If you have been injured on the job you're likely dealing with the stress and pain involved in the recovery process, the challenge of trying to carry on your everyday activities relating to your home life, and the paperwork and uncertainty related to claiming your workers' compensation benefits.

Here are some of the basics of filing a Hartford work comp claim:

How long do I have to file a claim?

You generally have one year from the date of the injury to file CT workers' compensation claims.  However, you should report any work-related injuries or sicknesses to your supervisor or manager immediately.  It is best not to wait to file your claim, and the sooner you file your claim the better.

Can my claim be denied if I don't report the injury in time?

There is a time frame in which you must file in order to qualify for workers' compensation in Connecticut.  For this reason, we recommend contacting our office to start the process of filing your workers' compensation claim immediately upon sustaining your injury or noticing symptoms of work-related illness. We will file your Hartford work comp claim without cost to you.

Can my employer fire me for filing a workers' compensation claim?

No. Your employer cannot legally fire you, demote you, or penalize you in any way for filing a workers' compensation claim in Connecticut.  Despite this prohibition, some employers have unlawfully retaliated against employees who filed for workers' compensation, which is illegal.  If you believe that your employer has taken retaliatory action against you as a result of your workers' compensation claim, contact our office immediately.

What forms should I sign? What forms should I not sign?

We recommend that you do not sign any forms given to you by your employer or your employer's workers' compensation insurance provider until you have first secured legal representation.  Remember, your employer and the insurance carrier may attempt to deny your workers' compensation claim altogether, or approve you for fewer benefits than you deserve.  Before signing any documents relating to CT workers' compensation claims, contact our offices and discuss your case with one of our attorneys.

What if my employer refuses to file an accident or incident report for my injury?

When you're injured on the job it is important that you report the injury to your employer as quickly as possible.  If your employer refuses to file an accident or incident report you should seek legal assistance immediately.  It is important to remember that, in cases of workplace injury, sometimes employers can be extremely difficult to work with.  However, they have a legal duty to pay workers' compensation to employees who were injured in the line of work.  If you feel that your employer is attempting to block your claim, or make your filing more difficult, contact us immediately.

What should I do if my workers' compensation claim was rejected after a formal hearing?

From your employer's standpoint, rejecting your workers' compensation claim will save the company money.  For this reason, many employers fight legitimate claims in an attempt to avoid the costs associated with paying out.  If your workers' compensation claim has been rejected, you can appeal the decision.  However, we recommend that you seek legal assistance in order to give yourself the best chance of having your workers' compensation claim approved upon appeal.

Is the workers' compensation insurance company allowed to follow you, take photos, and talk to your neighbors?

In the state of Connecticut sometimes workers' compensation insurance companies will use investigators to follow claimants and look into their backgrounds in order to attempt to determine if their workers' compensation claims are exaggerated or false.  Such investigations may include reviewing your social media accounts, talking to neighbors, and even recording video and taking pictures of you in public.  This is yet another reason why you need a lawyer guiding you every step of the way to the successful resolution of your claim.  If you are interested in the topic of surveilance in a Connecticut Workers Comp Claim I have prepared this video  on my You Tube Channel

If you have been injured on the job in Connecticut let us fight for you.  Call us at the Law Offices of James F. Aspell, P.C. , or contact   us  to schedule a free consultation