CHAPTER 568*
WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACT

PART A
WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION.
COMPENSATION COMMISSIONERS. EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY

I

WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION.

COMPENSATION COMMISSIONERS

      Sec. 31-275. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise provides:

      (1) "Arising out of and in the course of his employment" means an accidental injury happening to an employee or an occupational disease of an employee originating while the employee has been engaged in the line of the employee's duty in the business or affairs of the employer upon the employer's premises, or while engaged elsewhere upon the employer's business or affairs by the direction, express or implied, of the employer, provided:

      (A) (i) For a police officer or firefighter, "in the course of his employment" encompasses such individual's departure from such individual's place of abode to duty, such individual's duty, and the return to such individual's place of abode after duty;

      (ii) For an employee of the Department of Correction, (I) when responding to a direct order to appear at his or her work assignment under circumstances in which nonessential employees are excused from working, or (II) following two or more mandatory overtime work shifts on consecutive days, "in the course of his employment" encompasses such individual's departure from such individual's place of abode directly to duty, such individual's duty, and the return directly to such individual's place of abode after duty;

      (iii) Notwithstanding the provisions of clauses (i) and (ii) of this subparagraph, the dependents of any deceased employee of the Department of Correction who was injured in the course of his employment, as defined in this subparagraph, on or after July 1, 2000, and who died not later than July 15, 2000, shall be paid compensation on account of the death, in accordance with the provisions of section 31-306, retroactively to the date of the employee's death. The cost of the payment shall be paid by the employer or its insurance carrier which shall be reimbursed for such cost from the Second Injury Fund as provided in section 31-354 upon presentation of any vouchers and information that the Treasurer may require;

      (B) A personal injury shall not be deemed to arise out of the employment unless causally traceable to the employment other than through weakened resistance or lowered vitality;

      (C) In the case of an accidental injury, a disability or a death due to the use of alcohol or narcotic drugs shall not be construed to be a compensable injury;

      (D) For aggravation of a preexisting disease, compensation shall be allowed only for that proportion of the disability or death due to the aggravation of the preexisting disease as may be reasonably attributed to the injury upon which the claim is based;

      (E) A personal injury shall not be deemed to arise out of the employment if the injury is sustained: (i) At the employee's place of abode, and (ii) while the employee is engaged in a preliminary act or acts in preparation for work unless such act or acts are undertaken at the express direction or request of the employer;

      (F) For purposes of subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, "narcotic drugs" means all controlled substances, as designated by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection pursuant to subsection (c) of section 21a-243, but does not include drugs prescribed in the course of medical treatment or in a program of research operated under the direction of a physician or pharmacologist. For purposes of subparagraph (E) of this subdivision, "place of abode" includes the inside of the residential structure, the garage, the common hallways, stairways, driveways, walkways and the yard;

      (G) The Workers' Compensation Commission shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section and shall define the terms "a preliminary act", "acts in preparation for work", "departure from place of abode directly to duty" and "return directly to place of abode after duty" on or before January 1, 2006.

      (2) "Commission" means the Workers' Compensation Commission.

      (3) "Commissioner" means the compensation commissioner who has jurisdiction in the matter referred to in the context.

      (4) "Compensation" means benefits or payments mandated by the provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to, indemnity, medical and surgical aid or hospital and nursing service required under section 31-294d and any type of payment for disability, whether for total or partial disability of a permanent or temporary nature, death benefit, funeral expense, payments made under the provisions of section 31-284b, 31-293a or 31-310, or any adjustment in benefits or payments required by this chapter.

      (5) "Date of the injury" means, for an occupational disease, the date of total or partial incapacity to work as a result of such disease.

      (6) "Dependent" means a member of the injured employee's family or next of kin who was wholly or partly dependent upon the earnings of the employee at the time of the injury.

      (7) "Dependent in fact" means a person determined to be a dependent of an injured employee, in any case where there is no presumptive dependent, in accordance with the facts existing at the date of the injury.

      (8) "Disfigurement" means impairment of or injury to the beauty, symmetry or appearance of a person that renders the person unsightly, misshapen or imperfect, or deforms the person in some manner, or otherwise causes a detrimental change in the external form of the person.

      (9) (A) "Employee" means any person who:

      (i) Has entered into or works under any contract of service or apprenticeship with an employer, whether the contract contemplated the performance of duties within or without the state;

      (ii) Is a sole proprietor or business partner who accepts the provisions of this chapter in accordance with subdivision (10) of this section;

      (iii) Is elected to serve as a member of the General Assembly of this state;

      (iv) Is a salaried officer or paid member of any police department or fire department;

      (v) Is a volunteer police officer, whether the officer is designated as special or auxiliary, upon vote of the legislative body of the town, city or borough in which the officer serves;

      (vi) Is an elected or appointed official or agent of any town, city or borough in the state, upon vote of the proper authority of the town, city or borough, including the elected or appointed official or agent, irrespective of the manner in which he or she is appointed or employed. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as affecting any existing rights as to pensions which such persons or their dependents had on July 1, 1927, or as preventing any existing custom of paying the full salary of any such person during disability due to injury arising out of and in the course of his or her employment; or

      (vii) Is an officer or enlisted person of the National Guard or other armed forces of the state called to active duty by the Governor while performing his or her active duty service.

      (B) "Employee" shall not be construed to include:

      (i) Any person to whom articles or material are given to be treated in any way on premises not under the control or management of the person who gave them out;

      (ii) One whose employment is of a casual nature and who is employed otherwise than for the purposes of the employer's trade or business;

      (iii) A member of the employer's family dwelling in his house; but, if, in any contract of insurance, the wages or salary of a member of the employer's family dwelling in his house is included in the payroll on which the premium is based, then that person shall, if he sustains an injury arising out of and in the course of his employment, be deemed an employee and compensated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter;

      (iv) Any person engaged in any type of service in or about a private dwelling provided he is not regularly employed by the owner or occupier over twenty-six hours per week;

      (v) An employee of a corporation who is a corporate officer and who elects to be excluded from coverage under this chapter by notice in writing to his employer and to the commissioner; or

      (vi) Any person who is not a resident of this state but is injured in this state during the course of his employment, unless such person (I) works for an employer who has a place of employment or a business facility located in this state at which such person spends at least fifty per cent of his employment time, or (II) works for an employer pursuant to an employment contract to be performed primarily in this state.

      (10) "Employer" means any person, corporation, limited liability company, firm, partnership, voluntary association, joint stock association, the state and any public corporation within the state using the services of one or more employees for pay, or the legal representative of any such employer, but all contracts of employment between an employer employing persons excluded from the definition of employee and any such employee shall be conclusively presumed to include the following mutual agreements between employer and employee: (A) That the employer may accept and become bound by the provisions of this chapter by immediately complying with section 31-284; (B) that, if the employer accepts the provisions of this chapter, the employee shall then be deemed to accept and be bound by such provisions unless the employer neglects or refuses to furnish immediately to the employee, on his written request, evidence of compliance with section 31-284 in the form of a certificate from the commissioner, the Insurance Commissioner or the insurer, as the case may be; (C) that the employee may, at any time, withdraw his acceptance of, and become released from, the provisions of this chapter by giving written or printed notice of his withdrawal to the commissioner and to the employer, and the withdrawal shall take effect immediately from the time of its service on the commissioner and the employer; and (D) that the employer may withdraw his acceptance and the acceptance of the employee by filing a written or printed notice of his withdrawal with the commissioner and with the employee, and the withdrawal shall take effect immediately from the time of its service on the commissioner and the employee. The notices of acceptance and withdrawal to be given by an employer employing persons excluded from the definition of employee and the notice of withdrawal to be given by the employee, as provided in this subdivision, shall be served upon the commissioner, employer or employee, either by personal presentation or by registered or certified mail. In determining the number of employees employed by an individual, the employees of a partnership of which he is a member shall not be included. A person who is the sole proprietor of a business may accept the provisions of this chapter by notifying the commissioner, in writing, of his intent to do so. If such person accepts the provisions of this chapter he shall be considered to be an employer and shall insure his full liability in accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 31-284. Such person may withdraw his acceptance by giving notice of his withdrawal, in writing, to the commissioner. Any person who is a partner in a business shall be deemed to have accepted the provisions of this chapter and shall insure his full liability in accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 31-284, unless the partnership elects to be excluded from the provisions of this chapter by notice, in writing and by signed agreement of each partner, to the commissioner.

      (11) "Full-time student" means any student enrolled for at least seventy-five per cent of a full-time student load at a postsecondary educational institution which has been approved by a state-recognized or federally-recognized accrediting agency or body. "Full-time student load" means the number of credit hours, quarter credits or academic units required for a degree from such institution, divided by the number of academic terms needed to complete the degree.

      (12) "Medical and surgical aid or hospital and nursing service", when requested by an injured employee and approved by the commissioner, includes treatment by prayer or spiritual means through the application or use of the principles, tenets or teachings of any established church without the use of any drug or material remedy, provided sanitary and quarantine regulations are complied with, and provided all those ministering to the injured employee are bona fide members of such church.

      (13) "Member" includes all parts of the human body referred to in subsection (b) of section 31-308.

      (14) "Nursing" means the practice of nursing as defined in subsection (a) of section 20-87a, and "nurse" means a person engaged in such practice.

      (15) "Occupational disease" includes any disease peculiar to the occupation in which the employee was engaged and due to causes in excess of the ordinary hazards of employment as such, and includes any disease due to or attributable to exposure to or contact with any radioactive material by an employee in the course of his employment.

      (16) (A) "Personal injury" or "injury" includes, in addition to accidental injury that may be definitely located as to the time when and the place where the accident occurred, an injury to an employee that is causally connected with the employee's employment and is the direct result of repetitive trauma or repetitive acts incident to such employment, and occupational disease.

      (B) "Personal injury" or "injury" shall not be construed to include:

      (i) An injury to an employee that results from the employee's voluntary participation in any activity the major purpose of which is social or recreational, including, but not limited to, athletic events, parties and picnics, whether or not the employer pays some or all of the cost of such activity;

      (ii) A mental or emotional impairment, unless such impairment arises (I) from a physical injury or occupational disease, or (II) in the case of a police officer, from such police officer's use of deadly force or subjection to deadly force in the line of duty, regardless of whether such police officer is physically injured, provided such police officer is the subject of an attempt by another person to cause such police officer serious physical injury or death through the use of deadly force, and such police officer reasonably believes such police officer to be the subject of such an attempt. As used in this clause, "police officer" means a member of the Division of State Police within the Department of Public Safety, an organized local police department or a municipal constabulary, and "in the line of duty" means any action that a police officer is obligated or authorized by law, rule, regulation or written condition of employment service to perform, or for which the police officer is compensated by the public entity such officer serves;

      (iii) A mental or emotional impairment that results from a personnel action, including, but not limited to, a transfer, promotion, demotion or termination; or

      (iv) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (B)(i) of this subdivision, "personal injury" or "injury" includes injuries to employees of local or regional boards of education resulting from participation in a school-sponsored activity but does not include any injury incurred while going to or from such activity. As used in this clause, "school-sponsored activity" means any activity sponsored, recognized or authorized by a board of education and includes activities conducted on or off school property and "participation" means acting as a chaperone, advisor, supervisor or instructor at the request of an administrator with supervisory authority over the employee.

      (17) "Physician" includes any person licensed and authorized to practice a healing art, as defined in section 20-1, and licensed under the provisions of chapters 370, 372 and 373 to practice in this state.

      (18) "Podiatrist" means any practitioner of podiatry, as defined in section 20-50, and duly licensed under the provisions of chapter 375 to practice in this state.

      (19) "Presumptive dependents" means the following persons who are conclusively presumed to be wholly dependent for support upon a deceased employee: (A) A wife upon a husband with whom she lives at the time of his injury or from whom she receives support regularly; (B) a husband upon a wife with whom he lives at the time of her injury or from whom he receives support regularly; (C) any child under the age of eighteen, or over the age of eighteen but physically or mentally incapacitated from earning, upon the parent with whom he is living or from whom he is receiving support regularly, at the time of the injury of the parent; (D) any unmarried child who has attained the age of eighteen but has not attained the age of twenty-two and who is a full-time student, upon the parent with whom he is living or from whom he is receiving support regularly, provided, any child who has attained the age of twenty-two while a full-time student but has not completed the requirements for, or received, a degree from a postsecondary educational institution shall be deemed not to have attained the age of twenty-two until the first day of the first month following the end of the quarter or semester in which he is enrolled at the time, or if he is not enrolled in a quarter or semester system, until the first day of the first month following the completion of the course in which he is enrolled or until the first day of the third month beginning after such time, whichever occurs first.

      (20) "Previous disability" means an employee's preexisting condition caused by the total or partial loss of, or loss of use of, one hand, one arm, one foot or one eye resulting from accidental injury, disease or congenital causes, or other permanent physical impairment.

      (21) "Scar" means the mark left on the skin after the healing of a wound or sore, or any mark, damage or lasting effect resulting from past injury.

      (22) "Second disability" means a disability arising out of a second injury.

      (23) "Second injury" means an injury, incurred by accident, repetitive trauma, repetitive acts or disease arising out of and in the course of employment, to an employee with a previous disability.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7416; 1949, S. 3037d; 1958 Rev., S. 31-139; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 842, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 289; 556, S. 1; 696, S. 1; 806, S. 1; 1972, P.A. 281, S. 2; P.A. 77-614, S. 163, 610; P.A. 78-324, S. 3; P.A. 79-113; 79-540, S. 1; P.A. 80-124, S. 1; 80-284, S. 1; 80-414, S. 1; 80-482, S. 201, 348; 80-483, S. 95, 186; P.A. 82-398, S. 1; P.A. 84-320, S. 1, 6; P.A. 85-420, S. 1, 4; P.A. 88-184, S. 1, 3; 88-364, S. 50, 123; P.A. 91-32, S. 1, 41; 91-339, S. 1; P.A. 92-31, S. 1, 7; P.A. 93-228, S. 1, 35; P.A. 95-79, S. 117, 189; 95-262, S. 2, 3; P.A. 96-180, S. 104, 166; P.A. 97-205, S. 1; P.A. 99-102, S. 41; P.A. 01-208, S. 2, 3; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(c); P.A. 04-189, S. 1; P.A. 05-208, S. 4; 05-230, S. 1; 05-236, S. 2.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1967 act redefined "commission" as seven rather than five commissioners, added exception in definition of "dependent" and redefined "employer" as those employing one or more rather than two or more persons; 1969 acts redefined "arising out of and in the course of his employment" to include special provision re policemen and firemen, redefined "physician" to include those practicing a healing art and duly licensed rather than those practicing as chiropractors, added definition of "podiatrist", redefined "occupational disease" to include diseases resulting from exposure to or contact with radioactive materials and specified "regularly" employed in Subdiv. (d) of definition of "employer"; 1972 act included persons elected as members of the general assembly in definition of "employee"; P.A. 77-614 made insurance department a division within the department of business regulation with insurance commissioner as its head, effective January 1, 1979 (See Subsec. (6)); P.A. 78-324 included volunteer police officers in definition of "employee"; P.A. 79-113 divided section into Subsecs. and redefined "employee" and "employer" to include provisions re persons who are sole proprietors or partners in a business; P.A. 79-540 redefined "commission" to raise number of commissioners to eight and defined "compensation review division"; P.A. 80-124 substituted "causally" for "casually" in Subsec. (8); P.A. 80-284 inserted new Subsec. (13) defining "full-time student" and renumbered former Subsec. (13) accordingly; P.A. 80-414 redefined "commission" and "compensation review division" to reflect increase in number of commissioners to nine; P.A. 80-482 reinstated insurance department and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation; P.A. 80-483 made technical correction; P.A. 82-398 defined "income", including within it all forms of remuneration to an individual from his employment; P.A. 84-320 amended Subsecs. (2) and (3) to increase the number of commissioners to ten; P.A. 85-420 amended Subdivs. (2) and (3) to increase the number of commissioners to eleven; P.A. 88-184 redefined "commission" and "compensation review division" to reflect an increase in number of commissioners to thirteen; P.A. 88-364 made a technical change in Subsec. (5); P.A. 91-32 replaced existing definitions with Subdivs. (1) to (22), inclusive; P.A. 91-339 redefined "commission" in Subsec. (2), deleted definition of "compensation review division" in former Subsec. (5), deleted reference to Sec. 31-308b from renumbered Subsec. (6), added new Subsec. (8) defining "disfigurement" and added new Subsec. (21) defining "scar", renumbering as necessary; P.A. 92-31 redefined "compensation" to delete dependency allowances; P.A. 93-228 redefined "arising out of and in the course of his employment", "employee", "employer" and "personal injury" in Subdivs. (1), (9), (10) and (16), respectively, added definition of "narcotic drugs" in Subdiv. (1), and deleted definitions of "significant disfigurement" and "significant scar" in Subdivs. (8) and (21), respectively, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-79 redefined "employer" in Subdiv. (10) to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995; P.A. 95-262 amended Subdiv. (1) to redefine "arising out of and in the course of his employment" to exclude as a personal injury, any injury sustained at the employee's place of abode while the employee is engaged in a preliminary act or acts in preparation for work unless at the express direction or request of the employer, to define "place of abode" and to require the Workers' Compensation Commission to adopt regulations and to define "a preliminary act" and "acts in preparation for work", effective July 6, 1995 (Revisor's note: The phrase "the Workers Compensation Commissioner shall adopt regulations" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "the Workers Compensation Commission shall adopt regulations" to correct an apparent clerical error in the reference to "Commissioner"); P.A. 96-180 amended Subdivs. (9) and (10) to make technical changes, effective June 3, 1996; P.A. 97-205 amended Subpara. (B) of Subdiv. (16) to define "personal injury" and "school-sponsored activity"; P.A. 99-102 amended Subdiv. (17) by deleting obsolete reference to chapter 371; P.A. 01-208 amended Subdiv. (1) by making technical changes throughout, designating existing Subpara. (A) as Subpara. (A)(i), adding Subpara. (A)(ii) re dependents of certain deceased employees of the Department of Correction and designating portions of existing Subpara. (E) as Subparas. (F) and (G), effective July 13, 2001; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Consumer Protection with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004; P.A. 05-208 amended Subdiv. (16)(B)(ii) to exempt mental or emotional impairment of police officer arising from use of or subjection to deadly force from general mental or emotional impairment exclusion from definition of "personal injury" or "injury" and made technical changes throughout Subdiv. (16); P.A. 05-230 amended Subdiv. (1)(A) by adding new clause (ii) defining "in the course of his employment" for employees of Department of Correction, redesignating existing clause (ii) as clause (iii) and making a conforming change therein, and amended Subdiv. (1)(G) by requiring Workers' Compensation Commission to define "departure from place of abode directly to duty" and "return directly to place of abode after duty" by regulation on or before January 1, 2006; P.A. 05-236 amended Subdiv. (9)(A) by making technical changes in clause (vi) and adding clause (vii) to redefine "employee" to include members of the National Guard or other armed forces of the state called to active duty by Governor while performing active duty service, effective July 1, 2005.

      See Sec. 31-294h re extent of benefits for mental or emotional impairment of police officers.

      Dependent. Dependency is a question of fact. 89 C. 152; 95 C. 165; Id., 674. Father without income is dependent on minor though his earnings did not exceed the cost of his support. 90 C. 258; 105 C. 423. Cited. 91 C. 231. Cited. 106 C. 235. Cited. 130 C. 658. Cited. 131 C. 202. Cited. 132 C. 171. Adult son able to support his family is not a dependent of his father. 92 C. 458. Employee's mistress is not a dependent but illegitimate children are. 93 C. 423. Wife living with husband is presumably supported by him and not dependent of eleven year old son. 95 C. 166. Father who adds son's wages to invested capital is not dependent. Id., 676. Sister held dependent who relied on decedent's earnings though his contributions were voluntary and not enforceable. 96 C. 303. Sister held dependent though not living with decedent. 97 C. 113. Employee. A sheriff is not an employee of the state though it pays him a salary. 89 C. 684. Contract of employment implied. Id. Employee distinguished from independent contractor. 90 C. 447; 95 C. 421; 96 C. 636; 105 C. 545; 107 C. 146. Musicians for a dance on defendant's premises engaged from an orchestra leader held defendant's employees. 92 C. 407. Newspaper reporter is an employee. 94 C. 159. Formerly policemen and firemen were not employees. Id., 403. One doing personal service to a corporation officer in hope of a tip not an employee of either the corporation or the officer. Id., 490. Consideration of whether or not one illegally employed is within the act. 95 C. 166. Employee distinguished from city officer. 96 C. 560. Firemen and policemen included in 1921. 102 C. 340. Tree warden is officer in supervisory duties and employee when performing manual labor. Id., 573. Burden is on claimant to show that he is employee. 105 C. 551. "Employer" includes one working for another in return for prior assistance from the other. 102 C. 474. "Outworker" does not include treasurer taking clerical work home to complete. 105 C. 520. "Personal injury" is a localized abnormal condition of the body directly and contemporaneously caused by accident. 91 C. 162. Erysipelas caused by frost bite due to employment is compensable. 90 C. 131. Also sunstroke from heat of the work. 93 C. 153; Id., 315. Under the act of 1919 the injury need not be located at a definite time and place. 98 C. 652. A weakened condition making him susceptible to disease and injury. Id; 102 C. 10. Weakened resistance is injury only if incapacitating disease results. The act of 1921 broadly interpreted as to resulting diseases. 103 C. 98; Id., 707; 104 C. 718. These decisions seem to be overthrown by the amendment of 1927. "Occupational disease" was not compensable in the original act. 90 C. 349; 91 C. 158. "Arising out of and in the course of his employment". The definition given in the present act overthrows expressions in some of the earlier cases. First defined. 90 C. 120. Causal connection must exist between the employment and the injury. Id., 119; Id., 309; 92 C. 387. Sufficient if employment creates condition from which the injury arose. 93 C. 587; 100 C. 392. This definition developed. 92 C. 276; 93 C. 315; 104 C. 712; 105 C. 517; Id., 698. That an employee does work for his employer not strictly required does not put him out of the "course of his employment". Injuries held compensable received while returning to work after temporary stoppage. 92 C. 84. Resting on the premises waiting for his turn of work. Id., 277. Being transported to work by the employer. Id., 91; 93 C. 85; 103 C. 564; 107 C. 505; 108 C. 630. Driving his own car on employer's business. 98 C. 548. When an injury received on the highway is compensable. 105 C. 518; 107 C. 168. Foreman employed on the highway stepping across the road to speak to a friend. 93 C. 52. Stopping at a company store on the way home. Id., 59. Lightning stroke while park laborer was under a tree for shelter. 94 C. 12. Employer's pistol fired by a curious office boy. Id., 264. Stones thrown at employer's glass which employee was trying to protect. Id., 381. Following usual path over railroad tracks. 95 C. 412. Fall from the scaffold where he worked though due to vertigo. 97 C. 46. Crossing tracks to get food for employer's dog. 98 C. 289. Traveling salesman injured in hotel fire. Id., 758. Injury by an insane fellow workman on the premises. 100 C. 377. Policeman going along the highway to police station. 102 C. 342. Hotel manager driving thief away from the refrigerator. 103 C. 761. Insanity and suicide resulting from close application to library work. 107 C. 60. Compensation refused in the following cases: fighting with a fellow employee. 92 C. 386. Employee, sent by defendant to a doctor, took short cut across railroad tracks and was killed. 96 C. 343. Taking own route home from work though the company paid traveling expenses. Id., 355; 105 C. 518. Injury caused by smoking against orders in toilet. 104 C. 334. Injury from playful push by a visitor. 105 C. 397. Sleeping by permission in employer's barn. Id., 701. Doing work for oneself on employer's machine during the rest hour. 107 C. 517. Washing car sometimes used in employer's business. Id., 646. Scarlet fever contracted while in hospital for treatment of compensable injury. 108 C. 148. Claim to compensation must be based on more than speculation and conjecture. 146 C. 505. When an activity may be an incident of employment. 147 C. 267. "Aggravation of a preexisting disease" may be a personal injury. 90 C. 544. This term defined. 97 C. 552. Apportionment of the award is not made in case of death. 103 C. 705; (but see the words "or death" added by the amendment in 1927). Mere susceptibility is not a preexisting disease and "injury" means compensable injury. Id., 726. Syphilis "lighted up" by fall was compensable. 104 C. 365; (but see the exclusion of syphilis added in 1927). Tuberculosis aggravated by employee doing any work, but not by the particular employment, not compensable. Id., 711. Aliter, when it is directly caused by the employment. Id., 726; 105 C. 656. Action denied when excitement aroused in a corporation manager by the result of a prosecution in court "lighted up" angina pectoris. 108 C. 493. Causal connection between factory conditions and grippe held too uncertain. 106 C. 365. Employer has burden of proof that preexisting disease contributed to the disability. 103 C. 731; 107 C. 66. Preexisting disease due to former employment by defendant is no mitigation. 107 C. 67. Cited. 110 C. 227. Cited. 112 C. 462. Cited. 114 C. 30; Id., 136. Cited. 125 C. 189. Cited. 127 C. 395. Minor illegally employed is covered. 131 C. 157. Employee or independent contractor. 121 C. 127; 123 C. 320; 124 C. 433; 126 C. 379. Trade or business and causal defined. 118 C. 367; 119 C. 224; 129 C. 44. Part or process of trade or business, but injury did not occur in, on or about premises under control of respondent. 125 C. 109. Statute does not require that time be fixed by stopwatch or the place by a mathematical point. 119 C. 44. What constitutes occupational disease. 118 C. 29; 128 C. 499. Tuberculosis not an occupational disease. 121 C. 664. Distinction between employee and independent contractor. 124 C. 433. Status of F.E.R.A. employee. 123 C. 504. Status of relief worker. 126 C. 265. Child employed in violation of law entitled to compensation. 111 C. 229. Meaning of "accidental injury". 128 C. 608; 131 C. 572; 132 C. 118; Id., 479. Unusual susceptibility of linotypist. 128 C. 499. Employee killed on property not under control of employer. 130 C. 1; 131 C. 244. Previous condition of employee immaterial. 123 C. 192; 129 C. 532. Injury must arise out of employment and be causally traceable to it. 109 C. 378; Id., 473; 115 C. 446; 116 C. 297; 119 C. 1; Id., 170; Id., 248; Id., 694; 122 C. 343; 123 C. 327; 124 C. 355; 129 C. 240; Id., 669; 130 C. 11; 133 C. 78; Id., 614. When bodily injury arises through weakened resistance, entitled to compensation. 110 C. 248; 129 C. 532. Injury from (pneumonia) weakened resistance does not entitle to compensation. 111 C. 188. Meaning of "through weakened resistance and lowered vitality". 116 C. 186. Litigation neurosis not compensable. Id., 229. Apportionment for aggravation applied to death cases. 114 C. 389; 121 C. 71. Apportionment for aggravation of disease applies only to occupational disease. 130 C. 401. Deviation from employment. 132 C. 606. Domestic away from employer's house. 131 C. 334; Id., 341. Situation in which employee sought gasoline rations for the mutual benefit of employer and employee. 132 C. 563. Transportation provided by employer. 125 C. 238. Construction of "aggravation of preexisting syphilitic disease". 122 C. 353. Where premises were under defendant's control, plaintiff held to be a subagent and employee. 134 C. 462. Plaintiffs injured by horseplay held not compensable. Id., 672. Commissioner's conclusion that claimant was employee of police department sustained. 136 C. 361. An employer may by his dealing with an employee annex to the actual performance of the work, as an incident of the employment, the going to or departure from work. 137 C. 134. Cited. Id., 486. If one employee assaults another to gratify his feeling of anger, the resulting injury does not arise out of the employment. Id., 626. Definitions of independent contractor restated. 138 C. 317. Plaintiff not on payroll, but paid by quantity, who used his own equipment and occasionally bought supplies for which he was reimbursed, was employee and not independent contractor, since defendant had general control of work. 148 C. 624. An employee seeking workmen's compensation has burden of proving that he sustained an injury, not merely in the course of his employment, but arising out of, that is, caused by, his employment. 150 C. 328. Cited. 154 C. 1, 4. Causal connection between employee's disability and his work must be established for him to be entitled to compensation. Id., 48, 52. Findings of fact by hearing commissioner that claimant was injured while using elevator in premises he was cleaning which he had expressly been forbidden to use would not be disturbed and conclusion claimant was not injured in course of his employment sustained. 155 C. 214. Benefits under workmen's compensation act are payable only to claimants who have been dependents of employee whose injury or death is basis of award. 156 C. 245. "Employer" is one customarily using services of two or more employees and employee who was temporarily sole employee is still to be kept covered under act. Id., 276. Volunteer firemen are not included in definition of employee in this statute. 159 C. 53. Cited. 162 C. 148. Cited. 163 C. 221. Cited. 165 C. 338, 340. "Injury", as used in the Workmen's Compensation Act, includes an injury to employee which is causally connected with his employment and is the direct result of repetitive trauma or acts incident to such employment. 168 C. 413. Cited. 175 C. 392. Sections 31-275 through 31-355 cited. 175 C. 424. Cited. 178 C. 371; Id., 664. Cited. 179 C. 501; Id., 662. Cited. 182 C. 24. Cited. 187 C. 53. Cited. 204 C. 104. Cited. 208 C. 589. Cited. 221 C. 29. Cited. 223 C. 336. Cited. 227 C. 333; Id., 930. Cited. 229 C. 587. Cited. 231 C. 287. Cited. 241 C. 692. Injury sustained by discharged employee while retrieving personal belongings compensable as injury sustained in the course of employment. 244 C. 502. Cited as Workers Compensation Act, sec. 31-275 et. seq., in accord with prior cases, the determination of whether injury arose out of and in the course of employment is a question of fact for the commissioner. 245 C. 613. Cited as Workers Compensation Act, sec. 31-275 et. seq., the "right to control" test cannot coexist with the "relative nature of work" test; court affirmed use of "right to control" test. Id. Aggravation of preexisting psychiatric condition due to work-related physical injury may be a sufficiently distinct and identifiable injury constituting an impairment arising from a compensable work-related physical injury. 258 C. 137. When read in conjunction with Sec. 31-293a, statute plainly states that emotional distress not arising from physical injury is not compensable through workers' compensation. 265 C. 21. Question of whether injuries resulted from incident that occurred in course of employment is a separate and distinct question from whether injuries arose out of employment. If supported by evidence and not inconsistent with the law, commissioner's inference that injury did or did not arise out of and in the course of employment is conclusive. 267 C. 583. In-home health care worker comes within traveling employee exception to "coming and going rule", and injury sustained during travel from her home to home of patient is injury "arising out of and in the course of his employment". 274 C. 219.

