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 Connecticut's Workers' Compensation Act provides for the payment of benefits to an injured employee when he or she suffers a work-related injury. There are two general types of injuries that can be compensable under our Act. Injuries in the first category result from a specific trauma, such as a fall down or an attempt to lift a heavy object. These injuries tend to be easier to prove, and the reasons behind the award of compensation are understandable. A common misconception, however, is that there must be a specific trauma for a compensable work-related injury to result.
Our law recognizes that you may suffer a compensable injury as a result of repetitive trauma over time. Years of hard work and repetitive tasks can result in a medical problem or injury, such as a bad back, joint derangement, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, etc., that may entitle you to the same workers' compensation benefits as those that become payable from a specific injury. Sadly, however, many workers, who have sacrificed their bodies for the sake of their job, ignore their rights or fail to act timely to preserve their claim. Timely legal consultation can ensure that your rights are protected.
We are commonly asked about job security and whether filing a claim will protect an injured worker from termination. Here, our law is clear. The law protects an injured worker's right to pursue workers' compensation benefits. No employer may terminate or otherwise discriminate against an employee because the employee pursued a workers' compensation claim. If an illegal discrimination or termination is found, the employee may be awarded job reinstatement, payment of back pay and reestablishment of benefits, in addition to the punitive sanction of awarding attorneys' fees.
 Many of our clients have also questioned their entitlement to benefits when they have a pre-existing condition. On this issue, it is important to know that under our law, a pre-existing condition does not automatically disqualify you from benefits. If it is found that a work trauma caused a substantial aggravation of the pre-existing problem, such that a new injury is deemed to have resulted, workers' compensation benefits may still be awarded.
As you can see, Workers' Compensation is a specialized area of the law. While many law firms handle workers' compensation claims, few do it regularly or have the experience to do it well. It is in your best interest to hire an attorney with the necessary experience and background to get you the compensation that you deserve.
Please contact our office to further discuss your situation. You may call us at (203)712-0210 or send us a confidential email from our “contact us” page. Our courteous staff will gladly assist you.
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