If you were injured at work in Connecticut, one of the first questions you will likely ask is:

“How much will my workers' compensation check be each week?”

Understanding how your weekly workers' compensation benefit is calculated is critical. Your income replacement benefits are based on a formula set by the Connecticut Workers' Compensation Commission and governed by state law.

However, the calculation is not always straightforward, and insurance companies often get it wrong. In this guide, we will break down:

• How weekly workers' compensation benefits are calculated

• What counts toward your wages

• What the maximum and minimum benefits are

• Common mistakes insurance companies make

• What injured workers can do if their weekly benefit is wrong

If you are recovering from a workplace injury, this article will help you understand exactly how your weekly workers' compensation check should be calculated.

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The Basic Formula for Workers' Compensation Weekly Benefits

In Connecticut, the basic rule is simple:

Your weekly workers' compensation benefit equals approximately 75% of your after-tax average weekly wage.

That means workers' compensation benefits are based on take-home pay, not your gross salary.

The formula looks like this:

Average Weekly Wage (AWW) – taxes = Net Weekly Wage → 75% paid as workers' comp benefit

For most injured workers, this means your benefit check will be about two-thirds to three-quarters of what you normally bring home each week.

This benefit is known as Temporary Total Disability (TTD) if you are completely unable to work.

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Step 1: Determining Your Average Weekly Wage

The first step in calculating your workers' compensation check is determining your Average Weekly Wage (AWW).

Your AWW is typically calculated using:

The 52 weeks of wages prior to your injury.

Insurance companies will review:

• Pay stubs

• Payroll records

• Tax withholdings

• Overtime

• Bonuses

The total wages are divided by the number of weeks worked to determine your average weekly wage.

Example:

• Total wages for past year: $62,400

• Weeks worked: 52

Average weekly wage:

$62,400 ÷ 52 = $1,200

Your AWW would be $1,200 per week.

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Step 2: Calculating Your Net Weekly Wage

Workers' compensation benefits are calculated based on after-tax income, not gross wages.

To determine your net weekly wage, the system subtracts:

• Federal taxes

• State taxes

• FICA (Social Security)

• Medicare

However, the tax deductions are not your actual taxes.

Instead, Connecticut uses standard tax tables published annually by the Workers' Compensation Commission.

These tables assume:

• Filing status

• Dependents

• Standard withholding categories

Example:

Gross weekly wage: $1,200

Estimated taxes: $300

Net weekly wage:

$900

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Step 3: Applying the 75% Benefit Rule

Once your net weekly wage is determined, the next step is applying the 75% benefit rate.

Example:

Net weekly wage: $900

Workers' comp benefit:

$900 × 75% = $675 weekly benefit

Your workers' compensation check would be:

$675 per week

This payment is tax-free.

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Maximum Weekly Workers' Compensation Benefits

Workers' compensation benefits are also subject to statewide maximums.

These maximums change every year based on the state average weekly wage.

For higher-earning workers, this cap may limit benefits.

Example scenario:

• Worker earns $2,500 per week

• 75% benefit calculation would be $1,875

But if the state maximum is lower, the worker receives the maximum allowed benefit instead.

High-income earners frequently encounter this cap.

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Minimum Workers' Compensation Benefits

Connecticut also provides minimum benefit protections for lower-wage workers.

Even if your wages are low, you are guaranteed a minimum weekly benefit based on the statewide average wage.

This ensures that workers who earn lower wages are not left without meaningful support during recovery.

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What Wages Count in the Calculation?

Many injured workers assume the calculation only includes their hourly wage.

That is not always correct.

The following may count toward your workers' compensation wage calculation:

Included Wages

• Hourly pay

• Salary

• Overtime

• Bonuses

• Tips (if reported)

• Shift differentials

• Some commissions

Sometimes Included

• Per diem payments

• Employer-paid benefits

Usually Not Included

• Expense reimbursements

• Certain fringe benefits

Because of these nuances, insurance companies sometimes undercalculate weekly benefits.

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What Happens if You Have Multiple Jobs?

If you were working more than one job at the time of your injury, your weekly benefit may include wages from all employers.

Example:

Job 1 weekly wages: $800

Job 2 weekly wages: $400

Combined wages:

$1,200 weekly

Your workers' compensation benefit would be based on the combined total.

This rule protects workers who rely on multiple jobs to support themselves.

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What if You Were Working Overtime?

Overtime often plays a major role in workers' compensation benefit calculations.

If overtime was regular and consistent, it should typically be included when calculating your average weekly wage.

Example:

Base weekly wage: $800

Average overtime: $300

True weekly wage:

$1,100

Without including overtime, your benefit would be significantly reduced.

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What If Your Workers' Comp Check Is Wrong?

Unfortunately, benefit miscalculations are very common.

Some of the most common errors include:

Insurance Companies Excluding Overtime

Adjusters sometimes ignore overtime earnings when calculating benefits.

Failing to Include Second Jobs

Workers with multiple jobs may receive a benefit based on only one employer.

Using the Wrong Tax Table

Using incorrect tax assumptions can reduce the benefit.

Miscalculating the 52-Week Wage Period

If you missed work due to illness or layoffs, the wage calculation may need adjustment.

Even a small mistake can reduce your benefits by hundreds of dollars per month.

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How Long Do Weekly Workers' Comp Benefits Last?

Your weekly checks typically continue while:

• You are unable to work

• Your doctor keeps you out of work

• The insurance company does not contest the claim

Benefits usually continue until one of the following occurs:

• You return to work

• You reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)

• A dispute occurs in the case

At that point, benefits may change to:

• Temporary Partial Disability

• Permanent Partial Disability

• Settlement of the claim

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Can Your Workers' Comp Check Increase?

Yes.

Your benefit may change if:

• Your wage calculation is corrected

• Additional earnings are discovered

• You change work status

• Your disability classification changes

It is not uncommon for weekly benefits to be adjusted after legal review.

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Real Example of a Workers' Comp Benefit Calculation

Let's walk through a realistic example.

Injured worker:

Warehouse employee in Connecticut.

Annual wages: $58,500

Average weekly wage:

$1,125

Estimated taxes: $275

Net weekly wage:

$850

Weekly workers' comp benefit:

$850 × 75% = $637.50

Weekly workers' compensation check:

$637.50 tax-free

This payment continues while the worker remains disabled.

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Why Understanding Your Weekly Benefit Matters

Your weekly benefit determines:

• Your income during recovery

• The leverage in your settlement

• The long-term value of your claim

If the wage calculation is wrong, every payment in your case could be reduced.

That is why injured workers should always review how their benefit was calculated.

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Final Thoughts

Workers' compensation benefits are meant to protect injured workers while they recover from job-related injuries. But the formula used to calculate those benefits can be complicated, and mistakes happen more often than people realize.

If you were injured at work and are receiving weekly workers' compensation checks, it is important to understand:

• How your wages were calculated

• Whether overtime and multiple jobs were included

• Whether the correct tax tables were used

Even small errors can significantly impact your income during recovery.

Understanding how workers' compensation calculates your weekly benefit is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your financial stability while you heal.