New Haven Workers Compensation Lawyer

Experienced Workers Compensation Attorney in New Haven

It’s an unfortunate reality for many Connecticut businesses – despite all of the safety measures that employers and employees take, every year tens of thousands of Connecticut employees are hurt on the job. When you’ve been injured or fall sick on the job, you are entitled to specific benefits through workers’ compensation insurance. If you need to use these benefits, a New Haven workers’ compensation lawyer can help you access what you are owed.

Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in New Haven

The cost of Connecticut workplace injuries to the Connecticut economy is staggering, with millions of hours in manpower and productivity lost each year. Equally staggering are the thousands of dollars in medical payments and wage benefits that injured workers are entitled to – but fail to collect. To receive the benefits you are owed, you should hire a workers’ compensation lawyer to represent your rights and interests.

New Haven employees may not understand how to collect the benefits they need, or they may be misinformed by their employers about their right to file a claim. In other cases, workers do not realize their injury or sickness was caused by their job, or they may believe that their injury is not serious enough to merit benefits. Regardless, the experienced attorneys at Balzano & Tropiano can help.

If you’ve been injured on the job or have fallen victim to an occupational disease in New Haven, don’t lose the benefits that you’ve worked so hard to earn. You and your family deserve the full range of Connecticut’s workers’ compensation laws. You may also seek the help of a construction site accident lawyer in specific cases on construction sites. We can help you make a strong case.

Workers’ Compensation Claims in Connecticut

In Connecticut, the Workers’ Compensation Commission releases information on the key performance measures of the Commission. During fiscal year 2024-2025, there were a total of 28,536 workplace injuries reported to the Commission. Of these reported injuries:

• 19,562 new claims were created
• 58,767 informal hearings were held
• 8,841 pre-formal hearings were held
• 396 formal hearings were held
• 9,462 voluntary agreements were processed

If you are an employee in New Haven and you suffer a workplace injury or illness, your workers’ compensation claim is heard at the Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission’s 3rd District Office, located at 700 State Street. The 3rd District Office handles informal, pre-formal, and formal hearings as well as mediations.

Common Reasons to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Workers’ compensation benefits can help replace lost wages and pay for medical treatment when you have been injured or fallen ill due to your job-related duties. Some of the most common workers’ compensation claims include claims for:

• Overexertion. If your job involves heavy lifting, continuous pushing or pulling, or carrying objects that put strain on your back, neck, or muscles. You could have a claim for strained muscles, sprains, or joint pain.
• Slips, falls, and trips. While working, if you encounter wet floors, icy walkways, uneven surfaces without proper signage, or stairs. These types of injuries could lead to broken bones, muscle strains, or head injuries.
• Struck by an object. In many work environments, there is the possibility of an object falling and striking you. Your company’s inventory could fall, debris from an unstable building could fall, or you could get hit by moving machinery.
• Repetitive strain injuries. If your job involves repetitive motion, you could suffer muscle strain. This type of injury could cause damage to muscles, nerves, ligaments, or tendons in the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, or other areas of the body.
• Occupation-related illnesses. If your occupation commonly involves working with hazardous chemicals, you could become ill from toxic fumes or inhaling chemicals, or you could develop allergies from continuous exposure. These illnesses could cause respiratory or skin disorders.
• Vehicle crashes. If your job involves travel, you could become injured due to a vehicle crash while performing your job duties, either with your own vehicle or a company vehicle. Injuries from a vehicle accident can be severe.

Regardless of the nature of your work-related injury or illness, you could benefit from the experience of a New Haven workers’ compensation attorney when filing your initial claim or responding to a denial.

Common Workers’ Compensation Exclusions

There are some instances where being injured on the job does not qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. These exclusions include:

• Injuries caused by intentional harm
• Injuries caused while the employee is intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs
• Injuries sustained while engaging in illegal activities
• Injuries caused while voluntarily engaging in recreational activities not sanctioned by the employer
• Claims that are exclusively for mental or emotional injuries
• Injuries suffered on your commute to or from work
• Injuries sustained outside of your regular work hours
• Injuries caused by a vehicle accident during work hours but while the employee is engaged in a personal side trip

Ways a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help Workers Secure Compensation

Balzano & Tropiano has extensive experience with the workers’ compensation system, including:

• The types of workers’ compensation benefits that could be awarded to you and your family.
• The disability categories that are used to determine your workers’ compensation award.
• Occupational diseases and Connecticut workers’ compensation claims.
• Frequently asked questions we hear from our clients about their workers’ compensation cases.

Nearly all employees in Connecticut are covered by workers’ compensation insurance, including minors, non-citizens, and part-time workers. The only employees not covered are those considered to be casual employees who work less than 26 hours a week or those employed in private homes.

Under the workers’ compensation system, employers agree to pay medical expenses and lost wages for an employee’s job-related injury or illness, even if the employee is at fault for their injuries. Workers’ compensation also covers funeral expenses if a workplace injury or illness results in the death of the employee.

While workers’ compensation insurance may be provided by most employers, employees often encounter significant delays and administrative hurdles as they attempt to collect benefits. Insurance companies can add to workers’ frustration by delaying, denying or contesting a valid injury claim. The workers’ compensation system can be so frustrating that many employees decide not to pursue their claims. But there is a better way to deal with those frustrations.

FAQs

How Much Do Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Charge in Connecticut?

The amount that a workers’ compensation attorney can charge a client in Connecticut is set by state law. As of 2024, the maximum amount an attorney can charge is 25% of any compensation awarded for the claim. An Administrative Law Judge with the Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission has to approve all attorney fees. Any requests for fees over 25% are automatically denied. If you receive no compensation, no fee is due.

What Should I Not Say to a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?

It is important to be honest with your workers’ compensation attorney, but there are some things you should not say. You should never lie about past injuries or illnesses. Your attorney can build a stronger case if they have all of the information. You should also avoid minimizing the severity of your injury or illness. It is better to be honest about what you are experiencing. Attorney-client privilege means any conversation you have with your attorney is confidential.

Can You File a Workers’ Compensation Claim for Emotional Distress in Connecticut?

In some cases, you can file a workers’ compensation claim for emotional distress in Connecticut. If the emotional distress is due to routine workplace stress, it likely would not be covered under workers’ compensation insurance. You can file a workers’ compensation claim for emotional distress if it is the result of a work-related physical injury or a qualifying traumatic event related to a severe on-the-job incident.

When Should You Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, you should hire a workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as you know you are going to need to file a workers’ compensation insurance claim. If you file a claim that gets denied, you can still hire a lawyer to represent you as you appeal the decision. A workers’ compensation lawyer can be especially beneficial if your case is complex, you have pre-existing conditions, or your benefits have been cut off.

What Are the Chances of a Successful Workers’ Compensation Claim in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, workers’ compensation claims are based on a no-fault system, so you can claim benefits even if you are at fault for the accident that caused your injuries, increasing your chances of a successful claim. The highest chances of receiving a successful workers’ compensation claim are when the injury happened while completing work duties, was reported promptly, and there is clear medical proof of the injury.

Hire An Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Our team at Balzano & Tropiano has a combined 50 years of experience helping residents of New Haven. We are dedicated to helping injured workers get the compensation and medical benefits to which they are entitled so that they can continue to support themselves and their families. We do not get paid unless we successfully obtain recovery on your behalf.  To learn more about how we can help, call us today at 203-891-6336 or contact us using our online form.