Posted on August 11, 2025 in Firm News

Bridgeport, CT — Four community theaters have agreed to pay settlements to three young women.

"The matter was settled to the mutual satisfaction of the parties and the terms are confidential," said Attorney Jason Tremont and Attorney Tim Ramsey of Tremont Sheldon P.C., who represented the three women.

The lawsuits, filed in Connecticut Superior Court in Waterbury, named Naugatuck Teen Theater, Landmark Community Theatre in Thomaston, Warner Theatre in Torrington, and the Thomaston Opera House. The plaintiffs claimed the abuse occurred during their involvement in youth and community theater programs between 2009 and 2016.

Civil Lawsuit Led to Criminal Charges

The civil lawsuits played a crucial role in bringing renewed attention to the allegations. Although initial investigations by police departments had concluded without arrests, the civil proceedings prompted law enforcement to reopen the cases after the civil deposition of Daniel Checovetes.

During a deposition in the lawsuit case, Checovetes admitted to sexually assaulting two of the women in 2015 and 2016.

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 Posted on May 08, 2025 in Bicycle Accidents

You’ve probably noticed more electric bicycles around your Connecticut neighborhood lately. E-bikes are more popular than ever, especially among teenagers who like the freedom and thrills that e-bikes provide.

E-bikes are convenient and eco-friendly, but they can also be dangerous. The combination of inexperienced young riders and motorized vehicles capable of reaching speeds up to 28 mph can lead to injuries for riders, pedestrians, and motorists.

As a parent, understanding Connecticut’s e-bike regulations is important and will help keep your teen safe and avoid penalties for violating the law.

Connecticut e-bike rules

The state categorizes e-bikes into three classes:

• Class 1: Pedal-assist only, with the motor limited to 20 mph
• Class 2: Provides power with or without pedaling, limited to 20 mph
• Class 3: Provides power up to 28 mph

Connecticut imposes several important regulations:

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 Posted on March 12, 2025 in Firm News

TORRINGTON, March 11, 2025 – Daniel Checovetes has been sentenced to prison for sexually abusing two underage theatrical participants, bringing long-overdue justice to the victims and ensuring that he is held accountable for his crimes.

In January of 2020, Tremont Sheldon P.C. filed lawsuits on behalf of three women who were sexually abused by their theater director, Checovetes, while they were minors. The lawsuits were filed in Waterbury Superior Court against Naugatuck Teen Theater, Landmark Community Theatre, Warner Theatre, and the Thomaston Opera House (through the Commission and Town). During questioning at his sworn deposition in these cases, Checovetes admitted that he had sexual relations with two of the plaintiffs when they were minors.

Thereafter, in 2023, the Thomaston and Southington Police Departments conducted a criminal examination and charged Checovetes with counts of sexual assault in the first and second degree.

On March 11, 2025, after pleading guilty to sexual assault in the second degree, Checovetes was sentenced in Litchfield to prison for 8 ½ years for the Thomaston charges. Checovetes is also scheduled to be sentenced in New Britain for the Southington charges later this week.

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 Posted on February 07, 2025 in Car Accidents

Driving in snow and ice can be daunting, especially in Connecticut, where winter weather can be treacherous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 1,300 people are killed, and more than 116,000 are injured annually in the United States due to snowy, slushy or icy road conditions. These statistics highlight the importance of careful driving and being well-prepared for winter driving.

Effective driving strategies for snow and ice

To navigate snowy and icy roads safely, it’s crucial to adopt specific driving strategies:

1. Slow down: Reducing speed gives you more time to react to unexpected situations.
2. Increase the following distance: Extend the distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you to allow for longer stopping times.
3. Brake gently: Apply brakes slowly to avoid skidding. If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply firm, steady pressure.

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 Posted on January 17, 2025 in Personal Injury

Pedestrian accidents are becoming a growing concern in Connecticut. Recent data shows that these incidents are increasing, with more injuries and fatalities reported each year.

Understanding the causes behind this trend and what measures are in place to protect pedestrians can help create safer streets for everyone.

Causes of the increase

Several factors contribute to the rise in pedestrian accidents. Distracted driving and distracted walking play a significant role. Drivers using cell phones or other devices are less likely to notice pedestrians, while walkers glued to their screens may not be aware of their surroundings. Additionally, the increased use of larger vehicles like SUVs can result in more severe injuries during collisions.

Another issue is road design. Many streets prioritize vehicle traffic over pedestrian safety, leaving walkers with limited safe crossing options. Busy intersections, insufficient lighting, and poorly marked crosswalks also add to the danger.

