How to Sue a Company or Person in Connecticut

Filing a lawsuit can seem intimidating, but with the right guidance, it becomes a structured process. If you’re considering taking legal action against an individual or business in Connecticut, this article will walk you through every stage of the process. Whether you’re filing a small claims dispute or a complex civil case, understanding how to sue in Connecticut is essential to enforcing your rights and achieving a favorable outcome.

In this detailed guide, you’ll learn how to evaluate your legal claim, choose the appropriate court, file your paperwork, and properly serve the defendant. By the end, you’ll know the basics of how to sue in Connecticut with confidence. If you’re looking for even more detail, consider checking out our full course:

Part I: Evaluating Whether You Should Sue in Connecticut

Before you even pick up a court form, it’s essential to determine whether your case is valid and whether the Connecticut court system is the right place to resolve it.

Do You Have Legal Grounds to Sue in Connecticut?

The first step in learning how to sue in Connecticut is deciding whether you have a legally recognized claim. Common civil claims include:

• Breach of contract – e.g., someone failed to fulfill the terms of an agreement.
• Negligence – e.g., you were injured because of someone’s careless actions.
• Trespass to Chattels – for intentional interference with personal property (e.g., your car)
• Conversion – for unauthorized use or destruction of personal property
• Nuisance – for conduct interfering with your use and enjoyment of property
• Property damage – e.g., someone damaged your home or car.
• Retaliatory Eviction – under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-20, if the eviction follows tenant complaints
• Fraudulent Misrepresentation – for knowingly false advertising or claims

For more legal claims visit Causes of Action in Connecticut.

Each of these types of cases must meet certain legal “elements.” For example, to succeed in a negligence case, you must prove duty, breach, causation, and damages. Courts do not entertain vague grievances—your complaint must be tied to a specific legal claim under Connecticut law.

Check the Statute of Limitations Before You Sue in Connecticut

Each type of case has a deadline called a statute of limitations. If you wait too long, the court may dismiss your lawsuit—even if your claim is valid.

Here are some common deadlines under Connecticut law:

• Personal injury: 2 years
• Property damage: 2 years
• Written contracts: 6 years
• Oral contracts: 3 years
• Landlord-tenant: varies, but usually within 1–3 years

The clock generally starts when the injury occurs or the breach of agreement happens. However, there are exceptions—like tolling for minors or fraud discovery delays. Always confirm the statute of limitations before you sue.

Knowing these timelines is key to understanding how to sue in Connecticut without losing your rights before you even begin.

Choose the Right Court to Sue in Connecticut

There are three main court options when deciding how to sue in Connecticut:

1. Small Claims Court – Handles disputes up to $5,000, or more for security deposit cases. It’s faster, less formal, and designed for people without attorneys.
2. Superior Court – Handles larger or more complex civil matters, including personal injury, employment, real estate, and business disputes. This court has formal procedures and often involves lawyers, motions, and discovery.
3. Housing Court – A division of the Superior Court dedicated to landlord-tenant cases in cities like Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, and Bridgeport.

Choosing the right court depends on the nature and amount of your claim. Suing in the wrong court can result in dismissal or delays. Venue (the location) also matters—generally, you must file where the defendant lives or where the issue occurred.

Part II: Filing Your Lawsuit in Connecticut

Once you’ve determined you have a valid claim and know where to file, the next step in how to sue in Connecticut is preparing and submitting the required documents.

Prepare the Summons and Complaint

To officially start a lawsuit, you’ll need two key documents: the Summons and the Complaint.

• The Summons (form JD-CV-1) is a court-issued notice informing the defendant that a lawsuit has been filed and they must respond by a specific date.
• The Complaint is a written document explaining:
  • Who you are and who you’re suing
  • What happened (the facts)
  • What legal claims you’re making
  • What remedy or compensation you want (called “relief”)

The Complaint must be written clearly and follow proper formatting. Each legal claim should be listed as a separate “Count.” For example:

• Count I – Breach of Contract
• Count II – Violation of Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA)

Keep in mind that your Summons must include a return date, which is always a Tuesday. The return date is used to set the schedule of the case.

Read More: How to Write a Legal Complaint in Connecticut

Filing the Lawsuit in Court

After completing the Summons and Complaint, the next step in how to sue in Connecticut is filing your paperwork with the appropriate Superior Court or Small Claims Court.