      Cited. 3 CA 16. Cited. 32 CA 595. Based on facts presented, plaintiff's injury was compensable when sustained during a basketball game organized by supervisors during working hours. 91 CA 345.

      When the life expectancy of the decedent is less than the term covered by the award. 2 CS 30. Compensation is allowed only when the preexisting disease is aggravated by the injury; it does not include the situation where the injury is made more serious because of the preexisting disease. 6 CS 256. Plaintiff injured while being transported to place of employment by employer on day before her salary began was within the course of her employment. Id., 288. Heart condition is not necessarily inconsistent with the occurrence of an accident within the concept of the statute. 7 CS 5. One who reported to a municipal station after each snowfall for employment in snow removal work was not an employee under the act until he was hired. 12 CS 313. Cited. 13 CS 417. Enlargement of plaintiff's heart not a "personal injury". 14 CS 131. Cited. 15 CS 324. Distinction drawn between "special hazards" test and "arising out of and in the course of his employment". 20 CS 202. Injury sustained as result of playing basketball at company club held not to have arisen out of and in the course of employment. 24 CS 262.

      Former Subsec. (b):

      "Employment of casual nature" defined. 90 C. 451; 92 C. 407; 105 C. 594; 107 C. 363. Police duty is not, though on theater assignment. 102 C. 342. Washing windows in defendant's factory is not. 107 C. 192. This exception not to be construed strictly against the employee. Id., 364.

      Former Subsec. (c):

      Employee of partnership not barred because the son lived in the house of a partner. 91 C. 380.

      Cited. 21 CA 610.

      Subdiv. (1):

      Compensation for aggravation of plaintiff's post-traumatic stress disorder is not limited by apportionment provisions of Subpara. (D). 259 C. 29.

      Cited. 41 CA 430. Special policeman appointed pursuant to Sec. 29-18 is not a policeman for purposes of Subpara. (A) if he has limited authority to arrest or to carry weapons, was not issued a state vehicle, was not entitled to travel pay, and lacked training required of police officers. 60 CA 707.

      Subdiv. (4):

      Cited. 239 C. 676.

      Cited. 5 CA 369. Cited. 24 CA 234.

      Subdiv. (5):

      Cited. 193 C. 59. Cited. 203 C. 34. Cited. 207 C. 420. Cited. 213 C. 54. Cited. 219 C. 674. Subpara. (D): Work in construction of barn on premises of private residence not in excess of twenty-six hours a week is excluded from provisions of workers' compensation act. Id. Cited. 228 C. 401. P.A. 93-228, Sec. 1 (9)(B)(vi) cited. Id.

      Cited. 21 CA 610.

      Subdiv. (6):

      Cited. 207 C. 420. Cited. 213 C. 54. Cited. 239 C. 19.

      Cited. 18 CA 614. Cited. 21 CA 610.

      Subdiv. (8):

      Cited. 196 C. 91.

      Cited. 3 CA 370.

      Cited. 37 CS 836.

      Subdiv. (9):

      Subpara. (B)(iii) cited. 225 C. 165. Cited. 226 C. 508. Term "employee" encompasses illegal alien, thus claim for work-related injury by illegal alien was within jurisdictional confines of Workers' Compensation Act. 244 C. 781. In order to be "regularly employed" pursuant to Subpara. (B)(iv), a person must work more than twenty-six hours per week during majority of the fifty-two weeks preceding date of his or her injury. 265 C. 816.

      Cited. 29 CA 249.

      Subdiv. (10):

      Cited. 226 C. 508. Joint venture between two nonprofit organizations may be an employer under the Workers' Compensation Act. 252 C. 641.

      Subdiv. (11):

      Cited. 28 CA 226.

      Cited. 38 CS 324.

      Subdiv. (12):

      Cited. 186 C. 623.

      Cited. 25 CA 599. Cited. 27 CA 800.

      Cited. 39 CS 408.

      Subdiv. (14):

      Cited. 214 C. 394; Id., 552.

      Cited. 24 CA 234. Cited. 44 CA 397.

      Subdiv. (15):

      Cited. 242 C. 570.

      Cited. 38 CA 1. Cited. 41 CA 430. Cited. 42 CA 803.

      Subdiv. (16):

      Subpara. (A): Exposures to two potentially fatal infectious diseases are compensable injuries under the act. 241 C. 692. Subpara. (A) cited. 242 C. 570. Subpara. (B)(ii): Although plaintiff police officer suffered an occupational disease pursuant to Subdiv. (15), his post-traumatic stress disorder is excluded from coverage under this Subdiv. because it did not arise from a physical injury. 250 C. 65. Legislative intent of subdivision states that mental anguish resulting from sexual assault would be compensable under workers' compensation. 252 C. 215. Pursuant to Subpara. (A) three types of injuries fall within definition of "personal injury" and are covered by the act: Accidental injuries, repetitive trauma injuries and occupational diseases. Id., 596. When aggravation of a preexisting psychiatric condition is direct consequence of a work-related physical injury, aggravation of the psychiatric condition is, itself, a sufficiently distinct and identifiable injury to constitute "mental or emotional impairment" that "arises from" compensable work-related physical injury under Subpara. (B)(ii). 259 C. 29. Subpara (B): Tort actions for emotional injuries that are not compensable under the act are not barred by exclusivity provisions of the act. Id., 729.

      Subpara. (A) cited. 42 CA 803; 45 CA 707. Decedent's stress-related fatal heart attack was a compensable personal injury and thus recovery of death benefits was not precluded by terms of statutory provision. 96 CA 207.

      Subdiv. (19):

      Cited. 226 C. 569. Former Sec. 31-306 cited. Id.

      Subdiv. (20):

      Cited. 237 C. 490.

      Secs. 31-275a and 31-275b. District defined; continuation of commissioners in office. Workers' compensation districts. Sections 31-275a and 31-275b are repealed.

      (April, 1964, P.A. 3, S. 3; 1969, P.A. 662, S. 1, 2; 1972, P.A. 190; June, 1972, P.A. 1, S. 7; P.A. 79-376, S. 34, 35; P.A. 84-320, S. 3, 6; P.A. 91-32, S. 2, 41; 91-339, S. 53-55.)

      Sec. 31-275c. Officers of fraternal organizations. The officer of a fraternal corporation who receives a salary of less than one hundred dollars per year shall not be considered an employee under section 31-275.

      (1969, P.A. 806, S. 2.)

      Sec. 31-276. Workers' Compensation Commission. Compensation commissioners. Nomination by Governor. Appointment by General Assembly. Terms of office. Removal. Selection of chairman. (a) There shall be a Workers' Compensation Commission to administer the workers' compensation system. There shall be sixteen workers' compensation commissioners. On or before the date of the expiration of the term of each commissioner or upon the occurrence of a vacancy in the office of any commissioner for any reason, the Governor shall nominate a competent person to fill that office. Subsequent to July 1, 1993, each person nominated by the Governor to serve as a commissioner shall have been a member in good standing of the Connecticut bar for at least five years preceding the nomination, provided the Governor shall not be precluded from renominating an individual who has previously served as a commissioner. The commissioners shall, upon nomination by the Governor, be appointed by the General Assembly as prescribed by law. They shall serve for a term of five years, but may be removed by impeachment. The Governor shall from time to time select one of the sixteen commissioners to serve as chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission at the pleasure of the Governor. The commissioner selected by the Governor to be chairman shall have previously served as a compensation commissioner in this state for at least one year.

      (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), on and after October 1, 1988, any commissioner whose term expires on December thirty-first shall continue to serve until the next succeeding March thirty-first.

      (c) Each nomination made by the Governor to the General Assembly for a compensation commissioner shall be referred, without debate, to the committee on the judiciary, which shall report thereon within thirty legislative days from the time of reference, but no later than seven legislative days before the adjourning of the General Assembly. Each appointment by the General Assembly of a compensation commissioner shall be by concurrent resolution. The action on the passage of each such resolution in the House and in the Senate shall be by vote taken on the electrical roll-call device. No resolution shall contain the name of more than one nominee. The Governor shall, within five days after he has notice that any nomination for a compensation commissioner made by him has failed to be approved by the affirmative concurrent action of both houses of the General Assembly, make another nomination to such office.

      (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 4-19, no vacancy in the position of a compensation commissioner shall be filled by the Governor when the General Assembly is not in session unless, prior to such filling, the Governor submits the name of the proposed vacancy appointee to the committee on the judiciary. Within ten days, the committee on the judiciary may, upon the call of either chairman, hold a special meeting for the purpose of approving or disapproving such proposed vacancy appointee by majority vote. Failure of the committee to act on such proposed vacancy appointee within such ten-day period shall be deemed to be an approval.

      (e) Each commissioner shall be sworn to a faithful performance of his duties. After notice and public hearing the Governor may remove any commissioner for cause and the good of the public service. Each compensation commissioner shall devote his full time to the duties of his office and shall not be otherwise gainfully employed.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7435; 1958 Rev., S. 31-140; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 2; April, 1964, P.A. 3, S. 1; February, 1965, P.A. 577, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 662, S. 3; 1971, P.A. 639, S. 2; P.A. 80-414, S. 2; P.A. 83-353, S. 2; P.A. 84-320, S. 2, 6; 84-546, S. 154, 173; P.A. 85-420, S. 2, 4; P.A. 87-301; P.A. 88-125; 88-184, S. 2, 3; P.A. 91-339, S. 2, 55; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-12, S. 50, 55; P.A. 92-176, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-228, S. 2, 35; P.A. 94-193, S. 2; May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1, S. 29, 130; P.A. 96-72, S. 1, 2.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1964 act revised districts along other than congressional district lines; 1965 act raised number of commissioners from five to seven, consisting of one for each of the six congressional districts and one at-large commissioner; 1969 act raised number of commissioners to eight and revised districts to be those created under Sec. 31-275b rather than congressional districts; 1971 act required commissioners to devote full time to duties of office; P.A. 80-414 increased number of commissioners to nine, created position of chairman of the board and specified his qualifications and appointment procedure; P.A. 83-353 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that the governor shall "nominate" rather than "appoint" the commissioners, added Subsec. (b) re the procedure for appointment by the general assembly and added Subsec. (c) re the procedure for the nomination and appointment of commissioners to fill vacancies while the general assembly is not in session, deleting prior provision whereby governor was solely responsible for filling vacancies; P.A. 84-320 amended Subsec. (a) to provide for ten commissioners, and to provide that the commissioner from the new eighth district shall be nominated by the governor on or before January 1, 1985; P.A. 84-546 made technical change, referring to "houses" rather than "branches" of the general assembly; P.A. 85-420 amended Subsec. (a) to increase the number of at-large commissioners from one to two; P.A. 87-301 revised Subsec. (a) by eliminating references to specific appointments of commissioners commencing January first and July first and rewording appointment provisions, adding provision re appointment by general assembly as prescribed by law and removal by impeachment; P.A. 88-125 inserted new Subsec. (b) to specify that term of any commissioner on and after October 1, 1988, whose term expires on December thirty-first shall continue to serve until next succeeding March thirty-first; and relettered remaining Subsecs.; P.A. 88-184 amended Subsec. (a) to provide for thirteen commissioners, including four commissioners at large, and to provide that the two commissioners at large shall be nominated by the governor on or before October 1, 1988; P.A. 91-339 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provisions re workers' compensation commission, changing number of commissioners from thirteen to fourteen, deleting provisions re district and at large commissioners and the chairman of the board of compensation commissioners, adding requirement that not less than two commissioners reside in each U.S. congressional district and adding provisions re selection of the chairman of the workers' compensation commission; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-12 amended Subsec. (a) by changing the required period that the chairman must serve as a compensation commissioner prior to selection by the governor from three years to two years; P.A. 92-176 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that the commissioner selected to be chairman shall have served as a compensation commissioner for at least one year, rather than two years; P.A. 93-228 amended Subsec. (a) to increase the number of workers' compensation commissioners from fourteen to sixteen and to provide that persons nominated as commissioners shall have been members of the Connecticut bar for at least five years, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-193, effective October 1, 1994, and May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1, effective July 1, 1994, both made a technical correction in Subsec. (a) by amending a provision changing the number of workers' compensation commissioners from "fourteen" to "sixteen" which was omitted from P.A. 93-228; P.A. 96-72 amended Subsec. (a) to eliminate the requirement that not less than two commissioners reside in each United States congressional district, effective May 8, 1996.

      See Sec. 31-278 re powers and duties of commissioners.

      The commissioner is not a court; some of his acts are quasi-judicial and some wholly administrative. 89 C. 148. Appointment of commissioner unaffected by subsequent resignation of governor. 133 C. 687.

      Cited. 14 CS 421.

      Sec. 31-276a. Commissioners and commission to be within Labor Department for administrative purposes only. The workers' compensation commissioners and the Workers' Compensation Commission are transferred to the Labor Department for administrative purposes only.

      (P.A. 77-614, S. 481, 610; P.A. 79-376, S. 36.)

      History: P.A. 79-376 substituted "workers' compensation" for "workmen's compensation".

      See Sec. 4-38f for definition of "administrative purposes only".

      Sec. 31-277. Salary of compensation commissioners. Longevity payments. (a) Each commissioner shall, during his first year of service as a commissioner, receive an annual salary of six thousand dollars less than the highest step level of a Superior Court judge; during his second year of service as a commissioner, each commissioner shall receive an annual salary of five thousand dollars less than the highest step level of a Superior Court judge; during his third year of service as a commissioner, he shall receive an annual salary of four thousand dollars less than the highest step level of a Superior Court judge; during his fourth year of service as a commissioner, he shall receive an annual salary of three thousand dollars less than the highest step level of a Superior Court judge; during his fifth year of service as a commissioner, he shall receive an annual salary of two thousand dollars less than the highest step level of a Superior Court judge; and during his sixth year of service as a commissioner, he shall receive an annual salary of one thousand dollars less than the highest step level of a Superior Court judge, together with his necessary clerical, office and travel expenses as approved by the Comptroller; and the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission shall receive in addition ten thousand dollars annually. Each commissioner shall devote his entire time to the duties of his office and shall not be otherwise gainfully employed.

      (b) Each commissioner, who has completed not less than ten years of service as a commissioner, or other state service or service as an elected officer of the state, or any combination of such service, shall receive semiannual longevity payments based on service completed as of the first day of July and the first day of January of each year as follows:

      (1) A commissioner who has completed ten or more years but less than fifteen years of service shall receive one-quarter of three per cent of the annual salary payable under subsection (a) of this section.

      (2) A commissioner who has completed fifteen or more years but less than twenty years of service shall receive one-half of three per cent of the annual salary payable under subsection (a) of this section.

      (3) A commissioner who has completed twenty or more years but less than twenty-five years of service shall receive three-quarters of three per cent of the annual salary payable under subsection (a) of this section.

      (4) A commissioner who has completed twenty-five or more years of service shall receive three per cent of the annual salary payable under subsection (a) of this section.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3600; 1951, 1955, S. 1969d; 1958 Rev., S. 31-141; 1959, P.A. 428, S. 1; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 3; February, 1965, P.A. 331, S. 45; 1969, P.A. 696, S. 2; P.A. 76-436, S. 621, 681; P.A. 79-540, S. 10, 11; P.A. 84-399, S. 12, 17; P.A. 91-32, S. 3, 41; P.A. 93-379, S. 7, 8; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-1, S. 38, 46.)

      History: 1959 act raised commissioners' salary from thirteen thousand five hundred to fifteen thousand dollars; 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1965 act increased commissioners' salary to seventeen thousand five hundred dollars; 1969 act replaced specific salary with provision calling for salaries "in an amount equal to that paid to a judge of the court of common pleas"; P.A. 76-436 called for salaries "of six thousand dollars less than the highest step level of a superior court judge", effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 79-540 replaced single salary figure with schedule of salaries fixed according to years of service; P.A. 84-399 amended section by adding Subsec. (b) re longevity payments; P.A. 91-32 deleted obsolete references to July 1, 1979, and made technical changes; P.A. 93-379 amended Subsec. (b) to permit credit for longevity purposes for other state service or service as an elected official of the state or any combination of service, effective June 30, 1993; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-1 amended Subsec. (a) to increase additional compensation of chairman from one thousand dollars annually to ten thousand dollars annually, effective July 1, 2000.

      See Sec. 51-47 re salaries of judges.

      Sec. 31-278. Powers and duties of commissioners. Each commissioner shall, for the purposes of this chapter, have power to summon and examine under oath such witnesses, and may direct the production of, and examine or cause to be produced or examined, such books, records, vouchers, memoranda, documents, letters, contracts or other papers in relation to any matter at issue as he may find proper, and shall have the same powers in reference thereto as are vested in magistrates taking depositions and shall have the power to order depositions pursuant to section 52-148. He shall have power to certify to official acts and shall have all powers necessary to enable him to perform the duties imposed upon him by the provisions of this chapter. Each commissioner shall hear all claims and questions arising under this chapter in the district to which the commissioner is assigned and all such claims shall be filed in the district in which the claim arises, provided, if it is uncertain in which district a claim arises, or if a claim arises out of several injuries or occupational diseases which occurred in one or more districts, the commissioner to whom the first request for hearing is made shall hear and determine such claim to the same extent as if it arose solely within his own district. If a commissioner is disqualified or temporarily incapacitated from hearing any matter, or if the parties shall so request and the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission finds that it will facilitate a speedier disposition of the claim, he shall designate some other commissioner to hear and decide such matter. The Superior Court, on application of a commissioner or the chairman or the Attorney General, may enforce, by appropriate decree or process, any provision of this chapter or any proper order of a commissioner or the chairman rendered pursuant to any such provision. Any compensation commissioner, after ceasing to hold office as such compensation commissioner, may settle and dispose of all matters relating to appealed cases, including correcting findings and certifying records, as well as any other unfinished matters pertaining to causes theretofore tried by him, to the same extent as if he were still such compensation commissioner.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7436; 1958 Rev., S. 31-142; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 4; February, 1965, P.A. 577, S. 2; 1969, P.A. 662, S. 4; 1971, P.A. 339; P.A. 73-152; P.A. 76-80, S. 1, 3; P.A. 80-414, S. 4; P.A. 81-472, S. 65, 159; P.A. 82-289, S. 2; P.A. 84-320, S. 4, 6; P.A. 91-339, S. 4, 55.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1965 act added exceptions to residency requirement, established sixth district office in New Britain and revised list of towns which serve as hearing locations; 1969 act deleted references to "congressional" districts, established seventh district office in Stamford and revised list of towns which serve as hearing locations; 1971 act deleted exceptions to residency requirement which had existed for fourth district commissioner and which had stated that at-large commissioner must reside in a town of the state, added proviso re jurisdiction in cases where there is uncertainty as to district in which claim arises, allowed designation of other than usual commissioner to hear claims if parties request it and commissioner finds it will aid speedy disposition; P.A. 73-152 revised list of towns which serve as hearing locations; P.A. 76-80 empowered commissioners "to order depositions pursuant to section 52-148"; P.A. 80-414 added provision re board chairman's maintenance of an office; P.A. 81-472 made technical changes; P.A. 82-289 referred to Norwich as a town rather than as a city; P.A. 84-320 provided that the commissioner for the eighth district shall maintain an office in Middletown, and that hearings in the district shall be held in Middletown; P.A. 91-339 deleted provisions re commissioners residing in assigned districts and requirements re office locations and changed certain references to "commission" to read "chairman", effective July 1, 1992.

      See Sec. 31-276 re compensation commissioners' nomination, appointment, terms of office, removal, etc.

      Commissioner has jurisdiction only in his own district unless local commissioner is "disqualified or incapacitated"; cannot act by consent of parties. 99 C. 236. Powers of commissioners are purely statutory. 108 C. 33. Contract made in this state, to be performed in another state, governed by our law. 111 C. 696. No jurisdiction to determine rights between employer and two insurance companies. 113 C. 504; 120 C. 503. When acting commissioner is disqualified, commissioner in whose district accident occurred has jurisdiction to name commissioner to act further. 118 C. 29. Cited. 129 C. 594. Cited. 132 C. 172. Cited. 133 C. 668. Cited. 218 C. 46. Cited. 232 C. 758. Section does not give commissioner subject matter jurisdiction over insurance coverage issues that require application of laws other than provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act. 248 C. 754. Because of the use of "may" instead of "shall", commissioners are permitted, not required, to continue to hear cases subsequent to their retirement. 251 C. 153.

      Cited. 16 CA 138. Cited. 21 CA 9; judgment reversed, see 218 C. 46. Cited. 22 CA 539; judgment reversed, see 219 C. 439. Cited. 24 CA 234. Cited. 29 CA 249. Cited. 31 CA 819. Cited. 34 CA 673. Cited. 36 CA 150. P.A. 91-339 cited. Id.

      Former workmen's compensation commissioner who heard the case originally had authority to hear it upon remand after appeal. 14 CS 302. Cited. 39 CS 321.

      Sec. 31-279. Notice of availability of compensation. Uniform system for determination of degree of physical impairment. Employer-sponsored plan for medical care and treatment. Indemnification of medical advisory panel members. (a) The chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, specifying the minimum information to be contained in a notice of the availability of compensation which shall be posted in the workplace by each employer subject to the provisions of this chapter pursuant to subsection (f) of section 31-284.

      (b) The chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission shall, not later than July 1, 1991, adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to create a uniform system to be used by medical professionals in determining the degree of physical impairment of persons receiving compensation under this chapter.

      (c) (1) Any employer or any insurer acting on behalf of an employer, may establish a plan, subject to the approval of the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission under subsection (d) of this section, for the provision of medical care that the employer provides for treatment of any injury or illness under this chapter. Each plan shall contain such information as the chairman shall require, including, but not limited to:

      (A) A listing of all persons who will provide services under the plan, along with appropriate evidence that each person listed has met any licensing, certification or registration requirement necessary for the person to legally provide the service in this state;

      (B) A listing of all pharmacies that will provide services under the plan, to which the employer, any insurer acting on behalf of the employer, or any other entity acting on behalf of the employer or insurer shall make direct payments for any prescription drug prescribed by a physician participating in the plan;

      (C) A designation of the times, places and manners in which the services will be provided;

      (D) A description of how the quality and quantity of medical care will be managed; and

      (E) Such other provisions as the employer and the employees may agree to, subject to the approval of the chairman.

      (2) The election by an employee covered by a plan established under this subsection to obtain medical care and treatment from a provider of medical services who is not listed in the plan shall suspend the employee's right to compensation, subject to the order of the commissioner.

