Workers' Compensation Commission RSS NEWS

Workers' Compensation Medical Protocols Updated

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website:

In consultation with practitioners, insurers and the Medical Advisory Panel the medical protocols for treatment of injuries to the lumbar spine and cervical spine have been updated, and new protocols for opioid management have been created.

THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE REVISED PROTOCOLS IS JULY 1, 2012.

Read the Chairman's Memo No. 2012-01 regarding the newly-updated Medical Protocols.

Access the newly-updated Medical Protocols.

Chairman Issues Updated Medical Protocols Memorandum

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:59:00 GMT

TO: Commissioners, District Administrators, Workers' Compensation Advisory Board, Legal Advisory Panel, Medical Advisory Panel, Medical Practitioners, Medical Care Plans, Self-Insureds, Insurance Carriers, Attorneys, and Unions

MEMORANDUM NO. 2012-01

FROM: John A. Mastropietro, Chairman

DATE: May 15, 2012

RE: Updated WCC Medical Protocols effective July 1, 2012

In consultation with practitioners, insurers and the Medical Advisory Panel the medical protocols for treatment of injuries to the lumbar spine and cervical spine have been updated. These revisions reflect the latest changes in the medical field regarding new procedures, treatments and diagnostic tests.

Additionally, we have created protocols for opioid management. The Commission recognizes that some injured workers may require opioids for the management of their acute and chronic pain. Proper opioid management is essential for the safe and efficient care of injured workers.

These protocols are not meant to be absolute. There must be room for medical judgment. Medical providers are urged to contact the insurer if they feel that a treatment pattern other than the published protocol is required. It is expected that the payer will work with the provider to ensure that the injured worker receives the most appropriate treatment.

These protocols will be used by the Commission to evaluate whether a treatment is reasonable and appropriate based on the diagnosis of injury or illness. The effective date of these revised protocols is July 1, 2012.

The Commission, along with practitioners, insurers and the Medical Advisory Panel, is currently working on updates to the medical protocols for treatment of injuries to the shoulder, knee and hand. These will be published upon completion.

We are grateful to the medical professionals who have spent and continue to spend many hours working with us to bring the most appropriate and the highest standard of care to injured workers in Connecticut.

The protocols can be found at http://wcc.state.ct.us/download/acrobat/protocols.pdf.

Chairman Issues Depositions Memorandum

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:58:00 GMT

MEMORANDUM NO. 2012-02

FROM: John A. Mastropietro, Chairman

DATE: May 15, 2012

RE: Practice Book - Depositions

A number of questions have arisen in light of various changes made by the Rules Committee of the Superior Court to the Connecticut Practice Book. Chief among these questions is the impact of the rule changes on the Workers' Compensation Commission's practice and policies pertaining to depositions. At this point we are still in the process of reviewing the matter and thus, the policies and rules existing prior to the Rules Committee's amendments will remain in place.

CRB Calendar Weekly Update Posted

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

The Workers' Compensation Commission is pleased to make available the following CRB Calendars. These calendars are updated every week, usually on Monday mornings, to accomodate ongoing changes to the CRB Hearing Schedule.

April 27, 2012 CRB Calendar (PDF File: 5 pages; 36K; Last revised April 23, 2012)

May 18, 2012 CRB Calendar (PDF File: 6 pages; 38K; Last revised April 23, 2012)

June 22, 2012 CRB Calendar (PDF File: 10 pages; 43K; Last revised April 23, 2012)

July 20, 2012 CRB Calendar (PDF File: 6 pages; 37K; Last revised April 23, 2012)

The Compensation Review Board Calendars are available on this site in Adobe PDF format and require the use of Adobe's free Adobe Reader. If you need to obtain the free Adobe Reader, follow this Adobe Reader link to Adobe Software's website, download and install the Reader on your computer, then return to this feed or to the Compensation Review Board (CRB) Calendars page on our website.

