How workers’ compensation supports many grieving Connecticut families

Workers’ compensation helps mitigate the risk related to employment. Every job comes with certain risks. If employees get hurt while on the clock, they may struggle to support themselves afterward. The Connecticut workers’ compensation program provides medical benefits for injured or sickened workers. In scenarios where employees require a leave of absence because of work acquired medical conditions, they may qualify for disability benefits. Workers’ compensation can replace a portion of their wages until they can return to work. There are even permanent disability benefits available for those who never make a full recovery.

The tragic reality is that sometimes work incidents prove fatal. An employee may die because of a severe injury or a major illness caused by their career. Workers’ compensation can also provide support to the surviving family members of employees who die on the job.

How does workers’ compensation help grieving families?

The same benefits available to an injured worker can help families struggling with the sudden death of a loved one. The medical coverage available through Connecticut workers’ compensation can pay for the worker’s end-of-life care. Such coverage can be very valuable if the employee didn’t have private health insurance or carried a policy with a high deductible.

Their surviving family members may also be eligible for wage replacement benefits in some cases. A surviving spouse can receive benefits until they die or remarry. The children of the deceased worker may qualify for benefits until they turn 18 or 22 if they continue their schooling full-time.

Finally, workers’ compensation in Connecticut also provides funeral or burial benefits. Surviving family members can seek reimbursement for funeral or interment expenses. As of January 1, 2024, the maximum funeral and burial coverage available is $13,885.25.

Grieving families already struggling with a tragic situation may not have the mental bandwidth to navigate the workers compensation claims process. They may need help determining what benefits the family may be eligible for and navigating the paperwork required to obtain those benefits. Securing the right support can help families pursue the workers’ compensation benefits. Otherwise, they may struggle to access the support they deserve after a tragedy. The benefits available for surviving family members are just as important as the benefits available for injured workers.