      (d) Each plan established under subsection (c) of this section shall be submitted to the chairman for his approval at least one hundred twenty days before the proposed effective date of the plan and each approved plan, along with any proposed changes therein, shall be resubmitted to the chairman every two years thereafter for reapproval. The chairman shall approve or disapprove such plans on the basis of standards established by the chairman in consultation with a medical advisory panel appointed by the chairman. Such standards shall include, but not be limited to: (1) The ability of the plan to provide all medical and health care services that may be required under this chapter in a manner that is timely, effective and convenient for the employees; (2) the inclusion in the plan of all categories of medical service and of an adequate number of providers of each type of medical service in accessible locations to ensure that employees are given an adequate choice of providers; (3) the provision in the plan for appropriate financial incentives to reduce service costs and utilization without a reduction in the quality of service; (4) the inclusion in the plan of fee screening, peer review, service utilization review and dispute resolution procedures designed to prevent inappropriate or excessive treatment; and (5) the inclusion in the plan of a procedure by which information on medical and health care service costs and utilization will be reported to the chairman in order for him to determine the effectiveness of the plan.

      (e) Any person who serves as a member of the medical advisory panel, appointed by the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, shall be deemed to be a state officer or employee for purposes of indemnification and defense under section 5-141d.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7437; September, 1957, P.A. 11, S. 13; 1958 Rev., S. 31-143; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 5; 1967, P.A. 842, S. 2; 1969, P.A. 556, S. 3; P.A. 90-116, S. 1; P.A. 91-32, S. 4, 41; 91-339, S. 5, 55; P.A. 93-228, S. 3, 35; P.A. 95-240; P.A. 01-85, S. 1, 3.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1967 act added provisions re commissioners' duties to maintain approved list of practicing physicians, surgeons and dentists, etc.; 1969 act added podiatrists to approved list; P.A. 90-116 added provision concerning regulations creating a uniform system for determination of the degree of physical impairment; P.A. 91-32 added provisions re notice of availability of compensation and made technical changes; P.A. 91-339 deleted provisions re adoption of rules by the commissioners, designated provisions re notice of availability of compensation as Subsec. (a) and authorized the chairman to adopt regulations governing, deleted provisions re list of physicians, surgeons, podiatrists and dentists, designated provisions re uniform system for determination of degree of physical impairment as Subsec. (b) and authorized the chairman to adopt regulations governing, deleted provisions re annual report of commissioner to the governor and added Subsecs. (c) to (e), inclusive, re employer-sponsored plans for medical care and treatment; P.A. 93-228 amended Subsec. (c) to delete requirement that employer-sponsored plans for medical care and treatment by employers with fifty or more employees include designation of labor-management safety committee and to prohibit employees from receiving compensation for treatment outside such plans, deleting provisions which had specified conditions permitting care and treatment by outside providers and deleted Subsec. (e) re compensation for treatment by practitioners not listed in employer-sponsored plans, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-240 added Subsec. (e) re indemnification of members of the medical advisory panel; P.A. 01-85 amended Subsec. (c) by dividing existing provisions into Subdivs. (1)(A) and (1)(C) to (E) and Subdiv. (2), adding Subdiv. (1)(B) re direct payments to pharmacies and making technical changes, effective January 1, 2002.

      Cited. 219 C. 439.

      Cited. 29 CA 249.

      Sec. 31-279a. Booklet to be distributed explaining act. The chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission shall prepare, publish and distribute an illustrated booklet explaining, in informal and readily understandable language, employee benefits and responsibilities under the Workers' Compensation Act. The chairman shall prepare, publish and distribute revisions to such booklet whenever changes in the workers' compensation law necessitate such revision.

      (P.A. 73-421; P.A. 79-376, S. 37; P.A. 92-31, S. 2, 7.)

      History: P.A. 79-376 replaced "workmen's compensation" with "workers' compensation"; P.A. 92-31 substituted "chairman of workers' compensation commission" for "workers' compensation commissioners".

      Sec. 31-279b. Notice of availability of coverage under act. Content. Posting. Section 31-279b is repealed.

      (P.A. 75-223; P.A. 79-376, S. 38; P.A. 91-32, S. 40, 41.)

      Sec. 31-280. Chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission. Powers and duties. Budget. Report of expenses. (a) There shall continue to be a chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission selected by the Governor as provided in section 31-276. The chairman may not hear any matter arising under this chapter, except appeals brought before the Compensation Review Board and except as provided in subdivision (14) of subsection (b) of this section. The chairman shall prepare the forms used by the commission, shall have custody of the insurance coverage cards, shall prepare and keep a list of self-insurers, shall prepare the annual report to the Governor and shall publish, when necessary, bulletins showing the changes in the compensation law, with annotations to the Connecticut cases. The chairman shall be provided with sufficient staff to assist him in the performance of his duties. The chairman may, within available appropriations, appoint acting compensation commissioners on a per diem basis from among former workers' compensation commissioners or qualified members of the bar of this state. Any acting compensation commissioner appointed under this subsection shall be paid on a per diem basis in an amount to be determined by the Commissioner of Administrative Services, subject to the provisions of section 4-40, and shall have all the powers and duties of compensation commissioners. The Workers' Compensation Commission shall not be construed to be a commission or board subject to the provisions of section 4-9a.

      (b) The chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission shall:

      (1) Establish workers' compensation districts and district offices within the state, assign compensation commissioners to the districts to hear all matters arising under this chapter within the districts and may reassign compensation commissioners once each year, except that when there is a vacancy, illness or other emergency, or when unexpected caseload increases require, the chairman may reassign compensation commissioners more than once each year;

      (2) Adopt such rules as the chairman, in consultation with the advisory board, deems necessary for the conduct of the internal affairs of the Workers' Compensation Commission;

      (3) Adopt regulations, in consultation with the advisory board and in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out his responsibilities under this chapter;

      (4) Prepare and adopt an annual budget and plan of operation in consultation with the advisory board;

      (5) Prepare and submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly;

      (6) Allocate the resources of the commission to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

      (7) Establish an organizational structure and such divisions for the commission, consistent with this chapter, as the chairman deems necessary for the efficient and prompt operation of the commission;

      (8) Establish policy for all matters over which the commission has jurisdiction, including rehabilitation, education, statistical support and administrative appeals;

      (9) Appoint such supplementary advisory panels as the chairman deems necessary and helpful;

      (10) Establish, in consultation with the advisory board, (A) an approved list of practicing physicians, surgeons, podiatrists, optometrists and dentists from which an injured employee shall choose for examination and treatment under the provisions of this chapter, which shall include, but not be limited to, classifications of approved practitioners by specialty, and (B) standards for the approval and removal of physicians, surgeons, podiatrists, optometrists and dentists from the list by the chairman;

      (11) (A) Establish standards in consultation with the advisory board for approving all fees for services rendered under this chapter by attorneys, physicians, surgeons, podiatrists, optometrists, dentists and other persons;

      (B) In consultation with employers, their insurance carriers, union representatives, physicians and third-party reimbursement organizations establish, not later than October 1, 1993, and publish annually thereafter, a fee schedule setting the fees payable by an employer or its insurance carrier for services rendered under this chapter by an approved physician, surgeon, podiatrist, optometrist or dentist, provided the fee schedule shall not apply to services rendered to a claimant who is participating in an employer's managed care plan pursuant to section 31-279. The fee schedule shall limit the annual growth in total medical fees to the annual percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban workers. Payment of the established fees by the employer or its insurance carrier shall constitute payment in full to the practitioner, and the practitioner may not recover any additional amount from the claimant to whom services have been rendered;

      (C) Issue, not later than October 1, 1993, and publish annually thereafter, guidelines for the maximum fees payable by a claimant for any legal services rendered by an attorney in connection with the provisions of this chapter, which fees shall be approved in accordance with the standards established by the chairman pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this subdivision;

      (12) Approve applications for employer-sponsored medical care plans, based on standards developed in consultation with a medical advisory panel as provided in section 31-279;

      (13) Establish procedures for the hiring, dismissing or otherwise disciplining and promoting employees of the commission, subject where appropriate to the provisions of chapter 67;

      (14) Control the hearing calendars of the compensation commissioners, and if necessary, preside over informal hearings in regard to compensation under the provisions of this chapter in order to facilitate the timely and efficient processing of cases;

      (15) Enter into contracts with consultants and such other persons as necessary for the proper functioning of the commission;

      (16) Direct and supervise all administrative affairs of the commission;

      (17) Keep and maintain a record of all advisory board proceedings;

      (18) Assign and reassign a district manager and other staff to each of the commission's district offices;

      (19) Collect and analyze statistical data concerning the administration of the Workers' Compensation Commission;

      (20) Direct and supervise the implementation of a uniform case filing and processing system in each of the district offices that will include, but not be limited to, the ability to provide data on the number of cases having multiple hearings, the number of postponed hearings and hearing schedules for each district office;

      (21) Establish staff development, training and education programs designed to improve the quality of service provided by the commission, including, but not limited to, a program to train district office staff in the screening of hearing requests;

      (22) Develop standard forms for requesting hearings and standard policies regarding limits on the number of informal hearings that will be allowed under this chapter, and limits on the number of postponements that will be permitted before a formal hearing is held pursuant to section 31-297;

      (23) Develop guidelines for expediting disputed cases;

      (24) Establish an ongoing training program, in consultation with the advisory board, designed to assist the commissioners in the fulfillment of their duties pursuant to the provisions of section 31-278, which program shall include instruction in the following areas: Discovery, evidence, statutory interpretation, medical terminology, legal decision writing and the purpose and procedures of informal and formal hearings;

      (25) Evaluate, in conjunction with the advisory board, the performance of each commissioner biannually and, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of section 1-210 and chapter 55, make the performance evaluation of any commissioner available only to the Governor, the members of the joint standing committee on the judiciary and the respective commissioner prior to any public hearing on the reappointment of any such commissioner. Any information disclosed to such persons shall be used by such persons only for the purpose for which it was given and shall not be disclosed to any other person;

      (26) (A) In consultation with insurers and practitioners, establish not later than October 1, 1993, and publish annually thereafter, practitioner billing guidelines for employers, workers' compensation insurance carriers and practitioners approved by the chairman pursuant to subdivision (10) of this subsection. The guidelines shall include procedures for the resolution of billing disputes and shall prohibit a practitioner from billing or soliciting payments from a claimant for services rendered to the claimant under the provisions of this chapter (i) during a payment dispute between the practitioner and the employer or its workers' compensation insurance carrier, or (ii) in excess of the maximum fees established pursuant to subparagraph (B) of subdivision (11) of this subsection;

      (B) In consultation with practitioners and insurers, develop not later than July 1, 1994, practice protocols for reasonable and appropriate treatment of a claimant under the provisions of this chapter, based on the diagnosis of injury or illness. The commission shall annually publish the practice protocols for use by approved practitioners, employers, workers' compensation insurance carriers and commissioners in evaluating the necessity and appropriateness of care provided to a claimant under the provisions of this chapter;

      (C) In consultation with practitioners and insurers, develop not later than July 1, 1994, utilization review procedures for reasonable and appropriate treatment of a claimant under the provisions of this chapter. The chairman shall annually publish the procedures for use by approved practitioners, employers, workers' compensation insurance carriers and commissioners in evaluating the necessity and appropriateness of care provided to a claimant under the provisions of this chapter.

      (c) The chairman, as soon as practicable after April first of each year, shall submit to the Comptroller an estimated budget of expenditures which shall include all direct and indirect costs incurred by the Workers' Compensation Commission for the succeeding fiscal year commencing on July first next. The Workers' Compensation Commission, for the purposes of administration, shall not expend more than the amounts specified in such estimated budget for each item of expenditure except as authorized by the Comptroller. The chairman shall include in his annual report to the Governor a statement showing the expenses of administering the Workers' Compensation Act for the preceding fiscal year.

      (d) The chairman and the Comptroller, as soon as practicable after August first in each year, shall ascertain the total amount of expenses incurred by the commission, including, in addition to the direct cost of personnel services, the cost of maintenance and operation, rentals for space occupied in state leased offices and all other direct and indirect costs, incurred by the commission during the preceding fiscal year in connection with the administration of the Workers' Compensation Act and the total noncontributory payments required to be made to the Treasurer towards commissioners' retirement salaries as provided in sections 51-49, 51-50, 51-50a and 51-50b. An itemized statement of the expenses as so ascertained shall be available for public inspection in the office of the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission for thirty days after notice to all insurance carriers, and to all employers permitted to pay compensation directly affected thereby.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7438; September, 1957, P.A. 11, S. 13; 1958 Rev., S. 31-144; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 6; 1969, P.A. 696, S. 3; 1971, P.A. 366; 639, S. 7; P.A. 77-614, S. 130, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 32, 136; P.A. 79-376, S. 39; 79-540, S. 2; P.A. 80-414, S. 3; P.A. 90-116, S. 3; P.A. 91-339, S. 6, 55; P.A. 93-228, S. 4, 35; P.A. 97-205, S. 2.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1969 act deleted requirement that chairman publish a digest of compensation decisions and added Subsecs. (b) and (c) re budget and record of expenditures; 1971 acts substituted "disposition" of business for "dispensation" of business in Subsec. (a) and required inclusion of "noncontributory payments required to be made to the treasurer towards commissioners' retirement salaries" as part of expenses incurred under Subsec. (c); P.A. 77-614 transferred power to appoint at-large commissioner from personnel policy board to commissioner of administrative services "subject to the provisions of section 4-40"; P.A. 78-303 specified that commission is not a commission or board subject to Sec. 4-9a in Subsec. (a); P.A. 79-376 replaced "workmen's compensation" with "workers' compensation"; P.A. 79-540 specified that chairman of board of compensation commissioners is also chairman of compensation review division in Subsec. (a); P.A. 80-414 clarified duties of chairman as administrative, granting him powers to control hearing calendars to expedite processing of claims and power to hear matters and required that chairman be provided with sufficient staff to perform his duties in Subsec. (a); P.A. 90-116 amended Subsec. (a) to allow for the appointment of temporary commissioners at the discretion of any commissioner within available appropriations; P.A. 91-339 changed "board of compensation commissioners" to "workers' compensation commission", deleted provisions re chairman of the compensation review division, added provisions re hearing of matters by the chairman, and deleted provisions re administrative nature of the chairman's duties, commissioners at large and the chairman's control over the hearing calendars of the commissioners in Subsec. (a), added new Subsec. (b) re powers and duties of the chairman of the workers' compensation commission, redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (c) and required estimated budget to include all direct and indirect costs incurred by the commission, redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d) and made technical changes; P.A. 93-228 amended Subsec. (b) to apply provisions to optometrists, to require chairman to establish medical fee schedule, attorney fee guidelines, commissioner training program, medical billing guidelines, practice protocols and utilization review procedures, to evaluate commissioners' performance and, when necessary, to preside over informal workers' compensation hearings, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 97-205 amended Subdiv. (1) of Subsec. (b) to permit the chairman to reassign compensation commissioners.

      See Sec. 31-277 re salaries of compensation commissioners.

      Cited. 232 C. 758.

      Cited. 36 CA 150. Section provides a broad grant of power to chairman to adopt regulations to carry out his responsibilities under the act. 55 CA 129.

      Subsec. (b):

      Commissioner is authorized to make a determination on case which he has presided over even after he has been transferred to another district. 47 CA 391.

      Sec. 31-280a. Advisory Board of the Workers' Compensation Commission. (a) There shall be an Advisory Board of the Workers' Compensation Commission to advise the chairman on matters concerning policy for and the operation of the commission. The advisory board shall consist of eight members, who shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the General Assembly. Four of such members shall represent employees and four shall represent employers. One of such members representing employees shall be an individual who has suffered an extensive disability arising out of and in the course of his employment. One of such members representing employers shall be a representative of a major general hospital in the state. On or before January 1, 1992, the Governor shall appoint, and the General Assembly shall confirm, such members of the advisory board as follows: Two shall serve a term of four years from said date, one of whom shall represent employees and one of whom shall represent employers; two shall serve a term of three years from said date, one of whom shall represent employees and one of whom shall represent employers; two shall serve a term of two years from said date, one of whom shall represent employees and one of whom shall represent employers; and two shall serve a term of one year from said date, one of whom shall represent employees and one of whom shall represent employers. Thereafter such members shall be appointed for a term of four years from January first in the year of their appointment. Any vacancy on the advisory board shall be filled for the remainder of the term in the same manner as the original appointment. The chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission shall serve as an ex-officio member of the advisory board without the power to vote.

      (b) The appointed members of the advisory board shall select a ninth member who shall be impartial and shall serve as the chairman of the advisory board. The members of the advisory board shall serve without compensation. Each member shall be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred by the member in the performance of his duties. The advisory board shall not be construed to be a board or commission subject to the provisions of section 4-9a. The Workers' Compensation Commission shall provide such staff as is necessary for the performance of the functions and duties of the advisory board.

      (c) The advisory board shall meet at least twice in each calendar quarter and at such other times as the chairman or the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission deem necessary. All actions of the advisory board shall require the affirmative vote of six members of the advisory board. The advisory board may bring any matter related to the operation of the workers' compensation system to the attention of the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission. The advisory board may adopt any rules of procedure that the board deems necessary to carry out its duties under this chapter.

      (d) The advisory board shall submit its written recommendations concerning the reappointment of each compensation commissioner to the Governor and the General Assembly not later than three months before the expiration of the term of the commissioner.

      (P.A. 91-339, S. 3, 55.)

      Sec. 31-280b. Compensation Review Board. (a) There shall be a Compensation Review Board within the Workers' Compensation Commission. The chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission shall serve as chief of the Compensation Review Board and shall have responsibility for the operation of the board. On or before January 1, 1992, the chairman shall appoint a chief clerk of the Compensation Review Board under the provisions of chapter 67 who shall be responsible to the chairman for the efficient operation of the board.

      (b) The board shall review appeals of decisions made by compensation commissioners pursuant to this chapter. The chief shall annually select two compensation commissioners to sit with him to hear such appeals for a term of one year, except that no commissioner may sit in review of an award or decision rendered by him. The chief may select a third compensation commissioner to sit on the board if one of the board members is disqualified or temporarily incapacitated from hearing the matter under review.

      (c) No compensation commissioner except the chief may serve as a member of the Compensation Review Board for more than one year during the term for which he was appointed.

      (P.A. 91-339, S. 7, 55.)

      Cited. 38 CA 637.

      Subsec. (b):

      Cited. 231 C. 287.

      Sec. 31-281. Designation of commissioner to act in another district. Section 31-281 is repealed.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7439; 1958 Rev., S. 31-145; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 7; P.A. 91-339, S. 53, 55.)

      Sec. 31-282. Successor may complete acts when commissioner dies. If any compensation commissioner dies before the final settlement of any matter in which he had been acting in his official capacity, his successor in office may continue such matter to its completion.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7440; 1958 Rev., S. 31-146; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 8.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions.

      Sec. 31-283. Annual pension upon retirement of commissioner. Any compensation commissioner, in the state service as such commissioner twenty or more years in the aggregate, who leaves such service because of failure of reappointment, or because of abolition of his position, shall, during the remainder of his life, receive an annual pension payable from the General Fund equal to fifty per cent of his average annual salary for the five years next preceding his retirement. The compensation commissioners may continue to contribute to the State Employees Retirement Fund and shall be entitled to general retirement rights under chapter 66. The acceptance of the pension herein provided for shall be in lieu of all benefits under the State Employees Retirement Act, and any commissioner accepting a pension under this section shall not be entitled to the return of any payments made by him to the State Employees Retirement Fund.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3601; 1958 Rev., S. 31-147; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 9.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions.

      Sec. 31-283a. Rehabilitation programs for employees suffering compensable injuries. (a) The Workers' Compensation Commission shall provide rehabilitation programs for employees suffering compensable injuries within the provisions of this chapter, which injuries disabled them from performing their customary or most recent work. The chairman shall establish rehabilitation programs which shall best suit the needs of injured employees and shall make the programs available in convenient locations throughout the state. After consultation with the Labor Commissioner, the chairman may establish fees for the programs, so as to provide the most effective rehabilitation programs at a minimum rate. In order to carry out the provisions of this section, the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 and, subject to the provisions of chapter 67, provide for the employment of necessary assistants.

      (b) The chairman shall be authorized to (1) enter into agreements with other state or federal agencies to carry out the purposes of this section and expend money for that purpose, and (2) on behalf of the state of Connecticut, develop matching programs or activities to secure federal grants or funds for the purposes of this section and may pledge or use funds supplied from the administrative costs fund, as provided in section 31-345, to finance the state's share of the programs or activities.

      (1967, P.A. 569, S. 1; P.A. 79-376, S. 40; P.A. 85-133, S. 1; P.A. 91-32, S. 4, 41; 91-339, S. 8, 55; P.A. 95-265, S. 1, 7; P.A. 96-216, S. 1, 5.)

      History: P.A. 79-376 replaced "workmen's compensation" with "workers' compensation"; P.A. 85-133 required that the commission adopt regulations on or before October 1, 1986, concerning the operations of the division of workers' rehabilitation; P.A. 91-32 designated existing section as Subsec. (a), made technical changes and added Subsecs. (b) and (c), re method of financing cost of rehabilitation division and re director's powers; P.A. 91-339 amended Subsec. (a) by requiring that the director be appointed by the chairman of the workers' compensation commission, that the chairman approve the establishment of fees and that the director report to the chairman, and by authorizing the chairman to adopt regulations, deleted Subsec. (b), redesignated Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (b) and made technical changes; P.A. 95-265 amended Subsec. (a) by eliminating the Division of Workers Rehabilitation and the full-time salaried director, transferring to Workers Compensation Commission chairman the authority to establish rehabilitation programs, and to cap funds appropriated for rehabilitation program to no more than five hundred fifty thousand dollars and made technical corrections in Subsec. (b), effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-216 amended Subsec. (a) to make a technical correction concerning approval of the chairman before establishing fees and removed the limitation on the amount of funds used as grants to implement the section, effective June 4, 1996.

      Cited. 223 C. 376.

      Secs. 31-283b and 31-283c. Financing of division and programs. Agreements with other state or federal agencies. Sections 31-283b and 31-283c are repealed.

      (1967, P.A. 569, S. 2, 3; 1971, P.A. 335; 1972, P.A. 294, S. 33; P.A. 77-119, S. 2; P.A. 79-376, S. 41; P.A. 81-469, S. 4, 8; P.A. 85-189, S. 2; P.A. 91-32, S. 40, 41; 91-339, S. 52, 55.)

      Sec. 31-283d. Adjustment of salary of certain retired commissioners. On July 1, 1971, the retirement salary of each person retired prior to July 1, 1965, under the provisions of section 31-283 or any predecessor statute shall be increased in the amount of that percentage of the monthly retirement salary being paid to him on June 30, 1967, which was provided under section 5-162b for members of the state employees retirement system who retired in the same year as such person. On July 1, 1972, and annually thereafter, the retirement salary of each such person shall be adjusted to reflect increases or decreases in the Consumer Price Index in the same manner and to the same extent that the retirement salary of persons retired under chapter 66 is adjusted under section 5-162c.

      (1971, P.A. 639, S. 1.)

      Sec. 31-283e. Election of retirement benefits. Any compensation commissioner holding such office on July 1, 1971, may elect to be included within the provisions of sections 51-49, 51-50, 51-50a and 51-50b or to continue to be subject to the provisions of section 31-283.

      (1971, P.A. 639, S. 8.)

      Sec. 31-283f. Statistical Division. (a) A Statistical Division shall be established within the Workers' Compensation Commission. The division shall compile and maintain statistics concerning occupational injuries and diseases, voluntary agreements, status of claims and commissioners' dockets. The division shall be administered by a full-time salaried director who shall be appointed by the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission under the provisions of chapter 67. The director shall report to the chairman.

      (b) Sufficient funding for the establishment and maintenance of the Workers' Compensation Statistical Division shall be supplied from the Administrative Costs Fund, as provided in section 31-345.

      (P.A. 81-407, S. 1-5; P.A. 91-339, S. 9, 55.)

      History: P.A. 91-339 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provisions re full-time director and deleted Subsecs. (c) and (d) which had required formation of plan for efficient use of statistical division in compiling information and had established an advisory panel.

      Sec. 31-283g. Education services for employees concerning the prevention of occupational diseases and injuries. The Workers' Compensation Commission shall provide, in convenient locations throughout the state, education services to employees concerning the prevention of occupational diseases and injuries, training for nonmanagement employees in workers' compensation procedures and substantive rights, information to employers concerning known and suspected workplace hazards and training and information for medical professionals in workers' compensation procedures, standards and requirements. The chairman shall be provided with sufficient staff to assist him in the performance of his duties. The chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.

      (P.A. 82-94, S. 1, 3; P.A. 90-116, S. 4; P.A. 91-32, S. 6, 41; 91-339, S. 10, 55; P.A. 95-265, S. 2, 7.)

      History: P.A. 82-94, S. 1, effective July 1, 1983; P.A. 90-116 added the provision of training and information for medical professionals in workers' compensation among the division's responsibilities; P.A. 91-32 designated existing section as Subsec. (a), made technical changes and added Subsec. (b) re method of financing costs of division of worker education; P.A. 91-339 added requirement that the director report to the chairman of the workers' compensation commission, deleted Subsec. (b) re method of financing division operating expenses and programs and made technical changes; P.A. 95-265 eliminated the Division of Worker Education and the full-time salaried director, effective July 1, 1995.

      Sec. 31-283h. Financing of Division of Worker Education. Section 31-283h is repealed.

II

EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY

      Sec. 31-284. Basic rights and liabilities. Civil action to enjoin noncomplying employer from entering into employment contracts. Notice of availability of compensation. (a) An employer who complies with the requirements of subsection (b) of this section shall not be liable for any action for damages on account of personal injury sustained by an employee arising out of and in the course of his employment or on account of death resulting from personal injury so sustained, but an employer shall secure compensation for his employees as provided under this chapter, except that compensation shall not be paid when the personal injury has been caused by the wilful and serious misconduct of the injured employee or by his intoxication. All rights and claims between an employer who complies with the requirements of subsection (b) of this section and employees, or any representatives or dependents of such employees, arising out of personal injury or death sustained in the course of employment are abolished other than rights and claims given by this chapter, provided nothing in this section shall prohibit any employee from securing, by agreement with his employer, additional compensation from his employer for the injury or from enforcing any agreement for additional compensation.

