When a wrongful death occurs in Connecticut, families often pursue compensation through insurance claims. Behind the scenes, insurance adjusters play a central role in evaluating these claims—determining liability, calculating damages, and ultimately influencing settlement outcomes. Understanding how adjusters conduct their investigations can help grieving families and their attorneys better prepare for the process and protect their legal rights.

This article breaks down how wrongful death claims are investigated by insurance companies in Connecticut, what factors adjusters focus on, and why having strong evidence from the outset can significantly impact the outcome.

What Triggers an Insurance Investigation After a Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death claim in Connecticut typically arises when a person dies due to another party's negligence or misconduct. Common scenarios include fatal car accidents, medical malpractice, workplace incidents, or defective products. Once a claim is filed—whether against an at-fault driver's auto insurer, a hospital's liability carrier, or a property owner's policy—the insurer assigns an adjuster to begin a formal investigation.

The goal isn't just to verify that a death occurred but to determine:

• Was the policyholder legally responsible for the death?
• Is coverage available under the terms of the policy?
• What are the financial damages resulting from the death?

Steps Insurance Adjusters Take During the Investigation

Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize risk and reduce payouts. Their process is systematic and heavily documentation-driven. Here's how they typically approach a wrongful death claim in Connecticut:

1. Reviewing the Death Certificate and Medical Records

Adjusters begin by confirming the cause and manner of death. They request the official death certificate and medical documentation to identify any underlying health conditions or intervening factors. If the deceased had a pre-existing condition, the insurer may argue it contributed to the death—potentially reducing liability.

2. Examining Police Reports or Incident Documentation

In cases involving car crashes, workplace deaths, or falls, adjusters closely review official reports. They look for:

• Statements from witnesses or first responders
• Traffic citations or OSHA violations
• Diagrams, photographs, or video footage

They'll assess whether the deceased may have contributed to the incident. For example, if the decedent was jaywalking at the time of a fatal pedestrian accident, the insurer may cite Connecticut's comparative negligence rule to argue for a reduced settlement.

3. Interviewing Witnesses and Parties Involved

Insurance companies often contact eyewitnesses, medical staff, co-workers, or family members. Their goal is to build a narrative that either supports or challenges liability. Some adjusters conduct informal interviews, while others hire private investigators to collect more extensive background.

It's worth noting that adjusters may also monitor public social media profiles for statements or photos that contradict the family's claims about the deceased's condition or quality of life.

4. Analyzing Liability Under Connecticut Law

Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence standard. If the deceased was found to be more than 50% at fault, their estate cannot recover damages. Adjusters use this rule to their advantage, often emphasizing shared fault to reduce claim value.

For instance, in a construction site fatality, an insurer might argue the worker failed to follow safety protocols—shifting some responsibility away from the employer or general contractor.

5. Requesting Financial Documentation

To assess economic damages, the adjuster reviews:

• The decedent's recent tax returns or W-2s
• Pay stubs and employment contracts
• Documentation of future earning potential (if available)

They also evaluate expenses like funeral costs and medical bills incurred before death. Non-economic damages—such as pain and suffering or loss of companionship—are harder to quantify and more likely to be disputed.

Factors That Influence the Adjuster's Settlement Offer

Several factors weigh heavily in the adjuster's final valuation of a wrongful death claim:

• Strength of liability evidence: Clear fault (e.g., a DUI fatality) often results in higher offers.
• Age and income of the deceased: Younger individuals with high earnings potential generally yield larger economic damages.
• Family dependency: If surviving children or a spouse relied on the decedent for financial or emotional support, this boosts the claim's value.
• Availability of insurance limits: Regardless of damages, the policy's coverage limit sets a ceiling on potential compensation.
• Past similar settlements: Adjusters compare similar case outcomes to benchmark offers.

According to the National Safety Council, the average economic cost of a preventable fatality in the U.S. exceeds $1.7 million, though actual wrongful death settlements often vary widely depending on liability and policy caps.

Tactics Adjusters Use to Undermine Claims

Insurance adjusters are not neutral. Their job is to limit the insurer's liability. Tactics they may use include:

• Pressuring families to settle early before they've consulted legal counsel
• Questioning the closeness of the family's relationship with the deceased
• Claiming the death was partially or fully the fault of the victim
• Requesting excessive documentation to delay the process or frustrate claimants

This is why legal representation is often essential in wrongful death cases. Attorneys can handle communication with adjusters, challenge disputed facts, and push back against lowball settlement offers.

How Attorneys Can Influence the Outcome

Experienced wrongful death attorneys in Connecticut know how to build strong cases that hold up under scrutiny. Their role includes:

• Preserving key evidence early (e.g., accident reconstructions, surveillance footage)
• Consulting with medical experts and economists
• Managing all communications with insurers to avoid missteps
• Negotiating from a position of strength using precedent and legal strategy

In many cases, the presence of a skilled attorney alone increases the insurer's willingness to offer a fair settlement. If negotiations fail, an attorney can file a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court, which often prompts renewed settlement talks.

Conclusion

The process insurance adjusters use to investigate wrongful death claims in Connecticut is detailed, strategic, and geared toward protecting their bottom line. Families who approach this process without preparation—or legal support—risk leaving significant compensation on the table. By understanding how these investigations unfold and anticipating the tactics insurers use, families and attorneys can better navigate the claims process and seek the justice their loved one deserves.

Need Legal Help? Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law is One Phone Call Away

Navigating a Wrongful Death Claim in Connecticut can be challenging. Fortunately, you don't need to do it alone. The experienced lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, are available 24/7 to help you understand your legal options, gather necessary evidence, and build a strong case to secure the settlement you deserve.

Contact us now for a free legal review.