The Connecticut
Workers’ Compensation Act provides benefits for workers
injured in the course of their employment.
Under the Act, a number of benefits
exist for the injured employees. Such
benefits include compensation for periods of time an employee cannot work, compensation
for a permanent disability or limitation
from the injury, payment of medical bills, future related medical expenses, as
well as a job retraining program for employees whose injury prevent them from
returning to the kind of work they used to do.
Workers’ Compensation covers nearly all employees,
including minors, non-citizens, and part-time employees. In some cases, injured workers may be eligible
for Worker’ Compensation benefits even when they sustained an injury outside of
the workplace, such as when while traveling for work or working remotely..
Additionally, the State of Connecticut has a no-fault system of Workers’
Compensation, meaning an employee may receive benefits for his or her injuries
even if the accident was the employee’s own fault.
While the employer is responsible for providing the
initial medical treatment, usually through an occupational health provider, the
employee has the right to choose his or her own treatment providers after the
initial visit with the employer designated medical practitioner. However, if the employer participates in an
approved medical care plan, the employee must choose a physician from the list
of doctors included in that plan.
Often a workers’ compensation insurer is required to
issue a Voluntary Agreement, essentially accepting liability for the employee’s
claim and defining important aspects of the same, such as the employee’s
compensation rate under the Act. The employee has the right to not accept a
Voluntary Agreement, which is especially important if the employee believes it
contains an error, such as a miscalculation in the rate of compensation.
Most importantly, the workers’ compensation regime in
Connecticut includes a Commission, where employees can force the insurer to
provide them with the benefits and compensation they are entitled to under the
act. As an injured employee, it it is
crucially important that you have a devoted and experienced attorney to
advocate for their rights before the Workers’ Compensation Commission to ensure
that you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
More detailed information, including answers to
frequently asked questions regarding workers’ compensation, can be found on the
Brown,
Paindiris & Scott website.
If you have any questions about this or any other
workers’ compensation matter, contact the workers’ compensation attorneys at
Brown, Paindiris & Scott at 860-659-0700 or cguarnieri@bpslawyers.com.