      (b) Each employer who does not furnish to the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission satisfactory proof of his solvency and financial ability to pay directly to injured employees or other beneficiaries compensation provided by this chapter shall insure his full liability under this chapter, other than his liability for assessments pursuant to sections 31-345 and 31-354 in one of the following ways: (1) By filing with the Insurance Commissioner in form acceptable to him security guaranteeing the performance of the obligations of this chapter by the employer; or (2) by insuring his full liability under this part, exclusive of any liability resulting from the terms of section 31-284b, in any stock or mutual companies or associations that are or may be authorized to take such risks in this state; or (3) by any combination of the methods provided in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection as he may choose, subject to the approval of the Insurance Commissioner. If the employer fails to comply with the requirements of this subsection, an employee may bring an action against such employer for damages on account of personal injury sustained by such employee arising out of and in the course of his employment or on account of death resulting from personal injury so sustained, except that there shall be no liability under this section to an individual on the part of the employer if such individual held himself out to the employer as an independent contractor and the employer, in good faith, relied on that representation as well as other indicia of such status and classified such individual as an independent contractor. In case of an alleged noncompliance with the provisions of this subsection, a certificate of noncompliance under oath, by the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission, shall constitute prima facie evidence of noncompliance.

      (c) Each employer who does not furnish to the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission satisfactory proof of his solvency and financial ability to pay directly to the State Treasurer the assessments required in sections 31-345 and 31-354 shall insure his full liability for the assessments in one of the following ways: (1) By filing with the Insurance Commissioner in form acceptable to him security guaranteeing the payment of the assessments by the employer; (2) by insuring his full liability for the assessments in any stock or mutual companies or associations that are or may be authorized to take such risks in this state; or (3) by any combination of the methods provided in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection as he may choose, subject to the approval of the Insurance Commissioner. The payment of the assessments required under sections 31-345 and 31-354 is a condition of doing business in this state and failure to pay the assessments, when due, shall result in the denial of the privilege of doing business in this state or to self-insure under subsections (b) and (c) of this section. If the liability for the assessments is insured, the insurance shall be by endorsement to a policy meeting all of the requirements of the Insurance Commissioner, or by a separate policy insuring the liability for the assessments, and otherwise meeting all of the requirements of the Insurance Commissioner. In the case of any employer who files acceptable security guaranteeing the liability for the assessments, failure to pay the assessments, when due, shall result in the denial of the privilege to self-insure under subsections (b) and (c) of this section.

      (d) Any employer to whom a certificate of self-insurance has been issued pursuant to this section who fails or is unable to pay any compensation mandated by the provisions of this chapter, thereby requiring payment from the Second Injury Fund pursuant to section 31-355, shall be prohibited from self-insuring his liability under this chapter for a period of ten years from the date of the payment. The employer shall be required during the ten-year period to insure his full liability under this part, exclusive of any liability resulting from the terms of section 31-284b, in any stock or mutual companies or associations that are or may be authorized to take such risks in this state. Failure to so insure his liability shall result in the denial of the privilege of doing business in this state.

      (e) Whenever an employer fails to comply with the requirements of subsection (b) of this section, the Attorney General may bring a civil action in the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to enjoin the employer, until such time as he fully complies with such requirements, from entering into any contracts of employment as a result of which he will employ additional employees.

      (f) Each employer subject to the provisions of this chapter shall post, in a conspicuous place, a notice of the availability of compensation, in type of not less than ten-point boldface. The notice shall contain, at a minimum, the information required by regulations adopted pursuant to section 31-279.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7417, 7418, 7419, 7453, 7461; 1949, S. 3038d, 3050d; 1958 Rev., S. 31-148, 31-149, 31-150, 31-180, 31-189; 1959, P.A. 580, S. 1-3, 15, 17, 20, 21; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 10; 1967, P.A. 842, S. 4; P.A. 77-614, S. 163, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 202, 348; P.A. 82-398, S. 2; P.A. 85-184, S. 2; 85-189, S. 1; 85-349, S. 1; P.A. 86-165; 86-403, S. 64, 132; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 91-32, S. 7, 41; 91-339, S. 11, 55; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4-6; P.A. 96-65, S. 1; 96-216, S. 2, 5.)

      History: 1959 act increased fine from one hundred to two hundred fifty dollars, required that fines be paid over to second injury and assurance fund or its successor and replaced references to specific sections, parts, etc. with references to chapter; 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1967 act added proviso protecting employee's right to secure additional benefits from employer in Subsec. (a); P.A. 77-614 placed insurance commissioner within the department of business regulation and made insurance department a division within that same department, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 reinstated insurance division as an independent department with commissioner as its head following abolition of department of business regulation; P.A. 82-398 excluded liability resulting from terms of Sec. 31-284b in Subsec. (b)(2); P.A. 85-184 amended Subsec. (b) to require that proof of solvency be filed by employers with the board of compensation commissioners, rather than with an individual commissioner; P.A. 85-189 added Subsec. (c), which establishes the liability of employers for the assessments required for the various funds under workers' compensation, and permits the purchasing of insurance for such liabilities; P.A. 85-349 added Subsec. (d), which prohibits employers from self-insuring their workers' compensation liability for ten years if payment from the second injury fund has been required; P.A. 86-165 added Subsec. (e), empowering the attorney general to bring a civil action to enjoin any employer who doesn't comply with the issuance requirements of the section from entering into new employment contracts; P.A. 86-403 made technical change in Subsec. (c); P.A. 88-230 replaced "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" with "judicial district of Hartford", effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 91-32 made technical changes and added Subsec. (f) re notice of the availability of compensation; P.A. 91-339 changed "board of compensation commissioners" to "chairman of the workers' compensation commission" and made technical changes; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-65 amended Subsec. (a) to exempt employers who comply with the requirements of Subsec. (b) from liability and amended Subsec. (b) to allow an employee to bring an action against an employer who fails to comply with the subsection, replacing provision imposing one-thousand-dollar fine; P.A. 96-216 amended Subsec. (b) to change the penalty for an employer from a fine to the penalties in Subsecs. (c) and (d) of Sec. 31-288, effective June 4, 1996, but failed to take effect, P.A. 96-65 having deleted the penalty provision in its entirety.

      Annotations to former statutes:

      Former statute which applied to employers of five or more employees. "Serious and willful misconduct" defined. 98 C. 597. Does not include failure to take shelter during a blast; 93 C. 60; nor trying to jump on a moving truck; Id., 589; nor going on a scaffold though subject to vertigo; 97 C. 55; nor driving auto 35 to 40 miles an hour; 98 C. 548; nor disobedience of safety rules by an ignorant woman. Id., 600. Cited. 112 C. 462. Cited. 114 C. 130. Cited. 116 C. 96. Cited. 125 C. 297. Cited. 126 C. 275. Cited. 128 C. 611. Cited. 129 C. 534. Cited. 130 C. 259. Cited. 131 C. 157; Id., 246. Cited. 133 C. 308; Id., 644. The claimant will have sustained the burden of proof of five or more employees if it does not appear that the condition exists upon which exemption for less than five rests. 125 C. 22. Number employed relates to group; not number during period. 117 C. 496. When arises out of and in the course of employment. 109 C. 178; 122 C. 343; 127 C. 248; Id., 528; 132 C. 563; 133 C. 78. When injured after return to way necessary to go, even if there had been a prior departure, entitled to compensation. 109 C. 378. When horseplay considered to arise out of employment. Id., 473. What constitutes serious and willful misconduct. 124 C. 409. Burning while washing overalls of fellow employee considered to arise out of the course of employment. 127 C. 248. Going to picnic, while being paid, injury arises out of employment. 110 C. 384. Drowning on route chosen by employee. 114 C. 519. Store manager killed by robbers while mailing employer's report on way home. 115 C. 665. Permitted smoking in overtime. 112 C. 635; 132 C. 279. Employer contracts to furnish transportation; injury occurring on way to place of employment arose out of employment. 125 C. 238. Arises out of employment when using own car on employer's business. 118 C. 295; 132 C. 388. Injury on afternoon off not compensable. 128 C. 488. Arises out of when traveling salesman is injured while on highway. 111 C. 532. When does not arise out of employment. Id., 365; Id., 655. When injured on highway does not arise out of employment unless it arises in course of it. 123 C. 327. Accident while crossing railroad adjacent to employer's plant not always compensable. 122 C. 129. Arose in course of, but did not arise out of. 130 C. 8. May arise before work begins or after it ceases. 125 C. 238. Sunstroke is personal injury. Id., 380. Heat exhaustion must be special hazard. 113 C. 721. Cerebral thrombosis not chargeable to employment. 123 C. 327. Coronary occlusion not caused by employment. 127 C. 717. Two back injuries; compensated for first; returned to light work at full wages; injured again in employ of another; second employer liable. 123 C. 188. Burden of proof on claimant. 130 C. 1. Willful misconduct. 118 C. 312. Walking beside truck as it proceeds up mountain. Id. Worker in federal relief program not employee. 123 C. 504. Apportionment for aggravation not applicable to death cases. 114 C. 389. Burden on respondent to show fact that he is only liable for aggravation. Id. Finding that head injury causing death arose out of employment sustained. 139 C. 215. Cited. 141 C. 539. Cited. 143 C. 77.

      Minor employed in violation of law is nonetheless an employee and as such is denied the right to obtain damages from his employer; he may recover under the workmen's compensation act. 12 CS 304. Effect of intoxication of employee discussed. 17 CS 246.

      (1958 Rev., S. 31-148.) General consideration; when within act. 109 C. 178. Cited. 111 C. 236. Injured while traveling on duty. 123 C. 327.

      (1958 Rev., S. 31-149.) Cited. 111 C. 236. Injured compensation claimant may sue fellow employee responsible for injuries. 115 C. 117. When one is not "casual". 122 C. 185. Exception of employer "having regularly less than five employees" construed.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7418.) 125 C. 22.

      (1958 Rev., S. 31-150.) Proper method of pleading, in a civil action for damages, the fact that the plaintiff is covered by the workmen's compensation act and therefore cannot sue at common law. 21 CS 240. This section is not a denial of jurisdiction in the superior court, but is a destruction of an otherwise existent common-law right of action. Id.

      (1958 Rev., S. 31-180.) Cited. 112 C. 468, 580. Cited. 113 C. 516. Cited. 116 C. 221. Cited. 122 C. 192. Cited. 125 C. 259.

      (1958 Rev., S. 31-189.) In the original act an employer of less than five was under Part B. By failing to comply with Sec. 31-180 he exposed himself to suit at law, but it did not take away from employee his right to claim compensation. 89 C. 168. Cited. 112 C. 468. Cited. 122 C. 192.

      Annotations to present section:

      An employee seeking workmen's compensation has burden of proving that he sustained an injury, not merely in the course of his employment, but arising out of, that is, caused by his employment. 150 C. 328. Burden of proving injury sustained in course of employment on claimant. 151 C. 430. Cited. 153 C. 410. Cited. 156 C. 280, 281. Persons employed by board of education deemed town employees. 164 C. 65. Summary judgment for defendant employer sustained where plaintiff employee, injured while parking his car in the employees parking lot by a fellow employee driving the employer's truck, had claimed and been paid benefits pursuant to Workmen's Compensation Act. 167 C. 621. Cited. 169 C. 646. Cited. 175 C. 174. To be compensable, injury must, inter alia, occur while employee is reasonably fulfilling duties of employment or engaged in activity incidental to it. Activity is incidental if regularly engaged in on employer's premises within period of employment, with employer's approval and acquiescence. 176 C. 547. Cited. 178 C. 371. Cited. 179 C. 662. Cited. 183 C. 508. Cited. 185 C. 616. Cited. 189 C. 671; Id., 701. Court declined to extend an exception to the statute to include injuries to employees resulting from "intentional" or "willful" or "reckless" violation by employees of safety standards established pursuant to federal and state laws such as OSHA. 196 C. 91. Cited. 203 C. 34. Cited. 204 C. 104. Cited. 206 C. 495. Cited. 212 C. 138; Id., 427; Id., 814. Cited. 219 C. 439. Cited. 221 C. 465. Cited. 223 C. 336. Cited. 229 C. 99. Cited. 237 C. 1. Cited. 238 C. 285. Cited. 242 C. 255. Maximum $10,000 penalty imposed on first-time offender who failed to obtain workers' compensation insurance coverage for single employee within first two weeks of employee's engagement deemed excessive. 244 C. 781. Purpose. 245 C. 66.

      Cited. 3 CA 16; Id., 547. Cited 5 CA 193. By granting immunity to employees from loss of consortium suits statute does not violate due process clause of federal or state constitutions. Id., 369. Cited. 7 CA 296. Cited. 10 CA 618. Cited. 15 CA 615. Cited. 16 CA 660. Bars receipt of uninsured motorist's benefits by plaintiff in receipt of workers' compensation benefits from same circumstances. 19 CA 169. Cited. 24 CA 739. Cited. 25 CA 492; judgment reversed, see 222 C. 744. Does not bar employee in receipt of compensation benefits from also obtaining uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits reduced by compensation benefits paid or payable. Id., 651; judgment reversed, see 222 C. 769. Cited. 27 CA 800. Cited. 30 CA 630. Cited. 34 CA 521. Cited. 44 CA 1. Cited. 46 CA 346. Section, absent an exception, bars plaintiff from claiming underinsured motorist coverage under his employer's policy despite fact that he is a named insured. 87 CA 416.

      Cited. 27 CS 280. Action in negligence, against insurer of employer who has paid compensation to plaintiff employee for failure of insurer to inspect dangerous machinery in shop, is precluded by merger of identities of employer and insurer and policy of workmen's compensation acts. 28 CS 1. Cited. 30 CS 126. An employer cannot be sued as a joint tortfeasor by a third party whom his employee is suing for negligence, absent a separate contractual relation with third party. 31 CS 322. The Workmen's Compensation Act is not a bar to indemnity where such a right can be predicated on some legal relationship between the third party and employer giving rise to a duty on the part of the employer to the third party which is either contractually or tortiously breached. 32 CS 96. Cited. 38 CS 359; Id., 607. Cited. 39 CS 408. Cited. 42 CS 168.

      Subsec. (a):

      Cited. 176 C. 320. Cited. 179 C. 215. Personal injuries are compensable under workers' compensation when incurred while walking from employer-furnished transportation to employer-furnished lodging. Id., 501. Cited. 189 C. 550. Cited. 196 C. 529. Did not bar plaintiff administrator's wrongful death action where minor illegally hired in violation of public policy. 203 C. 34. To the extent inconsistent overruled. 131 C. 157. Cited. Id., 324. Cited. 205 C. 219. Cited. 208 C. 589. Cited. 209 C. 59. Cited. 218 C. 531. Cited. 220 C. 721. Cited. 221 C. 356. Construing uninsured motorist coverage as "exception" to workers' compensation act is irreconcilable with language of section. Judgment of appellate court in Bouley v. Norwich, 25 CA 492 reversed. 222 C. 744. Section bars work-related claim for uninsured motorist benefits under insurance policy procured by employer including employer's personal automobile liability insurance. Judgment of appellate court in CNA Ins. Co. v. Colman, 25 CA 651 reversed. Id., 769. Cited. Id., 775. Cited 223 C. 917. Cited. 226 C. 282; Id., 404. Cited. 227 C. 333. Cited. 234 C. 51. Cited. 235 C. 790. Employee not barred from recovering uninsured motorist coverage benefits against employer's insurer in regard to accident occurring prior to effective date of P.A. 93-297. 238 C. 285. P.A. 93-297 cited. Id. Cited. 240 C. 694. Limitation on remedies under tort law is appropriate trade-off for benefits provided by workers' compensation. 252 C. 215. Tort actions for emotional injuries that are not compensable under the act are not barred by exclusivity provisions of the act. 259 C. 729. Cause of action in tort against insurer for bad faith processing of compensation claim barred by exclusivity provision of section, and remedies are limited to those afforded under Secs. 31-288(b) and 31-300. 273 C. 487. Plaintiff's assertion that intentional tort exception to section was applicable because defendant intentionally failed to correct several dangerous conditions which led to death of employee who was struck and killed after being sent to cut grass under roller coaster failed because evidence was not sufficient to establish intent to create an injury-causing situation. 277 C. 113.

      Cited. 2 CA 363. Cited. 3 CA 40. Cited. 6 CA 60. Cited. 28 CA 660. Cited. 32 CA 16. Cited. 45 CA 324. Cited. 46 CA 699. Employee is barred from bringing negligence claim against employer. 52 CA 1. Court applied standard of "substantial causative factor" to the affirmative defense of willful and serious misconduct, declining to apply a standard of "sole proximate cause". 56 CA 215. Exception to exclusive remedy provision of subsec. did not apply where plaintiff's complaint did not allege that city of New Haven intended to injure plaintiff or that the city directed or authorized city employee to injure plaintiff. 92 CA 558.

      Not a bar to an action for indemnification by a bailee against an employer where the action is based on breach of a warranty of fitness under the bailment contract. 32 CS 210. Cited. Id., 213. Breach of an independent duty is sufficient to overcome the defense based on the Workmen's Compensation Act. Id., 214. In absence of special relationship, workmen's compensation is the exclusive remedy against an employer. 35 CS 268. Cited. 38 CS 324. Cited 39 CS 250.

      Sec. 31-284a. State contracting with private insurance carrier. Duties and powers of Commissioner of Administrative Services. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 4a-19 and 4a-20 to the contrary, the Commissioner of Administrative Services shall solicit proposals from any management firm engaged in the business of administering workers' compensation claims, or from any authorized mutual insurance company or stock company or subsidiary thereof writing workers' compensation or employer's liability insurance in this state, for the purposes of administering the workers' compensation claims filed against the state, or of insuring the state's full liability under workers' compensation and administering such claims. The commissioner may, at said commissioner's discretion, reject any or all of such proposals if they are deemed to be inadequate to effectively serve the needs of the state concerning workers' compensation.

      (b) The Commissioner of Administrative Services shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, which establish the fees payable by this state for its employees under the provisions of this chapter, based on the medical procedure, combination of procedures or diagnosis of the patient, provided the fee schedule shall not apply to services rendered to a claimant who is participating in the state's managed care plan. The regulations shall limit annual growth in total medical fees payable by the state to no more than the annual percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban workers. Said commissioner may exclude from participation in the state workers' compensation managed care program any medical provider found, through a systematic program of utilization review, to exceed generally accepted standards of the scope, duration or intensity of services rendered to patients with similar diagnostic characteristics. The state shall not make any payment to a facility owned in whole or in part by the referring practitioner.

      (c) The Commissioner of Administrative Services shall have sole responsibility for establishing procedures for all executive branch agencies participating in the state of Connecticut workers' compensation program, except that all mandatory subjects of collective bargaining pertaining to modified or alternative duty shall continue to be governed by the provisions of chapter 68.

      (P.A. 81-469, S. 1, 8; P.A. 93-228, S. 5, 35; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 04-2, S. 29.)

      History: P.A. 93-228 added Subsec. (b) re commissioner of administrative services' regulatory power and designated existing language as Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 1993; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 04-2 amended Subsec. (a) to make technical changes and to delete provision re S.A. 81-22, and added Subsec. (c) to vest Commissioner of Administrative Services with sole authority for establishing procedures for executive branch agencies re state workers' compensation program, except mandatory collective bargaining re modified or alternative duty, effective July 1, 2004.

      Cited. 220 C. 915; Id., 920.

      Sec. 31-284b. Employer to continue insurance coverage or welfare plan payments for employees eligible to receive workers' compensation. Use of Second Injury Fund. (a) In order to maintain, as nearly as possible, the income of employees who suffer employment-related injuries, any employer who provides accident and health insurance or life insurance coverage for any employee or makes payments or contributions at the regular hourly or weekly rate for full-time employees to an employee welfare plan, shall provide to the employee equivalent insurance coverage or welfare plan payments or contributions while the employee is eligible to receive or is receiving compensation pursuant to this chapter, or while the employee is receiving wages under a provision for sick leave payments for time lost due to an employment-related injury. As used in this section, "income" means all forms of remuneration to an individual from his employment, including wages, accident and health insurance coverage, life insurance coverage and employee welfare plan contributions and "employee welfare plan" means any plan established or maintained for employees or their families or dependents, or for both, for medical, surgical or hospital care benefits.

      (b) An employer may provide such equivalent accident and health or life insurance coverage or welfare plan payments or contributions by: (1) Insuring his full liability under this section in any stock or mutual companies or associations that are or may be authorized to take such risks in this state; (2) creating an injured employee's plan as an extension of any existing plan for working employees; (3) self-insurance; or (4) by any combination of the methods provided in subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of this subsection that he may choose.

      (c) In the case of an employee welfare plan, an employer may provide equivalent protection by making payments or contributions for such hours of contributions established by the trustees of the employee welfare plan as necessary to maintain continuation of such insurance coverage when the amount is less than the amount of regular hourly or weekly contributions for full-time employees.

      (d) In any case where compensation payments to an individual for total incapacity under the provisions of section 31-307 continue for more than one hundred four weeks, the cost of accident and health insurance or life insurance coverage after the one-hundred-fourth week shall be paid out of the Second Injury Fund in accordance with the provisions of section 31-349.

      (e) Accident and health insurance coverage may include, but shall not be limited to, coverage provided by insurance or directly by the employer for the following health care services: Medical, surgical, dental, nursing and hospital care and treatment, drugs, diagnosis or treatment of mental conditions or alcoholism, and pregnancy and child care.

      (P.A. 82-398, S. 3; P.A. 86-403, S. 99, 132; P.A. 91-32, S. 8, 41; 91-339, S. 12.)

      History: P.A. 86-403 made technical change in Subsec. (b), substituting "mutual" for "municipal" companies; P.A. 91-32 added definition of "income" to Subsec. (a) and made technical changes; P.A. 91-339 changed "employee welfare fund" to "employee welfare plan", added a definition of the latter term in Subsec. (a) and deleted the reference to Sec. 31-53 in Subsec. (a).

      Cited. 214 C. 552. Cited. 219 C. 439. Cited. 223 C. 376. Court found no legislative intent to mandate transfer of liability for this section's benefits to the fund as "compensation" under Sec. 31-349 in case of employee with preexisting impairment. 231 C. 287.

      Cited. 16 CA 660. Dependents' benefits are part of workers' income to be maintained by employer. 24 CA 234. Cited. 40 CA 409. Cited. 44 CA 397. Board incorrectly interpreted section as requiring city to continue insurance coverage for plaintiff and his family once plaintiff's compensation payments under Sec. 7-433c ended. 61 CA 9. Definition of "compensation" in Sec. 31-293 inapplicable to section as it existed on date of plaintiff's injury. Id. Payments by city for plaintiff's medical care did not constitute compensation payment required by statute or regulation and did not trigger benefits under section. Id.

      Subsec. (a):

      Cited. 214 C. 394.

      Term "compensation payments" as used in subsection as it existed on date of plaintiff's injury does not include payments for medical care after the indemnity compensation period has ceased. 61 CA 9. Term "compensation payments" as used in Subsec. does not include payments for medical care after the indemnity compensation period has ceased. Plaintiff accordingly was not entitled to benefits pursuant to section. 81 CA 339.

      Subsec. (b):

      Authorizes employer to meet its workers' compensation obligations under Ch. 568 by enumerated methods, including self-insurance. 247 C. 442.

      Sec. 31-284c. Complaints of violations. Hearing. Findings and award. Appeal. Any employee eligible to receive or receiving workers' compensation may file a complaint alleging violation of the provisions of section 31-284b with the workers' compensation commissioner. The commissioner shall hold a hearing in accordance with the provisions of sections 31-297 and 31-298. After the hearing, the commissioner shall send to each party a written copy of his findings and award in accordance with the provisions of section 31-300. The provisions of section 31-300 concerning finality of the award and an execution issued upon the award shall be applicable to an award made pursuant to this section. Any appeal of an award of the commissioner under this section shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of section 31-301. The commissioner, in awarding benefits for temporary and permanent partial and total disability, shall require the provision of equivalent insurance coverage or contribution to an employee welfare plan, as provided in section 31-284b, for the period of the injured employee's eligibility to receive benefits under this chapter.

      (P.A. 82-398, S. 5; P.A. 91-339, S. 13.)

      History: P.A. 91-339 required the commissioner to send each party a written copy of his findings and changed "employee welfare fund" to "employee welfare plan".

      Sec. 31-285. Substitute systems of compensation. With the approval of the state Insurance Commissioner, any employer may enter into an agreement with his employees to provide a system of compensation, benefit and insurance in lieu of the compensation and insurance provided by this chapter. No such substitute system shall be approved unless it confers benefits upon injured employees at least equivalent to the benefits provided by this chapter, nor shall any such substitute system be approved which contains an obligation of employees to join in it as a condition of employment unless it contains equitable provision for the withdrawal of employees from it and the distribution of its assets. If any such system requires contributions from employees, it shall not be approved unless it confers benefits in addition to those provided under this chapter at least commensurate with such contributions. The Insurance Commissioner, having given his approval of such substitute system, shall have over it all the jurisdiction given him by sections 38a-14 and 38a-17 over insurance companies. He may withdraw his approval upon reasonable notice to the employer and order a distribution of the assets, subject to the right of any party in interest to take an appeal to the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7452; 1958 Rev., S. 31-179; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 25; P.A. 77-614, S. 163, 610; P.A. 78-280, S. 6, 127; P.A. 80-482, S. 203, 348; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4-6.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; P.A. 77-614 made insurance department a division within the department of business regulation with insurance commissioner as its head, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-280 replaced "Hartford county" with "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain"; P.A. 80-482 reinstated insurance division as independent department with insurance commissioner as its head following abolition of department of business regulation; P.A. 88-230 replaced "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" with "judicial district of Hartford", effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995.

      Cited. 169 C. 646.

      Cited. 23 CS 298.

      Sec. 31-286. Certificate of employer's compliance. Any employer who has complied with the provisions of section 31-285 by entering into an agreement with his employees to provide a system of compensation, benefit and insurance in lieu of the compensation and insurance provided by this chapter, which agreement has been approved by the Insurance Commissioner, or any employer who has complied with the provisions of section 31-284 by filing with the Insurance Commissioner security guaranteeing the performance of his obligation under this chapter or by insuring his full liability or by a combination of the two last-named methods approved by the Insurance Commissioner, may file, in the office of the commissioner who may have jurisdiction in case of injury, a certificate of the Insurance Commissioner stating that such substitute system has been approved or that such security guaranteeing the performance of the obligations of this chapter has been filed with and accepted by the Insurance Commissioner or that a combination of the methods stated in section 31-284 has been approved. Any employer who has insured his full liability may file a certificate, in the manner prescribed in section 31-348, setting forth such fact and stating the date of expiration of such insurance, which certificate shall thereupon become a part of the records of the office of such compensation commissioner.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7462; 1958 Rev., S. 31-182; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 42; P.A. 77-614, S. 163, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 204, 348.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; P.A. 77-614 made insurance department a division within the department of business regulation with commissioner as its head, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 restored insurance division as independent department and abolished department of business regulation.

