If you suffer a catastrophic injury or develop a life-altering illness at work, your livelihood may be on the line. After all, not only are you likely to be physically unable to work, but you may also have mounting medical bills you know you cannot pay.
Fortunately, Connecticut has an expansive workers’ compensation program that provides financial benefits to those who have suffered a work-related injury or acquired an occupational illness. You do not have long to request benefits, however.
The statute of limitations
A statute of limitations is a law that requires action before a hard deadline. In the Constitution State, the statute of limitations for injury-related workers’ compensation claims is one year from the date of the injury. For those who have developed an occupational illness, the statute of limitations is a bit longer. For illness-related claims, you typically have three years from the onset of symptoms to file your claim.
The importance of acting quickly
If you file your claim outside the applicable statute of limitations, you may be automatically ineligible for worker’s compensation benefits for your injury or illness. Because it can take some time to prepare your filing and document your condition, you must act expeditiously. Due to your pain, medical appointments, home modifications and other matters, time may pass more quickly than you think.
The value of now
While 20 years ago was the optimal time to plant a shade tree, the second-best time to plant one is now. Even if you have delayed your worker’s compensation claim for weeks or months, you may not be entirely out of luck.
Ultimately, rather than continuing to procrastinate, it is advisable to speak with an attorney and explore your legal options.