Do You Have An Old Workers' Compensation Case in Connecticut That Was Never Settled?
Many injured workers in Connecticut have workers' compensation cases that were never fully closed.
Sometimes the injury happened years ago — even decades ago. The worker received medical treatment or weekly benefits for a period of time, returned to work, and then simply lost track of the claim.
What many people do not realize is that if the case was never settled through a full and final stipulation, the claim may still have significant settlement value today.
At the Law Offices of James F. Aspell, P.C., we regularly help injured workers evaluate older open claims and determine whether they can be resolved through a lump-sum settlement.
Why Some Workers' Compensation Cases Stay Open for Years
Workers' compensation claims in Connecticut often remain open because:
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The injured worker returned to work and stopped pursuing benefits
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Medical treatment ended but the claim was never formally closed
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The insurance company stopped communicating
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The worker moved or changed jobs
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A permanent disability rating was never issued
Unlike many other types of legal claims, workers' compensation cases do not automatically close after a certain number of years.
If the case was never settled through a stipulation, it may remain legally open with the commission.
Signs Your Old Workers' Comp Case May Still Have Value
Some older claims may still have meaningful settlement value, particularly if:
• You never signed a stipulation agreement
• A doctor assigned a permanent disability rating
• Future medical treatment could still be needed
• Weekly benefits were stopped but the claim remained open
• The insurance company never formally closed the file
In these situations, it may still be possible to negotiate a lump-sum settlement to finally resolve the claim.
Can You Settle a Workers' Compensation Case Years Later?
Yes.
If your claim was never resolved by stipulation, the insurance company may still be willing to negotiate a settlement to close the file.
Insurance carriers often prefer to resolve older claims because:
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they want to eliminate long-term exposure
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the file remains open on their books
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future medical liability may exist
For injured workers, a settlement can provide closure and financial compensation for a claim that has been sitting unresolved for years.
What If Your Previous Lawyer Is No Longer Involved?
It is very common for injured workers with older claims to discover that:
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their attorney retired
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they lost contact with their lawyer
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the lawyer no longer handles workers' compensation
The good news is that you can usually hire a new attorney to evaluate and resolve the claim, even if the injury happened many years ago.
What Happens During an Evaluation of an Old Workers' Comp Claim
When we review an older claim, we typically look at:
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the original injury and medical records
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any permanent disability ratings
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the history of benefits paid
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whether future treatment could be required
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the status of the file with the commission
This helps determine whether the claim may still have settlement value.
Closing Out an Old Workers' Compensation Case
If a claim remains open, it may sometimes be resolved through a full and final stipulation, which closes the case in exchange for a lump-sum payment.
Each case is different, and the potential value depends on factors such as:
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the severity of the injury
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permanent impairment ratings
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future medical exposure
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the age of the claim
Talk With a Connecticut Workers' Compensation Lawyer About an Old Claim
If you have an old workers' compensation case that was never settled, it may still be worth reviewing.
You may be surprised to learn that a claim you assumed was finished could still have meaningful settlement value.
Attorney Jim Aspell is a board-certified workers' compensation specialist who has represented injured workers throughout Connecticut for decades.
Our office helps clients evaluate older claims and determine whether they can finally be resolved.
Law Offices of James F. Aspell, P.C.
Farmington, Connecticut
📞 860-523-8783
