Connecticut Workers' Compensation: What It Covers and What It Doesn't
Workers’ compensation is an insurance system that provides benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, regardless of who’s at fault. Depending on your situation, workers’ compensation can cover:
- Medical expenses
- Partial wage replacement benefits for temporary disability
- Permanent partial or total disability benefits for lasting impairments
- Vocational rehabilitation services
- Death benefits for surviving family members
Keep in mind that workers’ comp does not provide compensation for many of the damages often available through personal injury lawsuits. In other words, workers’ comp typically does not cover pain and suffering, punitive damages, or the full value of lost wages.Â
State workers’ compensation law is ever-evolving. For example, in May 2025, lawmakers amended the Workers’ Compensation Act and created new limits on certain post-disability benefits available to some injured employees. For the most up-to-date information on workers’ comp benefits, we encourage you to speak with our Connecticut workers’ compensation attorneys.
Who Qualifies for Workers' Compensation in Connecticut?
Connecticut’s workers’ compensation system covers most employees, including:
- Full-time employees
- Part-time employees
- Seasonal employees
- Employees under 18 years old
- Employees who are not U.S. citizens
A few exceptions exist. For example, federal employees are generally covered under separate federal programs rather than the workers’ comp system. Additionally, individuals who perform household work in a private home for fewer than 26 hours per week may also be excluded from coverage.Â
Eligibility depends largely on whether you meet the definition of an “employee.” Independent contractors do not qualify for workers’ comp coverage. However, sometimes employers misclassify workers. If you’re unsure whether you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, our Connecticut workplace injury attorneys can help you understand your rights.
Connecticut Third-Party Workplace Injury Claims
Because it’s a no-fault system, workers’ compensation generally prevents employees from suing their employers for workplace injuries. However, Connecticut law does allow injured workers to pursue personal injury lawsuits against negligent third parties.Â
Besides your employer, if someone else’s negligence contributed to your injuries, you have the right to sue them directly. For example, if you suffered an injury from an unsafe worksite, you might have a third-party claim against the property owner.Â
A third-party claim is a separate civil lawsuit, and you can file one alongside a workers’ compensation claim. It allows you to seek compensation that workers’ comp doesn’t cover, such as pain and suffering and the full value of your lost wages. Punitive damages may also be available in cases involving extreme recklessness or intentional harm.Â
Common Connecticut Workplace Injuries That May Involve Third-Party Claims
While any workplace injury could potentially involve third-party negligence, it’s especially common in industries with multiple layers of responsibility, such as construction, manufacturing, and transportation. As a result, certain work-related accidents are more likely to give rise to a Connecticut workplace injury lawsuit:
- Falls: Scaffolding and ladder fall accidents often occur on property owned by someone other than the employer, which can lead to third-party liability.Â
- Electrical accidents: These incidents often involve third-party contractors responsible for maintaining electrical systems.
- Struck-by accidents: Workers can easily be injured by equipment or falling objects controlled by a third-party contractor.Â
- Construction site accidents: Construction projects frequently involve multiple companies working together, increasing the likelihood that a third party will share responsibility for an injury.Â
- Motor vehicle accidents: If you are injured in a car accident with a negligent driver while you are working, you may have a claim against that driver.Â
- Defective equipment injuries: When equipment used on the job malfunctions, the manufacturer may be liable for a worker’s injuries.Â
Connecticut Workers' Comp Filing Deadlines
If you are thinking about pursuing compensation for a workplace injury in Connecticut, strict deadlines apply. Missing the applicable deadline could jeopardize your right to recover benefits.Â
To protect your potential workers’ compensation benefits, you must notify your employer of a work-related injury or illness as soon as possible after it occurs. You also have one year from the date of the injury to notify your employer of your intent to pursue workers’ comp benefits by filing a Form 30C. If you suffered an occupational disease, you have three years from symptom onset to file a workers’ comp claim in Connecticut.Â
If a negligent third party contributed to your work-related injury, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.Â
Multiple deadlines may apply to the same case. The sooner you consult our attorneys, the more likely you are to meet every deadline and protect the full amount of benefits you may be entitled to.
Our Proven Workplace Injury Results: Millions Recovered for Connecticut Workers
Since 1988, our team has helped injured workers throughout Connecticut pursue the compensation they deserve. We’ve secured significant recoveries in a wide range of workplace injury cases, including those that involve both workers’ compensation benefits and third-party lawsuits. Whether you’ve suffered a serious injury, such as a traumatic brain injury, or lost a loved one to wrongful death, our attorneys are here to help.
Our results and testimonials demonstrate our commitment to providing effective and aggressive advocacy. However, every case is unique, and past results do not guarantee a particular outcome. Your case’s value will depend on many factors specific to your situation. When you choose us to represent you, we’ll carefully evaluate your circumstances and provide an idea of what your workplace injury case may be worth.
$8.75M
Wrongful death as a result of Workplace Accident
Workplace Injuries
$4M
Death of a Construction Worker Killed in an Industrial Accident
Construction Accidents
$2M
Death of a 38 year old male, involving workers’ compensation claim and negligence of elderly driver.
Workplace Injuries
$500K
Severe injuries sustained by construction worker who fell from a height while working at a private home.
Workplace Injuries
Contact Our Connecticut Workplace Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
After a workplace injury, your focus should be on your health—not deciphering the workers’ compensation system. Unfortunately, understanding your rights can be far more complicated than you might expect.Â
Depending on the circumstances, you may have options beyond workers’ comp. At Kennedy Johnson, we will evaluate your case and identify all available sources of compensation. If you’re eligible for multiple types of claims, we’ll handle each case simultaneously and pursue maximum recovery on your behalf.
With offices in New Haven, Norwalk, and Stamford, we proudly represent injured workers across Connecticut. Our attorneys have been fighting for people affected by workplace injuries for over 35 years, and we’re ready to put that experience to work for you.Â
Call 203-865-8430 or complete our online contact form to speak with a member of our team about your case. The consultation is free, and you’ll pay nothing for our services unless we recover compensation for you.Â