How Are Workers’ Comp Settlements Calculated in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, almost every private employer is required by state law to have workers’ compensation insurance, and this insurance applies to most regular employees when they are hurt on the job. If you suffer a work injury, you may be eligible to claim benefits, but how are workers’ comp settlements calculated in Connecticut? The answer is that these calculations primarily focus on the severity of the injury and the scope of its long-term effects.

How Are Workers’ Comp Settlements Calculated in Connecticut?

Whenever someone is injured at work in Connecticut, they should report their injury to their employer right away; otherwise, they could be denied workers’ compensation benefits. If any work-related injury is severe enough to require medical attention, result in missed days of work, or prevent the victim from returning to their job temporarily or permanently, the victim likely qualifies to receive workers’ compensation benefits.

In 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics received about 35,700 reports of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses from private sector employers throughout Connecticut, and about 23,400 of these were severe. If you are hurt on the job in any way, a New London workers’ compensation lawyer can guide you through your claim-filing process and handle any unexpected complications you encounter as you seek benefits from your employer’s insurance carrier.

Generally, workers’ compensation insurance in Connecticut can provide two types of benefits to an injured worker. As long as the injury happened while they were performing their job duties and they are a covered employee, they can receive full coverage of all medical expenses related to their injury, and they can receive ongoing disability benefits while they are unable to work during their recovery.

After you report your injury to your employer, you will need to undergo a medical examination from a workers’ compensation doctor in your area. This will be an evaluation of your functional capacity. The doctor will inspect your injury and determine how much it will interfere with your ability to work, and then you will receive a disability rating based on their findings. The insurance carrier then uses this rating to determine how much you receive in benefits.

How a Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help

The workers’ compensation claim-filing process may seem simple at first, but the unfortunate reality is that many injured workers encounter various challenges from their employers and their insurance carriers. Even if you believe your case is straightforward, it’s important to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer who can help you secure the fairest possible determination of benefits.

Your attorney can help you file your claim and secure all of the documentation you will need to provide to your employer’s insurance carrier. If you disagree with the workers’ compensation doctor’s assessment of your condition and the disability rating they have assigned to you, your attorney can help you resolve this and any other issues you encounter.

When you receive your determination of benefits, your attorney can determine whether it is acceptable under the terms of your employer’s insurance policy and the severity of your injury. You can also rely on your attorney to help you explore any additional legal options available to you, such as a civil suit against any third party responsible for causing your injury at work.

Ultimately, all workers’ compensation settlements in Connecticut are decided on a case-by-case basis. Every injured worker will face different challenges and opportunities as they pursue the benefits they need to recover, and experienced legal counsel is a crucial asset for any workers’ compensation case. Reach out to Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law to learn how our team can help you obtain a fair workers’ compensation settlement.

FAQs

Can I Sue My Employer for a Work Injury in Connecticut?

You usually cannot sue your employer for a work injury in Connecticut if they have workers’ compensation insurance, except under very specific conditions. However, a New London personal injury lawyer may help you build a third-party personal injury claim if anyone outside of your work was directly responsible for causing your injury. If you can file such a case, you may recover compensation for damages that workers’ comp doesn’t cover.

How Much Can I Receive in Disability Benefits?

The total amount you can receive in disability benefits depends on the severity of your injury and whether it has caused any permanent harm that prevents you from working in the future. Your disability benefits may be paid on a temporary basis until you are able to resume working, but if you suffered a catastrophic injury, you could qualify to receive permanent disability benefits. These benefits can also be paid based on how much your earning capacity has diminished.

How Long Can I Receive Disability Benefits?

The length of time you can continue receiving disability benefits largely depends on whether your injury prevents you from returning to work at all in the future. If you have been permanently disabled by a catastrophic injury, you may be eligible to receive permanent total disability benefits. Alternatively, you could receive temporary benefits until you are able to return to work, or partial disability benefits if you can do lower-paying work after your injury.

What Medical Expenses Are Covered by Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

Workers’ compensation insurance should cover all of the medical expenses related to your injury as long as the injury happened while you were working. Generally, injured workers in Connecticut can receive full coverage of all medical expenses, including the cost of any necessary ongoing treatment, and they can also receive disability benefits during the time they are unable to work.

Why Should I Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

You should hire a workers’ compensation lawyer to make your claim-filing process easier and to increase your chances of reaching a favorable outcome. A skilled Connecticut workers’ compensation attorney can help you file your claim, resolve any complications presented by your employer or their insurance carrier, and negotiate a fair workers’ compensation settlement on your behalf.

The team at Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law has years of proven experience handling all types of work injury cases for clients in Connecticut, and we are confident we can help with yours. If you have questions about how workers’ comp settlements are calculated in Connecticut, contact us today to schedule your consultation with a team of experienced Connecticut workers’ compensation attorneys and learn how we can assist with your case.