The claims process in a Connecticut workers' compensation case may be of interest to you if you have experienced a back injury on the job. Filing a workers' compensation claim for a back injury may go smoother if you are aware of how it works and what to expect, including what to expect from back injury settlements.
Prior to the settlement or trial for a back injury claim, injured workers are often entitled to benefits. After you've finished medical treatment and your condition has stabilized, a settlement may be negotiated or reached. The settlement would cover any medical treatments they may need and any lost wages they have missed due to the injury, as well as other related expenses, such as vocational rehabilitation, for example.
Instead of ongoing benefits, CT workers can attempt to reach a settlement through the workers compensation insurance. Considerations such as the medical needs of the injured worker and the expected length of their ailment will impact the amount of any such settlement.
One of the most important steps to take after you suffer an injury at work, whether it be a back injury or not, is to consult with an experienced workers comp attorney in Connecticut. With legal guidance, you will be able to determine whether a settlement works for your specific case.
Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law has offices in Connecticut and can help you get through any such workers comp case. Give us a call today for more info.
Workers Compensation Settlements
You can avoid a formal hearing by settling your workers' compensation case first. In an insurance settlement, the employee gives up some rights in return for a predetermined amount of money. The settlement amount is determined by the severity of your injury, your capacity to work, and your wages before the injury. But, your claim's settlement value can be affected by the information in your case, such as questions about the nature of your disability or the extent to which it has rendered you permanently incapacitated.
Full and Final Settlement Stipulation
The term "stipulation" used to describe a full and final settlement in workers' compensation cases in Connecticut. In these types of cases, injured employees are offered a lump amount in return to agree to close your workers' compensation case. The most common method is a single, lump sum payment, but payment installments are sometimes made as well.
When a settlement is reached, an injured worker may be required to waive any and all claims to future benefits as part of a stipulation. Sometimes, insurance companies will agree to keep certain rights unprotected, such as the ability to receive medical treatment in the future. In most cases, you and your insurance provider will decide on the specifics. However, you cannot be required to waive your right to vocational rehabilitation services.
If your health deteriorates after the settlement, you will not be able to reopen your case because stipulations are permanent. This is why it's important to seek professional guidance, in the form of medical care and a lawyer who can determine if a settlement is beneficial to your specific case.
Voluntary Agreement
When an insurance company agrees to pay you a settlement sum in workers' compensation benefits after accepting your claim, it is called a voluntary agreement. When a voluntary agreement is reached, it does not close your workers comp case. Both the weekly benefits and the ability to seek medical treatment through workers' comp will remain unchanged, according to the amounts indicated in the agreement. Plus, you have the option to request more benefits in the event that your health gets worse.
Workers' Compensation Commission Approval
The Connecticut Workers' Compensation Commission must approve any voluntary agreements or stipulations. You will receive the Voluntary Agreement form from the insurance company when they fill it out. When you sign it, the document will be sent to the Commission for approval. No hearing is needed for a Voluntary Agreement.
The commission often holds an approval hearing for stipulations. An official stipulation agreement will be prepared by the insurance company and sent to you for your approval. A document known as a Stipulation and What It Means will also require your signature as an acknowledgment.
A settlement approval hearing will be scheduled after the forms are submitted to the commissioner. A workers' compensation judge will inquire about the settlement, your health, your income, and other matters during the hearing. If the judge thinks the settlement is good for you, he or she will approve it.
Brandon J. Broderick Can Help You With Your CT Workers Comp Case
Since back pain is so common, insurance companies often dispute workers' compensation claims related to back injuries. This is why you need to ensure your rights are being upheld, and the help of a CT workers comp lawyer is important.
Since a back injury is life-altering, receiving benefits is important so that you may afford the therapy you need. Allow our team at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law to help. Our lawyers have decades of experience and fight to help our clients get the justice they deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a no-cost consultation.