CRB Opinions Posted to the Site - April 20, 2012

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website:

Ferraro v. Ridgefield European Motors
(Case No. 5646 CRB-7-11-4) - April 17, 2012

Gonzalez v. Premier Limousine of Hartford
(Case No. 5635 CRB-4-11-3) - April 17, 2012

CRB Opinion Posted to the Site - April 12, 2012

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinion, newly posted to our website:

Leonetti v. MacDermid, Incorporated
(Case No. 5623 CRB-5-11-1) - March 19, 2012

CRB Opinions Posted to the Site - March 27, 2012

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website:

Turrell v. State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
(Case No. 5640 CRB-8-11-3) - March 21, 2012

Tutunjian v. Burns, Brooks & McNeil
(Case No. 5618 CRB-6-11-1) - March 21, 2012

CRB Opinions Posted to the Site - March 14, 2012

Mon, 14 Mar 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website:

Jodlowski v. Stanley Works
(Case No. 5627 CRB-6-11-2) - March 13, 2012

Volta v. United Parcel Service
(Case No. 5612 CRB-7-10-12) - January 31, 2012

CRB Opinions Posted to the Site - March 8, 2012

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:00:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website:

Flamenco v. Independent Refuse Service
(Case No. 5600 CRB-7-10-10) - November 2, 2011

Garvey v. Atlas Scenic Studios Limited et al.
(Case No. 5493 CRB-4-09-9) - February 14, 2012

Lamothe v. Citibank, N.A.
(Case No. 5550 CRB-8-10-5) - October 12, 2011

Marandino v. Prometheus Pharmacy
(Case No. 5434 CRB-6-09-2) - February 22, 2012

Pinto v. CNM Construction et al.
(Case No. 5565 CRB-4-10-6) - February 22, 2012

Zbras v. Colonial Toyota
(Case No. 5631 CRB-4-11-2) - February 14, 2012

CRB Opinions Posted to the Site - February 1, 2012

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website:

Anderson v. Target Capital Partners
(Case No. 5615 CRB-6-10-12) - January 3, 2012

Diaz v. Capital Improvements and Management, LLC
(Case No. 5616 CRB-1-11-1) - January 12, 2012

McClaren v. Fed/Ex Ground Package System, Incorporated
(Case No. 5619 CRB-1-11-1) - January 24, 2012

Monaco-Selmer v. Total Customer Service
(Case No. 5622 CRB-3-10-12) - January 19, 2012

Sullins v. United Parcel Service, Inc.
(Case No. 5611 CRB-1-10-12) - January 6, 2012

CRB Opinions Posted to the Site - January 27, 2012

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website:

Callinan v. State of Connecticut/Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services
(Case No. 5583 CRB-8-10-7) - December 8, 2011

Pattison v. Hartford Hospital-Dept. of Occupational Health
(Case No. 5702 CRB-1-11-11) - December 8, 2011

CRB Opinions Posted to the Site - January 26, 2012

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website:

Burns v. Town of Southbury
(Case No. 5608 CRB-5-10-11) - November 2, 2011

Jodlowski v. Stanley Works
(Case No. 5609 CRB-6-10-11) - November 16, 2011

Miller v. State of Connecticut/Judicial Branch
(Case No. 5584 CRB-7-10-8) - November 28, 2011

Pagan v. Carey Wiping Materials, Inc.
(Case No. 5700 CRB-6-11-11) - November 30, 2011

Reveron v. Petra Construction Corp.
(Case No. 5690 CRB-3-11-10) - November 7, 2011

CRB Opinions Posted to the Site - January 25, 2012

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website:

Bailey v. State of Connecticut Greater Hartford Community College
(Case No. 5603 CRB-1-10-11) - October 5, 2011

McClain v. Marketstar Corporation
(Case No. 5604 CRB-4-10-11) - October 25, 2011

Springer v. J. B. Hunt Transport
(Case No. 5573 CRB-5-10-7) - October 19, 2011

Torres v. Family Care Visiting Nurse Agency
(Case No. 5684 CRB-4-11-9) - October 11, 2011

CRB Opinions Posted to the Site - January 24, 2012

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:30:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website:

Ostrowski v. Guida-Siebert Dairy Company
(Case No. 5374 CRB-6-08-9) - September 23, 2011

Ransome v. State of Connecticut Judicial Branch
(Case No. 5598 CRB-3-10-10) - September 12, 2011

Serrano v. Bridgeport Towers Apartments, LLC
(Case No. 5572-CRB-4-10-7) - September 29, 2011

Wiblyi v. McDonald’s Restaurant et al.
(Case No. 5596 CRB-1-10-10) - September 8, 2011

Wikander, et al v. Asbury Automotive Group/David McDavid Acura
(Case No. 5586 CRB-4-10-9) - September 8, 2011

CRB Opinions Posted to the Site - January 23, 2012

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website:

Chung v. TTM Technologies, Inc.
(Case No. 5675 CRB-2-11-8) - August 23, 2011

Lamar v. Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation
(Case No. 5588 CRB-7-10-9) - August 25, 2011

