Two practices.
Every case, handled personally.
A breakdown of every area we handle — what the law says, what the process looks like, and what we do to protect you.
Personal Injury
When someone else's negligence changes your life, you need an attorney who will fight for full compensation — not a quick settlement that benefits the insurance company. All injury cases are handled on a contingency basis: no fee unless we recover.
Car, Truck, Motorcycle & Pedestrian Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are the most common source of serious injury in Connecticut. Whether you were a driver, passenger, motorcyclist, or pedestrian, you have the right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party and their insurance carrier.
Insurance adjusters are trained to make early, low offers before you understand the full extent of your injuries. We intervene quickly, preserve evidence, work with accident reconstruction specialists when needed, and build a case that reflects the true cost of what happened — medical bills, lost wages, future care, and pain and suffering.
Schedule a free consultationSlip, Trip & Fall Injuries
Property owners in Connecticut have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions. When a dangerous condition — wet floors, uneven pavement, inadequate lighting, missing railings — causes you to fall and sustain injury, the property owner may be liable.
These cases require prompt action. Evidence disappears, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and hazardous conditions get corrected before they can be documented. We move immediately to preserve what is needed to prove your claim.
Schedule a free consultationWorkplace Accidents & Construction Injuries
Workplace injuries often involve workers' compensation — but that may not be your only avenue of recovery. If a third party (a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner) contributed to your injury, you may have a separate civil claim that allows for pain and suffering damages that workers' comp does not cover.
Construction sites carry high injury risk and multiple parties are often responsible. We evaluate every angle to maximize your recovery.
Schedule a free consultationMedical Malpractice
When a doctor, hospital, or healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care and that failure causes harm, you may have a medical malpractice claim. These cases include misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication mistakes, birth injuries, and failure to treat.
Medical malpractice cases are among the most complex in civil litigation. They require expert medical witnesses, thorough record review, and a command of the applicable standard of care. Connecticut's statute of limitations is two years — do not delay.
Schedule a free consultationWrongful Death
When a death results from another's negligence or wrongful act, Connecticut law allows certain surviving family members to bring a wrongful death claim. This includes deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents, medical negligence, premises liability, and other forms of negligence.
A wrongful death claim can provide compensation for medical expenses prior to death, funeral and burial costs, lost future income, and the loss of the deceased's care, companionship, and guidance. We handle these matters with the thoroughness and sensitivity they require.
Schedule a free consultationDog Bites
Connecticut is a strict liability state for dog bites. The owner is liable regardless of whether the dog has bitten before or whether the owner had reason to believe the dog was dangerous. You do not need to prove negligence — only that the bite occurred and that you were not trespassing or provoking the animal.
Dog bite injuries can be severe, requiring surgery, causing permanent scarring, and resulting in significant psychological trauma. We pursue full compensation for all of these harms.
Schedule a free consultationInadequate Security
Property owners — landlords, hotels, bars, parking garages, shopping centers — have a duty to provide reasonable security. When inadequate security allows a crime to occur and you are injured as a result, the property owner may be liable for your damages.
These cases require demonstrating that the crime was foreseeable, that the security measures were inadequate, and that the inadequacy directly caused your injury. We investigate thoroughly to build that record.
Schedule a free consultationCriminal Defense
An arrest is not a conviction. You have rights — and the earlier you assert them with experienced counsel, the more options you have at every stage of the proceeding. Available 24/7.
DUI / DWI & Traffic Violations
A DUI charge in Connecticut carries serious consequences: license suspension, fines, potential jail time, mandatory alcohol education, and a permanent criminal record affecting employment, housing, and professional licenses. Subsequent offenses carry mandatory minimum jail sentences.
DUI cases involve detailed legal and scientific challenges — breathalyzer calibration, field sobriety test protocols, the legality of the stop, and chain of custody of blood evidence. We examine every element before any plea is discussed.
Discuss your chargeDrug Charges
Connecticut drug charges range from simple possession misdemeanors to serious felony possession with intent to sell. Federal drug charges carry mandatory minimums that can result in years of incarceration regardless of the circumstances.
Key defenses often involve the legality of the search and seizure, chain of custody of evidence, and whether the facts actually support the charge alleged. Connecticut's drug diversion programs may provide a path that avoids conviction entirely in appropriate cases.
Discuss your chargeDomestic Violence Accusations
Domestic violence arrests in Connecticut are treated aggressively. An arrest alone triggers mandatory protective orders — which can remove you from your home and restrict contact with your children — before any charge is proven.
These cases often turn on credibility, and the facts behind the accusation matter. We begin building a defense immediately: gathering communications, identifying witnesses, and challenging any evidence that does not hold up under scrutiny.
Discuss your chargeTheft, Larceny & Shoplifting
Theft offenses in Connecticut are graded by the value of property involved, ranging from a class A misdemeanor (under $500) to a class B felony (over $20,000). Even a misdemeanor theft conviction carries lasting consequences on employment and professional licensing.