      Sec. 31-286a. Insurance requirements for contractors on public works projects and renewals of state business licenses. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of any general statute, special act, charter or ordinance, neither the state, or its agents, nor any political subdivision of the state, or its agents, may enter into any contract on or after October 1, 1986, for the construction, remodeling, refinishing, refurbishing, rehabilitation, alteration or repair of any public works project before receiving from each of the other parties to such contract (1) sufficient evidence of compliance with the workers' compensation insurance and self-insurance requirements of subsection (b) of section 31-284, and (2) a current statement from the State Treasurer that, to the best of his knowledge and belief, as of the date of the statement, the particular party was not liable to the state for any workers' compensation payments made pursuant to section 31-355.

      (b) On and after October 1, 1986, no state department, board or agency may renew a license or permit to operate a business in this state unless the applicant first presents sufficient evidence of current compliance with the workers' compensation insurance coverage requirements of section 31-284.

      (c) This section shall not be construed to create any liability on the part of the state or any political subdivision thereof to pay workers' compensation benefits or to indemnify the Second Injury Fund, any employer or any insurer who pays workers' compensation benefits.

      (d) For purposes of this section, "sufficient evidence" means (1) a certificate of self-insurance issued by a workers' compensation commissioner pursuant to section 31-284, or (2) a certificate of compliance issued by the Insurance Commissioner pursuant to section 31-286, or (3) a certificate of insurance issued by any stock or mutual insurance company or mutual association authorized to write workers' compensation insurance in this state or its agent.

      (P.A. 86-87; P.A. 91-207, S. 2, 9.)

      History: P.A. 91-207 made a technical change to fund's name in Subsec. (c).

      Sec. 31-286b. Proof of workers' compensation coverage prior to issuance of building permit, condition. (a) Prior to issuing a building permit pursuant to section 29-263 to any person other than a sole proprietor or property owner unless such sole proprietor or property owner is acting as a general contractor or principal employer, a local building official shall require proof of workers' compensation coverage for all employees, as defined in section 31-275, who are employed by an employer, as defined in said section, who are engaged to perform services on the site of the construction project for which the permit was issued.

      (b) As used in subsection (a) of this section, "proof of workers' compensation coverage" means (1) a written certificate of insurance provided by the general contractor or principal employer, (2) a certificate from the Workers' Compensation Commissioner indicating that the general contractor or principal employer has properly chosen not to obtain workers' compensation coverage pursuant to section 31-275, or (3) if a property owner or sole proprietor intends to act as a general contractor or principal employer, a written certificate of insurance or a sworn notarized affidavit, which he shall provide, stating that he will require proof of workers' compensation insurance for all those employed on the job site in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. A local building official shall require proof of workers' compensation coverage only at the time of the general contractor's or principal employer's initial application.

      (P.A. 95-277, S. 7, 19; P.A. 96-216, S. 4, 5.)

      History: P.A. 95-277 effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-216 made existing language Subsec. (a) and excepted certain sole proprietors and property owners from proof requirements and removed one-hundred-thousand-dollar limitation and property owner certification requirement and added Subsec. (b), defining "proof of workers' compensation coverage", effective June 4, 1996.

      Sec. 31-287. Provisions required in liability insurance policies. No policy of insurance against liability under this chapter, except as provided in section 31-284, shall be made unless the same covers the entire liability of the employer thereunder and contains an agreement by the insurer that, as between the employee and the insurer, notice or knowledge of the occurrence of injury by the insured shall be deemed notice or knowledge by the insurer, that jurisdiction of the insured for the purposes of this chapter shall be jurisdiction of the insurer and the insurer shall in all things be bound by and subject to the findings, awards and judgments rendered against such insured; and also that, if the insured becomes insolvent or is discharged in bankruptcy during the period that the policy is in operation, or the compensation, or any part of it, is due and unpaid or if an execution upon a judgment for compensation is returned unsatisfied, an injured employee or other person entitled to compensation under the provisions of this chapter may enforce his claim to compensation against the insurer to the same extent that the insured could have enforced his claim against such insurer had he paid compensation.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7454; 1958 Rev., S. 31-181; 1959, P.A. 580, S. 16; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 41.)

      History: 1959 act revised applicability re employer's insurance by reducing number of regular employees from three to two and replaced references to specific sections and parts with references to chapter; 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions.

      Cited. 113 C. 515. Cited. 114 C. 27. Cited. 116 C. 221. Cited. 125 C. 31. No reformation of policy where no mistake shown. 120 C. 503. This statute has no application to employer liability imposed by special bonus legislation unrelated to traditional workers' compensation concepts. 178 C. 664.

      Cited. 37 CA 835.

      Cited. 28 CS 4.

      Sec. 31-288. Additional liability. Penalty for undue delay, noncompliance with insurance requirements and for defrauding workers' compensation insurance carrier. Notice of penalty to Attorney General and State Treasurer. Payment. Civil action for nonpayment. (a) If an employer wilfully fails to conform to any other provision of this chapter, he shall be fined not more than two hundred fifty dollars for each such failure.

      (b) Whenever (1) through the fault or neglect of an employer or insurer, the adjustment or payment of compensation due under this chapter is unduly delayed, or (2) either party to a claim under this chapter has unreasonably, and without good cause, delayed the completion of the hearings on such claim, the delaying party or parties may be assessed a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars by the commissioner hearing the claim for each such case of delay. Any appeal of a penalty assessed pursuant to this subsection shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of section 31-301.

      (c) Whenever an investigator in the investigations unit of the office of the State Treasurer, whether initiating an investigation at the request of the custodian of the Second Injury Fund, the Workers' Compensation Commission, or a commissioner, finds that an employer is not in compliance with the insurance and self-insurance requirements of subsection (b) of section 31-284, such investigator shall issue a citation to such employer requiring him to obtain insurance and fulfill the requirements of said section and notifying him of the requirement of a hearing before the commissioner and the penalties required under this subsection. The investigator shall also file an affidavit advising the commissioner of the citation and requesting a hearing on such violation. The commissioner shall conduct a hearing, after sufficient notice to the employer and within thirty days of the citation, wherein the employer shall be required to present sufficient evidence of his compliance with said requirements. Whenever the commissioner finds that the employer is not in compliance with said requirements he shall assess a civil penalty of not less than five hundred dollars per employee or five thousand dollars, whichever is less and not more than fifty thousand dollars against the employer.

      (d) In addition to the penalties assessed pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the commissioner shall assess an additional penalty of one hundred dollars for each day after the finding of noncompliance that the employer fails to comply with the insurance and self-insurance requirements of subsection (b) of section 31-284. Any penalties assessed under the provisions of this subsection shall not exceed fifty thousand dollars in the aggregate.

      (e) The chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission shall notify the State Treasurer and the Attorney General of the imposition of any penalty, the date it was imposed, the amount and whether there has been an appeal of said penalty. Any civil penalty order issued pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of this section shall state that payment shall be made to the Second Injury Fund of the State Treasurer, and that failure to pay within ninety days may result in civil action to double the penalty. The State Treasurer shall collect any penalty owed, and if the penalty is not paid within ninety days, the State Treasurer shall notify the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission and the Attorney General so that civil action may be brought pursuant to section 31-289. Any appeal of a penalty assessed pursuant to the provisions of subsections (c) and (d) of this section shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of section 31-301. The chairman shall adopt regulations for the commissioners to use in setting fines which shall require the commissioners to take into account the nature of the employer's business and his number of employees.

      (f) When any employer knowingly and wilfully fails to comply with the insurance and self-insurance requirements of subsection (b) of section 31-284, such employer, if he is an owner, in the case of a sole proprietorship, a partner, in the case of a partnership, a principal, in the case of a limited liability company or a corporate officer, in the case of a corporation, shall be guilty of a class D felony.

      (g) Any employer who, with the intent to injure, defraud or deceive any insurance company insuring the liability of such employer under this chapter, (1) knowingly misrepresents one or more employees as independent contractors, or (2) knowingly provides false, incomplete or misleading information to such company concerning the number of employees, for the purpose of paying a lower premium on a policy obtained from such company, shall be guilty of a class D felony.

      (1961, P.A. 491, S. 11; P.A. 84-299, S. 1; P.A. 86-174, S. 1; P.A. 93-228, S. 6, 35; 93-419, S. 7, 9; P.A. 95-277, S. 1, 19; P.A. 96-267, S. 26.)

      History: P.A. 84-299 added Subsec. (b), providing for penalties of up to five hundred dollars for each case by a party of undue delay in the completion of hearings or the adjustment or payment of compensation; P.A. 86-174 added Subsec. (c), establishing a civil penalty to be assessed against employers who don't comply with the insurance requirements of Sec. 31-284; P.A. 93-228 added Subsec. (d) to provide that employer which defrauds its workers' compensation insurance carrier for the purpose of paying a lower premium is guilty of a class D felony, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-419 made technical changes in Subsec. (b), effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-277 amended Subsec. (c) to provide for specific procedures, penalties and hearings associated with the failure of an employer to comply with insurance and self-insurance requirements, to make assessment of civil penalty mandatory, to impose minimum penalty of not less than five hundred dollars per employee or five thousand dollars whichever is less and to increase maximum penalty from ten thousand to fifty thousand dollars, inserted new Subsecs. (d) re additional penalty after the noncompliance finding, (e) re monthly transfer of penalty funds by the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission to the custodian of the Second Injury Fund, appeal procedure and regulations to use in setting fines, and (f) classifying knowing and wilful violations as a class D felony and relettered the existing Subsecs. (d) to (f), effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-267 amended Subsec. (e) to require the chairman to notify the State Treasurer and Attorney General when penalties are imposed and when penalties are not paid within ninety days to give notice of the prescribed method of payment and to give notice of potential double penalties for nonpayment.

      See Sec. 52-570e re action for damages resulting from violation of chapter.

      Cited. 7 CA 142.

      Sec. 31-289. Disposition of fines and penalties. Violations under section 31-284 and subsection (a) of section 31-288 shall be prosecuted in the appropriate court. Any fines or penalties collected under the provisions of sections 31-284 and 31-288 shall be paid over to the Second Injury Fund or its successor.

      (1961, P.A. 491, S. 12; P.A. 84-299, S. 2; P.A. 91-207, S. 3, 9.)

      History: P.A. 84-299 provided that penalties collected pursuant to "subsection (a)" of section 31-288 shall be paid into the second injury and compensation assurance fund; P.A. 91-207 made a technical change in fund's name.

      Sec. 31-289a. Civil action to recover civil penalties. Privileged assignment for trial. (a) If any civil penalty imposed pursuant to any provision of this chapter is not paid within ninety days of its imposition by a workers' compensation commissioner, or within ninety days of the final disposition of an appeal, as the case may be, the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission shall immediately notify the Attorney General of such failure to pay. Upon such notification, the Attorney General may bring a civil action in the name of the state of Connecticut in the superior court for the judicial district where the commissioner imposed the civil penalty, to recover double the amount of the civil penalty together with reasonable attorney's fees and costs as taxed by the court. Any recovery under this section shall be disbursed in the same manner as recoveries pursuant to section 31-355.

      (b) An affidavit sworn to or affirmed by the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission, or by the commissioner who imposed the civil penalty referred to in the affidavit, stating the name of the commissioner who imposed the civil penalty, the amount of the civil penalty, the name of the violator against whom the civil penalty was imposed, whether or not an appeal was taken, the disposition of the appeal and whether or not the penalty was paid, shall constitute prima facie proof of the facts contained in the affidavit. Copies of the records of the Workers' Compensation Commission, or of any commissioner, certified by said chairman or by the commissioner having custody of the records, containing the name of the commissioner who imposed a civil penalty, the amount of the civil penalty, the name of the violator against whom the civil penalty was imposed, whether or not an appeal was taken, the disposition of the appeal and whether or not the penalty was paid, shall constitute prima facie proof of the facts contained in the records.

      (c) Civil actions pursuant to this section shall be privileged in their assignment for trial.

      (P.A. 86-174, S. 2; P.A. 91-339, S. 14, 55.)

      History: P.A. 91-339 changed "board of compensation commissioners" to "workers' compensation commission" and changed "workers' compensation commissioner" to "commissioner".

      Sec. 31-289b. Civil action to enjoin noncomplying employer from conducting business in the state. Whenever an employer wilfully fails to comply with the requirements of this chapter, the Attorney General may bring a civil action in the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to enjoin the employer from conducting business in this state until the employer fully complies with the requirements of this chapter.

      (P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; 93-228, S. 27, 35; P.A. 95-220, S. 4-6; P.A. 96-267, S. 27.)

      History: P.A. 93-228 effective July 1, 1993. (Revisor's note: P.A. 88-230, P.A. 90-98 and P.A. 93-142 authorized substitution of "judicial district of Hartford" for "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" in public acts of the 1993 session of the general assembly, to take effect September 1, 1996); P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-267 deleted the word "repeatedly" which modified "fails to comply".

      Sec. 31-290. Obligations not to be evaded. No contract, expressed or implied, no rule, regulation or other device shall in any manner relieve any employer, in whole or in part, of any obligation created by this chapter, except as herein set forth.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7455; 1958 Rev., S. 31-183; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 43.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions.

      Cited. 128 C. 579. Cited. 157 C. 545.

      Subsec. (b):

      In making award under this subsec., commissioner required to make "due allowance" under Sec. 31-314 for any sum paid by employer. 49 CA 66.

      Sec. 31-290a. Discharge or discrimination prohibited. Right of action. (a) No employer who is subject to the provisions of this chapter shall discharge, or cause to be discharged, or in any manner discriminate against any employee because the employee has filed a claim for workers' compensation benefits or otherwise exercised the rights afforded to him pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

      (b) Any employee who is so discharged or discriminated against may either: (1) Bring a civil action in the superior court for the judicial district where the employer has its principal office for the reinstatement of his previous job, payment of back wages and reestablishment of employee benefits to which he would have otherwise been entitled if he had not been discriminated against or discharged and any other damages caused by such discrimination or discharge. The court may also award punitive damages. Any employee who prevails in such a civil action shall be awarded reasonable attorney's fees and costs to be taxed by the court; or (2) file a complaint with the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission alleging violation of the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. Upon receipt of any such complaint, the chairman shall select a commissioner to hear the complaint, provided any commissioner who has previously rendered any decision concerning the claim shall be excluded. The hearing shall be held in the workers' compensation district where the employer has its principal office. After the hearing, the commissioner shall send each party a written copy of his decision. The commissioner may award the employee the reinstatement of his previous job, payment of back wages and reestablishment of employee benefits to which he otherwise would have been eligible if he had not been discriminated against or discharged. Any employee who prevails in such a complaint shall be awarded reasonable attorney's fees. Any party aggrieved by the decision of the commissioner may appeal the decision to the Appellate Court.

      (P.A. 84-300, S. 1, 2.)

      Cited. 216 C. 40. Cited. 219 C. 1. Cited. 221 C. 356. Cited. 226 C. 475. Employer does not violate this section when it discharges employee solely on the basis that employee, who claims a continued inability to work, fails to return to work following a compensable injury despite having been cleared to do so by his or her treating physician. 258 C. 724. Plaintiff failed to establish prima facie case of employment discrimination under statute by failing to present sufficient evidence that she had exercised any rights afforded to her under the act and by lack of evidence in the record to support workers' compensation commissioner's finding that the principal or vice principal knew that plaintiff was exercising her rights or that they intended to discriminate against her for exercising her rights. 270 C. 751.

      Cited. 24 CA 362. Cited. 28 CA 660. Cited. 33 CA 490. Cited. 34 CA 708. Cited. 40 CA 577. Cited. 43 CA 1. Reaffirmed prior rulings that plaintiff has burden of proving discrimination by a fair preponderance of the evidence. 52 CA 570. Where plaintiff offered no evidence to raise an inference of discrimination and failed to present a genuine issue of material fact as to the reason for termination, trial court properly found that a trier of fact could not find discriminatory intent as required under the statute. 64 CA 263.

      Subsec. (a):

      Section contains no requirement that any particular word be used in terminating an employee's employment. Standard for proof of a retaliatory discharge. 49 CA 66.

      Subsec. (b):

      Cited. 219 C. 314. Subdiv. (1) cited. 232 C. 91. Subdiv. (2) cited. Id.

      Subdiv. (2) cited. 41 CA 116. Subject matter jurisdiction cannot be waived by consent and therefore a stipulation between plaintiff and defendant cannot deprive commissioner of jurisdiction over plaintiff's claim. 49 CA 114.

      Sec. 31-290b. Penalty for false statement. Section 31-290b is repealed.

      (P.A. 85-602, S. 1, 4; P.A. 90-244, S. 2.)

      Sec. 31-290c. Fraudulent claim or receipt of benefits. Penalties. (a) Any person or his representative who makes or attempts to make any claim for benefits, receives or attempts to receive benefits, prevents or attempts to prevent the receipt of benefits or reduces or attempts to reduce the amount of benefits under this chapter based in whole or in part upon (1) the intentional misrepresentation of any material fact including, but not limited to, the existence, time, date, place, location, circumstances or symptoms of the claimed injury or illness or (2) the intentional nondisclosure of any material fact affecting such claim or the collection of such benefits, shall be guilty of a class C felony if the amount of benefits claimed or received, including but not limited to, the value of medical services, is less than two thousand dollars, or shall be guilty of a class B felony if the amount of such benefits exceeds two thousand dollars. Such person shall also be liable for treble damages in a civil proceeding under section 52-564.

      (b) Any person, including an employer, who intentionally aids, abets, assists, promotes or facilitates the making of, or the attempt to make, any claim for benefits or the receipt or attempted receipt of benefits under this chapter by another person in violation of subsection (a) of this section shall be liable for the same criminal and civil penalties as the person making or attempting to make the claim or receiving or attempting to receive the benefits.

      (P.A. 90-244.)

      No indication that legislature intended statute authorizing penalties for workers' compensation fraud to encompass sanctions against employees for misrepresentations on employment applications. 244 C. 781.

      Cited. 45 CA 324.

      Sec. 31-290d. Workers' compensation fraud unit. (a) There shall be a workers' compensation fraud unit within the office of the Chief State's Attorney in the Division of Criminal Justice. The unit, under the supervision of the Chief State's Attorney, may, upon receipt of a complaint, at the request of the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission or on its own initiative, investigate cases of alleged fraud involving any claim for benefits, any receipt or payment of benefits, or the insurance or self-insurance of liability under sections 31-275 to 31-355a, inclusive. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the Chief State's Attorney shall take appropriate action to enforce the laws of this state.

      (b) The workers' compensation fraud unit shall submit a quarterly report detailing its activities to the chairman and the Advisory Board of the Workers' Compensation Commission and to the Insurance Commissioner.

      (c) The cost of the workers' compensation fraud unit shall be appropriated by the General Assembly as an expense of the Workers' Compensation Commission and shall be paid from the Workers' Compensation Administration Fund established under section 31-344a. The unit shall not engage in nor be assigned any duties or responsibilities other than those authorized by or necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

      (P.A. 92-173; P.A. 00-211, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 00-211 amended Subsec. (b) to require quarterly reports to be submitted to the Insurance Commissioner.

      No indication that legislature intended statutes authorizing penalties for workers' compensation fraud to encompass sanctions against employees for misrepresentations on employment applications. 244 C. 781.

PART B*
WORKERS' COMPENSATION

      Sec. 31-291. Principal employer, contractor and subcontractor. When any principal employer procures any work to be done wholly or in part for him by a contractor, or through him by a subcontractor, and the work so procured to be done is a part or process in the trade or business of such principal employer, and is performed in, on or about premises under his control, such principal employer shall be liable to pay all compensation under this chapter to the same extent as if the work were done without the intervention of such contractor or subcontractor. The provisions of this section shall not extend immunity to any principal employer from a civil action brought by an injured employee or his dependent under the provisions of section 31-293 to recover damages resulting from personal injury or wrongful death occurring on or after May 28, 1988, unless such principal employer has paid compensation benefits under this chapter to such injured employee or his dependent for the injury or death which is the subject of the action.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7423; 1958 Rev., S. 31-154; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 13; P.A. 88-226, S. 1, 2.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; P.A. 88-226 added the provision limiting the immunity for principal employers.

      Section makes each one of a chain of contractors liable to the employee. He need not sue his immediate employer first. 99 C. 353. One who lets out by contract the construction of an entire building is not a "principal employer"; aliter, if he gives out parts to different contractors. 101 C. 34. Conditions to liability of principal employer. 106 C. 113; 107 C. 191. General contractor liable for death of employee of subcontractor; both may be held jointly liable. 109 C. 39. General contractor may recover from subcontractor sum which he has been compelled to pay under act to an employee of the latter. 110 C. 221. Question of whether one is a principal employer is largely one of degree and fact. 114 C. 126. Collection of rubbish part of business of city. Id., 546. Cited. 118 C. 368; 119 C. 224. Principal employer liable for compensation cannot be sued at common law. 122 C. 188. Independent contractor not subject to control of employer. 123 C. 320. Cited. 124 C. 230. When one is an employee and not a contractor. Id., 409; Id., 433. Principal employer not liable for compensation as injury did not occur on premises under its control, although work was part or process of trade or business. 125 C. 109; Id., 728. Cited. Id., 265. Independent contractor not servant at time of injury. 126 C. 379. Relationship of principal employer and contractor did not exist. 127 C. 316; 132 C. 81. Work held not "part or process of" employer's trade or business. 129 C. 44; Id., 636. Cited. Id., 593. Work not done in, on or about premises under control of defendant. 130 C. 256. Work held "part or process of" employer's trade or business. Id., 385. Cited. 131 C. 246. Cited. 134 C. 468. Cited. 135 C. 500. No distinction between "contractor" and "independent contractor" as used in this section. Id., 294. Emphasis is on area rather than actual control of implements which caused accident. 136 C. 529. Work not a part or process in trade or business of defendant. Id., 698. Cited. 138 C. 77. If work is of such a character that it ordinarily or appropriately would be performed by principal employer's own employees in the furtherance of his business, or as an essential part in the maintenance thereof, it is a part or process of his work. Id., 569. Work held not a part or process in trade or business of principal employer. Id., 646. Special purpose of section is to protect employees of minor contractors against irresponsibility of immediate employers by making principal contractor liable where three conditions of statute are met. 154 C. 611. Cited. 166 C. 298. Cited. 189 C. 701. Not unconstitutional within provisions of section 1 of article first of the Connecticut Constitution. 212 C. 427. Cited. 226 C. 508. Injured employee of a subcontractor may sue general contractor if employee can establish contractor's liability to employee under case law. 264 C. 509.

      Cited. 6 CA 60. Cited. 10 CA 261. Cited. 15 CA 806. Purpose. 48 CA 449. Specific meaning of "control". Id.

      Where employee's injuries are compensable, it is improper under statute for the court or compensation commissioner to determine question of liability between employer, contractor and subcontractor defendants. 1 CS 78. Remodeling and installing fixtures as a "part or process in the trade or business" of a department store discussed. 9 CS 429. Where a third person was permitted to conduct a nonprofit cafeteria for the convenience of employees, the cafeteria was not "a part or process in the trade or business" of the employer. 12 CS 203. To satisfy statute, work must be carried on in some defined physical area within observation of principal employer affording opportunity, by sufficient oversight, to prevent or minimize danger. 27 CS 281. Cited. 30 CS 330. Cited. 42 CS 168.

      Sec. 31-291a. Method of computing workers' compensation premiums for construction contractors. On or before July 1, 1996, the rating organization licensed pursuant to section 38a-672 shall file with the Insurance Commissioner a method of computing workers' compensation premiums which does not discriminate against or penalize employers in the construction industry solely because they pay higher wages than other employers to workers in the same job classification. Such method shall grant premium credits to construction contractors (1) who have workers' compensation insurance policies in which at least fifty per cent of the premium is attributable to construction classifications and (2) whose experience modification is unity or less as of July 1, 1996. Such credits shall apply to workers' compensation insurance policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 1996.

      (P.A. 95-262, S. 1, 3.)

      History: P.A. 95-262 effective July 6, 1995.

      Sec. 31-292. Liability of employer for worker lent to or employed by another. When the services of a worker are temporarily lent or let on hire to another person by the person with whom the worker has entered into a contract of service, the latter shall, for the purposes of this chapter, be deemed to continue to be the employer of such worker while he is so lent or hired by another.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7424; 1958 Rev., S. 31-155; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 14; P.A. 79-376, S. 42.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; P.A. 79-376 substituted "worker" for "workmen".

      Loaned employee when loanee had right of control. 114 C. 143. Employee of contractor collecting rubbish for city is not loaned employee. Id., 546. Construction of this section. 121 C. 640.

      Cited. 22 CS 163.