MacBride v. Connecticut Energy Corp.
(Case No. 5668 CRB-3-11-7) - August 5, 2011

Petit v. Coca Cola Enterprises
(Case No. 5660 CRB-1-11-6) - August 2, 2011

Sosa v. Benchmark Assisted Living
(Case No. 5592 CRB-3-10-9) - August 17, 2011

Tesla v. City of Bridgeport
(Case No. 5460 CRB-4-09-5) - August 26, 2011

CRB Opinions Posted to the Site - January 18, 2012

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website:

Chimblo v. Connecticut Light & Power
(Case No. 5574 CRB-7-10-7) - July 21, 2011

Fuller v. City of Bridgeport Board of Education
(Case No. 5610 CRB-4-10-12) - July 14, 2011

McLain v. City of New London/Board of Education
(Case No. 5606 CRB-8-10-11) - July 19, 2011

Rayhall v. Akim Company, Inc.
(Case No. 5571 CRB-2-10-7) - July 1, 2011

Rodriguez v. City of Bridgeport
(Case No. 5577 CRB-4-10-7) - July 27, 2011

Savo v. City of Bridgeport
(Case No. 5451 CRB-4-09-4) - July 8, 2011

Shepard v. UTC/Carrier Corp.
(Case No. 5556 CRB-4-10-5) - July 27, 2011

Bulletin No. 49 Now Available

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:05:00 GMT

The Workers' Compensation Commission's Bulletin 49 is available to the public free of charge, and contains the entire Workers' Compensation Act, additional related statutes, and Workers' Compensation Administrative Regulations. Also included are illustrations of Connecticut's workers' compensation forms.

To receive a copy of the Bulletin 49, please contact either your nearest Workers' Compensation Commission District Office or the Commission's Education Services [(860) 493-1500].

The Bulletin 49 is also available on our website as a PDF file-see below-suitable for printing individual pages which can be placed into a 3-ring binder or saving to your own computer for use as an electronic reference that can be used even when you are not connected to the internet!

Get the Bulletin 49

Martin Luther King Day Holiday Closing

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:01:00 GMT

The Workers' Compensation Commission will be closed on Monday, January 16, 2012 in observance of the Martin Luther King Day holiday.

Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, January 17th.

CRB Opinions Posted to the Site - January 9, 2012

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:00:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website:

Corbin v. St. Mary's Hospital Corporation
(Case No. 5658 CRB-5-11-6) - June 24, 2011

Gelinas v. P & M Mason Contractors, Inc.
(Case No. 5567 CRB-8-10-6) - June 7, 2011

Krol v. A. V. Tuchy, Inc.
(Case No. 5562 CRB-4-10-6) - June 1, 2011

Lantieri v. Anaconda American Brass Company et al.
(Case No. 5579 CRB-5-10-7) - June 28, 2011

Lubrano v. Mohegan Sun Casino
(Case No. 5560 CRB-2-10-6) - June 3, 2011

2012 CRB Panel Announced

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:30:00 GMT

Pursuant to Section 31-280b, Chairman John A. Mastropietro has appointed Commissioners Daniel E. Dilzer and Jodi Murray Gregg to sit as panel members on appeals before the Compensation Review Board for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2012.

CRB Opinions Posted to the Site - November 1, 2011

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:00:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website:

Barlow v. Charlotte Hungerford Hospital
(Case No. 5645 CRB-5-11-4) - May 10, 2011

Coccagna v. Henderson Global Investors, Inc.
(Case No. 5653 CRB-1-11-5) - May 25, 2011

Deleon v. Walgreens
(Case No. 5568 CRB-4-10-6) - May 13, 2011

Gamez-Reyes v. Donald F. Biagi, Jr.
(Case No. 5552 CRB-7-10-5) - May 3, 2011

McLain v. City of New London/Board of Education
(Case No. 5575 CRB-2-10-7) - May 13, 2011

CRB Opinions Posted to the Site - October 24, 2011

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website:

Brennan v. Comcast Corporation
(Case No. 5638 CRB-6-11-3) - April 1, 2011

Dauti v. Lighting Services, Inc.
(Case No. 5553 CRB-5-10-5) - April 25, 2011

Mirabelle v. FGH Contracting Corp.
(Case No. 5644 CRB-7-11-4) - April 26, 2011

Morales v. City of Bridgeport
(Case No. 5551 CRB-4-10-5) - April 18, 2011

Oliveira v. Antonio Braga d/b/a Braga Painting a/k/a Braga Painting & Drywall, Inc.
(Case No. 5533 CRB-7-10-3) - April 7, 2011

Vasquez v. Southern Connecticut Ice & Oil, LLC
(Case No. 5641 CRB-4-11-4) - April 26, 2011

