Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Serving Stamford

In 2020, the Connecticut workplace injuries rate exceeded the national average. Indeed, in 2020, 29 incidents occurred in which employees suffered fatal injuries. The Stamford workers’ compensation lawyers at the Carter Mario Law Firm can help injured employees and their families obtain the necessary benefits to rebuild their lives.

Trust Carter Mario’s 30+ Years of Experience

The Carter Mario Law Firm was founded in 1989. Since then, it has grown into a large law firm with multiple award-winning attorneys representing injured victims. Our attorneys use their extensive knowledge to successfully guide injured victims through the Connecticut workers’ compensation claims process.

Workers’ Compensation Claims in Stamford

Connecticut enacted its workers’ compensation statute in 1913 to address the growing problem of employees who suffered workplace injuries. Previously, injured workers found it nearly impossible to obtain financial compensation from lawsuits filed against employers due to various legal defenses. Connecticut’s workers’ compensation law requires employers to carry no-fault insurance, which allows injured workers to obtain benefits and monetary compensation without needing to prove their injury resulted from another person’s negligence.

Steps for Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim

Following your injury, you should immediately report the incident to your employer. You should also obtain medical treatment for your injuries. Finally, Connecticut’s workers’ compensation law requires you to complete and file a 30C Form with the Workers’ Compensation Commission.

Stamford, CT Workers’ Compensation Laws

Workers’ compensation is a form of no-fault insurance, so you do not have to prove your injuries were caused by another person’s negligence. With some exceptions, you still have a valid claim even if your negligence caused your injuries. To have a valid workers’ comp claim, you must have suffered a work-related illness or injury during your employment.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

The benefits of workers’ compensation insurance are extensive and designed to help injured workers rebuild their lives. Arguably, the most popular benefit provided by workers’ compensation insurance is the payment of all related and necessary medical expenses, i.e., emergency medical care, surgery, physical therapy, orthopedic care, etc. Workers’ compensation insurance also provides injured workers with wage replacement benefits and financial compensation for their permanent injuries.

What to Expect from a Workers’ Comp Lawyer

The workers’ comp lawyers at the Carter Mario Law Firm can help you prepare and file your claim prior to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, i.e., one year for a physical injury and three years for an occupational disease. Additionally, our workers’ comp lawyers can help you build a strong claim in order to overcome frequently raised legal and factual defenses. Finally, the workers’ comp attorneys at the Carter Mario Law Firm will work to maximize the financial benefits you can obtain.

Differences Between Personal Injury & Workers’ Comp

People often suffer bodily injuries as a result of another person’s negligence. Depending on the accident’s circumstances, an injured victim may be entitled to pursue either a personal injury or a workers’ compensation claim. While personal injury and workers’ compensation are both intended to compensate injured victims, many differences must be considered before deciding which claim to pursue.

Main Differences

Unlike workers’ compensation, you must prove the other person’s negligence in a personal injury case. Additionally, you must prove all the elements of your claim in a personal injury case by a preponderance of the evidence, i.e., 51%, before you receive any monetary compensation. Stated more clearly, you must win your personal injury case before obtaining monetary compensation to pay your medical expenses.

Personal Injury Cases

Depending on the facts of your case and your injuries, you could theoretically obtain more money from a personal injury case as opposed to a workers’ compensation case. This is because you can seek monetary compensation for your pain and suffering and your financial losses, i.e., your medical bills. However, under Connecticut’s Modified Comparative law, your level of negligence could bar your claim or reduce the value of your claim in relation to your level of negligence, e.g., your $10,000 trial judgment is reduced to $7,000 because the jury determined you were 30% at fault

Workers’ Compensation Cases

Assuming your workers’ compensation claim is not disputed by the insurance company, you will immediately begin receiving financial benefits. Additionally, workers’ compensation will pay for all medical expenses related to your injury. However, unlike a personal injury claim, the value of your claim depends on your average weekly wage and your medically determined permanency rating.

Determining Which to File

You may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation and a personal injury claim. For example, if you suffered an injury due to another person’s negligence while driving a company vehicle, you can file a workers’ compensation claim and then pursue a personal injury claim against the negligent driver. However, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier is entitled to recover a portion of their expenses from your personal injury claim.

Talk with a Stamford Workers’ Compensation Lawyer at Carter Mario Today

If you were recently injured in a workplace accident, you should speak with a Stamford workers’ compensation lawyer immediately. The personal injury attorneys at the Carter Mario Law Firm have successfully represented injured employees throughout Connecticut since 1989. To learn about the service we can provide, contact us today!