      Sec. 31-293. Liability of third persons to employer and employee. Limitations on liability of architects and engineers. Limitations on liability of insurers, self-insurance service organizations and unions relating to safety matters. (a) When any injury for which compensation is payable under the provisions of this chapter has been sustained under circumstances creating in a person other than an employer who has complied with the requirements of subsection (b) of section 31-284, a legal liability to pay damages for the injury, the injured employee may claim compensation under the provisions of this chapter, but the payment or award of compensation shall not affect the claim or right of action of the injured employee against such person, but the injured employee may proceed at law against such person to recover damages for the injury; and any employer or the custodian of the Second Injury Fund, having paid, or having become obligated to pay, compensation under the provisions of this chapter may bring an action against such person to recover any amount that he has paid or has become obligated to pay as compensation to the injured employee. If the employee, the employer or the custodian of the Second Injury Fund brings an action against such person, he shall immediately notify the others, in writing, by personal presentation or by registered or certified mail, of the action and of the name of the court to which the writ is returnable, and the others may join as parties plaintiff in the action within thirty days after such notification, and, if the others fail to join as parties plaintiff, their right of action against such person shall abate. In any case in which an employee brings an action against a party other than an employer who failed to comply with the requirements of subsection (b) of section 31-284, in accordance with the provisions of this section, and the employer is a party defendant in the action, the employer may join as a party plaintiff in the action. The bringing of any action against an employer shall not constitute notice to the employer within the meaning of this section. If the employer and the employee join as parties plaintiff in the action and any damages are recovered, the damages shall be so apportioned that the claim of the employer, as defined in this section, shall take precedence over that of the injured employee in the proceeds of the recovery, after the deduction of reasonable and necessary expenditures, including attorneys' fees, incurred by the employee in effecting the recovery. The rendition of a judgment in favor of the employee or the employer against the party shall not terminate the employer's obligation to make further compensation which the commissioner thereafter deems payable to the injured employee. If the damages, after deducting the employee's expenses as provided in this subsection, are more than sufficient to reimburse the employer, damages shall be assessed in his favor in a sum sufficient to reimburse him for his claim, and the excess shall be assessed in favor of the injured employee. No compromise with the person by either the employer or the employee shall be binding upon or affect the rights of the other, unless assented to by him. For the purposes of this section, the claim of the employer shall consist of (1) the amount of any compensation which he has paid on account of the injury which is the subject of the suit and (2) an amount equal to the present worth of any probable future payments which he has by award become obligated to pay on account of the injury. The word "compensation", as used in this section, shall be construed to include incapacity payments to an injured employee, payments to the dependents of a deceased employee, sums paid out for surgical, medical and hospital services to an injured employee, the burial fee provided by subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 31-306, payments made under the provisions of sections 31-312 and 31-313, and payments made under the provisions of section 31-284b in the case of an action brought under this section by the employer or an action brought under this section by the employee in which the employee has alleged and been awarded such payments as damages. Each employee who brings an action against a party in accordance with the provisions of this subsection shall include in his complaint (A) the amount of any compensation paid by the employer or the Second Injury Fund on account of the injury which is the subject of the suit and (B) the amount equal to the present worth of any probable future payments which the employer or the Second Injury Fund has, by award, become obligated to pay on account of the injury. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, when any injury for which compensation is payable under the provisions of this chapter has been sustained under circumstances creating in a person other than an employer who has complied with the requirements of subsection (b) of section 31-284, a legal liability to pay damages for the injury and the injured employee has received compensation for the injury from such employer, its workers' compensation insurance carrier or the Second Injury Fund pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the employer, insurance carrier or Second Injury Fund shall have a lien upon any judgment received by the employee against the party or any settlement received by the employee from the party, provided the employer, insurance carrier or Second Injury Fund shall give written notice of the lien to the party prior to such judgment or settlement.

      (b) When an injury for which compensation is payable under the provisions of this chapter is determined to be the result of a motor vehicle accident or other accident or circumstance in which a third person other than the employer was negligent and the claim is subrogated by the employer or its workers' compensation insurance carrier, the insurance carrier shall provide a rate adjustment to the employer's workers' compensation policy to reflect the recovery of any compensation paid by the insurance carrier prior to subrogation.

      (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, no construction design professional who is retained to perform professional services on a construction project, or any employee of a construction design professional who is assisting or representing the construction design professional in the performance of professional services on the site of the construction project, shall be liable for any injury on the construction project for which compensation is payable under the provisions of this chapter, unless responsibility for safety practices is specifically assumed by contract. The immunity provided by this subsection to any construction design professional shall not apply to the negligent preparation of design plans or specifications. For the purposes of this subsection "construction design professional" means (1) any person licensed as an architect under the provisions of chapter 390, (2) any person licensed, or exempted from licensure, as an engineer under the provisions of chapter 391, or (3) any corporation organized to render professional services through the practice of either or both of such professions in this state.

      (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the furnishing of or the failure to furnish safety inspections or safety advisory services (1) by an insurer incident to providing workers' compensation insurance to an employer, (2) pursuant to a contract providing for safety inspections or safety advisory services between an employer and a self-insurance service organization incident to providing workers' compensation related services or (3) by a union representing employees of the employer, shall not subject the insurer or self-insurance service organization or their agents or employees, or the union, its members or the members of its safety committee, to third party liability for damages for injury, death or loss resulting therefrom unless the liability arises from a breach of a duty of fair representation of its members by a union. The immunity from liability extended under this subsection shall not be extended to any insurer or self-insurance service organization other than where the immunity is incident to the provision of workers' compensation insurance or workers' compensation related services.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7425; 1949, 1951, S. 3040d; 1958 Rev., S. 31-156; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 15; 1967, P.A. 692, S. 4; 842, S. 27; P.A. 86-266, S. 1; P.A. 90-145; P.A. 91-32, S. 9, 41; 91-191, S. 2, 3; P.A. 93-228, S. 7, 35; P.A. 96-65, S. 2.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1967 acts allowed employer to be party plaintiff in cases where employee brings an action against a third party, specified that bringing action against employer does not constitute notice and increased burial fee from five hundred to one thousand dollars; P.A. 86-266 added Subsec. (b), limiting the civil liability of certain architects, engineers and their employees for injuries compensable under workers' compensation which occur on construction projects; P.A. 90-145 added Subsec. (c) concerning limitations on the liability of insurers, self-insurance service organizations and unions in relation to safety inspections and safety advisory services; P.A. 91-32 made technical changes; P.A. 91-191 amended the definition of "compensation" in Subsec. (a) to include payments made under Sec. 31-284b in certain cases; P.A. 93-228 amended Subsec. (a) to specify required contents of employees' complaints against third parties and to give employers liens on judgments or settlements paid by third parties to employees, added new Subsec. (b) to prohibit insurers from adjusting employers' workers' compensation insurance rates if payments made by insurers will be recovered from negligent third party, and redesignated existing Subsecs. (b) and (c) as (c) and (d), respectively, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 96-65 amended Subsec. (a) to make technical changes for consistency and to include references to the custodian of the Second Injury Fund and employers who fail to comply with Subsec. (b) of Sec. 31-284.

      If employee settles with tortfeasor, employer may accept the settlement and have credit for the amount received. 92 C. 398. Right of an insurer to recover from tortfeasor who has settled with the employee direct. 101 C. 200. Form of judgment in suit by both employee and employer against tortfeasor; "reasonable attorney's fee" may be nothing. 104 C. 507. That employer was "subsidiary" of third party not a defense. 112 C. 510. Cited. 114 C. 130. Injured person who receives compensation may still sue doctor for malpractice. 115 C. 563. Where employer pays compensation in death case, he is entitled to reimbursement out of judgment obtained by administratrix from third party. 116 C. 91. Cited. 123 C. 514. Cited 124 C. 230. Statute applied where employee injured by fellow employee. 125 C. 293. Cited. 128 C. 521. Cited. 129 C. 637. Cited. 132 C. 545. Liability for compensation after judgment against third party. Id., 671. Cited. 133 C. 448. Not necessary to make administratrix of deceased employee a party. Employer's rights discussed. 136 C. 670. Cited. 143 C. 77. Contains no exception for a situation wherein the employer is reimbursed from a judgment obtained against a third party tortfeasor. 144 C. 322. Cited. 150 C. 211. Employer's time to intervene does not begin to run until notice of the action is given to him. 154 C. 708. By stipulation approved by compensation commissioner employer effectively released "any further claims under the Workmen's Compensation Act" including right to recover from third parties. 157 C. 538. Cited. 160 C. 482. No standing to appeal on behalf of plaintiff's employer's participation. 163 C. 365. Cited. 176 C. 622. Cited. 181 C. 321. Cited. 182 C. 24. Cited. 183 C. 508. Cited. 192 C. 460. Cited. 193 C. 59; Id., 297. Cited. 204 C. 485. Cited. 208 C. 589. Notice in compliance with statute need not include information re right of intervention and legal consequences of failure to intervene within statutory time period. 216 C. 533. Employer entitlement to a credit for unknown future benefits against the net proceeds of a third party recovery discussed. 218 C. 19. Cited. Id., 46; Id., 531. Cited. 219 C. 439. Cited. 222 C. 744. Third party tortfeasor may not raise the negligence of the employer as a special defense when employer has intervened in personal injury action as party plaintiff in order to secure his statutory right to reimbursement of workers' compensation benefits. Id., 775. Cited. 224 C. 382. Cited. 225 C. 915. Notice under section does not require specific reference to employment relationship. 230 C. 100. Cited. Id., 914. Cited. 232 C. 918. Cited. 233 C. 251. Cited. 236 C. 330. Cited. 241 C. 170. Cited. 242 C. 375. In order for abatement provision to be invoked, notice given pursuant to section must comport with both the statutory requirements and the due process clause. Id., 432. Section authorizes injured employee to seek recovery from third party, other than employer, for work-related injuries caused by that third party. 247 C. 442. City employer's right to intervene in employee's negligence action against physician is incorporated into Sec. 7-433c pursuant to this section. 253 C. 429. Relevant figure for determining whether to award interest under Sec. 52-192a is amount of the jury verdict, not amount of the postapportionment judgment rendered pursuant this section. 264 C. 314.

      Cited. 3 CA 450. Cited. 9 CA 194. Cited. 11 CA 391. Cited. 15 CA 381. Cited. 16 CA 138. Cited. 18 CA 614. Cited. 21 CA 9; judgment reversed, see 218 C. 46; Id., 270; judgment reversed, see 218 C. 19. Cited. 22 CA 539; judgment reversed, see 219 C. 439. Cited. 24 CA 531; Id., 719; Id., 739. Cited. 25 CA 492; judgment reversed, see 222 C. 744. Cited. 29 CA 618. Cited. 33 CA 422. Cited. 34 CA 521. Cited. 36 CA 635; judgment reversed, see 236 C. 330. Cited. 37 CA 423. Because employer and its compensation insurance carrier did not bring action pursuant to section they were not entitled to a credit and were obligated to pay plaintiff's hospital bill. 42 CA 200. Cited. 46 CA 712. Section does not entitle employer to make a claim against any benefits that might be due to an employee under uninsured motorist provisions of employer's policy. 53 CA 452. Definition of "compensation" inapplicable to Sec. 31-284b as it existed on date of plaintiff's injury. 61 CA 9. State does not waive its right to sovereign immunity and subject itself to a counterclaim when intervening pursuant to this statute when state's claim is derivative, depends on injured plaintiff recovering against defendant and does not enlarge defendant's liability or try to establish that defendant is liable to the state. 65 CA 418.

      Since the right is a substantive one, it does not matter that the exact method prescribed by this section has not been followed. 4 CS 5. Plaintiff employer is required to join as coplaintiff and if he does not, his right of action abates. 5 CS 108. Cited. 6 CS 152. Purpose of statute is fulfilled if the rights of the employer as well as the employees are determined in one action and an allowance of a motion by the employer to join as a codefendant does not constitute a judgment or settle a question of fact. 9 CS 68. Right of employer is not one for a wrong done to employee but one conferred by statute. 10 CS 508. Statute requires that employee give employer formal notice; it is not enough that the employer has knowledge of the existence of a pending action. 12 CS 325. Available only to employer who has paid or is obligated to make payments under this act. 17 CS 69. Defendant employer and its insurer are not required to intervene in employee's representative's suit against the tortfeasor within the one year statutory period. 20 CS 30. Where employer brings action against third person within time limited by statute and employee, within thirty days after institution of suit, has moved to join, fact that motion was filed more than year after tortious act took place would not defeat motion. 23 CS 106. Cited. 27 CS 383. Demurrer to complaint sustained in third party action by employee against employer's insurance carrier. Duties under workmen's compensation act merge identities of employer and his insurer. 28 CS 1. Cited. 30 CS 126. Statute contain no authorization for suit against employee. 33 CS 661. Time limitation, within which right must be enforced, is limitation of liability itself and not of remedy alone. Id. "Shall abate" provision does not apply to employee's entire cause of action but only to extent it has previously been prosecuted by employer; not required that defense be by plea in abatement. 35 CS 60. Comparative negligence of employee is a defense in an action by an employer against a third party. 36 CS 137. Cited. Id., 317. Comparative negligence apportionment between employer and employee of sums received from third party; public policy discussed. 39 CS 222. Cited. 40 CS 165.

      Cited. 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 671.

      Subsec. (a):

      Cited. 211 C. 133. Cited. 217 C. 631. Employer credit to extent of third party recovery may be awarded by workers' compensation commission. 218 C. 46. Cited. 221 C. 465. Cited. 224 C. 8. Sec. 13a-149 does not bar employer from seeking reimbursement under this section. 231 C. 370. Cited. Id., 381. Judgment of appellate court in Rana v. Ritacco, 36 CA 635, reversed; language of section "does not indicate that service must have been completed before notice can be sent". 236 C. 330. Does not apply to uninsured motorist coverage. 242 C. 375. Cited. Id., 432. Applicable statute of limitations on underlying claim is tolled if employer receives notice of an employee's timely filed action against a third party tortfeasor and intervenes within thirty-day period prescribed by statute. 246 C. 156. Employer has cause of action under this section that is separate and distinct from that of its injured employee. 247 C. 442. "Compensation" in this section includes sums paid pursuant to voluntary settlement agreement authorized by Sec. 31-296. 259 C. 325. Term "injury", as used in Subsec. does not encompass the harm alleged by plaintiff in his legal malpractice action because it is unrelated to plaintiff's work. 269 C. 507. "Third person" to which Subsec. refers is person in whom a legal liability has been created to pay damages for the employees's work-related injury. Id. "Third person", as used in Subsec. refers to the actual tortfeasor who caused the work-related injury. Id.

      Cited. 22 CA 27; judgment reversed, see 217 C. 631. Cited. 30 CA 263; Id., 801. Cited. 41 CA 664.

      In the absence of evidence that employer was misled or otherwise prejudiced by notice delivered to employer that incorrectly stated employer's name, notice satisfied statutory due process requirement that employees bringing actions for certain injuries "immediately notify" their employers of their lawsuits. 49 CS 412.

      Sec. 31-293a. No right against fellow employee; exception. If an employee or, in case of his death, his dependent has a right to benefits or compensation under this chapter on account of injury or death from injury caused by the negligence or wrong of a fellow employee, such right shall be the exclusive remedy of such injured employee or dependent and no action may be brought against such fellow employee unless such wrong was wilful or malicious or the action is based on the fellow employee's negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle as defined in section 14-1. For purposes of this section, contractors' mobile equipment such as bulldozers, powershovels, rollers, graders or scrapers, farm machinery, cranes, diggers, forklifts, pumps, generators, air compressors, drills or other similar equipment designed for use principally off public roads are not "motor vehicles" if the claimed injury involving such equipment occurred at the worksite on or after October 1, 1983. No insurance policy or contract shall be accepted as proof of financial responsibility of the owner and as evidence of the insuring of such person for injury to or death of persons and damage to property by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles required by chapter 246 if it excludes from coverage under such policy or contract any agent, representative or employee of such owner from such policy or contract. Any provision of such an insurance policy or contract effected after July 1, 1969, which excludes from coverage thereunder any agent, representative or employee of the owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident with a fellow employee shall be null and void.

      (1967, P.A. 842, S. 5; 1969, P.A. 696, S. 4; P.A. 83-297; P.A. 84-22, S. 1, 2.)

      History: 1969 act clarified provisions re actions against fellow employees and added provisions re insurance policies and contracts; P.A. 83-297 provided that contractor's mobile equipment designed for use principally off public roads are not "motor vehicles" for purposes of this section if the injuries involving the equipment occur at the worksite; P.A. 84-22 made clear that the exclusions from the definition of "motor vehicle" established in P.A. 83-297 apply only to injuries which occur on or after October 1, 1983.

      Cited. 167 C. 499. Cited. 169 C. 630. Fact that employer worked with plaintiff did not change his status to "fellow employee" to come within statute provisions. 178 C. 371. Employee has no right of action against fellow employee who directed operation of truck's hydraulic hoist since actions did not constitute "the operation of a motor vehicle". 180 C. 469. Cited. 182 C. 24. Cited. 183 C. 508. Specific language of Sec. 4-165 prevails over general language of this statute as applied to fellow state employees. 185 C. 616. This section, which permits an action against a fellow employee for injuries arising out of the negligent operation of a motor vehicle, does not supersede the more specific provisions of Sec. 7-308. 187 C. 53. Term "operation of a motor vehicle" construed as not including activities unrelated to movement of the vehicle. 189 C. 354. Cited. Id., 550. Cited. 193 C. 59. Cited. 196 C. 91. Cited. 203 C. 34. Cited. 206 C. 495. Cited. 208 C. 589. "Motor vehicle" exception discussed. 215 C. 55. Cited. 220 C. 721. Cited. 221 C. 356. Cited. 222 C. 744. Cited. 237 C. 1. Cited. 242 C. 375. Tort actions for emotional injuries that are not compensable under the act are not barred by exclusivity provisions of the act. 259 C. 729. When read in conjunction with Sec. 31-275, statute plainly states that emotional distress not arising from physical injury is not compensable through workers' compensation. 265 C. 21. Trial court improperly granted defendant's motion for summary judgment because legislature did not intend to create a special hazard exception to the liability created under the statute for injuries sustained by employee as a result of another employee's negligent operation of a motor vehicle; discussion of legislative intent of statute; overruled 65 CA 771. 279 C. 177.

      Cited. 2 CA 174. Cited. 3 CA 40. Exception under the statute is concerned only with those engaged in any activity related to driving or moving a vehicle or related to a circumstance resulting from the movement of a vehicle. Id., 246. Cited. 7 CA 296; Id., 575. Cited. 9 CA 290. Cited. 10 CA 18; Id., 618. Cited. 20 CA 619. Cited. 22 CA 88. Definition of "motor vehicle" for purposes of the exception in this section is controlled by Sec. 14-1(a)(47) definition as further refined by Sec. 14-165(i). 30 CA 263. Cited. 41 CA 664. Golf cart not a "motor vehicle" for purposes of the "motor vehicle" exception to exclusivity provision of Workers' Compensation Act. 54 CA 479. Statute does not authorize plaintiff's action against his employer arising out of a fellow employee's negligent operation of a motor vehicle. 56 CA 325. Defendant's operation of a payloader to jump start plaintiff's dump truck did not constitute "operation of a motor vehicle" so as to bring the incident within the exception contained in this section. 64 CA 409.

      Cited. 30 CS 233. Cited. 36 CS 101. Cited. 39 CS 102. Cited. 40 CS 165. "Motor vehicle" exception discussed. 41 CS 326. Cited. 41 CS 391. Cited. 44 CS 148. Legislature did not treat or intend to treat golf carts differently from any other non-highway-type mechanism for purposes of this section. 46 CS 24. Injury occurring from use of motor vehicle at service station did not fall under the motor vehicle exception but rather is attributable to "the special hazards of the work place". 49 CS 351.

      Sec. 31-294. Notice of injury and of claim for compensation. Section 31-294 is repealed.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7426, 7442; 1953, 1955, S. 3041d; 1958, S. 31-157, 31-168; 1959, P.A. 387; 580, S. 8; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 16; 1963, P.A. 642, S. 36; 1967, P.A. 842, S. 3; 1969, P.A. 692; P.A. 80-124, S. 5; P.A. 81-472, S. 67, 159; P.A. 82-472, S. 108, 183; P.A. 85-133, S. 2; 85-184, S. 1; P.A. 87-160, S. 1; P.A. 88-357, S. 19; P.A. 89-371, S. 22; P.A. 90-116, S. 5; P.A. 91-32, S. 40, 41.)

      Sec. 31-294a. Eligibility for podiatric care. Any recipient of benefits under the Workers' Compensation Act shall be eligible to receive the services of a podiatrist to the same extent that such person is eligible to receive the services of a practicing physician, surgeon or dentist.

      (1969, P.A. 556, S. 4; P.A. 79-376, S. 43.)

      History: P.A. 79-376 replaced "workmen's compensation" with "workers' compensation".

      Cited. 228 C. 1. Sec. 31-294 (repealed) cited. Id.

      Sec. 31-294b. Report of injury to employer. Any employee who has sustained an injury in the course of his employment shall immediately report the injury to his employer, or some person representing his employer. If the employee fails to report the injury immediately, the commissioner may reduce the award of compensation proportionately to any prejudice that he finds the employer has sustained by reason of the failure, provided the burden of proof with respect to such prejudice shall rest upon the employer.

      (P.A. 91-32, S. 10, 41.)

      Cited. 228 C. 1. Sec. 31-294 (repealed) cited. Id. Cited. 237 C. 1.

      Employer's first report of injury form and an attorney's letter taken together meet statutory requirement of written notice of claim. 52 CA 194.

      Sec. 31-294c. Notice of claim for compensation. Notice contesting liability. Exception for dependents of certain deceased employees. (a) No proceedings for compensation under the provisions of this chapter shall be maintained unless a written notice of claim for compensation 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, as the case may be, which caused the personal injury, provided, if death has resulted within two years from the date of the accident or first manifestation of a symptom of the occupational disease, a dependent or dependents, or the legal representative of the deceased employee, may make claim for compensation within the two-year period or within one year from the date of death, whichever is later. Notice of a claim for compensation may be given to the employer or any commissioner and shall state, in simple language, the date and place of the accident and the nature of the injury resulting from the accident, or the date of the first manifestation of a symptom of the occupational disease and the nature of the disease, as the case may be, and the name and address of the employee and of the person in whose interest compensation is claimed. An employee of the state shall send a copy of the notice to the Commissioner of Administrative Services. As used in this section, "manifestation of a symptom" means manifestation to an employee claiming compensation, or to some other person standing in such relation to him that the knowledge of the person would be imputed to him, in a manner that is or should be recognized by him as symptomatic of the occupational disease for which compensation is claimed.

      Sec. 31-294d. Medical and surgical aid; hospital and nursing service. (a)(1) The employer, as soon as the employer has knowledge of an injury, shall provide a competent physician or surgeon to attend the injured employee and, in addition, shall furnish any medical and surgical aid or hospital and nursing service, including medical rehabilitation services and prescription drugs, as the physician or surgeon deems reasonable or necessary. The employer, any insurer acting on behalf of the employer, or any other entity acting on behalf of the employer or insurer shall be responsible for paying the cost of such prescription drugs directly to the provider.

      Sec. 31-294e. Employee's option to obtain medical care at employee's expense. Refusal of employee to accept or obtain reasonable medical care. (a) At his option, the injured employee may refuse the medical and surgical aid or hospital and nursing service provided by his employer and obtain the same at his own expense.

      (b) If it appears to the commissioner that an injured employee has refused to accept and failed to obtain reasonable medical and surgical aid or hospital and nursing service, all rights of compensation under the provisions of this chapter shall be suspended during such refusal and failure.

      (P.A. 91-32, S. 13, 41.)

      Sec. 31-294f. Medical examination of injured employee. Medical reports. (a) An injured employee shall submit himself to examination by a reputable practicing physician or surgeon, at any time while claiming or receiving compensation, upon the reasonable request of the employer or at the direction of the commissioner. The examination shall be performed to determine the nature of the injury and the incapacity resulting from the injury. The physician or surgeon shall be selected by the employer from an approved list of physicians and surgeons prepared by the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission and shall be paid by the employer. At any examination requested by the employer or directed by the commissioner under this section, the injured employee shall be allowed to have in attendance any reputable practicing physician or surgeon that the employee obtains and pays for himself. The employee shall submit to all other physical examinations as required by this chapter. The refusal of an injured employee to submit himself to a reasonable examination under this section shall suspend his right to compensation during such refusal.

      Sec. 31-294g. State employee notice of claim for compensation. Whenever the Commissioner of Administrative Services receives a notice of claim for compensation from an employee of the state pursuant to subsection (a) of section 31-294c, the Commissioner of Administrative Services shall send a copy of the notice of claim to the chief executive officer of the state agency, department, board, institution or commission in which the employee works.

      Sec. 31-294h. Benefits for police officers suffering mental or emotional impairment. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, workers' compensation benefits for any police officer, as defined in subparagraph (B)(ii) of subdivision (16) of section 31-275, who suffers a mental or emotional impairment arising from such police officer's use of deadly force or subjection to deadly force in the line of duty, shall be limited to treatment by a psychologist or a psychiatrist who is on the approved list of practicing physicians established by the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission pursuant to section 31-280.

      Sec. 31-295. Waiting period. When compensation begins. Penalty for late payment of permanent partial disability benefits. (a) No compensation shall be payable for total or partial incapacity under the provisions of this chapter on account of any injury which does not incapacitate the injured employee for a period of more than three days from earning full wages at his customary employment. If the incapacity continues for a period of more than three days but less than seven days, compensation shall begin at the expiration of the first three days of total or partial incapacity. If the incapacity continues for a period of seven days, compensation shall begin from the date of the injury.

      Sec. 31-296. Voluntary agreements. If an employer and an injured employee, or in case of fatal injury his legal representative or dependent, at a date not earlier than the expiration of the waiting period, reach an agreement in regard to compensation, such agreement shall be submitted in writing to the commissioner by the employer with a statement of the time, place and nature of the injury upon which it is based; and, if such commissioner finds such agreement to conform to the provisions of this chapter in every regard, he shall so approve it. A copy of the agreement, with a statement of the commissioner's approval thereof, shall be delivered to each of the parties and thereafter it shall be as binding upon both parties as an award by the commissioner. The commissioner's statement of approval shall also inform the employee or his dependent, as the case may be, of any rights the individual may have to an annual cost-of-living adjustment or to participate in a rehabilitation program under the provisions of this chapter. He shall retain the original agreement, with his approval thereof, in his office and, if an application is made to the superior court for an execution, he shall, upon the request of said court, file in the court a certified copy of the agreement and his statement of approval thereof. Before discontinuing or reducing payment on account of total or partial incapacity under any such agreement, the employer, if it is claimed by or on behalf of the injured person that his incapacity still continues, shall notify the commissioner and the employee, by certified mail, of the proposed discontinuance or reduction of such payments, with the date of such proposed discontinuance or reduction and the reason therefor, and, such discontinuance or reduction shall not become effective unless specifically approved in writing by the commissioner. The employee may request a hearing on any such proposed discontinuance or reduction within ten days of receipt of such notice. Any such request for a hearing shall be given priority over requests for hearings on other matters. The commissioner shall not approve any such discontinuance or reduction prior to the expiration of the period for requesting a hearing or the completion of such hearing, whichever is later. In any case where the commissioner finds that an employer has discontinued or reduced any payments made in accordance with this section without the approval of the commissioner, such employer shall be required to pay to the employee the total amount of all payments so discontinued or the total amount by which such payments were reduced, as the case may be, and shall be required to pay interest to the employee, at a rate of one and one-quarter per cent per month or portion thereof, on any payments so discontinued or on the total amount by which such payments were reduced, as the case may be, plus reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the employee in relation to such discontinuance or reduction. Such notice of intention to discontinue or reduce payments shall be in substantially the following form:

WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION
OF CONNECTICUT
NOTICE TO COMPENSATION COMMISSIONER AND
EMPLOYEE OF INTENTION TO DISCONTINUE OR REDUCE
PAYMENTS.

