Gillis & Gillis P.C.FindLaw IM Template2026-06-22T13:58:08Zhttps://www.gillislawfirm.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1100436/2024/04/cropped-abt-img-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Gillis & Gillis P.C.<![CDATA[Are vehicle touchscreens creating new driving distractions?]]>https://www.gillislawfirm.com/?p=511282026-06-22T13:58:08Z2026-06-22T13:58:08ZEveryday tasks that now happen on a screen
Many features that once relied on physical buttons now require you to use a digital display. Common activities include:
Entering a destination into a navigation system
Adjusting heating and air conditioning settings
Changing music or entertainment selections
Reviewing vehicle settings and alerts
Connecting and using smartphone applications
Some of these activities require several steps and can pull your attention away from the roadway for longer than you realize.
How vehicle screens compete for your attention
Using a dashboard screen can divide your attention in several ways. Common distractions that can cause a crash include:
Looking away from traffic to find a menu or icon
Taking a hand off the steering wheel to make a selection
Focusing on the display instead of surrounding conditions
At 55 miles per hour, for example, your vehicle travels about 80 feet every second. In that time, traffic can slow suddenly, another vehicle can enter your lane or a pedestrian can step into a crosswalk.
Why screen-related distractions can lead to severe crashes
If your eyes leave the road for only a few seconds, you can miss important changes in traffic. Distracted driving can contribute to rear-end crashes, intersection collisions and accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists.
These collisions can cause life-changing injuries. High-speed impacts can result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage and other catastrophic injuries that require long-term medical care and keep some people from returning to physically demanding jobs.
What can happen after a screen-related crash
Distracted driving does not involve only texting or talking on a cellphone. A driver can also become distracted by technology built into the vehicle.
After a serious crash, investigators may examine witness statements, physical evidence from the scene and information stored by the vehicle. In some cases, this evidence may help show whether a driver was interacting with a dashboard screen instead of watching the road.
Technology does not change the demands of driving
Vehicle technology will continue to evolve, but driving still requires your full attention. Built-in screens offer convenience, yet they can also create distractions that contribute to serious collisions.
As digital displays become more common in vehicles, discussions about distracted driving will likely include not only cellphones but also the technology that drivers use inside their vehicles every day.]]>On Behalf of Gillis & Gillis P.C.<![CDATA[Can you be fired for filing a workers’ comp claim?]]>https://www.gillislawfirm.com/?p=511262026-06-16T15:47:52Z2026-06-16T15:47:52ZConnecticut law protects workers from retaliation
Retaliation can take several forms, including:
Terminating your employment after you report a work injury
Cutting your hours or changing your work schedule
Removing job duties or lowering your position
Harassing you because you filed a claim
Pressuring you to return before a doctor clears you to work
Employers cannot terminate or discriminate against you simply because you file a workers' compensation claim or seek benefits after a workplace injury. These protections apply in many industries, including construction, health care and manufacturing.
Signs that your firing may be related to your claim
Not every job loss after a workplace injury amounts to unlawful retaliation. However, the timing of your firing and the events around it can raise questions.
For example, an employer may terminate an employee shortly after the employee files a workers' compensation claim. An employer may also begin documenting performance issues that did not exist before the injury or complain about time missed for medical treatment. While these actions do not prove retaliation on their own, they can become important parts of the overall picture.
What happens to your workers' compensation claim?
A job loss does not automatically end a workers' compensation claim. In Connecticut, the workplace injury and the firing may involve separate legal issues. Depending on the facts, a worker may continue pursuing workers' compensation benefits while questions about the termination receive separate review under state law.
Connecticut law recognizes workers' rights
Losing a job after a workplace injury can create financial strain for any family. The effects can be especially serious for construction workers and other laborers whose jobs depend on physical work and years of experience.
