Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
Detailed Answer
1. Understand Your Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Rights
Under Connecticut’s Workers’ Compensation Act, you may recover lost wages if you suffer a work-related injury. Even if you work for more than one employer at the time of injury, the Workers’ Compensation Commission will combine your earnings to calculate your average weekly wage. See Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-308(b)(1) (link).
2. Report the Injury Promptly
Notify each employer in writing within 10 days of your injury. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-294c, failure to report timely may risk your benefits (link).
3. File a Claim with the Workers’ Compensation Commission
Prepare and submit Form 30C (Notice of Claim for Compensation) to the Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission. Include:
- Copies of recent paystubs or W-2 forms from each employer.
- Medical reports or bills documenting your injury.
- Your injury report submitted to your employers.
The Commission sets a hearing date, at which you present evidence of wages and disability.
4. Calculation of Benefits and Apportionment
• Average Weekly Wage: The Commission averages your earnings over the 52 weeks before injury across all employers.
• Benefit Rate: You generally receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to Connecticut’s maximums.
• Apportionment: Under § 31-308(b)(2), the Commission apportions liability among employers based on their share of your total wages.
5. Third-Party Claims for Additional Lost Wages
If someone other than your employer caused the injury (for example, a negligent driver), you can pursue a third-party personal injury lawsuit. You may recover lost wages from all your jobs—past and future—through a tort claim. The statute of limitations is two years under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577 (link).
Document your earnings with tax returns and pay records. An economist or vocational expert can testify about future lost earning capacity.
Helpful Hints
- Keep detailed records of work hours, paystubs, and injury reports for each employer.
- Seek medical treatment immediately and keep all bills and records.
- File Form 30C with the Workers’ Compensation Commission as soon as possible.
- Meet all deadlines: 10-day injury reports; two-year claim filings.
- Gather tax returns and W-2s when preparing for third-party claims.
- Consider consulting a lawyer before hearings or lawsuits to review your documentation.
- Be ready to explain how much you earned at each job and the hours you missed.