Daniel B. Scott Attorney at Law Daniel B. Scott Attorney at Law 2026-10-07T09:08:04Z https://www.danielbscottlaw.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1605174/2022/06/cropped-dbs-site-icon-1-32x32.png On Behalf of Daniel B. Scott Attorney at Law <![CDATA[How is your Average Weekly Wage calculated in a comp claim?]]> https://www.danielbscottlaw.com/?p=47269 2026-10-07T09:08:04Z 2026-10-07T09:04:54Z After sustaining a workplace injury in Connecticut, one concern may be your compensation while you are unable to work. You receive weekly benefits that are tied directly to your Average Weekly Wage (AWW). Accurate calculations are necessary to guarantee you are getting the correct amount. This affects your financial stability during recovery.

How Connecticut calculates AWW

Workers’ compensation laws in Connecticut typically calculate AWW based on your earnings during a specific period before your injury. This may involve examining gross wages over the 52 weeks preceding your accident. This period could be shorter than 52 weeks if you worked less than a year. However, the calculation is not always straightforward. Working irregular hours or overtime can affect your AWW. If you held multiple jobs at the time of injury, your total earnings may factor into your calculation. The law may consider even certain fringe benefits as part of your wage. Specific rules apply to concurrent employment and fringe benefits. Failing to report these earnings correctly can result in benefits that cover only a fraction of your actual lost income.

Rates and accuracy

In Connecticut, you can calculate your weekly wage-loss benefits by taking 75% of your net average weekly wage (NAWW). The NAWW is your average weekly earnings after deducting federal taxes, state taxes and FICA. Your AWW serves as a basis for your benefits. Even a small error in the initial calculation can lead to a significant shortfall over several months.

Common calculator issues

Insurance companies sometimes lower your Average Weekly Wage (AWW). They may leave out overtime pay or extra pay for different shifts. You might also forget to include pay from other jobs or use records that are not complete. Whether these mistakes are on purpose or by accident, they lower your weekly benefits. To prevent this, make sure to collect all your records. Keep your pay stubs from the time before your injury. If you work for yourself or have more than one job, get your tax returns. These papers prove what you actually earned.

Seeking legal help

You may experience issues such as your benefit checks seeming lower than expected, or the insurer disputing your wage calculation. You may need to consider seeking a legal professional experienced in workers’ compensation. They can review your wage records, identify calculation errors and advocate for you in disputes. While the state’s workers’ compensation system works to protect you, navigating wage calculations is complex. You should not accept reduced benefits without question as your financial recovery depends on receiving accurate compensation.]]> On Behalf of Daniel B. Scott Attorney at Law <![CDATA[What if my Connecticut workers’ compensation claim is denied?]]> https://www.danielbscottlaw.com/?p=47262 2026-08-05T06:01:59Z 2026-08-04T18:56:02Z Why insurance companies deny workers' comp claims Connecticut workers' compensation insurers typically issue a Form 43 to formally contest a claim. Common reasons for denial include:
  • Disputes over workplace causation: the insurer argues the injury did not occur during the course of employment
  • Missing paperwork or late reporting: allegations that the injury was not reported promptly or that claim forms were incomplete
  • Preexisting conditions: claims that current symptoms stem from a prior injury rather than a recent workplace incident
  • Insufficient medical evidence: gaps in treatment records that do not clearly connect the diagnosis to job duties
  • Disagreements over disability level: disputes about whether the worker is fully disabled, capable of light-duty work, or has reached maximum medical improvement
Understanding the specific basis for a denial is the first step toward challenging it effectively.

Next steps after a denial

If your claim has been contested, acting quickly protects your rights:
  • Review the Form 43 carefully to identify the exact grounds the insurer is using to dispute benefits
  • Continue necessary medical treatment and maintain consistent records, since documentation is central to any appeal
  • Keep copies of all medical bills, diagnostic reports, incident notifications, and written communications with your employer and insurer
  • Avoid giving recorded statements or signing settlement releases without legal counsel
  • Request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge at the Connecticut Workers' Compensation Commission
Strict statutory timelines apply throughout this process. Under state law, specific response deadlines govern how the parties must proceed, and missing them can affect your ability to appeal.

Getting legal guidance

A denial is not a final answer, but it does require a timely and well-documented response. If your workers' compensation claim was denied, speaking with a workers' compensation attorney in Connecticut early in the process gives you the best opportunity to build a strong appeal and protect your access to benefits.]]>