How Workers’ Compensation Works After a Stratford Workplace Injury

We represent injured workers from Stratford, which has numerous industries and workplaces. Lots of employees come to Stratford every day to work for their employers. If you sustain a Stratford workplace injury, you should report your injury and officially file for workers’ compensation benefits right away.

No-Fault Laws

It does not matter if you caused your injury as a Connecticut worker. Our state’s workers’ compensation system is a “no-fault” system. Even in the event that you caused your injury, as long as you worked within the scope of your employment, your injuries are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. In this case, you can receive valuable benefits to compensate you for your injuries.

For example, if Alex worked in a doctor’s office and sustained an injury to his knee because he slipped on a wet floor, he would be fully covered by workers’ compensation. Even if Alex knew that the floor was wet, and he still attempted to walk over the slippery area, he would be covered. Alex would be covered under workers’ compensation insurance even if he was the one that was supposed to ensure that the floor was not wet. It simply does not matter who caused the accident. That’s the benefit of our workers’ compensation no-fault system.

Workers’ compensation is the remedy for wage replacement benefits and medical treatment for injured workers. Workers’ compensation aims to establish a quick way to get the injured worker treatment and benefits and to safely return to work. In exchange, you cannot sue your employer for your workplace injuries. Rather, instead of a long, drawn-out lawsuit, you must file an official workers’ compensation claim to receive your benefits. You can receive immediate medical treatment, as well as gain valuable wage replacement benefits while you are unable to return to work, without having to appear in court or file a lawsuit. This is another benefit of the no-fault system.

Potential Stratford Benefits

So, what benefits can an injured Stratford worker receive? It depends on the specific injury, but generally, workers’ compensation seeks to provide you with fair compensation for your workplace injury. You will receive all the medical treatment that your injury requires to return to work. Your medical bills will be paid for you. You will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses related to your medical treatment, including your travel. You will receive wage replacement benefits if you can’t go back to work because of your injuries or your occupational disease or illness. You will also be compensated for any permanent injuries or scars you received because of your workplace injuries.

Chief among the many wage replacement benefits that might be available to an injured Stratford worker are:

(1) Full Pay for Day of Injury – You are entitled to receive full pay from your employer for the date of your injury. If you can’t

return to work on the same day of your injury, your employer must pay you for a full day of work.

(2) Temporary Total Disability Benefits – You might not have the ability to go back to work because of your injury. If your injuries prevent you from a return to work, you are entitled to Temporary Total Disability Benefits. This is the case for all workdays missed because you cannot go back to work because of the severity of your injuries. These benefits are paid weekly, while you cannot return to work in any capacity. They equal 75% of your after-tax average weekly wages (typical weekly wages minus federal taxes, state taxes, and FICA deductions).

(3) Temporary Partial Disability Benefits – Your injury might allow you to return to work, but you might not have the ability to perform all your prior job duties. If this is the case, you may be able to perform light duty work instead of your previous job. If your employer doesn’t have light duty work for you, you are eligible for Temporary Partial Disability Benefits. These benefits are calculated and paid at the same rate as your TT benefits (75% of your after-tax average weekly wages).

The Help You Need

Do not rely on your employer to ensure you receive all the money benefits you are entitled to. Your employer will only look out for themselves, even if it means hurting you in the process. If you have received a workplace injury in Stratford, contact our workers’ compensation lawyers to discuss your eligibility for wage replacement benefits.