Job-related injuries and illnesses can cost you your livelihood and much more. Serious injuries may prevent you from earning a living, interacting with your loved ones as usual, and simply enjoying your day-to-day activities.
Fortunately, nearly all employees in Connecticut are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Though this coverage cannot undo your injuries, it can provide significant financial resources as you work on your recovery. That said, securing these benefits is not always easy. To make sure you know your rights and avoid pitfalls on the road toward compensation, consult with an experienced workers’ comp attorney early on. Get in touch with one of our Hartford workers comp lawyers today.
One of the Best Workers Compensation Lawyers in Hartford
The workers’ compensation lawyers at Jainchill & Beckert, LLC have decades of experience helping work injury victims throughout Connecticut. We are ready to help you too. While you focus on your recovery, let us focus on securing the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney in Hartford near you.
What Is Hartford Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is state-mandated insurance coverage designed to help injured employees recover from workplace accidents by covering the costs of their medical bills, lost wages, and more. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault kind of insurance, which means it does not matter whether the injured worker or their employer was at fault for the accident.
Coverage is paid for by employers. In exchange, eligible employees are generally not allowed to seek compensation for their injuries by filing a lawsuit against their employers.
Are All Employers Required to Carry Workers’ Compensation in Hartford?
Almost. In Connecticut, nearly all businesses — even those with just one full-time or part-time employee — must carry workers’ compensation insurance. Eligible workers are covered from their first day on the job. Though this law is strictly enforced, it does come with a few narrow exceptions. For example, employers do not need to provide workers’ compensation for household workers who work less than 26 hours per week in their employer’s home.
Further, independent contractors are also not eligible for state-mandated workers’ compensation. This is because there exists an important legal distinction between independent contractors and employees.
Some employers try to avoid paying workers’ compensation insurance by misclassifying employees as contractors.
Remember that your on-the-job duties legally determine whether you qualify as a contractor, not how your employer prefers to classify you. If you believe you have been denied workers’ compensation benefits because your employer misclassified you as an independent contractor, you should immediately consult with a Hartford workers’ compensation attorney.
What Benefits Are Available Through a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Connecticut?
Workplace injuries can have a serious impact on your life beyond the injuries themselves. For example, costly medical bills and the inability to work while you recover can have a serious impact on your personal finances. Fortunately, employees injured on the job may be entitled to a wide variety of workers’ compensation benefits to offset their losses. Benefits may cover things like:
- Medical expenses associated with the injury (you must first see a pre-approved physician)
- Prescription medicine
- Travel expenses for medical treatment
- Wage replacement
- Temporary disability
- Permanent disability
- Injury recurrence or relapse
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Dependent survivor benefits (when the worker dies from their injuries)
How Long Do You Have to Report a Workplace Injury in Hartford?
You should report your work-related injury or illness to your employer as soon as possible to begin the workers’ compensation claims process. You should make your report immediately unless your injuries prevent you from doing so. The governing state law explains that your claim will be barred unless “a written notice of claim for compensation is given within one year from the date of the accident”. You may also have a claim for repetitive trauma or occupational disease. It is important to consult with an attorney to understand what type of claim you may have. Get in touch with one of our Hartford workers’ compensation lawyers today.
Can I Be Fired for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Hartford?
No, your employer cannot legally fire you in retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Attempts to do so can result in serious legal consequences, including creating grounds for a wrongful termination claim.
That said, employers have broad discretion to fire at-will employees, injured or otherwise, for various other reasons. Therefore, unscrupulous employers may try to blur the lines. If you believe your employer fired you in retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim, you should consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
What If My Hartford Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied?
There are many reasons a workers’ compensation claim may be denied. Among other things, workers’ compensation law is notoriously laced with red tape, and even a simple administrative error can result in your claim being denied altogether. Other reasons include failure to report your injury to your employer before the deadline passes and failure to seek medical treatment in a timely manner.
If your workers’ compensation claim is denied, the best thing to do is to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. Ideally, injured workers should do this before filing a claim, especially in cases involving serious injuries. This will ensure they know their full rights and options on the front end. Either way, an experienced attorney can advocate for you in an appeal in the event your claim is denied.
Appealing a denied claim can be challenging and complicated. Even small mistakes can compromise your right to have your case reviewed. Simply put, your odds of successfully appealing a denied claim are much higher if you do not try to tackle it alone. You may need to talk to a Hartford workers comp attorney today.
What Should I Do If I Am Hurt on the Job in Hartford?
After suffering a workplace injury, the tedious process of filing a workers’ compensation claim is probably the last thing you want to deal with. However, to preserve your right to compensation, it is important that you take proactive steps early on.
If you were injured on the job, take the following steps to protect yourself and your eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits:
- Seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
- Make a written report to your employer right away. If you cannot due to your injuries, ask a trusted friend or colleague to do so for you.
- Thoroughly document the scene and your injuries using photographs and videos.
- Identify witnesses and nearby surveillance equipment.
- Write down how the accident occurred using as much detail as possible before your memory starts to fade.
- Save all medical records related to your injury.
- Avoid discussing your accident with people other than trusted family members and friends.
- Do not post about the accident on social media.
- Do not speak to your employer’s workers’ compensation provider until you have consulted with a workers comp lawyer.
Contact a Hartford Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
The personal injury lawyers in Hartford at Jainchill & Beckert, LLC understand how frustrating handling a workers’ compensation claim can be while recovering from workplace injuries. Our dedicated team of attorneys is standing by to help you secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer near you.