.... Employer
by .... (Indicate Official Position), Insurer or Agent

.... Attending Surgeon

The following blanks are to be filled out in order that the case may be properly located in the records of the Commissioner:

Date of Injury ....
Date of Award or approval of agreement ....
Date when mailed by respondents .....

The employee may request a hearing by the compensation commissioner on the discontinuance or reduction set forth in this notice within ten days of receipt of this notice.

      Sec. 31-296a. Discontinuance or reduction of payments under oral agreements. No employer shall discontinue or reduce payment on account of total or partial incapacity under any oral agreement or in any case where the employer's acceptance of compensability has been conclusively presumed under subsection (b) of section 31-294c because of failure to file a timely notice contesting liability, if it is claimed by or on behalf of the injured person that his incapacity still continues, unless such employer notifies the commissioner and the employee of the proposed discontinuance or reduction in the manner prescribed in section 31-296 and the commissioner specifically approves such discontinuance or reduction in writing.

      (1971, P.A. 510, S. 2; 1972, P.A. 43; P.A. 88-106, S. 2; P.A. 92-31, S. 3, 7.)

      History: 1972 act prohibited discontinuing payments "in any case where the employer's acceptance of compensability has been conclusively presumed ... because of failure to file a timely notice contesting liability"; P.A. 88-106 added the provisions regarding the reduction of benefits; P.A. 92-31 made a technical change.

      Cited. 28 CA 113.

      Sec. 31-297. Hearing of claims. If an employer and his injured employee, or his legal representative, as the case may be, fail to reach an agreement in regard to compensation under the provisions of this chapter, either party may notify the commissioner of the failure. Upon such notice, or upon the knowledge that an agreement has not been reached in a case in which a right to compensation may exist, the commissioner shall schedule an early hearing upon the matter, giving both parties notice of time and place not less than ten days prior to the scheduled date; provided the commissioner may, on finding an emergency to exist, give such notice as he finds reasonable under the circumstances. If no agreement has been reached within sixty days after the date notice of claim for compensation was received by the commissioner, as provided in section 31-294c, a formal hearing shall be scheduled on the claim and held within thirty days after the end of the sixty-day period, except that if an earlier hearing date has previously been scheduled, the earlier date shall prevail. Hearings shall be held, if practicable, in the town in which the injured employee resides; or, if it is not practicable to hold a hearing in the town, in any other convenient place that the commissioner may prescribe. Sufficient notice of the hearing may be given to the parties in interest by a brief written statement in ordinary terms of the date, place and nature of the injury upon which the claim for compensation is based.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7446; 1958 Rev., S. 31-173; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 19; 1967, P.A. 842, S. 7; P.A. 83-123; P.A. 89-31; P.A. 90-116, S. 9; P.A. 91-32, S. 16, 41.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1967 act divided section into Subsecs., required filing of notice on or before twentieth day after receipt of written notice of claim rather than after "knowledge of alleged injury or death" and specified that employer's failure to file notice contesting liability results in presumption of his acceptance of liability; P.A. 83-123 required that, if no voluntary agreement has been reached within sixty days of the filing of a notice of claim for compensation, a formal hearing on the claim shall be scheduled and held within thirty days of the end of the sixty-day period, unless a prior hearing date was previously established; P.A. 89-31 added Subsec. (c), providing a twenty-eight-day period for an employer to give notice that he contests a claim for injuries sustained on or after October 1, 1989; P.A. 90-116 provided that the employer's failure to contest shall not constitute a conclusive presumption when the notice has not been properly served or when the notice fails to include a warning concerning the time period to contest liability; P.A. 91-32 made technical changes and deleted Subsecs. (b) and (c) re filing of notice that claim is contested, but see Sec. 31-294c.

      Ten days' notice does not apply to hearing on motion for extension of time. 109 C. 469. Cited. 159 C. 302. The giving of notice by the employer as to the specific grounds on which the right to compensation is contested is a condition precedent to the defense of the action. 165 C. 338, 348. Cited. 227 C. 333. Cited. 239 C. 408.

      Cited. 2 CA 365. Cited. 13 CA 208. Cited. 29 CA 441. Cited. 30 CA 320. Cited. 40 CA 278.

      Cited. 38 CS 331.

      Subsec. (a):

      Cited. 177 C. 107.

      Subsec. (b):

      Cited (dissent). 165 C. 338. Applies only to contests of initial liability to pay compensation, not to contests of extent of disability, in requiring filing of a specific defense. 177 C. 107. Inquiry on existence of subject matter jurisdiction proper. 207 C. 420. Preclusion available to one claimant establishes compensability as to all eligible claimants. Id., 665. Cited. 213 C. 54. Cited. 218 C. 181. Cited. 222 C. 62. Cited. 228 C. 535.

      Held to be constitutional under both state and federal constitutions. 2 CA 363. Cited. Id., 162. Cited. 9 CA 91; Id., 425. Timely filing of a notice of claim under Sec. 31-294 is a precondition to statutory preclusion from contesting liability under this section. 13 CA 276. Cited. 16 CA 676. Cited. 19 CA 273. Cited. 21 CA 63; Id., 610. Cited. 22 CA 515. Cited. 25 CA 350. Amendment not to be applied retroactively. Date of injury rule applies. 29 CA 441. Amendment applied only prospectively. Id., 654. P.A. 90-116, Sec. 9 cited. Id. Cited 30 CA 295. Cited. 33 CA 495. Cited. 42 CA 147. Cited. 45 CA 499. Does not expressly provide for notice to claimants who are not employees or dependents. Notice to last-known address of decedent employee, which was also claimants' address, was adequate. 63 CA 1.

      Cited. 39 CS 403.

      Sec. 31-297a. Informal hearings. In any informal hearing held by the commissioner or chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission in regard to compensation under the provisions of this chapter, any recommendations made by the commissioner or chairman at the informal hearing shall be reduced to writing and, if the parties accept such recommendations, the recommendations shall be as binding upon both parties as an award by the commissioner or chairman. The commissioner or chairman shall not postpone any such informal hearing if one party fails to attend unless both parties agree to the postponement.

      (P.A. 91-339, S. 17, 55; P.A. 93-228, S. 10, 35.)

      History: P.A. 93-228 authorized chairman of workers' compensation commission to preside over informal hearings, effective July 1, 1993.

      Cited. 42 CA 147.

      Sec. 31-298. Conduct of hearings. Both parties may appear at any hearing, either in person or by attorney or other accredited representative, and no formal pleadings shall be required, beyond any informal notices that the commission approves. In all cases and hearings under the provisions of this chapter, the commissioner shall proceed, so far as possible, in accordance with the rules of equity. He shall not be bound by the ordinary common law or statutory rules of evidence or procedure, but shall make inquiry, through oral testimony, deposition testimony or written and printed records, in a manner that is best calculated to ascertain the substantial rights of the parties and carry out the provisions and intent of this chapter. No fees shall be charged to either party by the commissioner in connection with any hearing or other procedure, but the commissioner shall furnish at cost (1) certified copies of any testimony, award or other matter which may be of record in his office, and (2) duplicates of audio cassette recordings of any formal hearings. Witnesses subpoenaed by the commissioner shall be allowed the fees and traveling expenses that are allowed in civil actions, to be paid by the party in whose interest the witnesses are subpoenaed. When liability or extent of disability is contested by formal hearing before the commissioner, the claimant shall be entitled, if he prevails on final judgment, to payment for oral testimony or deposition testimony rendered on his behalf by a competent physician, surgeon or other medical provider, including the stenographic and videotape recording costs thereof, in connection with the claim, the commissioner to determine the reasonableness of such charges.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7447; 1958 Rev., S. 31-174; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 20; 1967, P.A. 242; 842, S. 8; 1971, P.A. 521; P.A. 85-65; P.A. 91-32, S. 17, 41; P.A. 93-228, S. 11, 35; P.A. 97-106.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1967, P.A. 242 added, "and attorney's fees for representation of the claimant at the formal hearing," in the last sentence before "the commissioner to determine the reasonableness of such charges." (Held repealed by implication, see 165 C. 338, 349.) 1967, P.A. 842 added reference to contest of extent of liability and entitled claimant to one-fifth of weekly compensation for each day or portion of day he attends a formal hearing if he is not receiving compensation at that time; 1971 act entitled claimant to reimbursement for wages lost because he has been called to appear at conference or informal hearing; P.A. 85-65 required the commissioner to furnish to the parties, at cost, duplicates of audio cassette recordings of any formal hearings; P.A. 91-32 made technical changes and deleted provisions re reimbursement of wages lost by reason of appearance at a conference or informal hearing and provisions re payments made to claimants who prevail on final judgment; P.A. 93-228 added provision allowing use of deposition testimony during workers' compensation hearings, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 97-106 added provisions entitling claimant to payment for medical testimony if he prevails on final judgment.

      See Sec. 52-260 re witness fees.

      Admissions by insurance adjuster may be accepted by the commissioner. 93 C. 295. Conduct of hearing. 94 C. 9. Burden of proof is on claimant; but may be sustained by reasonable inferences as well as by direct testimony. 95 C. 43. Declarations by the decedent. 98 C. 649. Procedure simple and without pleadings. 106 C. 9. Conclusions reached by superintendent at an immediate investigation. Id., 252. Claimant held not to have had an adequate hearing. 107 C. 457. Evidence which commissioner may accept. Findings, to be open to attack, must be unreasonable to justify judicial interference. 109 C. 62. Cited. 114 C. 29. Commissioner not bound by rules of evidence. 116 C. 297; 122 C. 360; 133 C. 667. Evidence that workers in other factories under substantially same conditions do not contract disease is admissible. 118 C. 29. Commissioner judge when conflicting medical testimony presented. 123 C. 405; 130 C. 455; 131 C. 484. Evidence as to extent of incapacity from susceptibility to dermatitis necessary to finding of compensation commissioner. 125 C. 140. Commissioner judge of fact. 128 C. 621. Burden of proof rests on claimant. 130 C. 1. Cited. 132 C. 172; 135 C. 504; 136 C. 345. Workmen's compensation commissioner not bound by rules of evidence. 138 C. 53. While finding or conclusion of commissioner based on conflicting medical opinions cannot be disturbed, such finding cannot be based on incompetent medical testimony to which objection was seasonably made. 149 C. 118. Opinion of physician based wholly or partly on statements and symptoms related to him by patient on personal examination is inadmissible where examination was made for purpose of qualifying physician to testify as medical expert. Id., 119. Cited. 159 C. 302. Cited. 165 C. 338. Cited. 199 C. 667. Cited. 213 C. 54. Cited. 226 C. 508. Cited. 237 C. 1. Section addresses the conduct of hearings; does not provide commissioner with any specific jurisdiction over particular types of claims or questions. 248 C. 754. Commissioner has authority to dismiss claim without a hearing on the merits in an appropriate case. 254 C. 60.

      Cited. 29 CA 249. Cited. 40 CA 278. Workers' compensation commissioners not bound by Daubert standard in determining whether to admit scientific testimony; establishing formal requirements for admissibility of scientific testimony in workers' compensation cases is contrary to spirit of statute. 48 CA 774. Equitable requirements of section do not apply to scheduling of hearings and notice to parties, matters that are specifically addressed in Sec. 31-297. 66 CA 332.

      Cited. 38 CS 331.

      Sec. 31-298a. Use of medical panel. Duties of commissioner and panel. Appeal. Regulations. (a) A medical panel shall be established for use in solving controverted medical issues in claims for workers' compensation due to occupational lung disease. The American College of Chest Physicians shall submit to the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission by October 10, 1981, and annually thereafter a list of five to ten physicians who are expert in the diagnosis, care and treatment of occupational lung disease for membership in the panel. In the event that no such list is submitted, the chairman shall appoint to the panel five to ten licensed physicians who are expert in the diagnosis, care and treatment of such diseases.

      (b) In each occupational lung disease claim for workers' compensation where there are controverted medical issues, the commissioner hearing the case may choose three members of the medical panel for assistance in the case. The commissioner shall submit, at his discretion and within thirty days after choosing said panel, interrogatories concerning the controverted medical issues to such three-member panel, along with whatever evidence and materials the commissioner deems necessary for their consideration. The three-member panel may examine the employee, who shall submit to any examination such panel may require. Within sixty days of the submission of such interrogatories to it, the three-member panel shall file with the commissioner its answers, report and findings on all such medical issues, along with any records generated from its work in the case. The answers to the interrogatories and the contents of the report shall be determined by majority vote of the three panel members.

      (c) The answers to the interrogatories, report, findings and records of the three-member panel shall become part of the record of the hearing before the commissioner. In making his decision in such a case, the commissioner shall conform his decision or award to the findings of such panel as to medical issues. Either party may appeal the decision of the commissioner to the Compensation Review Board according to the provisions of section 31-301.

      (d) The chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to establish a fee schedule for the payment of medical panel members. Sufficient funding for the payment of such fees shall be supplied from the administrative costs fund, as provided in section 31-345.

      (P.A. 81-392, S. 1-4; P.A. 91-339, S. 18, 55.)

      History: P.A. 91-339 changed "compensation review division" to "compensation review board" in Subsec. (c) and changed "workers' compensation commissioners" to "the chairman of the workers' compensation commission" in Subsec. (d).

      Sec. 31-299. Prior statements of parties as evidence at hearings before commissioners. At any hearing before a compensation commissioner no written statement, and no oral statement taken by means of tape recorder or any mechanical, electrical or electronic device, concerning the facts out of which the claim arose or affecting such claim, given by either party to the other, or to his agent, attorney or insurer, shall be admissible in evidence unless a copy of the written statement or a transcript of the oral statement, as the case may be, is retained by the party giving such statement or delivered to him at the time such statement was given or within thirty days thereafter. In the case of an oral statement taken by means of tape recorder or other mechanical, electrical or electronic device, the person recording such oral statement shall prepare a full and complete transcript thereof and submit it to the person giving such statement for signature and such transcript must be signed by the employee before such statement may be used at any such hearing.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7448; 1958 Rev., S. 31-175; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 21; 1967, P.A. 842, S. 9.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1967 act added provisions re oral statements at hearings.

      Cited. 159 C. 302.

      Sec. 31-299a. Payments under group medical policy not defense to claim for benefits. Health insurer's duty to pay. Lien. (a) Where an employer contests the compensability of an employee's claim for compensation, proof of payment made under a group health, medical or hospitalization plan or policy shall not be a defense to a claim for compensation under this chapter.

      (b) Where an employer contests the compensability of an employee's claim for compensation, and the employee has also filed a claim for benefits or services under the employer's group health, medical, disability or hospitalization plan or policy, the employer's health insurer may not delay or deny payment of benefits due to the employee under the terms of the plan or policy by claiming that treatment for the employee's injury or disease is the responsibility of the employer's workers' compensation insurer. The health insurer may file a claim in its own right against the employer for the value of benefits paid by the insurer within two years from payment of the benefits. The health insurer shall not have a lien on the proceeds of any award or approval of any compromise made by the commissioner pursuant to the employee's compensation claim, in accordance with the provisions of section 38a-470, unless the health insurer actually paid benefits to or on behalf of the employee.

      (1967, P.A. 842, S. 29; P.A. 84-139, S. 1, 2; P.A. 91-32, S. 18, 41; P.A. 93-228, S. 12, 35.)

      History: P.A. 84-139 added Subsec. (b), providing that an employer's health insurer may not deny benefits to an otherwise eligible employee because that employee has filed a workers' compensation claim which has been contested; P.A. 91-32 made technical changes; P.A. 93-228 amended Subsec. (b) to allow a health insurer to recover from an employer the value of benefits paid to or on behalf of an employee for an injury compensable under this chapter and to prohibit a health insurer who has not paid benefits to or on behalf of an injured employee from placing a lien on the employee's workers' compensation award, effective July 1, 1993.

      Cited. 219 C. 439.

      Cited. 22 CA 539; judgment reversed and case remanded to appellate court with direction to affirm decision of compensation review division, see 219 C. 439.

      Sec. 31-299b. Initial liability of last employer. Reimbursement. If an employee suffers an injury or disease for which compensation is found by the commissioner to be payable according to the provisions of this chapter, the employer who last employed the claimant prior to the filing of the claim, or the employer's insurer, shall be initially liable for the payment of such compensation. The commissioner shall, within a reasonable period of time after issuing an award, on the basis of the record of the hearing, determine whether prior employers, or their insurers, are liable for a portion of such compensation and the extent of their liability. If prior employers are found to be so liable, the commissioner shall order such employers or their insurers to reimburse the initially liable employer or insurer according to the proportion of their liability. Reimbursement shall be made within ten days of the commissioner's order with interest, from the date of the initial payment, at twelve per cent per annum. If no appeal from the commissioner's order is taken by any employer or insurer within twenty days, the order shall be final and may be enforced in the same manner as a judgment of the Superior Court. For purposes of this section, the Second Injury Fund shall not be deemed an employer or an insurer and shall be exempt from any liability. The amount of any compensation for which the Second Injury Fund would be liable except for the exemption provided under this section shall be reallocated among any other employers, or their insurers, who are liable for such compensation according to a ratio, the numerator of which is the percentage of the total compensation for which an employer, or its insurer, is liable and the denominator of which is the total percentage of liability of all employers, or their insurers, excluding the percentage that would have been attributable to the Second Injury Fund, for such compensation.

      (P.A. 81-155, S. 1; P.A. 01-22, S. 2; P.A. 05-199, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 01-22 increased time for taking an appeal from order of commissioner from ten to twenty days; P.A. 05-199 provided that Second Injury Fund not be deemed an employer or insurer and be exempt from liability under section, and that compensation otherwise attributable to fund be reallocated among any other liable employers or insurers according to ratio, effective July 1, 2006.

      Cited. 231 C. 469. Cited. 232 C. 758. Cited. 241 C. 282. Application is limited to cases of ongoing repetitive trauma or occupational disease. 263 C. 279.

      Cited. 33 CA 695; judgment reversed, see 231 C. 469.

      Sec. 31-300. Award as judgment. Interest. Attorney's fee. Procedure on discontinuance or reduction. As soon as may be after the conclusion of any hearing, but no later than one hundred twenty days after such conclusion, the commissioner shall send to each party a written copy of the commissioner's findings and award. The commissioner shall, as part of the written award, inform the employee or the employee's dependent, as the case may be, of any rights the individual may have to an annual cost-of-living adjustment or to participate in a rehabilitation program under the provisions of this chapter. The commissioner shall retain the original findings and award in said commissioner's office. If no appeal from the decision is taken by either party within twenty days thereafter, such award shall be final and may be enforced in the same manner as a judgment of the Superior Court. The court may issue execution upon any uncontested or final award of a commissioner in the same manner as in cases of judgments rendered in the Superior Court; and, upon the filing of an application to the court for an execution, the commissioner in whose office the award is on file shall, upon the request of the clerk of said court, send to the clerk a certified copy of such findings and award. In cases where, through the fault or neglect of the employer or insurer, adjustments of compensation have been unduly delayed, or where through such fault or neglect, payments have been unduly delayed, the commissioner may include in the award interest at the rate prescribed in section 37-3a and a reasonable attorney's fee in the case of undue delay in adjustments of compensation and may include in the award in the case of undue delay in payments of compensation, interest at twelve per cent per annum and a reasonable attorney's fee. Payments not commenced within thirty-five days after the filing of a written notice of claim shall be presumed to be unduly delayed unless a notice to contest the claim is filed in accordance with section 31-297. In cases where there has been delay in either adjustment or payment, which delay has not been due to the fault or neglect of the employer or insurer, whether such delay was caused by appeals or otherwise, the commissioner may allow interest at such rate, not to exceed the rate prescribed in section 37-3a, as may be fair and reasonable, taking into account whatever advantage the employer or insurer, as the case may be, may have had from the use of the money, the burden of showing that the rate in such case should be less than the rate prescribed in section 37-3a to be upon the employer or insurer. In cases where the claimant prevails and the commissioner finds that the employer or insurer has unreasonably contested liability, the commissioner may allow to the claimant a reasonable attorney's fee. No employer or insurer shall discontinue or reduce payment on account of total or partial incapacity under any such award, if it is claimed by or on behalf of the injured person that such person's incapacity still continues, unless such employer or insurer notifies the commissioner and the employee of such proposed discontinuance or reduction in the manner prescribed in section 31-296 and the commissioner specifically approves such discontinuance or reduction in writing. The commissioner shall render the decision within fourteen days of receipt of such notice and shall forward to all parties to the claim a copy of the decision not later than seven days after the decision has been rendered. If the decision of the commissioner finds for the employer or insurer, the injured person shall return any wrongful payments received from the day designated by the commissioner as the effective date for the discontinuance or reduction of benefits. Any employee whose benefits for total incapacity are discontinued under the provisions of this section and who is entitled to receive benefits for partial incapacity as a result of an award, shall receive those benefits commencing the day following the designated effective date for the discontinuance of benefits for total incapacity. In any case where the commissioner finds that the employer or insurer has discontinued or reduced any such payment without having given such notice and without the commissioner having approved such discontinuance or reduction in writing, the commissioner shall allow the claimant a reasonable attorney's fee together with interest at the rate prescribed in section 37-3a on the discontinued or reduced payments.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7449; 1951, S. 3049d; 1958 Rev., S. 31-176; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 22; 1967, P.A. 692, S. 1; 842, S. 10; P.A. 75-122; P.A. 79-80; P.A. 83-114, S. 2; P.A. 84-180, S. 2; 84-299, S. 3; P.A. 85-64, S. 1, 2; P.A. 88-106, S. 3; P.A. 89-17; 89-316, S. 1; P.A. 91-339, S. 19; P.A. 93-228, S. 13, 35; P.A. 01-22, S. 3.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1967 acts deleted references to "original findings" and specified that claimant may be allowed reasonable attorneys fees where commissioner finds that employer or insurer has unreasonably contested liability; P.A. 75-122 added provisions re procedure for discontinuance of payments; P.A. 79-80 specified that six per cent interest applies "in the case of undue delay in adjustments of compensation", allowed twelve per cent interest where there is undue delay in payments and defined undue delay; P.A. 83-114 provided that the commissioner shall inform the individual, as part of the written award, of his rights to an annual cost-of-living adjustment under this chapter; P.A. 84-180 required the commissioner to inform the employee in the award of his right to participate in a rehabilitation program; P.A. 84-299 provided that payments not made within thirty-five days after the filing of a claim shall be considered "unduly delayed" unless the claim has been timely contested; P.A. 85-64 required the commissioner to send each party a written copy of his award within one hundred twenty days of the conclusion of hearings on the claim; P.A. 88-106 added the provisions regarding reduction of benefits and provided for an award of attorneys' fees in cases of undue delay in adjustments and payments resulting from the fault or neglect of an employer or insurer; P.A. 89-17 increased the rate of interest from six per cent to ten per cent for all cases except cases where payments are discontinued or reduced without notice and approval; P.A. 89-316 changed the rates of allowable interest from specific percentages enacted under P.A. 89-17 to the rate prescribed in Sec. 37-3a; P.A. 91-339 required the commissioner to send to each party a written copy of his findings; P.A. 93-228 added provisions modifying procedures re discontinuances or reductions in workers' compensation benefits, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 01-22 increased time for taking an appeal from the decision of the commissioner from ten to twenty days and made technical changes for the purpose of gender neutrality.

      What the finding should contain. 90 C. 540; 94 C. 262; Id., 627; 96 C. 354; 97 C. 78; 114 C. 393; 117 C. 603. Commissioner may make his memorandum of decision part of the finding. 100 C. 389; 103 C. 104; Id., 428. Prolix and evidential finding criticized. 103 C. 708. Commissioner must expressly find subordinate facts on which his conclusions rest. 104 C. 463. When award not appealed from, finding becomes final on subsequent hearing for further compensation. 109 C. 599. When award becomes final judgment. 112 C. 370. When it appears claimant may establish claim on retrial, case is remanded. 118 C. 29; 130 C. 1. Motion to erase proper method to raise question whether there was a judgment from which appeal might be taken. 123 C. 103. Finding as to causal connection. Id., 405. Correction of finding. 124 C. 296; 130 C. 423; Id., 478; Id., 482. Finding of incapacity must be based on extent and consequent loss of earning power due to susceptibility due to dermatitis. 125 C. 140. Award may be enforced in same manner as judgment of superior court. 126 C. 491. Judgment of superior court interlocutory ruling, not final. Id., 522. Cited. 165 C. 338. All appeals since 1972 amendments should be taken from the court of common pleas. Hence reservation from the superior court under section 31-324 was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. 168 C. 84. Cited. 169 C. 646. Cited. 208 C. 576. Cited. 212 C. 441. Cited. 219 C. 439. Cited. 224 C. 441. Cited. 237 C. 71; Id., 378. Attorney's fees awarded under section do not constitute "payments due under an award" pursuant to Sec. 31-303, and are not subject to a penalty as a late payment thereunder. 260 C. 21.

      Where no specific time limit set under statute for finding and award to be made, commissioner does not lose jurisdiction to render decision after certain lapse of time. 2 CA 689. Cited. 7 CA 142. Cited. 12 CA 138. Cited. 21 CA 464. Cited. 22 CA 539; judgment reversed and case remanded to appellate court with direction to affirm decision of compensation review division, see 219 C. 439. Cited. 26 CA 194. Cited. 28 CA 113. Cited. 33 CA 667. Cited. 39 CA 717. Cited. 40 CA 36. Cited. 45 CA 324; Id., 499. Plaintiff's conduct constituted an implied waiver of her right to have commissioner's decision vacated for failure to issue decision within time limit. 49 CA 339. Court was within discretion to deny request to execute a voluntary agreement that was not a final settlement; section granted trial court subject matter jurisdiction in matter. 58 CA 45. Finding that employer or insurer acted in an unreasonable manner or caused undue delay is necessary to predicate an order to pay attorney's fees pursuant to this statute. 65 CA 592. Where commissioner failed to issue decision within mandatory time period and defendant objected to the decision on the day of its eventual issuance, it was held that defendant had not waived any objection to the late issuance since there is no requirement that a party object to a decision prior to its issuance. 72 CA 497.

      Award has the force of judgment but execution on plaintiff's award was denied where defendant had action pending in superior court to determine whether plaintiff could keep award and retain proceeds from a Massachusetts death action based on same loss. 27 CS 382. Cited. 28 CS 5. Cited. 39 CS 386.

      Sec. 31-301. Appeals to the Compensation Review Board. Payment of award during pendency of appeal. (a) At any time within twenty days after entry of an award by the commissioner, after a decision of the commissioner upon a motion or after an order by the commissioner according to the provisions of section 31-299b, either party may appeal therefrom to the Compensation Review Board by filing in the office of the commissioner from which the award or the decision on a motion originated an appeal petition and five copies thereof. The commissioner within three days thereafter shall mail the petition and three copies thereof to the chief of the Compensation Review Board and a copy thereof to the adverse party or parties.

