If you sustain a work injury or develop an occupational disease, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits; however, you only have a limited amount of time to pursue them. Employees who don’t begin the claims process before the deadline may lose funds for medical expenses and a portion of wages. Here, the legal team at the Law Office of Thomas L. Brayton III in Waterbury, CT, shares what you should know about the process.

A Guide to Workers’ Compensation Deadlines

Accidental Injuries 

Employees who sustain a one-time accidental injury on the job have one year from the date of the incident to apply for workers’ compensation benefits; however, they should notify their employer of the issue immediately. The employer can then direct them to a designated walk-in clinic, hospital, or physician for diagnosis and treatment. Their insurance provider will only cover the cost of care if claimants see an approved doctor. 

Occupational Diseases

The statute of limitations for workers’ compensation claims involving occupational diseases is three years from the date on which the earliest symptoms became apparent. The “clock” starts ticking when it is obvious that the symptoms are related to an occupational disease. Such a condition would be considered qualifying if it developed as the direct result of the employee’s job duties and would not have arisen had they worked in a different profession.  

Repetitive Trauma Injuries

Injuries that are the result of repetitive trauma have similar guidelines as occupational diseases when it comes to “starting the clock” because there is no single date of incident. Instead, claimants typically have one year from the last date on which they sustained the most recent trauma. 

Fatal Accidents 

When employees sustain fatal injuries or experience life-threatening complications on the job, their surviving loved ones may file a wrongful death claim. In these cases, claimants have two years from the date of the accident—or the date on which an occupational disease first manifested obvious symptoms—or one year from the date of death, whichever is later. 

If you need help pursuing workers’ compensation benefits in Connecticut, turn to the Law Office of Thomas L. Brayton III. Based in Waterbury and Bethlehem, this personal injury firm serves clients throughout all of New Haven County and is led by an attorney who received the AVVO® Top-Rated Lawyer 2017 Superb Attorney Rating by the Legal Community. Their areas of expertise include work injuries, motor-vehicle collisions, slip and fall accidents, and dog bites. Contact their team by visiting their website or calling (203) 591-8689.