New Haven Workplace Injury Lawyer
Workers’ compensation benefits are meant to provide a fast means to receive financial support while you recover from a workplace injury. However, employers and their insurers often fight claims, depriving workers of the benefits they’ve earned.
Meanwhile, workers’ comp does not cover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. However, when parties other than an employer are responsible, you might be entitled to pursue a personal injury lawsuit for compensation for all your losses.
At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C., our New Haven workplace injury lawyers have over 35 years of experience and a strong reputation throughout Connecticut for obtaining substantial compensation for injured workers.
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Serving Workplace Accident Victims Across New Haven County
Our attorneys have local roots and take pride in representing clients across New Haven County, including in the following areas:
- West Haven
- Meriden
- Milford
- Hamden
- Wallingford
- East Haven
- Branford
- North Haven
- Cheshire
Our New Haven Workers Compensation Attorneys Fight for You
We are dedicated to providing compassionate legal representation with an emphasis on integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to justice. We have been fighting for the rights of injured workers since 1988 and have built a track record of handling complicated and high-exposure work injury cases with exceptional results.
Insurance companies often resort to underhanded legal maneuvers to avoid paying fair compensation. No matter what they tell you, they are not on your side. Insurance companies will misconstrue your words and use them against you. They may pressure you to accept a lowball settlement and then require you to sign away your legal rights before you can accept it.
In addition, when you are injured in the workplace, manufacturers, property owners, or general contractors may be liable. Thus, you might be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim outside of the workers’ compensation system.
Our award-winning workplace accident lawyers work as a team to level the playing field with insurance companies and hold them accountable for paying fair compensation. We can also determine all the paths available for compensation. Let us take the weight off our shoulders by handling all aspects of your workers’ compensation claims and any related personal injury lawsuits.
How Can our Workplace Injury Lawyers Help?
When you choose us, you will get an ally dedicated to providing effective, aggressive representation and delivering the best possible results. While you focus on recovery, we will handle your legal claim and do the following:
- Visit the accident site, investigate, and gather evidence, such as camera footage, incident reports, eyewitness statements, and photographs.
- Identify the parties responsible for your injuries.
- Retrieve your medical records and work with experts to assess the severity of your injuries and calculate your damages.
- Provide personalized legal guidance through every step of your legal claim.
- File your claim with the responsible insurance companies.
- Work with your doctors to ensure you receive appropriate medical tests to prove your claim.
- Negotiate a settlement with the insurance companies.
- File a lawsuit if the insurance companies refuse to cover your damages.
- Take your case to trial if necessary to secure fair compensation.
We do all of this with no upfront cost to you. We only get paid if you get paid. We offer a free initial consultation, so you have nothing to lose by reaching out to our New Haven workplace injury law office today.
John Kennedy Jr.
Founding Partner
John J. Kennedy, Jr., is the founding partner of Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C. In 1988, John formed Kennedy & Johnson, along with David Johnson. John is an accomplished trial attorney, spending most of his more than 42 years practicing in Connecticut, representing injured clients before juries.
Types of Workplace Injury Cases We Handle
- Construction Accidents
- Scaffolding Accidents
- Industrial & Factory Accidents
- Lower back injuries
- Shoulder & Knee Injuries
- Slips, Trips, and Falls
- Third-Party Claims
- Workers Compensation Claims
- Wrongful Death
Our New Haven Workplace Injury Case Results
We have a strong reputation throughout the state for securing substantial case results for clients, including the following in injured worker cases:
- $2 million recovered in a workers’ compensation claim involving the negligence of an elderly driver, resulting in a wrongful death
- $500,000 recovered for a construction worker who sustained severe injuries in a fall from heights while working at a private home
- $400,000 for a worker who suffered an aortic aneurysm on the job
What Our Clients Say
Our clients love the personalized care, empathy, and outstanding results they receive while working with our caring attorneys. Most of our clients are referrals or repeat clients. We regularly receive positive testimonials from our clients, such as the following:
Get a Free Case Evaluation From Our New Haven Workers Compensation Lawyers
We are dedicated to providing responsive, sympathetic legal representation in small and large workplace injury cases. With over 35 years of experience and a proven track record, you can count on us to get you the best possible results. Hurt in an accident? Get a free consultation—call (203) 865-8430 now or contact us using our online form.
New Haven Workplace Injury Attorney FAQs
How Does Workers Compensation Work in Connecticut?
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance policy that covers workers injured on the job. Employers must provide workers’ compensation coverage. To receive benefits, you must report your injuries to your employer. Workers’ compensation provides free medical care and pays wage replacement benefits until your doctor determines you can return to work. The employer chooses your initial doctor, but you can choose a doctor for your continuing care.
