Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-555, a Connecticut wrongful death action is brought by the executor or administrator of the estate, and it may recover just damages from the party legally at fault together with the cost of reasonably necessary medical, hospital and nursing services, and funeral expenses. The action must be brought within two years from the date of death, and no more than five years from the act or omission complained of.
The claim belongs to the estate
This is the detail that surprises families most. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-555 the case is brought by the executor or administrator of the estate rather than by relatives individually, so opening an estate is usually the first practical step.
Two deadlines, not one
The statute sets two years from the date of death and a separate outer limit of five years from the act or omission that caused it. Both matter, because a death that follows long after the underlying event can run up against the five-year limit.
Fault still gets apportioned
A wrongful death claim is a negligence action, so Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-572h applies. Compensation is reduced by the deceased person's own percentage of fault, and a share of more than 50 percent bars recovery.