By Connecticut law, all employers with at least one employee need to purchase workers’ compensation insurance to cover their damages in case of a work-related accident. If they do not have workers’ comp coverage for their workers, then an employer must work with the State of Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) to prove they are self-insured. In either circumstance, if you are working in Connecticut for another employer, then you can rightly assume you have some sort of workers’ compensation coverage made available to you.

The question that eludes most workers in Connecticut, though, ishow can those workers compensation claim be accessed? That is to say, what do you do to file for workers’ compensation after an on-the-job accident and injury?

Let’s take a look at what the Connecticut WCC recommends:

1. Report your injury immediately: The worst thing you can do after being hurt on-the-job is trying to keep it from your employer. As soon as you have a moment, tell your employer about what happened so they can file an “Employer’s First Report of Occupational Injury or Illness” report with their insurance provider. It is worth nothing that you might not have to tell your employer directly about your workplace injury if it should be obvious to them that it happened. For example, if you fall off a high ladder in front of coworkers and customers, then you should be able to reasonably assume your employer knows what happened. Still, always err on the side of caution and tell them directly when possible.
2. Seek medical attention as soon as possible: Your employer should avoid any delay to send you to a medical center that can diagnose and treat your injuries. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may drive yourself to a company-approved center, or be taken there, perhaps in an ambulance. You cannot refuse initial treatment if you are brought to a medical care provider designated by your employer, or else you jeopardize your right to workers’ comp benefits.
3. File your claim without delay: After initial treatments are completed, you should retrieve a30C Form from the WCC as soon as possible. This document is probably kept in your supervisor’s office, but it should also be downloadable and printable from the WCC website. Provide as much information and details as possible in this form, remembering that liability is not a question in workers’ comp, meaning you can get the benefits even if your own mistake caused your accident.

How Long Do You Have to File Your Workers’ Comp Claim?

Connecticut has a one-year statute of limitations on workers compensation claims, which means you must file your 30C Form within one year of your work injury. Keep in mind thatsooner is better because delays are sometimes misconstrued by insurers as an attempt to fabricate the situation. If your workers’ comp claim originates from an occupational disease, though, Connecticut gives you three years from the first signs of your illness to file your claim, which accounts for the time needed to diagnose the illness and the harm it is causing.

Do you need help figuring out how to file a workers compensation claim in Connecticut? Did you file one only for it to be deniedby the responding insurance company? For legal guidance and representation for all cases related to workers’ comp in Connecticut, come to the Law Offices of James A. Welcome. We have been standing up for injured workers for years, and we would be honored to continue this proud tradition for you, too.

Call (203) 806-7922to see if you have a claim or case.