Workers’ Compensation in Connecticut

Workers’ compensation in Connecticut is a system by which workers who become ill or injured because of accidents or conditions at their worksite can recover lost wages and may receive medical treatment through their employer’s insurance. Workers’ compensation is also known as worker’s comp, workmans comp, and work compensation. Connecticut makes workman’s compensation insurance a necessity for any employer who has more than one employee. All job-connected accident or occupational illness claims must be filed within a specific statutory time period with the Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission.

There are workers’ comp situations that require the assistance of legal representation. For example, if your employer is giving you trouble and is uninsured, underinsured, or uncooperative, a Connecticut work compensation attorney will be best able to protect your interests. Similarly, if your injury is difficult to prove, severe, or long-term, it is in your best interest to contact a Connecticut workmans comp lawyer.

Illnesses and Injuries Covered Under Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Law

Accidental Physical Injuries

• Injuries that happen accidentally at the worksite because, for example, a worker trips, falls, or slips while he is performing his work duties. Connecticut workmans comp insurance covers these injuries. However, certain injuries are not covered, such as those that are self-inflicted by the employee, injuries that result from an employee’s misconduct, or those that happen when a worker is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Occupational diseases

• Medical conditions that arise from the workplace environment or continual exposure at work fall under the umbrella of Connecticut workmans comp. These conditions include carpal tunnel syndrome, radiation poisoning, asbestosis, etc.

Death

• Dependents of a deceased worker may be eligible for death benefits.

The Connecticut Worker’s Comp Claims Process

• Notify Your Boss
  • Tell your supervisor, foreman, manager, or boss about your injury immediately. You must then file a Notice of Claim for Compensation (Form 30C) with the State of Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission. Claims should be filed with the Commission within 1 year of the injury, or within three years if you are filing a claim for an occupational disease. If you fail to file your claim within this time period, your claim may be barred by the statute of limitations and you will lose any work compensation benefits (medical, income, permanent disability) you would have received under Connecticut workers’ comp law.
  • Upon receipt of notice of your occupational injury of illness, your employer should file a “First Report of Injury” form with the Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Division.
• Get Medical Help Promptly
  • The attending physician who treats your injury must submit an initial medical report of your injury/illness to your employer, employer’s insurer and the injured or sick worker.
• If you need assistance with your Connecticut workmans comp claim, or if your claim has been denied and you are unsure of your next steps, get in touch with a Connecticut work compensation attorney.

Benefits Received in Connecticut Under the Workers’ Compensation Program

Workers’ comp benefits come in several forms:

• Medical Treatment: Work compensation insurance covers physician, hospital, and other medical bills of an employee suffering from a work-connected injury by paying the provider directly.
• Wage Reimbursement: When a worker must go to and from medical appointments and treatments for his workplace injury, he will be reimbursed for wages lost in travel time and time spent in appointments.
• Funeral: $4,000 or less of burial expenses.
• Death: Benefits equal to 75% of the deceased worker’s after-tax average weekly wages are available to the employee’s spouse and children subject to a maximum and a minimum amount.
• Vocational Rehabilitation: When an employee cannot return to his or her original occupation, this provides income support while participating in vocational rehabilitation.
• Income Benefits available in Connecticut:
  1. Temporary Total Disability Benefits (TTD for short): The wage replacement benefit for which an employee who is temporarily completely unable to work is eligible. Benefits are payable at the rate of 75% of his after tax and social security pre-injury average weekly wage. These benefits may continue for up to 52 weeks.
  2. Temporary Partial Disability Benefits (or TPD for short): The injured or sick worker can do some kind of work, but not to the same extent or the same kind of work he could do before his injury or sickness. Payments to an injured worker are based on the difference between 75% of the after tax and social security wage that he is currently earning and what the worker would have been earning but for his injury.
  3. Permanent Total Disability Benefits (PTD for short): It is completely impossible for the worker to work because of the injury. Payments for the injury are the same as for TTD.
  4. Permanent Partial Disability Benefits (PPD for short): The claimant suffered permanent partial loss of a part of his body. The amount of benefits he will receive depends on the part of the body that is permanently disabled, the percentage of the body part that has been disabled, and the employee’s standard compensation rate.

Why Hire A Connecticut Workers’ Comp Lawyer

A lawyer knowledgeable and experienced in Connecticut work compensation law should be contacted to make the workmans compensation claims process go smoothly. Such an attorney can help you with an injury that is challenging to prove, assist you in meeting filing deadlines, advise you of your compensation options, and recommend a course of action. Additionally, if a third person caused your injury or if a defective product caused your injury (and thus the manufacturer is responsible) you may want to sue for your injuries and an attorney can discuss the available alternatives with you.

Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Act

For more information about Connecticut Workers’ Comp, see the following statutes:

1. Employers Subject To Workers’ Compensation
   • Workers’ Compensation Act, 568 C.G.S. 31-284.
2. Covered Employees
   • Workers’ Compensation Act, 568 C.G.S. 31-284.
3. Benefits
   • Workers’ Compensation Act, 568 C.G.S. 31-294, 308-313.
4. Claims Procedure
   • Workers’ Compensation Act, 568 C.G.S. 31-294.