If your employer carries workers’ compensation, you cannot sue the employer. Workers’ compensation laws are a compromise—employers have provided coverage to meet the basic needs of injured workers in exchange for immunity from lawsuits.
What Is The Difference Between A Workers’ Comp Claim and a Personal Injury Claim?
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system in which injured workers file claims with their employers’ insurers. Benefits are limited to medical expenses and disability benefits to partially replace wages when you cannot work because of your injury. Benefits are available regardless of fault. You can recover benefits even if you were at fault for your injuries.
A personal injury claim is pursued outside the workers’ compensation system and can involve filing a civil lawsuit in court. It generally takes longer to receive compensation, and compensation is not guaranteed. Unlike workers’ comp, you must prove someone else is at fault for your injuries. Thus, a personal injury claim brings the complexity of litigation. However, compensation is generally higher and may include additional damages, such as pain and suffering.
What Benefits Does Workers Compensation Provide?
Workers’ compensation provides free medical care for your work-related injury and wage replacement benefits, also known as disability benefits. Your disability benefits vary based on the permanency and degree of your disability, as follows:
- Temporary Total Disability — 75 percent of your net wages after taxes, based on your average weekly wage for the past year
- Temporary Partial Disability — Benefits you receive when your injuries allow you to do some work, but at a lower pay rate. Your benefits amount is the difference between your wages and 75 percent of your normal work wages. You are entitled to the full benefit while looking for a job.
- Permanent Total Disability — 75 percent of your post-tax wages for the duration of your disability
- Permanent Partial Disability — Benefits paid when you have suffered the permanent, partial loss of a body part, in an amount that varies based on which body part is affected
- Discretionary wage differential — Additional benefits you may receive at the discretion of the Administrative Law Judge after your partial disability benefits are exhausted if your injury prevents you from finding employment or earning the same salary as before
- Disfigurement and scarring benefits — Up to 75 percent of your average weekly wage for up to 208 weeks
What Is a Workers’ Compensation Appeal?
A workers’ compensation appeal is a request for reconsideration of an adverse action, such as a denial of benefits. Before appealing, you must request an Informal Hearing before the Administrative Law Judge. If you do not get the desired result, you can request another Informal Hearing or a Formal Hearing. Formal Hearings have similar formats as courtroom trials.
If you do not get the desired result at the Formal Hearing, you can appeal to the Workers’ Compensation Commission’s Compensation Review Board, or CRB, within 20 days of the decision. The CRB will determine whether the Administrative Law Judge erred in their decision. It can affirm the decision, modify it, or reverse it. Beyond the CRB, you can appeal your case to the Appellate Court or the State Supreme Court.
We can attend all of the hearings with you or on your behalf. We are often successful in winning a resolution during Informal Hearings, but we will stand with you throughout the hearings and the appeal stage as necessary.
Should I File a Workplace Injury Lawsuit?
You may have grounds to file a workplace injury lawsuit if someone other than your employer caused your injuries. A New Haven workplace injury lawsuit can give you access to damages that are unavailable through workers’ compensation, such as the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Inconvenience
- Humiliation
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of society
Our knowledgeable workplace injury attorneys in New Haven can determine whether you are eligible to pursue a workplace injury lawsuit after reviewing your case and speaking with you during a free consultation.
How Long Do I Have To File a Work Injury Lawsuit in Connecticut?
Under the Connecticut statute of limitations, you generally must file your work injury lawsuit within two years of the injury. However, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney well ahead of the deadline to ensure your attorney has access to the evidence and sufficient time to prepare your case.
How Long Do Workplace Injury Claims Take?
It depends on the type of workplace injury claim you file and the complexity of your claim. In a workers’ compensation claim, you should start receiving medical care immediately upon notifying your employer about your injury. Your benefits should begin the fourth day after your injury. If your injuries are permanent, your disability benefits will begin after you reach your maximum medical improvement.
Workers’ compensation appeals can take a few months to resolve. If your case makes it to the Formal Hearing level, the board must deliver a decision within 120 days. If your case is appealed before the Appellate or State Supreme Court, it could take a year or longer to resolve, depending on the court docket schedule. Our attorneys can often resolve workers’ compensation claims within a few days or weeks.
Third-party lawsuits may take anywhere from several months to a few years to resolve, depending on whether your case settles or goes to trial.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Your settlement amount will vary based on your earnings before your accident, your eligibility to pursue a third-party lawsuit, and the severity of your injuries. Compensation is generally higher when injuries are permanent and totally disabling.
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Office Locations
15 N. Main Street #100 Suite 217
West Hartford, CT 06107
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