It is important that employers in Connecticut keep their employees safe. This means that they must provide the proper safety equipment, train their employees sufficiently, and ensure that all equipment is working properly. Workers rely on their jobs to earn an income to support themselves and their families, and it can create terrible financial problems if they are injured and unable to work. Workers injured on the job may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits to help them recover financially.
Injuries that are covered by workers’ compensation
For employees to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, according to state laws, the injury must have arisen out of and in the course of their employment. This means that the accident and injury occurred while the employee was performing their job duties, either on the employers’ premises or carrying out activities elsewhere directed by their employer.
However, injuries that occur while the employee is preparing to go to work are not covered by workers’ compensation benefits. Also, even if the injury occurred while the employee was working, if the employee was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the injury, it will not be covered. Pre-existing injuries may covered only if the injury worsened as a result of an accident occurring while working.
While there are some limitations, this means that most injuries occurring while people are working ARE covered by workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits are important as they pay for medical bills and a portion of the employee’s income while they are unable to work.
While most employees who are injured at work in Connecticut should be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, employers still deny claims or require employees to return before they are healthy enough to return to work. However, an initial denial of a claim or a later dispute does not mean that employees cannot ultimately receive their compensation. Employees do have the opportunity to appeal denials and initial decisions may be overturned. It is important that injured workers receive the benefits they deserve, and consulting with an experienced attorney could be beneficial.
