Connecticut Workers' Compensation: Fast Facts

Coverage Requirements Under Connecticut State Law

Any business with at least one part-time or full-time employee must have Connecticut workers' compensation insurance.

Work-Related Injury or Illness Reporting Requirements

Connecticut law says you must notify your supervisor about your work-related injury or illness before you seek medical care. That means you must report your incident immediately after it occurs to be eligible for Connecticut workers' compensation. However, state law may make an exception for urgent or life-threatening medical issues if you need emergency care first.

Where to Seek Medical Care

Your employer must provide your medical care at a company-owned medical facility, walk-in clinic, hospital, or through a designated physician. Going to your own doctor or an unauthorized facility means you'll pay those medical bills out of your own pocket. However, after that first non-emergency visit, you have the right to switch to a different treating physician.

Waiting Period for Lost-Wage Benefits in Connecticut

Your first 3 days off work are always unpaid until after you're off the job for at least 7 days in a row. For approved claims, lost-wage benefits start on day 4. After you miss at least a week, you'll get paid for those first 3 days you took off work. Your employer's insurance provider must either approve or deny your workers' compensation claim within 28 days of receipt.

Connecticut Workers' Compensation Statute of Limitations

You have a year from your occupational injury or illness diagnosis date to apply for Connecticut workers' compensation benefits.

Connecticut Weekly Compensation Rate

You can receive 75% of Connecticut's average weekly wage every 2 weeks, subject to current maximum and minimum benefit limits.

How Long You Can Receive Connecticut Workers' Comp Benefits

• Medical benefits: unlimited for up to 6 years after your accident
• Death benefits: lump-sum payment of $13,885.25 for funeral and burial expenses and TTD payments for up to 312 weeks
• Temporary Total Disability (TTD): up to 52 weeks
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): until you can work again or reach maximum medical improvement
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): up to 520 weeks
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD): unlimited

Connecticut Workers' Comp Coverage Exemptions

The following employees are automatically exempt from Connecticut workers' compensation insurance coverage:

• Domestic workers employed less than 26 hours per week
• Federal employees, including railroad workers
• Independent contractors
• LLC members and corporate officers
• Sole proprietors
• Anyone who tests positive for drugs or alcohol immediately after their injury accident

Connecticut Workers' Compensation Attorney Fees

Connecticut workers' comp lawyers work on contingency and may charge up to 25% of your final award in legal fees, on average. However, a judge must approve the legal fee amount before your attorney receives payment. If your case doesn't win, then you owe your lawyer $0.