How to File a Workers' Compensation Claim in Connecticut
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Connecticut · Last updated 2026-09-07
In Connecticut, a workers' compensation claim is how an employee injured on the job, or made ill by work, obtains medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, without having to prove the employer was at fault, under a system administered by the Workers' Compensation Commission (WCC). Disputed claims are decided by the Commission's administrative law judges in district offices. Two deadlines are critical. You must report the injury to your employer immediately (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294b), and you must file a written Notice of Claim for Compensation, known as Form 30C, within one year from the date of an accidental injury or within three years from the first manifestation of a symptom of an occupational disease (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294c). Reporting to your employer and filing the Form 30C are separate steps: reporting is immediate and informal, while the Form 30C is the formal claim that must reach your employer and the appropriate WCC district office. Once you file, the employer or its insurer has 28 days to contest liability or is conclusively presumed to have accepted your claim (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294c). Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
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How do I file a workers' compensation claim in Connecticut?
First, report your injury to your employer immediately (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294b). Then file a written Notice of Claim for Compensation, called Form 30C, with your employer and the appropriate Workers' Compensation Commission district office. Do this within one year of an accidental injury (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294c).
How long do I have to file a workers' compensation claim in Connecticut?
You must file a written Notice of Claim (Form 30C) within one year from the date of the accident for an accidental injury, or within three years from the first manifestation of a symptom of an occupational disease (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294c). Missing this deadline can bar your benefits.
What is Form 30C in Connecticut?
Form 30C is Connecticut's Notice of Claim for Compensation. The injured employee files it to make a workers' compensation claim, sending it to the employer and the appropriate Workers' Compensation Commission district office. After the employer's first injury report, the Commission also mails you a Form 30C within five business days (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294b).
Who handles workers' compensation claims in Connecticut?
Connecticut's workers' compensation system is administered by the Workers' Compensation Commission (WCC). Your employer's insurer decides your claim day to day and must accept or contest it within 28 days. If a dispute arises, an administrative law judge at a WCC district office resolves it after a hearing (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-297).
Connecticut workers' compensation claim law at a glance
In Connecticut, workers' compensation gives an employee who is injured on the job medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, regardless of fault. The system is run by the Workers' Compensation Commission (WCC), and disputed claims are decided by administrative law judges in the Commission's district offices. You must report the injury to your employer immediately (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294b). To preserve your claim, you must file a written Notice of Claim for Compensation, known as Form 30C, with your employer and the appropriate WCC district office within one year of an accidental injury, or within three years of the first manifestation of a symptom of an occupational disease (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294c). The employer or insurer then has 28 days to contest liability, or it is conclusively presumed to have accepted your claim.
Filing a Connecticut workers' compensation claim after a patient-lifting back strain
Suppose you strain your back lifting a patient while working as a hospital nurse in Connecticut. You tell your supervisor the same day, meeting the requirement to report the injury immediately (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294b). Because reporting is not the formal claim, you also complete Form 30C, the Notice of Claim for Compensation, and file it with your employer and your Workers' Compensation Commission district office, well inside the one-year deadline for an accidental injury (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294c). The insurer starts paying for treatment but later disputes your wage-replacement benefits. Because it did not contest liability within 28 days, compensability is presumed, so you notify an administrative law judge and request a hearing (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-297). Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294b (immediate report of injury to employer)
Provides that any employee who has sustained an injury in the course of employment shall immediately report the injury to the employer, and that failing to report immediately may reduce the award to the extent the employer proves it was prejudiced by the delay. It also requires the Commission to send the employee a Form 30C within five business days of the employer's first report of injury.
Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294c (one-year / three-year notice of claim)
Provides that no proceedings for compensation may be maintained unless a written notice of claim is given within one year from the date of the accident, or within three years from the first manifestation of a symptom of the occupational disease. It also gives the employer 28 days to contest liability before compensability is conclusively presumed.
Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-297 (hearing of claims)
Provides that when an employer and injured employee fail to reach agreement on compensation, either party may notify an administrative law judge, who schedules a hearing on the matter, held where practicable in the town in which the injured employee resides.