Connecticut's anti-retaliation law reflects an important principle. Workers should not have to risk their livelihoods to seek benefits after a job-related injury. When employers retaliate against injured employees, the law provides ways to challenge those actions and hold employers accountable.]]>On Behalf of Gillis & Gillis P.C.<![CDATA[5 hidden risks of repetitive motion injuries for manual laborers]]>https://www.gillislawfirm.com/?p=511132026-04-27T15:48:07Z2026-04-27T15:48:07ZIf you work in construction in Connecticut, repetitive motion can quietly damage your body long before you feel the full effects. These injuries usually do not happen all at once. But they build slowly and by the time you notice, the damage may already be serious. Thus, understanding what these injuries are is the first step to protecting yourself at your job.
What are repetitive motion injuries?
Repetitive motion injuries (RMIs) often occur when you perform the same physical task again and again. Tasks such as gripping tools, bending, twisting or operating heavy machinery puts constant stress on your muscles, nerves, tendons and joints. Over time, that stress leads to inflammation, pain and lasting damage.For construction workers, the risk is especially high because the job demands physical effort every single day. Therefore, knowing the specific threats on your job site can help you act before serious harm sets in.
Five hidden threats you should know
These dangers do not always show up as obvious accidents. In fact, some of the most damaging injuries on construction sites are the ones that creep up on you over time. Here are five RMI threats every Connecticut construction worker should watch out for:
Cumulative damage: RMIs build up gradually and can permanently harm you before you realize how serious the damage has become.
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS): Long-term use of jackhammers and drills damages the blood vessels and nerves in your hands, leading to permanent numbness or loss of sensation in your fingers.
Awkward postures and static load: Kneeling for flooring, overhead drilling or constant bending strains your spine and joints, even without heavy lifting.
Trigger finger and tendonitis: Repeatedly gripping tools or tying rebar causes chronic inflammation that can develop into trigger finger, tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Lower back and joint erosion: Years of lifting, twisting and carrying heavy materials can result in lower back strain, knee bursitis and herniated discs.
These injuries may start small, but they can grow into serious, life-altering conditions. If any of these threats sound familiar, know that you may have options worth exploring.
Your health and future both matter
No one should have to face the long-term effects of a work-related injury alone. If years of repetitive work on a Connecticut construction site have worn your body down, you deserve to know where you stand. Understanding your situation fully, including what options and resources you may have, can make a real difference as you move forward. After all, you worked hard to build your career and that same effort deserves to go into protecting your well-being.]]>On Behalf of Gillis & Gillis P.C.<![CDATA[Can a broken traffic signal make the city liable for your crash?]]>https://www.gillislawfirm.com/?p=511112026-03-27T12:44:30Z2026-03-27T12:44:00ZUnderstanding government responsibility
For the city or town to potentially be liable, your claim must establish the following:
The city did not repair the signal within a reasonable time after learning of the issue
The signal failure was a proximate (legal) cause of your crash
Furthermore, you must prove that the city had prior knowledge of the defect and failed to take timely action. This concept is known as "notice" and to demonstrate this, you will typically need evidence such as maintenance logs, dispatch reports or records of prior citizen complaints.
Outlining Connecticut's rules for municipal lawsuits
Suing a city or town in Connecticut is fundamentally different from suing a private party. The state's governmental immunity doctrine protects municipalities from lawsuits tied to discretionary acts, decisions that require official judgment and planning. This immunity, however, is not absolute.
An important exception applies to ministerial duties, which are routine tasks the government must carry out in a set, defined way without the exercise of judgment. Traffic signal maintenance often falls into a gray area between discretionary and ministerial duties, and state courts have had to carefully draw that line in various cases.
Another hurdle is that, if the court legally classifies the broken signal as a "highway defect" under the Defective Highway Statute, you must prove the city's negligence was the "sole proximate cause" of the crash. This means if you or another driver shares even a fraction of the blame for the collision, the municipality may avoid liability entirely.
