Connecticut Supreme Court Issues Landmark Decision Protecting Injured Workers' Rights

Today marks a historic victory for injured workers in Connecticut, as the Connecticut Supreme Court unanimously issued a groundbreaking decision reaffirming their right to total disability benefits, regardless of retirement status. This monumental ruling in the cases of Cochran v. Dept. of Transportation (SC20940) and Martinoli v. Stamford Police Dept. (SC20932) solidifies a principle that has been at the core of Connecticut's workers' compensation laws since the Act's inception in 1913.

The Court's decision underscores the legislature's intent to provide comprehensive protections for workers injured on the job, ensuring that they receive the total disability compensation they deserve, even if they have retired from the workforce. This ruling not only preserves the rights of countless injured workers but also reinforces Connecticut's longstanding commitment to fairness and equity in its workers' compensation system.

We celebrate this unanimous decision as a resounding affirmation of justice for injured workers and their families. It sets a powerful precedent, safeguarding benefits for those who need them most and honoring the legislative intent that has guided Connecticut's workers' compensation laws for over a century.