When you are injured on the job, your first concerns are about the seriousness of your injury, and whether it will impact your ability to earn a living.
Injury in the workplace is common. In 2015, the most recent year for which statistics were available, more than 36,000 occupational injuries and illnesses were reported in Connecticut. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), that works out to about 3.2 cases for every 100 full-time workers in our state.
The Worker’s Compensation Commission is the state organization with the responsibility to administer . The agency also coordinates and oversees the administrative hearings that result when injured workers are denied benefits they seek after they are injured on the job.
A brief look at workers’ comp. benefits
If you suffer a workplace injury or illness, it is important to know what benefits are available to help you get back to work. These are some of the benefits provided under the Connecticut workers’ compensation system:
- Medical care: Getting good medical care is a top priority for any injured worker, and medical care is an important benefit of workers’ compensation. Check with your employer about your options for choosing your healthcare provider.
- Temporary total disability: This benefit replaces 75% of your wage if you are totally disabled by a work-related illness or injury. The benefit is based on your average weekly wage, after taxes and social security deductions.
- Temporary partial disability: If there are limitations on your work ability as you heal, this benefit provides 75% of the difference between what you are earning, and what you would have been earning had you not been injured. Again, this rate is based on wages after tax and social security is withdrawn.
- Permanent partial disability: When you suffer a permanent partial loss of areas of your body, due to an eligible illness or injury, you may receive compensation based on a physician’s assessment of disability and your previous base compensation.
- Recurrence and relapse: If you suffer an eligible illness or injury, and later relapse, you may be eligible for benefits.
- Discretionary benefits: When you experience permanent partial disability, you may be eligible to receive additional benefits through an informal hearing with a Worker’s Compensation Commissioner, based on the specific details of your case.
- Vocational rehabilitation: If you can no longer perform the type of work you did prior to your work-rated injury or illness, you may be able to take advantage of the job training benefit to help you prepare to move you back into the workforce.
While these benefits are available under Connecticut Workers’ Compensation, they are not guaranteed. Take care to report your injury or illness correctly. If you are denied the benefits for which you are eligible, speak with an experienced workers’ comp attorney.
Contact a skilled workers’ compensation law firm
Serving injured workers throughout Connecticut, our sole focus is helping workers who are injured or made ill on the job. If your workers’ comp claim is denied, call us at (203) 255-7777 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.