Filing your claim against a government entity
If you file a claim against the city, you must submit a formal written notice to the municipality within 90 days of your injury. This notice must explicitly describe the defect, the nature of your injury and the precise details of the incident. Filing late or omitting vital details will typically cause the court to dismiss your case.]]>On Behalf of Gillis & Gillis P.C.<![CDATA[Types of benefits covered by Connecticut workers’ compensation]]>https://www.gillislawfirm.com/?p=511072026-02-16T19:31:47Z2026-02-16T19:26:42ZMedical benefits
Your Connecticut WC insurance can pay for your necessary medical expenses, including medical treatments, x-rays, surgery costs, medicines and hospital bills.
Keep in mind that if your employer has an approved managed care plan, you must choose a doctor from that list to seek prompt medical care for your workplace injury or illness.
Wage loss
If your injury or illness has caused you a temporary total disability that made you incapable of working, your WC insurance can cover a portion of your wage loss or 75% of your average weekly wage, while you are in recovery.
Permanent disability benefits
The state also provides WC benefits for employees whose workplace accidents have caused them permanent disabilities. Four examples of such injuries include:
The loss of both feet
The loss of both hands
A permanent loss of sight in both eyes
An injury that has caused permanent paralysis of the leg/s or arm/s
Since the employees can no longer work because of their impairments, they may be eligible for lifetime benefits.
Staying informed can lead you to better outcomes
When you learn about how Connecticut’s workers’ comp processes work, you can file your claim with better preparedness and receive financial help for your medical bills and/or lost wages.]]>On Behalf of Gillis & Gillis P.C.<![CDATA[“Pain and suffering” damages: How we put a dollar figure on your life changes]]>https://www.gillislawfirm.com/?p=510962025-12-23T14:41:28Z2025-12-23T14:41:28ZThose hurt seriously in Connecticut car crashes typically have two primary sources of compensation available to them. They can file an insurance claim seeking reimbursement for their economic losses, including property damage expenses and injury-related costs, or they may also be able to initiate a personal injury lawsuit.
Even if the injured person is partially at fault for the crash, they can hold the driver primarily at fault accountable. If the person injured in a car crash wants to pursue justice by filing a personal injury lawsuit, they can seek what is called "non-economic" damages in addition to provable financial losses. The most frequently claimed non-economic damages are "pain and suffering." This is a recognition that many people deserve some form of compensation for all the difficulties they experience while recovering from their injuries.
What constitutes pain and suffering?
Connecticut acknowledges multiple forms of emotional and physical pain for non-economic damages in a personal injury lawsuit. The first and most obvious is the physical suffering people experience due to their injuries. Pain from fractures, brain injuries and amputations can persist for months or sometimes even the rest of a person's life. People can also seek pain and suffering compensation for the emotional distress caused by their injuries. Severe injuries may lead to a variety of diagnosable mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. They may also develop phobias or intense fears related to traveling in motor vehicles. The third type of pain and suffering acknowledged by the state is the loss of enjoyment that comes from having severe injuries. People may no longer be able to enjoy their preferred pastimes, such as participating in triathlons or hobbies that require manual dexterity. Finally, people can make pain and suffering cases and scenarios where they develop disfiguring scars that can affect their social opportunities and self-esteem.
What is pain and suffering worth?
People who recognize that they are likely eligible for pain and suffering compensation may feel unsure of how much compensation to request. After all, their emotional and physical experiences are not easy to quantify. There are two different methods used to calculate pain and suffering. In some cases, plaintiffs and their lawyers use a multiplier to calculate their pain and suffering. They add their total medical expenses and lost wages and then apply a multiplier of between one and a half and five to that figure to calculate their non-economic pain and suffering damages. In cases where people calculate losses related to physical pain, they may use a per diem method. They establish a daily rate that often correlates to their usual income and multiply that by the number of days it took for them to recover from their injuries.
What is the maximum amount of damages?
