Filing a Connecticut workers comp claim comes down to two deadlines and a few clear steps: report the injury to your employer, get medical care, and file with the state before the statute of limitations runs out. This guide walks through the Connecticut process in plain English, with the exact deadlines you cannot miss. All figures are from Connecticut sources, verified as of June 2026.
Connecticut at a Glance
| Report to employer | Connecticut law (C.G.S. § 31-294b) requires an injured worker to report the injury to the employer immediately/as soon as possible — there is no fixed number-of-days penalty for late notice to the employer. The legally binding deadline is the written Notice of Claim (Form 30C), not an informal accident report (see file_deadline). |
| Deadline to file | 1 year (365 days) from the date of an accidental injury; 3 years from the first manifestation of a symptom for an occupational disease (C.G.S. § 31-294c). Filing the Form 30C within this window satisfies the statute of limitations. |
| Where to file | Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission. File Form 30C “Notice of Claim for Compensation” by registered or certified mail (request a return receipt) to BOTH (a) the WCC District Office with jurisdiction over the town where the injury occurred (not where you live), and (b) your employer. A simple accident report to the employer is NOT an official claim. |
| Choose your doctor? | Limited choice. The initial visit is with the employer-designated medical provider; after that the worker may generally choose their own attending physician. If the employer has a WCC-approved managed care / medical care plan, the worker must choose a treating physician from that plan’s network — going outside the plan can lead an Administrative Law Judge to suspend benefits. Workers generally get one change of physician; further changes require Commissioner approval. |
| Benefits start | Wage-loss (temporary total disability) benefits begin on the 4th day of disability — the first 3 days are a waiting period. If the disability continues more than 7 calendar days, the first 3 days become retroactively payable (C.G.S. § 31-295). TTD generally pays 75% of after-tax average weekly wage, up to the state annual maximum. |
In This Connecticut Guide:
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim in Connecticut
Filing a Connecticut workers comp claim comes down to two deadlines and a few clear steps: report the injury to your employer, get medical care, and file with the state before the statute of limitations runs out. This guide walks through the Connecticut process in plain English, with the exact deadlines you cannot miss. All figures are from Connecticut sources, verified as of June 2026.
How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Connecticut
First steps: 1) Report the injury to your employer/supervisor immediately. 2) Get medical treatment (initial visit is with the employer-designated provider; emergencies excepted). 3) File the written Notice of Claim, Form 30C, by certified/registered mail with return receipt to the correct WCC district office and your employer within the statute of limitations. 4) Keep copies and the postal return receipts as proof of filing date.
1) Worker reports injury and files Form 30C (Notice of Claim) with the WCC district office and employer. 2) Employer/insurer has 28 calendar days to either issue an official denial (Form 43) or begin paying benefits “without prejudice.” 3) If the employer fails to deny or pay within 28 days, the claim’s compensability is conclusively presumed (accepted).
4) Disputes are resolved through WCC hearings: informal hearing → pre-formal hearing → formal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (formerly Commissioner). 5) Formal decisions may be appealed to the Compensation Review Board.
Choosing a Doctor in Connecticut
Limited choice. The initial visit is with the employer-designated medical provider; after that the worker may generally choose their own attending physician. If the employer has a WCC-approved managed care / medical care plan, the worker must choose a treating physician from that plan’s network — going outside the plan can lead an Administrative Law Judge to suspend benefits.
Workers generally get one change of physician; further changes require Commissioner approval.
What to Do If Your Connecticut Claim Is Denied
If denied (employer files a Form 43) or disputed, the worker requests a hearing with the Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission: first an informal hearing (short meeting with an Administrative Law Judge to try to resolve it), then a pre-formal hearing if needed, then a formal hearing (trial-like, sworn testimony and exhibits).
A formal-hearing decision can be appealed to the WCC Compensation Review Board (CRB), and from there to the Connecticut Appellate Court / Supreme Court.
Appeal deadline: 20 days from the formal-hearing decision to appeal to the Compensation Review Board (C.G.S. § 31-301).