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 Posted on October 07, 2024 in Personal Injury

Hiring a personal injury lawyer in Connecticut can help those injured recover compensation for their losses. Understanding the cost of legal representation is crucial when considering a lawyer. In Connecticut, personal injury lawyer fees are typically based on a contingency fee, controlled by state statute.

Connecticut’s contingency fee statute

Connecticut General Statute § 52-251c regulates how much personal injury attorneys can charge. The statute caps the contingency fee a lawyer can collect at a percentage of the compensation recovered. The fee starts at a maximum of 33.33% of the first $300,000 recovered. As the settlement or verdict increases, the percentage decreases based on a tiered system.

No fees if there is no recovery

Under the contingency fee arrangement, clients pay no legal fees unless they recover compensation. If there is no financial recovery, the lawyer does not receive payment for their services. This provides access to legal representation for individuals who may not afford upfront legal fees.

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 Posted on August 22, 2024 in Car Accidents

Teen drivers in Connecticut face specific rules designed to improve road safety. These rules, which apply strictly to 16- and 17-year-old drivers, aim to reduce accidents and promote responsible driving.

Parents should understand these teen-specific rules so they can provide informed guidance to young student drivers as they can initial experience on the road.

Obtaining a permit

To obtain a learner’s permit, teens must pass a written knowledge test and vision screening. During the learner’s permit phase, they must drive with a qualified adult and complete 40 hours of supervised driving practice. This phase lasts for at least 120 days if they complete driver education or 180 days if they do not. The state also provides a graduated driver licensing system that gradually grants teens more driving privileges as they gain experience.

Permit and license restrictions

Once teens have completed the learner’s permit requirements, they can apply for a driver’s license. For the first six months, they cannot have any passengers except for a licensed driving instructor, their parents or a legal guardian. For the next six months, they may only drive with immediate family members as passengers. Additionally, teen drivers cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless traveling for school, work, religious activities or emergencies.

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 Posted on July 22, 2024 in Car Accidents

Accidents in roundabouts can be confusing, especially when trying to figure out who’s at fault. In Connecticut, roundabouts are becoming more common, and knowing the rules can help drivers avoid accidents and understand responsibility if one occurs.

Understanding roundabout rules

In a roundabout, vehicles travel in one direction around a central island. Drivers entering the roundabout must yield to those already inside. This means that cars already in the circle have the right of way and other drivers must wait before proceeding. If you arrive at a roundabout and there are vehicles inside in the circle, you must slow down and let them go first before entering. Signs and road markings usually indicate these rules clearly, and understanding them is necessary to determine fault in an accident.

Common causes of roundabout accidents

Accidents in roundabouts often happen due to failure to yield, improper lane changes, or speeding. If a driver enters the roundabout without yielding to the traffic already circulating, that driver will likely be at fault. Similarly, if a driver switches lanes within the roundabout without signaling or checking for other vehicles, they may cause a collision. Speeding can also lead to accidents, as it reduces the driver’s ability to react to other vehicles properly.

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 Posted on May 02, 2024 in Car Accidents

Low road visibility contributes to over 38,700 vehicle crashes and 16,300 injuries annually in the United States, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Therefore, it is good to take extra precautions in such conditions.

The State of Connecticut encourages drivers to do just that with regulations surrounding the appropriate use of headlights.

Connecticut headlight laws

Drivers must use their headlights from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise or when visibility is less than 500 feet, according to Connecticut State Statute 14-96a. Additionally, drivers must use headlights whenever weather conditions require the use of windshield wipers. Failing to follow these laws can result in a ticket and a fine.

Factors that contribute to poor visibility

Several factors can contribute to poor visibility while driving, and drivers should not hesitate to use headlights when they feel it is necessary. For example, fog, rain, snow and heavy dust can all create hazardous driving conditions.

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 Posted on February 27, 2024 in Car Accidents

Automobile accidents are a prevalent issue in the United States. While auto insurance handles many of the liabilities, it does not always pay for everything. This could leave the at-fault party liable for left over expenses.

But what happens when that person does not have the money to pay?  The family car doctrine may help in such circumstances.

About the doctrine

The family car doctrine in Connecticut holds the owner of a vehicle responsible for accidents that occur when their spouse, parent or child is driving. It gives an injured party another liable person to go after if insurance will not pay for all losses. The owner of a car driven by a family member is liable unless they can prove they did not authorize the person to drive the vehicle. Being found liable for another driver’s negligence can result in significant financial obligations, including medical bills, lost wages and property damage.

How the doctrine impacts car accident cases

For the vehicle owner, this doctrine means a lot of responsibility. They have to ensure the person driving their vehicle is a good driver and someone they know will drive with care.

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