Some states have implemented statutory limitations on non-economic damages. Connecticut does not have such a limit in place. Injured people can potentially request any reasonable amount that they can validate based on their experiences. Pain and suffering claims can range from tens of thousands of dollars to millions of dollars, depending on the extent of the injuries and the circumstances that caused them. The process of developing a pain and suffering claim is complex, and aspiring plaintiffs often need help understanding the law and accurately calculating the damages they can request. Working with a personal injury attorney can help people optimize their financial recovery after a car crash causes devastating and painful injuries.]]>On Behalf of Gillis & Gillis P.C.<![CDATA[Trench and excavation accidents: What should workers know?]]>https://www.gillislawfirm.com/?p=510932025-12-19T16:00:36Z2025-12-19T16:00:36ZTrench collapses and excavation accidents are some of the most dangerous events on a construction site. They often happen without warning and can cause severe injuries. In Connecticut, workers face these risks on road projects, utility repairs and building sites. Understanding safety rules and your legal rights can help you stay safe.
Why trench collapses happen
A trench collapse occurs when the walls of a hole give way, trapping workers inside. Soil is very heavy. Even a shallow collapse can crush a person in seconds. These accidents often happen when crews do not use "shoring" (supports) or "sloping" (cutting the walls at an angle).Water also makes the ground weak. Rain, snow or leaking pipes can cause sudden cave-ins. Also, heavy machines parked too close to the edge add pressure and cause walls to fail.In Connecticut, safety rules depend on who you work for. Federal OSHA covers private-sector workers. CONN-OSHA covers state and local government workers. Both require protective systems for trenches five feet or deeper. Even for shallower trenches, a "competent person" on-site must check for danger and use protective measures if the soil is unstable.
Common injuries and legal protections
These accidents can cause broken bones, brain injuries or trouble breathing. If you are hurt on the job, you may qualify for workers' compensation.Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-284, the law uses a "no-fault" system. This means you usually do not have to prove the employer did something wrong. However, insurers can deny benefits if willful misconduct caused the injury or if drugs or alcohol played a role.If you qualify, you can receive medical care and wage replacement. According to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-307, this equals about 75% of your average weekly take-home pay.Sometimes, a third party, such as a machine manufacturer or another contractor, causes the accident. In those cases, you might have a separate legal claim, and you generally have two years to file these types of claims.
Next steps to take
A trench accident can change your life in seconds. After an injury, your focus should stay on safety, medical care and income support. Knowing your rights helps you avoid mistakes that can cost benefits. It also enables you to see when another party may share fault. Speaking with an attorney can guide you through claims and deadlines. This support can help you secure the full benefits you deserve.]]>On Behalf of Gillis & Gillis P.C.<![CDATA[Are headaches and chronic pain catastrophic injuries?]]>https://www.gillislawfirm.com/?p=510882025-10-24T16:11:07Z2025-10-24T16:11:07ZKey characteristics of catastrophic injuries
A catastrophic injury is different from a regular injury. It often leaves irreparable damage to your body, resulting in physical or cognitive impairments. Additionally, this type of injury can last for a lifetime and may need continuous medical treatment.
Headaches and chronic pain can be catastrophic injuries because they could be delayed symptoms of a traumatic brain injury or post-concussion syndrome. These, if untreated, can progress to permanent disabilities or death.
Consequences of catastrophic injuries
Hidden injuries, such as headaches and chronic pain, can affect every aspect of your life:
Reduced quality of life: Your injuries can significantly affect your abilities, preventing you from performing simple tasks.
Mental stress: Your injuries can trigger a sudden change in your life, making you feel regret, anger, frustration and despair all at once.
Financial hardship: Your injuries may require long-term treatment, affecting your life savings and other financial resources.
These impacts highlight why hidden injuries also require the same urgency as other catastrophic injuries.
Actions you can take
Catastrophic injuries, whether visible or hidden, are devastating. Recognizing the consequences and accepting your situation is the first step toward recovery.
If someone’s negligence caused your injury, you may have the right to file a claim in Connecticut. However, this process can be complex. Consider researching relevant statutes to learn more about your rights and limitations.]]>On Behalf of Gillis & Gillis P.C.<![CDATA[How modified comparative negligence rules affect injury lawsuits]]>https://www.gillislawfirm.com/?p=510862025-09-29T09:37:19Z2025-09-29T09:37:19ZFault can reduce compensation
Comparative negligence is a term that refers to each party's degree of responsibility for an incident. If a drunk driver causes a crash with a sober motorist who failed to use their turn signal, both parties played a role in causing the wreck. Therefore, the modified comparative negligence law applies.