Larceny charges require the prosecution to prove intent to permanently deprive — an element that is frequently contested. We analyze the evidence and the circumstances before advising on any course of action.
Discuss your chargeSex Crimes & Weapons Offenses
Sex crime accusations carry some of the most severe consequences in the criminal system — lengthy prison sentences, sex offender registration, and permanent reputational damage. These charges are often filed on limited corroborating evidence, making how the defense is framed from day one critically important.
Weapons offenses — unlawful possession, carrying without a permit, use of a firearm in a crime — trigger mandatory minimum sentences. The legality of the search that uncovered the weapon is frequently the central issue.
Discuss your chargeRobbery, Kidnapping, Murder & Manslaughter
Violent felony charges carry the most severe penalties in the Connecticut criminal code, including mandatory minimum sentences and, in some cases, life imprisonment. The stakes at every stage — bail, grand jury, pretrial motions, and trial — are as high as they get.
Mr. Watson has handled serious violent felony cases at all levels of the Connecticut court system. Defense in these matters demands complete command of the evidence, the law, and the facts — and the willingness to take a case to trial when that is what the client's interests require.
Discuss your chargeRICO & Conspiracy
Federal RICO and conspiracy charges can sweep in individuals whose connection to the underlying conduct is indirect. These cases involve extensive federal investigations, voluminous discovery, and complex legal issues regarding what constitutes a "pattern" of racketeering activity.
Mr. Watson is admitted in the U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut and has the federal court experience these cases demand. Early intervention — before charges are formally filed — can be critical to the outcome.
Discuss your chargeProbation Violations
A probation violation hearing can result in revocation of probation and imposition of the original suspended sentence — meaning incarceration that was previously avoided. These hearings use a lower burden of proof than a criminal trial, making them particularly dangerous without effective representation.
Whether the alleged violation involves a new arrest, failure to report, a positive drug test, or a technical violation, we work to present the full context and advocate for the outcome that protects your future.
Discuss your chargeFirearm Related Offenses
Connecticut has strict firearms laws, and federal firearms charges carry some of the most severe mandatory minimums in the criminal code. Charges can range from unlawful possession and carrying without a permit to use of a firearm during the commission of another crime — with penalties that often run consecutive to other sentences.
The lawfulness of the search that led to the firearm's discovery, the accused's actual legal possession status, and the specific conduct alleged are all critical issues we examine from the first consultation.
Discuss your chargeState & Federal Criminal Defense
Mr. Watson is admitted in Connecticut state courts at every level and in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. State and federal prosecutions operate under different rules, sentencing frameworks, and standards — requiring counsel who is experienced in both.
Federal charges carry mandatory minimums under the Sentencing Guidelines that leave little room for error. If you are under federal investigation or have received a target letter, call immediately — the earlier we are involved, the more options you have.
Discuss your chargeFrequently Asked Questions
Connecticut criminal defense and personal injury — answered plainly.
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Connecticut? +
Call 911 if anyone is injured. Document the scene with photos and exchange insurance information. Seek medical attention even if you feel fine — injuries often appear hours later. Most importantly, do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking to an attorney. Call Attorney Watson at (860) 206-4668 for a free consultation before making any decisions.
Will I go to jail for a first DUI in Connecticut? +
A first DUI in Connecticut carries up to 6 months in jail, but jail time is rarely imposed for a true first offense with no aggravating factors. Typical outcomes include fines, a license suspension, and possible probation. An experienced attorney can often negotiate for reduced or dismissed charges. The sooner you act, the better your options. Call (860) 206-4668 — Attorney Watson is available 24/7.
How long does a personal injury case take in Connecticut? +
Most personal injury cases in Connecticut resolve within 1 to 3 years. Straightforward cases with clear liability may settle in months. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or litigation take longer. Attorney Watson works to resolve cases as efficiently as possible without sacrificing the value of your claim.
Can I get my criminal record expunged in Connecticut? +
Connecticut's Clean Slate Act provides automatic erasure of certain misdemeanor and Class D and E felony convictions after a waiting period — no application required. For other convictions, a pardon through the Board of Pardons and Paroles may be available. Attorney Watson can review your specific record and advise you on the best path forward. Call (860) 206-4668 for a free consultation.
How much does a criminal defense attorney cost in Connecticut? +
Attorney Watson charges a flat fee for criminal defense — structured in two stages: Pre-Trial and Trial. The amount depends on the complexity of your case and the charges involved. For personal injury matters, he works on a pure contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless he wins. Call (860) 206-4668 for a free, confidential quote.
Do I need a lawyer if I was just arrested in Hartford? +
Yes — and the most important thing you can do right now is say nothing to police until you have spoken to an attorney. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Attorney Watson is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for exactly this situation. Call (860) 206-4668 immediately.