For Superior Court cases:

1. Make several copies of the Summons and Complaint.
2. Pay the filing fee.
3. Use the Judicial Branch’s e-filing system (https://efile.ct.gov) or file in person at the courthouse.
4. The clerk will assign a docket number and keep the original documents for the court record.

For Small Claims Court:

• Use the Summons form and Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit (JD-CV-40) form.
• Pay the filing fee.
• You can file electronically or in person at any clerk’s office.
• A docket number will be assigned after filing.

Read More: How to Electronically File Court Documents in Connecticut

Apply for a Fee Waiver if You Can’t Afford the Costs

If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can ask the court to waive it using Form JD-CV-120 (Application for Waiver of Fees/Payment of Costs). You’ll need to provide financial information and explain your need.

Part III: Serving the Defendant in Connecticut

Even if you file your case correctly, the defendant has a right to be notified in a very specific way. Proper service of process is required to move your case forward.

Who Can Serve the Papers When You Sue in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, you cannot serve the defendant yourself. The most common and legally accepted way is to use a state marshal. The state marshal will deliver the documents and submit a return showing that service occurred.

To find a State Marshal:

• Visit the Connecticut Judicial Branch’s directory of state marshals.

When and How to Serve Legal Documents

The process of serving papers includes the following timing and method rules:

• Service must be completed early enough to allow enough time to file the return of service with the court at least six days before the return date.
• Acceptable methods of service include:
  • In-hand delivery to the defendant
  • Leaving the documents at their usual place of abode
  • Other court-approved methods (e.g., mail or publication, in rare cases)

State Marshals usually charge around $50 for service, but the price may vary depending on the amount of attempts. The fees are set in Connecticut General Statutes 52-261.

What If You Can’t Find the Defendant?

If you’ve tried and failed to locate the defendant, you may:

1. File a motion (often titled “Motion for Order of Notice” or “Motion for Alternative Service”).
2. Include an affidavit of diligent search explaining efforts to find the defendant (e.g., returned mail, address history, search attempts).
3. Propose a reasonable method of service (e.g., publishing in newspaper or mailing to last known address).
4. After service is made, file an affidavit or other evidence proving it was done.

When learning how to sue in Connecticut, it’s essential to understand that defendants must be notified in a way that protects their right to respond.

The Return of Service: Completing the Process

Once the defendant has been served, the state marshal must complete and return a document called the Return of Service. This tells the court:

• Who was served
• When and how service was completed
• That service complied with the rules

Without a proper return of service, your case may be delayed or dismissed. Courts will not move forward until service is proven.

If your case involves multiple defendants, each must be served individually. Service must also be done for any motions you later file during the case (e.g., Motion for Summary Judgment).

Final Thoughts: Getting Help When You Sue in Connecticut

Understanding how to sue in Connecticut is easier when you break the process into manageable steps. The key takeaways include:

• Confirm that your claim has a legal basis under Connecticut law.
• File your case in the right court, based on amount and subject matter.
• Carefully prepare and submit your complaint and summons using proper court forms.
• Ensure that your documents are served according to the law by a state marshal.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Sue in Connecticut

Do I need a lawyer to sue someone in Connecticut?

No, you can represent yourself, especially in Small Claims Court. However, businesses must use attorneys in Superior Court.

What happens if the defendant doesn’t respond?

If no response is filed by the deadline, you can request a default judgment, which may result in a win without trial.

Can I sue someone from another state in Connecticut?

Only if the person has sufficient ties to Connecticut (e.g., they did business here or caused harm here). Otherwise, jurisdiction may be lacking.

Conclusion: Learn How to Sue in Connecticut the Right Way

Suing someone is a serious legal process that requires time, attention, and planning. Whether you’re recovering damages, seeking justice, or resolving a contractual dispute, knowing how to sue in Connecticut puts the power in your hands to pursue a fair resolution.

From evaluating your claim to completing service of process, every step you take brings you closer to your day in court. And by understanding how to sue in Connecticut, you increase your chances of doing it right the first time.

Need additional guidance on how to sue in Connecticut? Check out our course that walks you through the process step by step, complete with samples and templates.