The courts may allocate a percentage of fault to both drivers. So long as the plaintiff is not more than 50% at fault for the collision, they have the right to proceed with the lawsuit. However, the degree of fault that the courts assign to them affects the amount of compensation that they receive.
The final award determined by the courts gets reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the plaintiff. If they are 30% at fault for the collision because they did not use their turn signal, then they only receive 70% of the damages awarded after a successful lawsuit.
Even in scenarios where drivers make small mistakes that play a role in causing a crash, they do still have the right to request compensation from a party with the greater degree of fault. Reviewing the circumstances of a recent motor vehicle collision with a skilled legal team can help people assess their options for covering their crash expenses, including a personal injury lawsuit.]]>On Behalf of Gillis & Gillis P.C.<![CDATA[What is OSHA’s role in construction accident investigations?]]>https://www.gillislawfirm.com/?p=510422025-08-30T02:34:44Z2025-08-30T02:34:44ZConstruction work is one of the most dangerous industries in the United States. From heavy machinery to elevated work sites, hazards are everywhere. When an accident occurs, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) often becomes a central figure in the investigation that follows – particularly when there may be negligence involved.
Understanding OSHA’s role can help injured workers, employers, and their attorneys navigate the aftermath of a serious construction accident.
What Is OSHA?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Labor. Its mission is to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for employees by setting and enforcing safety standards that employers are required to follow, and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance that benefits both companies and workers.When a construction accident happens, OSHA has both the authority and responsibility to investigate, especially if the incident involves a serious injury, fatality or a pattern of unsafe practices.
How does OSHA get involved?
When a construction accident happens, the overall response by OSHA is usually quick. Several key stages of an OSHA investigation are:
Immediate Response and Notification
Employers are legally required to notify OSHA of serious workplace injuries (such as hospitalizations, amputations or loss of an eye) within 24 hours, and fatalities within 8 hours. This reporting requirement ensures OSHA is alerted quickly and can launch an investigation while evidence is still easy to obtain. These rules exist to make sure dangerous conditions are addressed before anybody else gets hurt.
On-Site Investigation Processes
OSHA inspectors, or “compliance officers,” will visit the accident scene. They will interview witnesses, examine equipment, review safety procedures and take photographs or measurements. Their goal is to determine what happened and whether safety regulations were followed. This can uncover unsafe practices that contributed to the accident.
A Review of Safety Standards
OSHA investigators compare the conditions at the worksite to established safety standards. They look at issues like fall protection, scaffolding safety, machine guarding, personal protective equipment (PPE) and far more. This ensures employers are held accountable if they fail to meet federal safety requirements.
Citations and Penalties Considered
If violations are found, OSHA can issue citations and impose financial penalties on the liable employer. Citations are public records and can be used as evidence in legal claims in the future by injury victims. Penalties are meant not only to punish an employer’s unsafe practices by affecting their profits but also to push them to make changes that will improve safety.
Initiation of Corrective Action
Beyond fines, OSHA often requires employers to correct unsafe conditions immediately. This can include retraining for employees, upgrading equipment or drastically changing worksite procedures.
Why OSHA Investigations Matter in Construction Accident Cases
For injured workers and their attorneys, OSHA’s involvement can be critical. An OSHA report or citation can serve as powerful evidence in a personal injury or workers’ compensation case. It demonstrates that safety standards were violated and helps establish liability.Even if OSHA does not find a violation, its investigation can provide valuable details about how the accident happened, offering insight for attorneys building a case.If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, a consultation with an experienced construction accident attorney can be invaluable. A lawyer can help you understand OSHA’s findings, protect your legal rights and pursue the compensation you deserve and need to move forward.]]>