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Written and reviewed by Attorney James F. Aspell, Board-Certified Workers' Compensation Specialist · Updated October 19, 2026

If you were hurt on the job in Connecticut, the Connecticut Workers' Compensation Act entitles you to medical care and weekly wage benefits, whether or not anyone was at fault. For injuries on or after October 1, 2026, total disability benefits pay 75% of your after-tax average weekly wage, up to $1,776 a week. James F. Aspell, P.C. has represented injured workers in Hartford and across Connecticut since 1986, from offices in Farmington and West Hartford.

For 40 years our firm has focused on one mission: protecting injured workers from insurance company delay, denial and underpayment. Whether you are a warehouse worker, nurse or health care employee, construction worker, delivery driver or office professional, our Connecticut workers' compensation lawyers are ready to fight for you.

Call (860) 523-8783 for a free consultation. Phones are answered 24 hours a day.

Connecticut Workers' Compensation at a Glance (2026)

Question	Short answer
Do I have to prove my employer was at fault?	No. Connecticut workers' comp is a no-fault system.
How much is the weekly check?	75% of your after-tax average weekly wage (C.G.S. § 31-307).
Maximum weekly benefit (total disability)	$1,776 for injuries on or after October 1, 2026; $1,716 for injuries October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.
Maximum weekly benefit (partial disability)	$1,175 for injuries on or after October 1, 2026.
Deadline to file a claim	Written notice (Form 30C) within 1 year of the injury; within 3 years of the first symptom for an occupational disease (C.G.S. § 31-294c).
How long the insurer has to deny	28 days after receiving your Form 30C to file a Form 43 contesting the claim.
Can I sue my employer?	Usually not, but you may sue a negligent third party (a driver, equipment maker or subcontractor).
Can I be fired for filing?	It is illegal to fire or discriminate against you for filing a claim (C.G.S. § 31-290a).

Why Hire a Connecticut Workers' Compensation Lawyer?

Connecticut's system is designed to protect employees, but in practice insurers control the claim: they choose what to accept, send you to their own doctors, and decide when checks start and stop. Without experienced representation, injured workers often lose benefits they are legally entitled to.

As seasoned Connecticut workers' compensation attorneys, we help clients:

• File claims correctly and on time, starting with a properly served Form 30C
• Respond to Form 43 denials and insurance company investigations
• Secure temporary total, temporary partial and permanent disability benefits
• Obtain approval for surgery, physical therapy and specialist care, and request a Commissioner's Medical Examination when the insurer's doctor gets it wrong
• Negotiate full and final settlements by stipulation
• Litigate disputed claims before the Workers' Compensation Commission

We regularly appear before Administrative Law Judges at the Connecticut Workers' Compensation Commission, including the Hartford (1st), New Britain (6th), Middletown (8th), Waterbury (5th) and New Haven (3rd) district offices, and we represent injured workers in all eight districts statewide.

How a Connecticut Workers' Comp Claim Works, Step by Step

1. Report the injury to your employer right away, in writing. Note the date, time, place and witnesses.
2. Get medical care and say the injury happened at work. Your employer may have an approved medical care plan; see Can I choose my own doctor?
3. File Form 30C with the Workers' Compensation Commission and your employer within one year. Send it by certified mail and keep proof.
4. The insurer responds. It accepts the claim (often through a voluntary agreement), pays without prejudice while it investigates, or files a Form 43 to contest.
5. Disputes go to hearings before an Administrative Law Judge: informal, then pre-formal, then formal. Decisions can be appealed to the Compensation Review Board.
6. At maximum medical improvement (MMI) your doctor assigns a permanency rating, which sets your permanent partial disability award. Learn more about MMI in Connecticut.
7. Many cases end in a settlement. See how Connecticut claims are resolved and what a case may be worth.

Understanding Connecticut Workers' Compensation Law

The Connecticut Workers' Compensation Act (Chapter 568 of the General Statutes) has protected injured employees since 1913. It is a no-fault system: you do not need to prove your employer caused the accident to receive benefits, and in exchange you generally cannot sue your employer. It covers sudden accidents, repetitive trauma injuries such as carpal tunnel, and occupational diseases. Claims are decided by the state Workers' Compensation Commission.

If your benefits are delayed, reduced or denied, experienced legal representation can be the difference between approval and financial hardship.

Workers' Compensation Benefits You May Be Entitled To (2026 Rates)

Connecticut pays five main types of benefits. The weekly amounts depend on your date of injury, because the state resets its maximums every October 1.

Benefit	What it pays	Statute
Medical benefits	All reasonable and necessary care for the work injury: doctor visits, surgery, prescriptions, physical therapy	§ 31-294d
Temporary total disability	75% of after-tax average weekly wage while you cannot work at all; max $1,776/week for injuries on or after Oct. 1, 2026	§ 31-307
Temporary partial disability	75% of the difference between your pre-injury after-tax wage and what you can earn on light duty; max $1,175/week for injuries on or after Oct. 1, 2026	§ 31-308(a)
Permanent partial disability	A set number of weeks for the injured body part, times your comp rate. Example: the cervical spine is now 208 weeks	§ 31-308(b)
Additional weeks after a permanency award	Up to 60 more weeks if you cannot return to your job and are in, or have completed, vocational rehabilitation	§ 31-308a
Death benefits	Weekly benefits to a surviving spouse and dependents; if there are none, parents may receive 312 weeks	§ 31-306

Example: if your after-tax average weekly wage is $1,000, your total disability rate is $750 a week. If your after-tax wage is $3,000, 75% would be $2,250, but the cap limits you to $1,776 for an injury on or after October 1, 2026. Use our guide to getting paid on your claim to check the insurer's math.