Was your claim denied? A denial is not the end of the road in Connecticut — many denials are overturned on appeal. A workers’ comp attorney can review your case, usually for a free consultation.
What Happens After You File in Connecticut
Once your claim is filed in Connecticut, the employer’s insurer reviews it and either accepts it, asks for more information, or denies it. If it is accepted, your medical treatment is covered and your wage benefits begin after the waiting period.
Keep copies of everything — the injury report, your medical records, and any letters from the insurer — because they are what protect your claim if there is ever a dispute.
Common Mistakes That Hurt a Connecticut Claim
The two most common ways injured workers in Connecticut lose benefits are missing a deadline and gaps in medical treatment. Report the injury in writing as soon as you can, see a doctor and follow the treatment plan, and do not assume a verbal mention to a supervisor counts as official notice. If anything about the process is unclear, your state workers’-comp board can walk you through the next step.
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Other Connecticut claim rules: The “28-day rule” (C.G.S. § 31-294c): once an employer/insurer receives a proper Form 30C, it has 28 calendar days to deny (Form 43) or begin payment “without prejudice”; failure to do either results in the claim being conclusively presumed compensable.
Also, the Form 30C must be sent to the district office covering the town of injury (not the worker’s home town), and certified/registered mail with a return receipt is the standard proof of timely filing.
Filing Your Connecticut Workers Comp Claim the Right Way
A Connecticut workers comp claim stands or falls on two things: hitting the deadlines and documenting the injury. Report the injury to your employer within the state window, file the Connecticut workers comp claim with the right agency before the statute of limitations runs out, and keep seeing your doctor.
Most denied claims come down to a missed deadline or a thin medical record — get both right and your Connecticut workers comp claim is on solid ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to report a work injury in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, you generally must tell your employer within Connecticut law (C.G.S. § 31-294b) requires an injured worker to report the injury to the employer immediately/as soon as possible — there is no fixed number-of-days penalty for late notice to the employer. The legally binding deadline is the written Notice of Claim (Form 30C), not an informal accident report (see file_deadline). of the injury.
Report it in writing as soon as you can — waiting can put your benefits at risk.
How long do I have to file a workers’ comp claim in Connecticut?
The Connecticut statute of limitations to file is 1 year (365 days) from the date of an accidental injury; 3 years from the first manifestation of a symptom for an occupational disease (C.G.S. § 31-294c). Filing the Form 30C within this window satisfies the statute of limitations.. Reporting the injury and filing the claim are two separate deadlines — do not rely on one to cover the other.
What if my Connecticut workers’ comp claim is denied?
If denied (employer files a Form 43) or disputed, the worker requests a hearing with the Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission: first an informal hearing (short meeting with an Administrative Law Judge to try to resolve it), then a pre-formal hearing if needed, then a formal hearing (trial-like, sworn testimony and exhibits).
A formal-hearing decision can be appealed to the WCC Compensation Review Board (CRB), and from there to the Connecticut Appellate Court / Supreme Court.
Official Connecticut Sources & Resources
- Connecticut Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC): https://portal.ct.gov/wcc
- Connecticut Workers’ Comp Statute: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_568.htm (Chapter 568, Workers’ Compensation Act — claim/notice of claim is § 31-294c; waiting period is § 31-295)
- U.S. Department of Labor — Workers’ Comp: dol.gov
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
This Connecticut workers comp claim guide was last verified against official sources in June 2026. Deadlines and procedures change — confirm the current rule with your state workers’-comp board or a licensed attorney.
More Connecticut Workers’ Comp Guides
- Connecticut Workers’ Comp Settlements
- Connecticut Workers’ Comp Requirements (Employers)
- Workers’ Comp Guides for All 50 States
Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm or insurer. Workers’ comp benefits, settlement values, deadlines, and requirements vary by state and by the specific facts of your injury and change over time, and any settlement figures here are illustrative only.
Confirm your rights and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.