Workers in any industry can get hurt on the job. Someone working in retail could slip and fall, while someone at a hospital could hurt their back lifting a patient. Plenty of industries also put people at risk of developing work-related illnesses, ranging from repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel to lung cancer because of chemical exposure.
When a worker develops a significant medical condition because of their job, the workers’ compensation program in Connecticut will cover the cost of their necessary medical treatment. Unlike with their own health insurance, a worker won’t have any financial obligation when they receive medical care as part of a workers’ compensation claim.
Some people just need medical care and a few accommodations to get back to work, but others will need substantially more support to recover from their conditions. They may require more treatments to get back to work and may even need an extended leave of absence while they undergo treatment or recover from surgery. Even without medical costs, it can be nerve-racking to go months without income.
Thankfully, these workers can depend on workers’ compensation to provide them with disability benefits. How much disability pay can a worker receive?
Connecticut bases your benefits on your average wages
There is no flat-rate benefit for an injured worker in need of short-term or permanent disability benefits. Instead, the wages you typically earn will determine what you receive from workers’ compensation.
Under Connecticut law, workers who qualify for disability benefits can receive up to 75% of their average weekly wage. However, those benefits are subject to a state maximum. As of October 1, 2021, the maximum weekly benefit available through workers’ compensation is $1,446.00. Higher earners may find that they don’t receive three-quarters of their average weekly wage because it exceeds the maximum benefit available.
Disability benefits can help you support your family
Being unable to work can be a humbling and frustrating experience. No one likes to feel like they depend on others for their basic needs. However, trying to tough it out without claiming workers’ compensation might lead to financial hardship not just for you but also for other members of your family.
Learning about workers’ compensation benefits can reduce the impact of your medical condition on your future.