In numerous professions, including construction, the hands are indispensable tools. Consequently, hand and wrist injuries are not only prevalent in the workplace but can also significantly impair one's ability to perform even simple tasks. Working with an injured hand or wrist can worsen the condition, potentially leading to lasting damage, regardless of the injury's initial severity. It's critical to promptly consult a medical professional to assess the injury and take the necessary precautions.
Over a million workers visit the emergency room due to hand-related injuries sustained at work. Remarkably, 70% of these injured workers were not wearing protective gloves, while 30% were wearing gloves that were either damaged or unsuitable for the task at hand. The reality is that risks are ever-present in workplaces, despite precautions. Although workers injured on the job are typically eligible for workers' compensation benefits regardless of fault, these benefits may be restricted. Moreover, legal options outside of workers' compensation are available to injured workers, including those in construction, when injuries result from third-party negligence.
Suffering a hand injury at work can be a distressing experience, impacting your ability to perform your job and manage your daily activities. In Connecticut, workers who have been injured on the job have rights and options for support and compensation. This blog outlines critical steps to follow if you hurt your hand at work, ensuring you're well-equipped to navigate the aftermath of a workplace injury. A Connecticut workers' compensation attorney can guide you through the post-accident process, ensuring you follow the correct steps and secure the benefits you deserve.
What Are the Most Common Types of Hand Injuries?
Among the prevalent and severe hand injuries encountered by workers in Connecticut and across the nation are:
- Lacerations: This is the most frequent form of hand injury, often caused by sharp objects or tools. The use of inadequate gloves during activities involving sharp tools is common. Gloves made with Kevlar can protect against cuts or slices, but a direct stab motion can still penetrate these gloves. Extreme care is advised when handling tools that can easily pierce the skin
- Crush Injuries: These injuries typically occur when hands are caught between two objects or in machinery with rotating parts. Equipment or tools with pinch points are also frequent culprits of crush injuries
- Fractures: Sudden impacts to the bones in the fingers or hands can lead to fractures. Such injuries are often the result of motor vehicle accidents or from individuals extending their hands during a fall to protect themselves
- Burn Injuries: Hands can suffer burns from various sources, including thermal, chemical, and electrical sources
- Puncture Wounds: Sharp objects can cause puncture wounds, penetrating the skin and deeper tissues of the hand
- Nerve Damage: This category includes conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, resulting from repetitive motion or injury
- Amputation: In severe cases, injuries may lead to the loss of a hand, significantly impacting a worker's life
Hand injuries can range from bruises, pinches, cuts, and abrasions to strains, but the most severe cases may result in permanent impairment or amputation. Such extreme injuries can profoundly affect a worker's daily life, either temporarily or permanently. If you have been injured, a CT workers’ comp attorney at Brandon J. Broderick is ready and available to assist you with your claim today.
Understanding Workers' Compensation Coverage in Connecticut
In Connecticut, like in many states, workers injured or falling ill due to their job duties are eligible for workers' compensation benefits. But what does this coverage entail? In Connecticut, workers' compensation provides for:
- Compensation for lost wages for the time an employee cannot work due to a job-related injury or illness
- Funeral costs if an employee passes away from a work-related injury or illness
- Expenses for continued care, such as physical therapy sessions
- Disability benefits are available for employees who are temporarily or permanently disabled because of a work-related injury or illness, with up to 52 weeks of temporary disability benefits available
- Medical expenses arising from an accident or injury incurred at work
- Medical costs for repetitive strain injuries developed over time, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Reimbursement for costs related to traveling to and from medical appointments
Extended Benefits Under Connecticut Workers' Compensation
In some instances, work-related injuries or illnesses can lead to more severe conditions, such as:
- Total temporary disability
- Temporary partial disability
- Permanent partial disability
- Disfigurement or scarring
For these severe cases, Connecticut workers may qualify for additional benefits, including:
- 308a benefits, which can provide up to 75% of an employee's pre-injury or pre-illness wages
- Retraining programs to assist workers in returning to employment under a new role
- Benefits for relapse or recurrence if an employee's condition worsens after beginning to recover
Understanding the full scope of workers' compensation benefits in Connecticut is crucial for both employers and employees navigating the aftermath of a workplace injury or illness.
How to File a Workers' Comp Claim in Connecticut
Here are the typical steps for filing a workers' compensation claim in Connecticut:
- Report the Injury to Your Employer Promptly: It's crucial to inform your supervisor or employer about a workplace accident or injury discovery as soon as it happens.
Failing to report immediately might lead to reduced benefits or denial. Even if the injury seems minor and doesn't require medical intervention or cause work absences, your supervisor still needs to be informed. - Seek Appropriate Medical Care: If necessary, obtain medical attention from a healthcare provider specified by your employer.
If your employer does not mandate that you see a specific healthcare provider, you have the liberty to choose your own doctor. Be sure to save all medical bills and reports, follow your doctor's recommendations, and attend every scheduled follow-up. - Submit a Written Notice of Claim Without Delay: In Connecticut, you're obligated to fill out and submit Form 30C, which serves as a formal notice to the Workers' Compensation Commission of your claim for benefits. This step is necessary even after reporting the injury to your employer.
- Consider Legal Assistance When Needed: Many workers' compensation claims in Connecticut face denial. Facing a work-related injury and the costs associated with it without benefits to support you can strain your finances.
In such instances, seek out a law firm experienced in handling CT workers' compensation claims, such as Brandon J. Broderick. A reputable attorney will not ask for a retainer fee upfront but will instead receive payment upon the successful resolution of your claim.
Brandon J. Broderick is Available 24/7 to Assist You With Your Connecticut Workers' Comp Claim
At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we dedicate ourselves to supporting individuals in Connecticut through their workers' compensation and personal injury claims. Leveraging decades of expertise and comprehensive resources, we aim to secure a positive outcome for your case. If you or a loved one has experienced a hand injury while at work, reach out to us immediately to explore your legal options.
Navigating legal challenges can be daunting, but you won't have to face them alone. Our legal team will stand with you every step of the way, striving to secure the compensation you rightfully deserve to help you move forward with your life.
For a free consultation, contact us today. We'll review the details of your workplace injury, outline your options, and plan our next steps. Serving clients across Connecticut and the wider tri-state area, we've assisted numerous individuals in overcoming the aftermath of unfortunate events and reclaiming their lives.