Connecticut workers’ comp benefits: what am I entitled to? Workers in Connecticut are entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits for injuries sustained on the job. This ensures that they can get the medical care they need and offset lost income.
The type of benefit available depends on the employee’s injuries, and a Connecticut workers’ compensation lawyer can provide clarity to ensure maximum value.
Types of Benefits an Employee May Receive
The types of benefits an employee can recover through workers’ compensation depend on their situation. Every accident is different, and some employees may sustain more serious injuries than others. The type, extent, and severity of an injury also influence an employee’s mobility and their ability to return to work or work in the same capacity.
Similarly, these factors also affect how long an employee can recover benefits. Some may require compensation for a limited period of time, while others may need it indefinitely. A lawyer can help you determine which benefits you are entitled to, so you know which ones to apply for in your claim.
They can assess your situation and walk you through each type of benefit, so you understand your workers’ compensation rights, responsibilities, and claims. Below is a closer look at some of the types of disability benefits you can earn from filing a workers’ compensation case.
Temporary Total Disability Benefits
Temporary Total (TT) Disability payments are paid for the period during which the work injury or treatment, combined with a preexisting condition, prevents the injured employee from doing any work at all. These benefits often include payment for medical expenses and the time taken off from work for recovery.
Temporary Partial Disability Benefits
Temporary Partial (TP) Disability payments are paid when the employee has healed enough to perform some work, but still cannot perform the full duties of the job. This includes whether the employee is working within the restrictions outlined by a doctor. Sometimes, TP Disability provides additional benefits if an employee cannot earn as much because they cannot perform the full duties they did before.
An employee’s Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) will also be considered. This is when a doctor states that an employee has healed as much as they will ever heal. They will decide the extent of the permanent injury. At this point, the employee can begin to receive payments for Permanent Partial Disability.
Permanent Partial Disability Benefits
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) payments must be paid at the time of MMI if the injured person is suffering a lasting disability but can still perform some work, whether or not the person is currently employed, and whether or not the person can still perform their old job. PPD payments are also referred to as “specific” payments because Connecticut has very specific laws governing their calculation.
Under Connecticut law, almost every body part is assigned a value of the number of weeks of compensation benefits possible. This number is combined with a doctor-estimated percentage of permanent impairment.
Discretionary Benefits
Discretionary Benefits, also known as 308a benefits, are paid when an employee has healed as much as possible (MMI), received PPD payments, and still cannot earn as much as they did before the injury. For discretionary benefits, the commissioner estimates what the employee would have earned in the old job and compares that estimate with what the employee is capable of earning now.
The commissioner may order the employer’s insurance company to pay additional benefits to make up for the difference in potential earnings.
Permanent Total Disability Benefits
Permanent Total Disability (PTD) payments are paid when an employee has suffered severe injuries and is unable to work at all due to their condition. These payments may be paid indefinitely, depending on the situation. Qualifying situations may include loss of vision and/or the loss of one or more limbs.
How Workers’ Comp Benefits are Calculated in Connecticut
When looking at workers’ compensation benefits in Connecticut and surrounding states, Connecticut provides the highest compensation rate for total disability benefits and permanent partial disability benefits. The amount is based on 75% of a worker’s net average weekly wage. For total benefits, compensation lasts the duration of the disability, while permanent disability is subject to set terms.
It’s important to know that caps may apply to compensation or duration depending on the type of benefit you’re applying for and the type of injury you’ve suffered. If you’re unsure about how much you can recover in your situation, be sure to seek legal advice before moving forward.
It’s important to know that when it comes to workers’ comp, always check with a lawyer first. Every case is different, and some may be more complex than others. A lawyer can make sure that your rights are protected and that careful consideration is given to your case for favorable results.
What is Covered by Workers’ Compensation Disability Benefits
The workers’ comp benefits you are entitled to in Connecticut can provide relief for a few different losses related to your accident. These funds can provide much-needed relief so you can recover with peace of mind and can gradually regain control of your life.
Disability benefits typically cover the costs of your medical care, including physical and vocational rehabilitation. It also helps ease the burden of reduced or lost income for you and your family. In workplace accidents that result in a fatality, workers’ comp benefits can also cover funeral and burial costs, as well as death benefits for surviving family members.
The Law Offices of James A. Welcomes is Ready to Assist You
The Law Offices of James A. Welcome work diligently to help you recover Connecticut workers’ comp benefits after an accident. We understand how much this kind of event can disrupt your family, and we are here to make sure you have an advocate and receive trusted legal counsel.
To learn more about us and determine what benefits you can recover, reach out today to schedule a consultation.
