Workers’ Compensation Act

The Workers’ Compensation Act – Chapter 568 of the Connecticut General Statutes was enacted in 1913. There have been numerous changes since that time, but the main focus is to provide wage replacement and other benefits, as well as medical treatment, for employees who have been injured, disabled, or killed while performing their jobs.

The Act created the Workers’ Compensation Commission to administrate the system to providing for workers’ compensation benefits. The Commission holds informal, semi-formal and formal hearings to resolve disputes in workers’ compensation cases in its eight District Offices located throughout Connecticut. The Commission’s Compensation Review Board (CRB) hears and rules on appeals from hearings initially held in the Districts.

Work-related injuries can lead to reimbursement for both medical expenses and loss wages.

Categories of workers’ compensation

Workers’ comp benefits fall into two categories: (1) payments for medical expenses and treatment of a work-related injury or disease, and (2) benefits that compensate an injured employee for lost earnings and for any permanent disability. The latter benefits are called wage-loss and indemnity benefits.

The level and duration of wage-loss and indemnity benefits varies depending on the degree of disability (total or partial) and whether the disability is temporary or permanent. Total disability benefits are paid as long as the total disability lasts. They are subject to a higher maximum.

A claimant’s compensation rate is, in most cases, based on his/her average weekly wage (AWW) for the 52 weeks immediately before the injury or illness. In general, benefits are paid weekly and are subject to statutory maximums and minimums.

Awards for the loss of function have been as low as 0.62% [Ricigliano v. J.J. Ryan Corporation, 53 Conn.App. 158 (1999), appeal dismissed, 252 Conn. 404 (2000)].

At Rosenberg & Hite, LLC, we are very conscious and sensitive to the injuries of our clients and understand that most people simply wish to have their treatment taken care of so they can return to work eventually. We shepherd you through this sometimes complex process and argue for your rights.