Our role is to make sure every available benefit is pursued and protected.

What Changed in Connecticut Workers' Comp Law in 2025 and 2026

Two new laws changed benefits for injured workers.

• Public Act 25-12 (2025) requires temporary partial disability claims to move to the permanency phase once you reach MMI, raised the cervical spine schedule from 117 to 208 weeks, added the esophagus (180 weeks) and intestinal tract (347 weeks), and allowed parents to collect 312 weeks of death benefits when there is no spouse or dependent. Read our full Public Act 25-12 breakdown.
• Public Act 26-12 (effective October 1, 2026) gives teachers, student teachers, board of education members and direct-care health care workers who are physically assaulted at work 100% of their average weekly wage, with no cap, plus related medical costs and pay for assault-related court appearances.
• New benefit rates (October 1, 2026): the total disability maximum rose to $1,776 a week, and the partial disability maximum is $1,175 a week.

Workers' Compensation vs. Personal Injury Claims

Not every workplace injury follows the same legal path, and some qualify for both.

Workers' Compensation Claims

• No need to prove employer negligence
• Covers work-related injuries and occupational illnesses
• Pays medical care and wage replacement, but not pain and suffering

Personal Injury Claims

• Apply when a third party (not your employer) caused the injury
• Require proof of negligence or fault
• Can recover pain and suffering and full lost wages

In cases such as work-related car accidents or defective equipment, both claims may apply. We evaluate every case to find the strategy that maximizes your total recovery. See can I sue if I'm on workers' comp?

What to Do If Your Claim Is Denied

A denial is not the end of your claim. Insurers usually deny by filing a Form 43, and you can challenge it by requesting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Common reasons include a late report, a disputed medical opinion, or a claim that the injury happened outside work. Bring the denial letter to a lawyer quickly; see Form 43 denials and what to do after a denial.

Frequently Asked Questions About Workers' Compensation in Connecticut

What is workers' compensation?

Workers' compensation is a no-fault insurance system that pays medical bills and lost wages to employees injured in the course of their employment. In Connecticut it is governed by Chapter 568 of the General Statutes and run by the Workers' Compensation Commission.

How much compensation can I receive in Connecticut?

You receive 75% of your after-tax average weekly wage while you cannot work, up to $1,776 a week for injuries on or after October 1, 2026. Partial disability, permanency awards and medical care are paid on top, as described above.

How long do I have to file a workers' comp claim in Connecticut?

You must file a written notice of claim (Form 30C) within one year of the date of injury. For an occupational disease, the deadline is three years from the first symptom. Missing the deadline can permanently bar your claim, so file early.

Can I appeal a denied claim?

Yes. You can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, and the judge's decision can be appealed to the Compensation Review Board and then the Connecticut Appellate Court. Our firm has extensive experience litigating contested claims.

Can I choose my own doctor?

Often yes, but if your employer has an approved medical care plan you may need to start with a plan doctor. See choosing your doctor in Connecticut workers' comp.

Can I be fired for filing a workers' comp claim?

No. Connecticut law (C.G.S. § 31-290a) prohibits firing or discriminating against an employee for filing a claim. If you lose your job anyway, read what happens to your benefits if you lose your job.

Is a workers' comp settlement taxable?

Generally no. Workers' compensation benefits are not federal taxable income in most cases; see is a settlement taxable?

How much does a workers' comp lawyer cost?

Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee, and in Connecticut the fee must be approved by the Administrative Law Judge [attorney to confirm typical percentage, e.g. 20%]. See how much a workers' comp lawyer charges.

Why Choose James F. Aspell, P.C.?

• Board-Certified Workers' Compensation Specialist [name the certifying organization]
• 40 years of experience representing injured workers, since 1986
• No legal fees unless we win (our policy)
• Statewide Connecticut representation from offices in Farmington and West Hartford
• Direct attorney involvement, no hand-offs
• [Add 2–3 verified case results with the required disclaimer]
• [Add 1–2 client reviews with names used with permission]

We understand what is at stake when you are hurt at work. Your health, income and future matter, and we treat every case accordingly.

Speak With a Connecticut Workers' Compensation Lawyer Today

If you were injured at work anywhere in Connecticut, including Hartford, New Britain, Bristol, Windsor and West Hartford, do not face the insurance company alone.

Call (860) 523-8783 or contact James F. Aspell, P.C. today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a trusted Connecticut workers' compensation lawyer.

This page provides general information, not legal advice. Benefit amounts depend on your date of injury and the facts of your case. Rates shown are from the Connecticut Workers' Compensation Commission for injuries on or after October 1, 2026.