Questions & Answers about Workers' Compensation

Have you been hurt at work? Have you become sick because of your job?

Know your rights!
September 2008

A. Workers’ compensation is a set of laws that may help you if are hurt at work or become sick because of work. Usually, if you are eligible for workers’ compensation, you cannot sue your employer because of the injury or illness.

A. Workers’ compensation benefits may include:

• medical treatment to take care of the illness or injury,
• money to replace lost wages,
• money because of a permanent disability, and
• vocational rehabilitation--if you can’t do the work which caused the injury or illness.

Generally, the amount of money you receive is based on the amount of wages you earned. You may get up to 75% of your net weekly income (your wages after taxes and social security are taken out).

A. Anyone who works and gets hurt on the job or becomes ill because of the job is eligible. Farm workers and temporary workers are also covered by workers’ compensation--no matter how long they have worked.   Dependents of employees who are killed because of a job are also eligible. 

A.  That depends on the type of injury you received. You will be seen by a doctor while you are injured or sick. The doctor will decide when you can go back to work.

A.   No. If you were hurt on the job, you have the right to apply for workers’ compensation. If you are fired because you have filed a claim, you can file another claim with the Workers’ Compensation Commission or the Superior Court stating that you were retaliated against or wrongfully fired.

Q.  How do I file my workers' compensation claim?

A.  You must report your injury to your employer AND file a claim with the Workers' Compensation Commission Office. To file a claim, call the Workers' Compensation Commission at 1-800-223-9675, visit their website www.wcc.state.ct.us or look under State of CT in the blue pages of the phone book to find the closest office.

A. You should file your claim with the Workers' Compensation Commission as soon as you are injured on the job. However, you have up to one year to file your claim.

Q. What if I cannot do my old job again?

A. You may be able to get rehabilitative services to train you for a new job and you can be transferred to a job you can do.

A. It is always a good idea to have a lawyer help you with a workers’ compensation claim. Call Infoline (2-1-1) to find your local Lawyer Referral Service.

Questions? Call Statewide Legal Services at 1-800-453-3320 or 860-344-0380.