Connecticut Workers' Compensation Commission
The state agency that administers Connecticut's workers' compensation laws, provides the Form 30C Notice of Claim for Compensation, operates the district offices, and resolves disputes over medical treatment, lost wages, and disability benefits through its administrative law judges.
Regional Variances
Connecticut workers' compensation claim rules at a glance
Reporting deadline
Report the injury to your employer immediately, with no fixed number of days, under Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294b. Late reporting does not automatically bar the claim, but it can reduce the award to the extent of proven prejudice.
Claim form
Form 30C, the Notice of Claim for Compensation. The injured employee files it with the employer and the appropriate Workers' Compensation Commission district office. The Commission also mails a Form 30C after the employer's first report of injury.
Filing deadline
One year from the date of the accident for an accidental injury, or three years from the first manifestation of a symptom of an occupational disease, to file the written notice of claim (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294c).
Who administers it
The Workers' Compensation Commission (WCC). Disputes are decided by the Commission's administrative law judges in district offices, with hearings held under Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-297.
Employer response
The employer or insurer must file a notice contesting liability, or begin payment, within 28 days of the notice of claim. Failing to do either conclusively presumes the employer accepted compensability (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294c).
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Report the injury to your employer immediately
Immediately after the injury days after startingTell your employer about the injury as soon as it happens (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294b). Late reporting can reduce your award if the employer proves prejudice, so report right away and keep a dated record of when and to whom you reported.
Get Form 30C, the Notice of Claim for Compensation
As soon as possible after reporting days after startingObtain Form 30C from the Workers' Compensation Commission. After your employer files a first report of injury, the Commission mails you a Form 30C within five business days (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294b). You can also download the form and complete it yourself.
Complete and file Form 30C
Well before the filing deadline days after startingFill out Form 30C with the date and place of the accident, the nature of the injury, and your name and address. File it with your employer and the WCC district office by certified mail, and keep a copy. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Meet the one-year or three-year deadline
Within 1 year (accident) or 3 years (occupational disease) days after startingFile the written notice of claim within one year from the date of an accidental injury, or three years from the first manifestation of a symptom of an occupational disease (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294c). Missing this deadline can permanently bar your benefits.
Track the employer's 28-day response
Within 28 days of filing the claim days after startingThe employer or insurer must contest liability or begin paying within 28 days of your notice of claim, or compensability is conclusively presumed (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294c). Calendar this window, keep proof of what you sent, and save every letter and medical record.
Request a hearing if the claim is disputed
If the insurer denies or delays the claim days after startingIf your claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid, notify an administrative law judge to schedule a hearing at a Workers' Compensation Commission district office (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-297). File your Form 30C first to protect the filing deadline.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report the injury to your employer immediately | Tell your employer about the injury as soon as it happens (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294b). Late reporting can reduce your award if the employer proves prejudice, so report right away and keep a dated record of when and to whom you reported. | - | Immediately after the injury |
| Get Form 30C, the Notice of Claim for Compensation | Obtain Form 30C from the Workers' Compensation Commission. After your employer files a first report of injury, the Commission mails you a Form 30C within five business days (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294b). You can also download the form and complete it yourself. | - | As soon as possible after reporting |
| Complete and file Form 30C | Fill out Form 30C with the date and place of the accident, the nature of the injury, and your name and address. File it with your employer and the WCC district office by certified mail, and keep a copy. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft. | - | Well before the filing deadline |
| Meet the one-year or three-year deadline | File the written notice of claim within one year from the date of an accidental injury, or three years from the first manifestation of a symptom of an occupational disease (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294c). Missing this deadline can permanently bar your benefits. | - | Within 1 year (accident) or 3 years (occupational disease) |
| Track the employer's 28-day response | The employer or insurer must contest liability or begin paying within 28 days of your notice of claim, or compensability is conclusively presumed (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-294c). Calendar this window, keep proof of what you sent, and save every letter and medical record. | - | Within 28 days of filing the claim |
| Request a hearing if the claim is disputed | If your claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid, notify an administrative law judge to schedule a hearing at a Workers' Compensation Commission district office (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-297). File your Form 30C first to protect the filing deadline. | - | If the insurer denies or delays the claim |
Frequently Asked Questions
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