CRB Opinions Posted to the Site - October 19, 2011

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:30:00 GMT

Read the following Compensation Review Board Opinions, newly posted to our website:

Evensen v. City of Stamford
(Case No. 5541 CRB-7-10-4) - March 31, 2011

Lee v. Cultec, Inc.
(Case No. 5546 CRB-7-10-4) - February 25, 2011

Lembrick v. State of Connecticut/Department of Correction
(Case No. 5543 CRB-1-10-4) - February 10, 2011

Nalysnyk v. Slawomir Deja d/b/a Deja Construction et al.
(Case No. 5528 CRB-2-10-2) - February 4, 2011

Roberto v. Partyka Chevrolet, Inc.
(Case No. 5542 CRB-3-10-3) - February 8, 2011

Serrano v. Bridgeport Towers Apartments, LLC
(Case No. 5572 CRB-4-10-7) - February 9, 2011

Sztaba v. Aetna, Inc.
(Case No. 5549 CRB-8-10-4) - March 1, 2011

Annual Report Now Available Online

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:30:00 GMT

The Workers' Compensation Commission is pleased to make available online its Annual Report, which contains basic statistical information regarding the Commission's mission, activities, and achievements.

2010-2011 Annual Report of the Workers' Compensation Commission
(PDF File: 10 pages; 30K; Last revised September 1, 2011)

The Annual Report of the Workers' Compensation Commission is available on this site in Adobe PDF format and requires the use of Adobe's free Adobe Reader. If you need to obtain the free Adobe Reader, follow this Adobe Reader link to Adobe Software's website, download and install the Reader on your computer, then return to this feed or to the Publications page on our website.

Chairman Issues Benefit Rate Tables Memorandum

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:00:00 GMT

TO: Commissioners, District Administrators, Self-Insureds, Insurance Carriers, Attorneys, Unions, Legal Advisory Panel and Advisory Board Members

MEMORANDUM NO. 2011-04

FROM: John A. Mastropietro, Chairman

DATE: September 27, 2011

RE: Workers' Compensation Benefit Rate Tables October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012

Tables for determining the workers' compensation benefits for Connecticut workers injured between October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012 are now available. These tables can be obtained from:

Rapid Print & Copy LLC
139 Center Street
Bristol, CT 06010-1926

Mailing Address:
Rapid Print & Copy LLC
P.O. Box 330092
West Hartford, CT 06133

Phone: (860) 490-8857
FAX: (860) 461-0551
E-mail: rapidprintncopy@gmail.com

The cost for the tables through Rapid Print & Copy is as follows. Payment by check is required.

$23.93 ($22.50 plus $1.43 sales tax) if picked up.

$30.31 ($22.50 plus $6.00 shipping and handling plus $1.81 sales tax) if ordered by mail.

For your convenience, these tables are posted on our website at:

http://wcc.state.ct.us/download/acrobat/Benefit-Rate-Table-2011-2012.pdf
(PDF File: 304 pages; 820K; Last revised October 1, 2011)

Chairman Issues AWW, Max Comp Rate, and COLA Memorandum

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:00:00 GMT

TO: Commissioners, District Administrators, Self-Insureds, Insurance Carriers, Attorneys, Unions, Legal Advisory Panel and Advisory Board Members

MEMORANDUM NO. 2011-03

FROM: John A. Mastropietro, Chairman

DATE: September 26, 2011

RE: Average Weekly Wage, Maximum Compensation Rate, and Cost-of-Living Adjustments

Section 31-309 of the Connecticut General Statutes as amended by Public Act 93-228 sets the maximum weekly compensation rate to be the same as the average weekly earnings of all employees in Connecticut. This maximum rate applies to total disability benefits provided in § 31-307 and decedents' dependents benefits provided in § 31-306.

The State Labor Commissioner has determined that the estimated average weekly earnings of all employees in Connecticut effective October 1, 2011 will be $1,168.00. Therefore, the maximum compensation rate for total disability and decedents' dependents will also be $1,168.00 for injuries occurring on or after October 1, 2011.

The maximum compensation rate for partial disability (incapacity), i.e., benefits pursuant to § 31-308, is equivalent to the average weekly earnings of production and related workers in manufacturing in Connecticut. The State Labor Commissioner has determined that the average weekly earnings of production and related workers in manufacturing in Connecticut effective October 1, 2011 will be $996.00.

I believe this information will assist you in the calculation of cost-of-living adjustments.

NOTE: Please go directly to Memorandum No. 2011-03 on our website for complete instructions on calculating Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs), including updated COLA tables.