trucking company is liable, then commercial insurance claims or personal injury litigation could potentially help cover collision expenses.]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[Why don’t drivers use their turn signals?]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500372026-06-04T08:34:59Z2026-06-04T08:34:59ZFailing to use a turn signal can be a critical mistake on the road. A driver who does not signal could merge into another vehicle on the interstate or turn in front of oncoming traffic unexpectedly. By failing to communicate their intentions to the drivers around them, they make accidents more likely.
But even though it is risky, you have certainly seen many drivers ignore their turn signals. Why don’t they use them consistently?
They are turning right
Some drivers do not use their turn signals for right turns, perhaps thinking it is only necessary when turning left. It is true that a left turn is more dangerous because of oncoming traffic, but signals are still necessary for right turns, especially when there are pedestrians or cyclists.
They do not see anyone else
Some drivers contend that they will use their signals if there are other people around, but they will ignore them if they do not see other vehicles. While this may feel like it makes sense in the moment, the thing to remember is that drivers make mistakes. Just because someone does not see another vehicle does not mean one is not present. For example, inattentional blindness means that a lot of drivers do not see motorcycles, even if they look at them.
They are behind another vehicle
Finally, some drivers do not turn on their signals if they are in a line of vehicles. They think that their decision to turn is already obvious. Someone who is sitting in the left lane behind three other cars that are all going to turn left, for example, may ignore turning their blinker on themselves.
Seeking financial compensation
Regardless of the reasons that people give for ignoring their blinkers, it is dangerous and potentially illegal. If you are injured in an accident that one of these negligent drivers causes, you may have a right to seek financial compensation.
]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[What happens after a hit-and-run accident in Connecticut?]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500352026-05-08T11:08:30Z2026-05-08T11:08:30ZWhat to do in the first hour
Your first priority is safety. Move to a secure spot if you can, then call 911 to report injuries and request police response. Write down anything you remember about the other vehicle, including color, make, partial plate and direction of travel. Photos of the damage, the scene and any debris left behind can help investigators later.
Connecticut requires drivers to report any crash involving injury, death or property damage that appears to exceed $1,000 to law enforcement. The investigating officer files a report with the Department of Motor Vehicles, and you should request a copy once it's available. Insurers typically expect notice within days, not weeks.
How Connecticut treats the driver who fled
Leaving the scene is a separate criminal offense from causing the crash itself. Connecticut’s evading responsibility statute sets penalties for fleeing drivers based on the harm caused, ranging from a misdemeanor for property-damage-only crashes to a felony with up to 20 years in prison when someone dies or suffers serious injuries.
Prosecutors must show the driver knew an accident occurred, which is why even minor contact can trigger charges if the other driver kept going. That said, criminal penalties punish the offender, but they do not pay your medical bills or repair your car.
Getting compensated when the driver isn't found
This is where many hit-and-run victims feel stuck, but Connecticut builds a safety net into every auto policy. State law treats hit-and-run drivers as uninsured for insurance purposes, which means your own coverage for at-fault driver gaps typically steps in.
Under Connecticut's uninsured motorist coverage statute, every auto policy issued in the state must include uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) protection at limits equal to the policy’s liability coverage, unless the policyholder elects lower limits in writing. Conditions still apply: you must report the crash promptly, though Connecticut law does not always require physical contact between vehicles to pursue a “phantom driver” claim. Collision coverage, if carried, can address vehicle damage subject to the deductible.
Connecticut also applies a two-year statute of limitations to personal injury claims from car accidents, so the window to act is shorter than it feels.
What to keep on file while your claim moves forward
Save everything: medical records, repair estimates, lost wages and any communication with police or insurers. You may choose to consult with a lawyer before providing recorded statements to your insurance company before understanding what the policy covers. If the at-fault driver is later identified, a direct claim against them can run alongside the UM/UIM claim.
A hit-and-run leaves you with two parallel tracks: a criminal investigation you don't control and a civil claim you do. Knowing the difference is what turns a frustrating situation into a recoverable one. If a fleeing driver injured you in Fairfield County, review your policy and the police report with an attorney who handles these claims, and do it well before the two-year clock runs out.]]>On Behalf of The Malowitz Law Firm, LLC<![CDATA[State lawmakers consider expanding workers’ comp PTSD benefits]]>https://www.malowitzlaw.com/?p=500342026-05-07T06:26:08Z2026-05-07T06:26:08ZIncreasingly, workers’ compensation authorities throughout the country are recognizing that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common work-related condition in first responders and other frontline workers and are making benefits less challenging to obtain.
Just two years ago, Connecticut expanded workers’ comp coverage of what is referred to under the law as post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) to include those in certain jobs who witness a death or an injury that eventually is fatal or who have physical contact with them. The law also covers those who see someone suffer a traumatic physical injury “that results in the loss of a vital body part or a vital body function that results in permanent disfigurement of the victim.” The law applies to anyone who is a “police officer, firefighter, emergency medical services personnel, Department of Correction employee, telecommunicator or health care provider….” The term “witness” can apply to 911 dispatchers and anyone else who “hears by telephone or radio while directly responding to an emergency call that constitutes a qualifying event….”
How would the law change?
Now, Connecticut state lawmakers are considering a modification to the law that would add more scenarios to the list of qualifying events. Specifically, the bill that’s being considered would add witnessing “a serious physical injury to a person that does not result in (I) the death of such person, or (II) the loss of a vital body part or a vital body function that results in a permanent disfigurement of such person.”In other words, if they witness the type of injury that could cause death or significant, permanent physical damage, the victim wouldn’t need to have suffered those fates for a first responder or health care provider to receive workers’ comp benefits.One Bridgeport police officer who testified before lawmakers on behalf of the proposed change said, “This bill fixes a serious flaw in our current PTSD workers’ compensation law.” Frontline workers witness catastrophic injuries that can cause trauma regardless of the outcome of the injury. The fact that they may have survived doesn’t make what they saw any less difficult.Getting workers’ comp benefits for work-related mental health conditions involving post-traumatic stress can still be more challenging than it is to get compensation for physical injuries that are generally more easily documented and linked to a person’s job. Getting experienced legal guidance can help improve the chances of a favorable outcome.]]>