Weekly TT benefits are based on 75 percent of the worker’s after-tax average weekly wage, subject to the State legislated maximum and minimum amounts. WC is paid for the duration of the disability.

If the worker returns to work from an injury, but then has a recurrence or relapse from recovery, they will again be eligible to receive WC. This weekly compensation rate is based on the original TT benefit rate (plus cost-of-living adjustments) OR the TT rate based on the worker’s earnings at the time of the recurrence or relapse, whichever is higher.

If the worker is released for “light duty” or “restricted” work and the employer does not have such work, they are entitled to TP benefits while performing a job search for suitable employment. TP benefits are paid at the basic weekly TT compensation rate, subject to the State maximum and minimum amounts.

If, as a result of the injury, the worker returns to a lower-paying job (described as either “light duty” or “restricted”), they are entitled to TP wage differential benefits. These TP benefits are based on 75 percent of the after-tax difference between the wages the worker is currently earning and the wages currently being paid in the former job, subject to the State maximum and minimum amounts.

PT is the same as TT except that it is paid for permanent disability and is increased by COLAs. Some injuries are deemed permanent, such as an injury resulting in permanent and complete paralysis of the legs or arms.

When Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) is reached, a percentage disability rating is issued (usually on a Form 42 or in the form of a medical report). This marks the end of other workers’ compensation benefits (TT or TP) and makes the worker eligible to receive weekly PP benefits for a specific number of weeks. The rate of weekly PP paid is determined by the specific body part that was injured and the basic compensation that the worker was receiving at the time of the original injury. It is subject to the State maximum and minimum amounts. Payment of this benefit does not close out the claimant’s case.

If the employer/insurer accepts the evaluation, a Voluntary Agreement form is issued. The claim remains open and the employer/insurer is still liable for future medical expenses and other compensation benefits.

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  If the degree of disability is disputed, the worker and the employer/insurer can either work out a compromise or request an Informal Hearing on the matter. In most cases claimants will receive undisputed PP benefits without the need for legal representation.

WC may be awarded for permanent, significant disfigurement or scars due to a work-related injury. These awards cannot be requested any earlier than 1 year or later than 2 years after the injury or surgery causing the disfigurement or scar. The weekly Disfigurement and Scarring benefit rate is equal to the worker’s weekly TT benefit rate, subject to the State maximum and minimum amounts, and may be paid for a period of up to 208 weeks.

This additional WC may be granted to a worker after they have been paid all of the PP WC, if the injury results in the inability to find employment, or the new employment pays less than the original job. The worker must request a hearing in order to receive these benefits. If they are granted, it will be for a specific number of weeks, which cannot exceed the number of weeks PP was paid.

When a worker with a previous WC disability incurred a second disability that, in combination with the first injury, resulted in permanent disability, the second employer used to be able to transfer liability to the State’s Secondary Injury Fund. That fund has now been closed to new claims. For injuries on or after 07/01/1995, employers and their insurers remain liable for the WC due.

Periodic WC can be commuted into a lump sum payment. An award commuted into a lump sum becomes a final judgment, and no additional WC will be due on that claim.

Settlement agreements to finally or partially settle WC claims are allowed, subject to the approval of the WC commissioner.

These are benefits for police officers or firefighters disabled as a result of hypertension or heart disease only. They are offsettable WC if the disability is work-related. Develop if there is reason to suspect that the payments are not work-related. If the disabled worker was employed as a police officer or firefighter:

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  Determine whether the disabled worker is receiving, has filed, or intends to file for benefits under the Connecticut General Statutes, section 7.433c.

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  Explain the effect of these payments on SSA DIB benefits, i.e., they are considered to be work-related and therefore are offsettable WC.

Carriers are usually the best source of WC payment information.

Workers’ Compensation Commission

Capitol Place

21 Oak Street, Fourth Floor

Hartford, Connecticut 06106

Phone: (800) 223-9675 (toll-free in Connecticut), or (860) 493-1500

Fax: (860) 247-1361

Early State records may not be available. Some records were lost due to flooding in the early 1990’s in Hartford.

When sending a request for WC information, make sure to provide the beneficiary’s date of birth (DOB). If you are using Form SSA-1709, provide the DOB in the Remarks section (field #12). The Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission is now using DOB information (as opposed to Social Security numbers) to identify claimants.

The employer sends the Form 30C to the insurer, who then has 28 days in which to commence payment for lost time or deny the claim. If they do neither within that period of time, they lose their right to contest the claim. If payments are begun within the 28 days, the employer/insurer then has up to one year in which to contest the claim.

If the injury/illness disables the worker for more than 3 days and the insurance company does not deny the claim, they must issue a Voluntary Agreement (VA), which is a statement of acceptance of responsibility for the claim. The VA must be signed by all parties and approved by a Workers’ Compensation Commissioner. The official State of Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Voluntary Agreement form is green.

When the claimant is no longer totally disabled, the employers/insurers are required to file a Form 36 in order to discontinue TT WC payments. This form must be sent to the claimant and the WC Commissioner. The Commissioner will automatically approve the Form 36 within 15 days of receipt, unless contested by the claimant. If the notice of discontinuation is properly contested, the employer/insurer must continue to pay workers’ compensation benefits until an Informal Hearing is held on the matter.