Is An Attorney Necessary In A Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Case?

If someone is injured at work in Connecticut, they will generally be able to seek workers’ compensation benefits from their employer as long as the injury fits the relevant criteria. The system is, at least on paper, fairly straightforward, with notice and filing requirements leading to benefits if no mistakes are made. However, the relative ease of many filings does not mean that you should attempt to navigate the workers’ compensation system alone. A Connecticut Board-Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist can protect your legal rights and financial interests.

A Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Protect Your Interests

There are some employers who have their employees’ best interests at heart and will work to ensure that they receive the benefits they are owed. Unfortunately, there are also employers who see an injured employee as a threat to their bottom line, and will try to impede or stall a valid claim in order to save some money. Employers are incentivized to look out for their own bottom line—not your best interests. Examples of how a company could directly undermine your claim include:

• Not properly completing the First Report of Injury (FROI) form;
• Declining to accept or otherwise impeding your Form 30(c) (the form required to submit a claim for benefits);
• Retaliating against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim; and
• Denying your workers’ comp claim on unjust grounds.

It is important to emphasize that even a well-intentioned employer that is operating in good faith may provide poor guidance to an injured worker. For example, an employer may advise an injured worker not to file an official workers’ compensation claim, arguing that the injury is not serious. Even with a benevolent employer, it is never a good idea to forgo seeking workers’ compensation benefits for an injury sustained on the job, simply because no one can see the future. A “mild” injury now may develop into a more serious issue later on, even potentially becoming a chronic condition. An attorney can protect your job and your interests.

An Appeal Means More Potential Pitfalls

If you file a workers’ compensation claim and it is denied, the need for an attorney may grow even more acute. Appealing a denial of a workers’ compensation claim can be quite complex, requiring a new filing called a Petition for Review. In general, this must be done within 20 days of an Administrative Law Judge’s (ALJ’s) finding). It could also involve oral argument at the Compensation Review Board (CRB) before a panel of 3 Administrative Law Judges.

At any of these points, an injured employee may make a paperwork mistake or be maneuvered into signing away their claims. A Connecticut workers’ comp attorney who is a Board-Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist can stand up for your rights—ensuring that your injuries are properly assessed by an unbiased medical professional, and that your claims are not influenced by anything other than the facts of your case.

Why it is Best to Choose a Board-Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist (BCWCS)

Workers’ compensation in Connecticut is complicated. Choosing a Board-Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist (BCWCS) is the best option for those seeking representation in a workers’ compensation case. These specialists have passed a rigorous certification process and have demonstrated their expertise in the field of workers’ compensation law.

Further a BCWCS has a commitment to continuing education, ensuring that they stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field. A lawyer who has been certified as a specialist in Connecticut is held to a high standard of ethical conduct, ensuring that clients receive fair and honest representation. The right attorney provides the best chance for successful results.

Contact A Stratford, CT Board-Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist Today

If you have been injured on the job or developed an occupational disease, do not allow yourself to be talked out of filing a workers’ compensation claim. A Stratford Board-Certified workers’ compensation attorney from the Morizio Law Firm can help ensure you have the best possible chance to receive the benefits you deserve. Contact our office today for a free consultation.

Sources:

law.justia.com/codes/connecticut/2013/title-31/chapter-568/section-31-294b

law.justia.com/codes/connecticut/2020/title-31/chapter-568/section-31-301/