Connecticut Injury Lawyer

The Law Office of Kevin L. Hoffkins maintains a sophisticated practice in several areas of litigation. Kevin L. Hoffkins is a skilled Westport injury lawyer who advocates for accident victims, and he also can guide Connecticut residents through a divorce or through immigration proceedings. The Law Office of Kevin L. Hoffkins is dedicated to providing the most professional and trusted legal advice in its field. You may be assured that we will provide personal attention to your case. Kevin L. Hoffkins has the skills and experience required to help you seek your preferred result. He has zealously represented Connecticut residents for almost three decades and will tirelessly advocate on your behalf.

Accidents that cause injuries rarely occur without some degree of negligence, and negligent parties can be held liable for any harm that they caused. In Connecticut, to prove liability based on a theory of negligence, a plaintiff must show that he or she was owed a duty of care by the defendant. The plaintiff must then show that the defendant breached the duty owed and that the breach was a significant factor in causing the plaintiff’s harm. Some common situations that can result in personal injury claims include motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, and incidents involving defective products.

Car accidents in Connecticut frequently cause significant injuries, including fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and organ damage. If you were injured in a car accident caused by another driver, you may be able to recover both economic and noneconomic damages for your harm with the assistance of an injury attorney in the Westport area. Economic damages include compensation for any medical expenses incurred in treating injuries caused by the accident, as well as lost income if you are unable to work due to your injuries. Noneconomic damages include damages for the pain and suffering and mental anguish that you experienced because of the accident. A lawsuit seeking damages usually must be filed within two years of the date of the accident.

Accidents involving commercial trucks and tractor-trailers typically cause more substantial harm than ordinary car accidents, due to the immense size and weight of the trucks. In addition to the duties imposed on all Connecticut drivers by state law, truck drivers are required to comply with federal regulations regarding the safe operation of trucks. If a driver fails to comply with the regulations, he or she likely can be held liable for any harm caused by an accident. Additionally, the driver’s employer may be held liable for the harm caused by the driver.

Under Connecticut law, anyone who is in possession or control of a property has a duty to maintain the property in a safe condition. A property owner or possessor may be held liable for any harm caused by a dangerous condition on the property. To impose liability for an accident caused by a dangerous condition, the victim and their Westport injury attorney must show that the party in control of the property knew or should have known of the condition. Proving liability following a slip and fall accident can be challenging, and any accident should be promptly investigated so that evidence can be preserved.

While most dogs are friendly, some are not, and even the friendliest dogs can become aggressive and bite a person. Connecticut has a strict liability dog bite statute, which means that an owner of a dog is liable for any damages to a person or property caused by the dog’s bite unless the person who was bitten was trespassing or abusing or tormenting the dog. In other words, a person injured by a dog bite does not need to prove that the dog owner was negligent or that the dog owner knew or should have known that the dog was vicious. Dog bites can cause nerve damage, fractures, scarring, and psychological harm. Anyone bitten by a dog should meet with a Westport injury lawyer to discuss their next legal steps.

Family law matters range from crafting prenuptial agreements to pursuing a divorce and setting up child custody and support arrangements. The Connecticut legislature has enacted certain laws to guide courts in resolving these issues. For example, marital property must be divided between the divorcing spouses in a manner that is equitable, or fair. This does not necessarily mean an equal split. However, each spouse is entitled to keep all of their separate property. Characterizing property as either marital or separate thus can be critical in determining who receives a certain asset.

To obtain a divorce in Connecticut, one of the spouses must have been a resident of Connecticut for at least a year prior to the filing of the complaint or the decree, or one of the spouses must have lived in Connecticut at the time of the marriage and returned to Connecticut before filing the complaint. The spouses also can obtain a divorce if the grounds for the divorce happened after either party moved to Connecticut. Although Connecticut allows parties to seek a fault-based divorce, most people seek a no-fault divorce. This can be a more efficient and amicable way to end a marriage.

If the parents of a child decide to end their relationship, they will typically share custody of the child. Connecticut law allows for joint custody, and if the parents cannot come to a custody agreement, the court will develop an arrangement that is in the best interest of the child. Factors considered in determining what is in the child’s best interest include the child’s preference, the child’s relationship with each parent and any siblings, and the child’s need for consistency and stability. The court will also consider the health of the child and each parent and assess whether one parent is better able to meet the child’s emotional and educational needs.

Under Connecticut law, both parents have an obligation to provide financial support for their children. In many cases, one parent will earn more money than the other parent and will need to pay child support. Connecticut has outlined child support guidelines that allow courts to impose support obligations based on each parent’s income, the cost of providing for the child, and the amount of time that the child spends with each parent. Courts are permitted to deviate from the guidelines, however, if unusual circumstances exist.

Moving to the United States can be an exciting endeavor, but the laws pertaining to immigration frequently change and can be difficult to interpret. This can make it challenging to obtain the legal right to enter or remain in the U.S. Whether you are eligible to obtain a visa, become a legal permanent resident, or secure asylum depends on numerous factors. The process of obtaining approval for each immigration-related filing can be time-consuming and tricky. If you wish to enter or remain in the U.S., you should retain an attorney who is experienced in handling immigration matters to assist you with completing and submitting your paperwork.

If you have suffered injuries in an accident, it is crucial to retain an assertive injury lawyer in the Westport area who will work tirelessly to help you seek the best result available under the facts of your case. Divorce proceedings and immigration applications also involve high stakes and benefit from assistance by a knowledgeable attorney. Attorney Kevin L. Hoffkins represents people throughout Fairfield and New Haven Counties. You can contact us at (203) 221-2684 or through the online form to schedule a free consultation to find out more about our services.