Connecticut’s Workers’ Compensation Act requires businesses with one or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance.
CT workers’ compensation provides benefits to part- and full-time employees if they get a work-related injury or illness. In exchange for the benefits being provided without questions as to what caused the injury (excluding reckless conduct like drinking on the job), the amount of your workers comp benefits is less than your full salary and you cannot sue your employer over the work injury. You can still bring a lawsuit against a third party who caused your work injury. For example, if you are driving for work and you are rear-ended, you can sue the person who rear-ended you.
The State of Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission oversees workers’ comp in the state. It ensures workers with a job-related injury or illness receive payment for lost work time and medical expenses as well as compensation for permanent injuries. Workers’ compensation does not provide for payment for pain and suffering. The Commission also has various duties related to workers’ compensation claims, such as:
- Resolving disputes over payment of benefits and medical treatment.
- Assisting in voluntary agreements. This means an insurance company agrees to provide you with workers’ comp benefits.
- Hearing and ruling on appeals.
- Overseeing case closings through settlements.
Is Workers’ Comp Required in CT?
Connecticut businesses with at least one employee are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. This includes:
- Sole proprietors
- Part-time employees
- Business partners
- Family members on the business’ payroll
- Seasonal employees
There are a few exceptions to who Connecticut considers an employee, such as:
- Casual employees
- Employees working in a private home for less than 26 hours a week
- Corporate officers who choose not to have coverage
What Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Covers
Workers’ compensation insurance can help cover:
- Medical treatment
- Wage replacement if you have to miss work due to a work-related injury or illness.
- Illnesses caused by exposure to allergens or chemicals while your employees are working.
- Funeral costs if the employee loses their life in a work-related accident or illness.
- Disability benefits if a work-related injury or illness leaves your employee temporarily or permanently disabled.
- Accident or injury sustained while working.
- Repetitive stress injuries that develop over time, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Mileage reimbursement if you use your own car to go to medical appointments.
CT Workers’ Compensation Benefits
The available benefits for an employee under Connecticut’s Workers Compensation Act includes:
- Temporary total disability
- Temporary partial disability
- Permanent partial disability
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Permanent disability benefits if you are completely unable to work due to your work injury.
Depending on the situation, you can get additional benefits in Connecticut, like:
- 308a benefits which are provided if there is a difference between the amount you are able to earning after your injury and the amount you would have been earning if you had not been injured.
- Job retraining to help you return to work in a different job or career.
- Relapse or recurrence benefits if you have relapse or flare-up of your work injury.
How Does Workers’ Comp Work in CT?
Workers’ compensation in CT requires employees to report an injury or illness to their employer. It is best to report an injury or illness right away even if you think the injury is minor. Delays reporting injuries typically results in insurance companies denying valid claims. Connecticut’s report of injury process includes:
- The employee reporting their job-related injury or illness to their supervisor or employer.
- The employer submitting the first report of injury to notify the insurer.
- The employer/insurer either starting payment within 28 days for the lost time or denying the claim.
Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Claims
A claim must be filed with the Workers’ Compensation Commission within one year of the injury. There are a few exceptions to this rule such as if the employer/insurance company has been paying for medical treatment, but it is always best to file the claim within one year of the date of injury. Simply reporting your injury to your employer is not enough to file your Workers’ Compensation Claim. To file a claim, a Form 30C is filed with the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
How Much Does Workman’s Comp Pay in CT?
If you are hurt on the job, you entitled to 75% of your after-tax average weekly wage. Your average weekly wage is based on your 52-week wage history with the employer or the amount paid to you by the employer divided by the number of weeks you have worked for the employer if you have worked for less than 52 weeks with the employer. In Connecticut, there are maximum and minimum weekly compensation benefit that is adjusted every year.
If you have a second job, then it is important to tell your attorney and the Workers Compensation Judge about this second job so that income is considered as part of your wage benefits. A second job or other employment is called concurrent employment. The insurer for the employer where your work injury happened will not know about your other job, so they will not include it when trying to figure out what your compensation rate should be your claim.
To learn more about the Workers’ Compensation practice at Conway, Londregan, Sheehan & Monaco, please click here.