      (b) The appeal shall be heard by the Compensation Review Board as provided in section 31-280b. The Compensation Review Board shall hear the appeal on the record of the hearing before the commissioner, provided, if it is shown to the satisfaction of the board that additional evidence or testimony is material and that there were good reasons for failure to present it in the proceedings before the commissioner, the Compensation Review Board may hear additional evidence or testimony.

      (c) Upon the final determination of the appeal by the Compensation Review Board, but no later than one year after the date the appeal petition was filed, the Compensation Review Board shall issue its decision, affirming, modifying or reversing the decision of the commissioner. The decision of the Compensation Review Board shall include its findings, conclusions of law and award.

      (d) When any appeal is pending, and it appears to the Compensation Review Board that any part of the award appealed from is not affected by the issues raised by the appeal, the Compensation Review Board may, on motion or of its own motion, render a judgment directing compliance with any portion of the award not affected by the appeal; or if the only issue raised by the appeal is the amount of the average weekly wage for the purpose of determining the amount of compensation, as provided in section 31-310, the commissioner shall, on motion of the claimant, direct the payment of the portion of the compensation payable under his award that is not in dispute, if any, pending final adjudication of the disputed portion thereof. In all appeals in which one of the parties is not represented by counsel, and in which the party taking the appeal does not prosecute the case within a reasonable time from the date of appeal, the Compensation Review Board may, of its own motion, affirm, reverse or modify the award.

      (e) When an appeal is taken to the Compensation Review Board, the chief clerk thereof shall notify the commissioner from whose award the appeal was taken, in writing, of any action of the Compensation Review Board thereon and of the final disposition of the appeal, whether by judgment, withdrawal or otherwise, and shall upon the decision of the appeal, furnish the commissioner with a copy of the decision. Whenever any appeal is pending, if it appears to the Compensation Review Board that justice so requires, the Compensation Review Board shall order a certified copy of the evidence for the use of the employer, the employee or both, and the certified copy shall be made a part of the record on the appeal. The procedure in appealing from an award of the commissioner shall be the same as the procedure employed in an appeal from the Superior Court to the Supreme Court, where applicable. The chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish rules, methods of procedure and forms as the chairman deems expedient for the purposes of this chapter.

      (f) During the pendency of any appeal of an award made pursuant to this chapter, the claimant shall receive all compensation and medical treatment payable under the terms of the award to the extent the compensation and medical treatment are not being paid by any health insurer or by any insurer or employer who has been ordered, pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, to pay a portion of the award. The compensation and medical treatment shall be paid by the employer or its insurer.

      (g) If the final adjudication results in the denial of compensation to the claimant, and he has previously received compensation on the claim pursuant to subsection (f) and this subsection, the claimant shall reimburse the employer or its insurer for all sums previously expended, plus interest at the rate of ten per cent per annum. Upon any such denial of compensation, the commissioner who originally heard the case or his successor shall conduct a hearing to determine the repayment schedule for the claimant.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7450; 1958 Rev., S. 31-177; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 23; 1963, P.A. 642, S. 85; 1967, P.A. 692, S. 2; 1972, P.A. 108, S. 6; P.A. 74-183, S. 268, 291; P.A. 76-436, S. 231, 681; P.A. 78-280, S. 1, 127; P.A. 79-540, S. 3; P.A. 81-155, S. 2; 81-472, S. 144, 159; P.A. 84-133; P.A. 86-27; 86-56; P.A. 91-32, S. 19, 41; 91-339, S. 20, 55; P.A. 95-277, S. 9, 19; P.A. 01-22, S. 1.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1963 act allowed appeals after commissioner's decision upon a motion and required that appeals be made to court for county where injury occurred rather than county where award was filed, adding provision re court for appeal when injury occurred outside state; 1967 act deleted references to findings of commissioners and specified that appeal procedure is same as for appeals from superior court to supreme court; 1972 act replaced superior court with court of common pleas throughout section, effective September 1, 1972, except that courts with cases pending retain jurisdiction; P.A. 74-183 added references to judicial districts and made appeal procedure same as for appeals from court of common pleas to superior court, effective December 31, 1974; P.A. 76-436 replaced court of common pleas with superior court and deleted provision re appeal procedure, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 78-280 deleted references to counties; P.A. 79-540 replaced provisions re appeals to superior court with new provisions re appeals to compensation review division; P.A. 81-155 permitted the appeal of orders made by the commissioner according to the provisions of Sec. 31-299b; P.A. 81-472 made technical changes; P.A. 84-133 added Subsec. (b), providing for the payment of compensation and benefits due under an occupational disease award during the pendency of any appeal of such award; P.A. 86-27 provided that compensation and benefits due under any award made pursuant to this chapter shall be paid by the second injury fund during the pendency of any appeal of the award; P.A. 86-56 required the compensation review division to issue its decision on any appeal within one year of the filing of the appeal petition, except that any decision on an appeal pending on October 1, 1986, shall be issued within one year of said date; P.A. 91-32 divided existing Subsec. (a) into Subsecs. (a) to (e), inclusive, divided existing Subsec. (b) into Subsecs. (f) and (g) and made technical changes; P.A. 91-339 changed "compensation review division" to "compensation review board", changed "chairman" to "chief" of the board, added reference to Sec. 31-380b in Subsec. (b) and authorized the chairman of the workers' compensation commission to adopt regulations in Subsec. (e); P.A. 95-277 amended Subsec. (f) to provide that the compensation and medical treatment of the injured employee be paid by the employer or its insurer rather than Second Injury Fund and, in Subsec. (g) substituted references to "Second Injury Fund" with "employer or its insurer" to reflect the closing of the Second Injury Fund and deleted provision re reimbursement of Second Injury Fund by employer, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 01-22 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing the time to take an appeal from ten to twenty days.

      Appeal does not open the case for trial de novo. 89 C. 143, 150; Id., 370; 92 C. 90. The commissioner's finding is part of the record and may be corrected by the superior court in the same manner as the finding of a trial court by the supreme court. 90 C. 446; 91 C. 531; 92 C. 90; 93 C. 94; 95 C. 673; 96 C. 634; 98 C. 287; Id., 755; 99 C. 355; 103 C. 429; 104 C. 537; 107 C. 251. Reasons of appeal and answer thereto should be filed in the court. 91 C. 227. What justifies setting award aside. 93 C. 83; 94 C. 9; 96 C. 299. If the court materially alters the finding, it should recommit it to the commissioner to decide on the altered facts. 97 C. 77; 106 C. 254. Conclusion of fact based on subordinate facts is reviewable by the court. 100 C. 347; 102 C. 5; Id., 237; Id., 472. There is no appeal from refusal of commissioner to rehear the case or alter his finding. 101 C. 358; 108 C. 161. Where the facts found are too indefinite to support the award, finding should be recommitted to commissioner. 102 C. 238; 106 C. 215; Id., 253; 107 C. 171; Id., 647. Nature of the appeal and correction of finding by superior court fully reviewed. 102 C. 514. Court should not set aside award because it differs with the commissioner as to preponderance of evidence. 106 C. 109. There is no appeal from an award of commissioner made in compliance with the decision of the superior court on a former appeal; appeal must be to the supreme court from the superior court decision. 108 C. 159. Expense of printing testimony not taxable as costs on appeal. 109 C. 737. Superior court cannot change finding unless commissioner has found facts without evidence or has reached unreasonable conclusions. 120 C. 606; 121 C. 56; Id., 483; Id., 541; Id., 708; 122 C. 129. When entire transcript may properly be filed. 121 C. 274. When testimony necessary for proper determination of case is not presented, case remanded for further hearing. Id. Motion to erase proper method to raise question whether there was a judgment from which appeal might be taken. 123 C. 103. Cited. 132 C. 209. Where motion to open award is made by party who intends to appeal from award if motion is denied, he may postpone the filing of the appeal until the motion is determined. 134 C. 269. Where commissioner failed to pass upon specific claim potentially decisive of the case, it should be returned for further proceedings. 138 C. 482. Cited. 141 C. 321. Section affects the court to which appeal is taken not employee's right to compensation. Appeal brought to superior court after Sept. 1, 1972 was brought to wrong court and superior court has no jurisdiction. 169 C. 646. Cited. 179 C. 662. Cited. 207 C. 420. Cited. 213 C. 54. Cited. 217 C. 143. Cited. 220 C. 739. Cited. 232 C. 758. Cited. 233 C. 14. Cited. 235 C. 790. Cited. 239 C. 408. Cited. 240 C. 788. Provision re payment deadline applies when payment is due under an award by compensation review board. 249 C. 365. Ten-day appeal period tolled when aggrieved party establishes that, through no fault of his own, he did not receive notice of commissioner's decision within ten days of the date it was sent. 250 C. 581. Provision re ten-day period for appeal commences on the date notice is sent to a party's counsel. Id., 592.

      Cited. 1 CA 142. Cited. 7 CA 142. Cited. 11 CA 693. Cited. 16 CA 138. Cited. 33 CA 695; judgment reversed, see 231 C. 469. P.A. 91-339, Sec. 20 cited. Id. Cited. 36 CA 150; Id., 298. Cited. 38 CA 1. Cited. 39 CA 717. Cited. 45 CA 199. In matter where the issue was causation of injury, board did not improperly substitute its factual findings for those of commissioner but rather determined that commissioner's finding could not stand without the support of expert medical testimony and properly refused to remand the case for further proceedings. 62 CA 440.

      Authority to extend time for taking an appeal. 9 CS 38. Imposes on party seeking the order, the burden of showing (1) inability to pay and (2) that justice requires the action of the commissioner be appealed from. Id., 379. A plea in abatement and not a motion to expunge is appropriate remedy to attack appeal not brought within ten days. 15 CS 33. Cited. 17 CS 288; 27 CS 410. Amendment of October 1, 1967, applied to pending appeal which was then dismissed for failure to prosecute with due diligence. 24 CS 411. Cited. 38 CS 648.

      Subsec. (a):

      Cited. 206 C. 242. Cited. 207 C. 535. Cited. 212 C. 441. Cited. 227 C. 333. Cited. 228 C. 535. Cited. 231 C. 469. Cited. 237 C. 1. Cited. 241 C. 282.

      Cited. 33 CA 495. Proper interpretation of limitation period contained in this section is that ten-day period begins to run on day on which party wanting appeal is sent meaningful notice of commissioner's decision. 36 CA 298. Cited. 37 CA 392. Cited. 46 CA 298. Ten-day appeal period begins to run on day on which party wanting to appeal is sent meaningful notice of commissioner's decision. 49 CA 1. Notice must be sent directly to plaintiff, not plaintiff's attorney, in order for appeal period to commence. 51 CA 92.

      Subsec. (b):

      Cited. 227 C. 333. Cited. 231 C. 287.

      Subsec. (c):

      It is implicit in statutory authority to reverse a decision of the trial commissioner that board may remand a case for a new hearing. 251 C. 153. Legislature did not intend to impose unstated limitations on review board's discretion to order appropriately adjudicated new hearings. Id.

      Cited. 34 CA 673.

      Subsec. (f):

      Should be applied retroactively to all cases not actually transferred to the fund prior to the date provision became effective; concurring opinion based on legislative intent. 243 C. 311.

      Sec. 31-301a. Decision of Compensation Review Board. Any decision of the Compensation Review Board, in the absence of an appeal therefrom, shall become final after a period of twenty days has expired from the issuance of notice of the rendition of the judgment or decision.

      (P.A. 79-540, S. 4; P.A. 91-339, S. 21, 55.)

      History: P.A. 91-339 changed "compensation review division" to "compensation review board".

      Awards become final if and when parties fail to appeal within applicable statutory time period and are not "pending matters" subject to modification based on subsequent changes in law. 244 C. 1.

      Cited. 28 CA 113.

      Sec. 31-301b. Appeal of decision of Compensation Review Board. Any party aggrieved by the decision of the Compensation Review Board upon any question or questions of law arising in the proceedings may appeal the decision of the Compensation Review Board to the Appellate Court.

      (P.A. 79-540, S. 5; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-29, S. 15, 82; P.A. 91-339, S. 22, 55.)

      History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-29 deleted reference to appellate session of the superior court and included reference to appellate court; P.A. 91-339 changed "compensation review division" to "compensation review board".

      Cited. 193 C. 59. Cited. 206 C. 242. Cited. 218 C. 181. Cited. 219 C. 674. Cited. 223 C. 376. Cited. 226 C. 569. Cited. 227 C. 261. Cited. 228 C. 401; Id., 535. Cited. 231 C. 287; Id., 469. Cited. 235 C. 790. Cited. 239 C. 676. Cited. 241 C. 282. Awards become final if and when parties fail to appeal within applicable statutory time period and are not "pending matters" subject to modification based on subsequent changes in law. 244 C. 1. Defendant was an aggrieved party for purpose of appeal to Appellate Court. 245 C. 437. In order for decision of review board to be appealable under this section, it must be a decision that has the same elements of finality as a final judgment rendered by a trial court. 246 C. 281. Meaning of "any party" discussed. 250 C. 147.

      Cited. 3 CA 162; Id., 335; Id., 370. Cited. 6 CA 45; Id., 498. Cited. 13 CA 566. Cited. 21 CA 107. Cited. 26 CA 194. Cited. 28 CA 113. Cited. 33 CA 495; Id., 695. Cited. 36 CA 298. Cited. 37 CA 392; Id., 648. Cited. 38 CA 1. Cited. 39 CA 653. Cited. 41 CA 116. Cited. 45 CA 199.

      Sec. 31-301c. Costs of appeal. Interest added to award affirmed on appeal. (a) No costs shall be taxed in favor of either party on any such appeal either in the Compensation Review Board or in the Appellate Court, and no party shall be liable to pay any fees or costs in connection therewith, except the record fee on appeal to the Supreme Court; provided, if an appeal is taken to the Appellate Court from a decision of the Compensation Review Board, and such appeal is found by said court to be either frivolous or taken for the purpose of vexation or delay, said court may tax costs in its discretion against the person so taking the appeal.

      (b) Whenever an employer or his insurer appeals a commissioner's award, and upon completion of the appeal process the employer or insurer loses such appeal, the Compensation Review Board or the Appellate Court, as the case may be, shall add interest on the amount of such award affirmed on appeal and not paid to the claimant during the pendency of such appeal, from the date of the original award to the date of the final appeal decision, at the rate prescribed in section 37-3a.

      (P.A. 79-540, S. 6; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-29, S. 30, 82; P.A. 84-288; P.A. 89-316, S. 2; P.A. 91-339, S. 23, 55.)

      History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-29 deleted reference to appellate session of the superior court and added reference to appellate court; P.A. 84-288 added Subsec. (b), which provides that the final arbiter of an appeal on an award shall add six per cent interest to the amount of the award which is unpaid and affirmed by his decision; P.A. 89-316 amended Subsec. (b) to change the rate of interest from six per cent per annum to the rate "prescribed in section 37-3a"; P.A. 91-339 changed "compensation review division" to "compensation review board".

      Sec. 31-301d. Power of Compensation Review Board re witnesses and production of evidence. Enforcement of order. The Compensation Review Board and each member thereof shall have the same power in summoning and examining witnesses and in requiring production of evidence as is vested in each commissioner under section 31-278. The Superior Court, on application of the chief of the Compensation Review Board, may enforce by appropriate decree or process, any provision of this chapter or any proper order of the Compensation Review Board rendered pursuant to any such provision.

      (P.A. 79-540, S. 8; P.A. 80-483, S. 96, 186; P.A. 91-339, S. 24, 55.)

      History: P.A. 80-483 substituted "pursuant to" for "in pursuance of"; P.A. 91-339 changed "compensation review division" to "compensation review board" and "chairman" to "chief" of the board.

      Sec. 31-302. Payment of compensation. Commutation into monthly, quarterly or lump sums. Compensation payable under this chapter shall be paid at the particular times in the week and in the manner the commissioner may order, and shall be paid directly to the persons entitled to receive them unless the commissioner, for good reason, orders payment to those entitled to act for such persons, except that when the commissioner finds it just or necessary, the commissioner may approve or direct the commutation, in whole or in part, of weekly compensation under the provisions of this chapter into monthly or quarterly payments, or into a single lump sum, which may be paid to the one then entitled to the compensation, and the commutation shall be binding upon all persons entitled to compensation for the injury in question. In any case of commutation, a true equivalence of value shall be maintained, with due discount of sums payable in the future; and, when commutation is made into a single lump sum, (1) the commissioner may direct that it be paid to any savings bank, trust company or life insurance company authorized to do business within this state, to be held in trust for the beneficiary or beneficiaries under the provisions of this chapter and paid in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, and (2) the parties, by agreement and with approval of the commissioner, may prorate the single lump sum over the life expectancy of the injured employee.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7451; 1958 Rev., S. 31-178; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 24; P.A. 91-32, S. 20, 41; P.A. 04-214, S. 1.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; P.A. 91-32 made technical changes; P.A. 04-214 made a technical change, designated existing provisions re lump sum payments as Subdiv. (1), and added Subdiv. (2) to allow prorating of lump sum payments over life expectancy of injured employee, effective June 3, 2004.

      Commutation can be made only when the compensation period is definite. 96 C. 674; 98 C. 236; 108 C. 644. When commutation may be made in cases of total or partial incapacity. 120 C. 541. Award commuted into lump sum becomes final judgment. 126 C. 491. Award did not establish existence of a compensable claim. 137 C. 185. Cited. 208 C. 576. Cited. 226 C. 569.

      Cited. 26 CA 194.

      Record of agreement for lump-sum payment improperly excluded in action for damages for injury to person since it would have contradicted plaintiff's statement that at time of injury sued on he was suffering from no other disability. 3 Conn. Cir. Ct. 371.

      Sec. 31-303. Day when compensation payments become due. Penalty for late payments. Payments agreed to under a voluntary agreement shall commence on or before the twentieth day from the date of agreement. Payments due under an award shall commence on or before the twentieth day from the date of such award. Payments due from the Second Injury Fund shall be payable on or before the twentieth business day after receipt of a fully executed agreement. Any employer who fails to pay within the prescribed time limitations of this section shall pay a penalty for each late payment, in the amount of twenty per cent of such payment, in addition to any other interest or penalty imposed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

      (1959, P.A. 580, S. 21; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 26; P.A. 89-70, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-228, S. 14, 35; P.A. 04-47, S. 1.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; P.A. 89-70 added the provision allowing the second injury fund ten business days to make payments; P.A. 93-228 added provision imposing twenty per cent penalty, in addition to interest and other existing penalties, on compensation payments which are paid more than ten days after the date of the agreement or award, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 04-47 replaced references to "tenth" day with references to "twentieth" day, effective May 4, 2004.

      Cited. 233 C. 14. Phrase "payments due under an award" does not encompass attorney's fees included in an award pursuant to Sec. 31-300, and such attorney's fees are not subject to penalty as a late payment thereunder. 260 C. 21.

      Penalty provision applicable to workers' compensation cases resolved by stipulation. 54 CA 841. Penalty provision may be applied before effective date. Id.

      Sec. 31-304. Destruction of agreement. Any judge of the Superior Court may order that the original of any approved agreement between an employer and an injured employee as to compensation, filed in the office of any clerk of the Superior Court pursuant to any provision of this chapter more than ten years prior to the date of such order, may be destroyed by the person having the custody thereof.

      (1955, S. 3048d; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 27.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions.

      Sec. 31-305. Medical examinations. Section 31-305 is repealed.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7445; 1958 Rev., S. 31-172; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 28; 1967, P.A. 842, S. 11; P.A. 87-160, S. 2; P.A. 91-32, S. 40, 41.)

      Sec. 31-306. Death resulting from accident or occupational disease. Dependents. Compensation. (a) Compensation shall be paid to dependents on account of death resulting from an accident arising out of and in the course of employment or from an occupational disease as follows:

      (1) Four thousand dollars shall be paid for burial expenses in any case in which the employee died on or after October 1, 1988. If there is no one wholly or partially dependent upon the deceased employee, the burial expenses of four thousand dollars shall be paid to the person who assumes the responsibility of paying the funeral expenses.

      (2) To those wholly dependent upon the deceased employee at the date of the deceased employee's injury, a weekly compensation equal to seventy-five per cent of the average weekly earnings of the deceased calculated pursuant to section 31-310, after such earnings have been reduced by any deduction for federal or state taxes, or both, and for the federal Insurance Contributions Act made from such employee's total wages received during the period of calculation of the employee's average weekly wage pursuant to said section 31-310, as of the date of the injury but not more than the maximum weekly compensation rate set forth in section 31-309 for the year in which the injury occurred or less than twenty dollars weekly. (A) The weekly compensation rate of each dependent entitled to receive compensation under this section as a result of death arising from a compensable injury occurring on or after October 1, 1977, shall be adjusted annually as provided in this subdivision as of the following October first, and each subsequent October first, to provide the dependent with a cost-of-living adjustment in the dependent's weekly compensation rate as determined as of the date of the injury under section 31-309. If the maximum weekly compensation rate, as determined under the provisions of said section 31-309, to be effective as of any October first following the date of the injury, is greater than the maximum weekly compensation rate prevailing at the date of the injury, the weekly compensation rate which the injured employee was entitled to receive at the date of the injury or October 1, 1990, whichever is later, shall be increased by the percentage of the increase in the maximum weekly compensation rate required by the provisions of said section 31-309 from the date of the injury or October 1, 1990, whichever is later, to such October first. The cost-of-living increases provided under this subdivision shall be paid by the employer without any order or award from the commissioner. The adjustments shall apply to each payment made in the next succeeding twelve-month period commencing with the October first next succeeding the date of the injury. With respect to any dependent receiving benefits on October 1, 1997, with respect to any injury occurring on or after July 1, 1993, and before October 1, 1997, such benefit shall be recalculated to October 1, 1997, as if such benefits had been subject to recalculation annually under this subparagraph. The difference between the amount of any benefits that would have been paid to such dependent if such benefits had been subject to such recalculation and the actual amount of benefits paid during the period between such injury and such recalculation shall be paid to the dependent not later than December 1, 1997, in a lump-sum payment. The employer or its insurer shall be reimbursed by the Second Injury Fund, as provided in section 31-354, for adjustments, including lump-sum payments, payable under this subparagraph for deaths from compensable injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1993, and before October 1, 1997, upon presentation of any vouchers and information that the Treasurer shall require. No claim for payment of retroactive benefits may be made to the Second Injury Fund more than two years after the date on which the employer or its insurer paid such benefits in accordance with this subparagraph. (B) The weekly compensation rate of each dependent entitled to receive compensation under this section as a result of death arising from a compensable injury occurring on or before September 30, 1977, shall be adjusted as of October 1, 1977, and October 1, 1980, and thereafter, as provided in this subdivision to provide the dependent with partial cost-of-living adjustments in the dependent's weekly compensation rate. As of October 1, 1977, the weekly compensation rate paid prior to October 1, 1977, to the dependent shall be increased by twenty-five per cent. The partial cost-of-living adjustment provided under this subdivision shall be paid by the employer without any order or award from the commissioner. In addition, on each October first, the weekly compensation rate of each dependent as of October 1, 1990, shall be increased by the percentage of the increase in the maximum compensation rate over the maximum compensation rate of October 1, 1990, as determined under the provisions of section 31-309 existing on October 1, 1977. The cost of the adjustments shall be paid by the employer or its insurance carrier who shall be reimbursed for such cost from the Second Injury Fund as provided in section 31-354 upon presentation of any vouchers and information that the Treasurer shall require. No claim for payment of retroactive benefits may be made to the Second Injury Fund more than two years after the date on which the employer or its insurance carrier paid such benefits in accordance with this subparagraph.

      (3) If the surviving spouse is the sole presumptive dependent, compensation shall be paid until death or remarriage.

      (4) If there is a presumptive dependent spouse surviving and also one or more presumptive dependent children, all of which children are either children of the surviving spouse or are living with the surviving spouse, the entire compensation shall be paid to the surviving spouse in the same manner and for the same period as if the surviving spouse were the sole dependent. If, however, any of the presumptive dependent children are neither children of the surviving spouse nor living with the surviving spouse, the compensation shall be divided into as many parts as there are presumptive dependents. The shares of any children having a presumptive dependent parent shall be added to the share of the parent and shall be paid to the parent. The share of any dependent child not having a surviving dependent parent shall be paid to the father or mother of the child with whom the child may be living, or to the legal guardian of the child, or to any other person, for the benefit of the child, as the commissioner may direct.

      (5) If the compensation being paid to the surviving presumptive dependent spouse terminates for any reason, or if there is no surviving presumptive dependent spouse at the time of the death of the employee, but there is at either time one or more presumptive dependent children, the compensation shall be paid to the children as a class, each child sharing equally with the others. Each child shall receive compensation until the child reaches the age of eighteen or dies before reaching age eighteen, provided the child shall continue to receive compensation up to the attainment of the age of twenty-two if unmarried and a full-time student, except any child who has attained the age of twenty-two while a full-time student but has not completed the requirements for, or received, a degree from a postsecondary educational institution shall be deemed not to have attained age twenty-two until the first day of the first month following the end of the quarter or semester in which the child is enrolled at the time, or if the child is not enrolled in a quarter or semester system, until the first day of the first month following the completion of the course in which the child is enrolled or until the first day of the third month beginning after such time, whichever occurs first. When a child's participation ceases, such child's share shall be divided among the remaining eligible dependent children, provided if any child, when the child reaches the age of eighteen years, is physically or mentally incapacitated from earning, the child's right to compensation shall not terminate but shall continue for the full period of incapacity.

      (6) In all cases where there are no presumptive dependents, but where there are one or more persons wholly dependent in fact, the compensation in case of death shall be divided according to the relative degree of their dependence. Compensation payable under this subdivision shall be paid for not more than three hundred and twelve weeks from the date of the death of the employee. The compensation, if paid to those wholly dependent in fact, shall be paid at the full compensation rate. The compensation, if paid to those partially dependent in fact upon the deceased employee as of the date of the injury, shall not, in total, be more than the full compensation rate nor less than twenty dollars weekly, nor, if the average weekly sum contributed by the deceased at the date of the injury to those partially dependent in fact is more than twenty dollars weekly, not more than the sum so contributed.

      (7) When the sole presumptive dependents are, at the time of the injury, nonresident aliens and the deceased has in this state some person or persons who are dependent in fact, the commissioner may in the commissioner's discretion equitably apportion the sums payable as compensation to the dependents.

      (b) The dependents of any deceased employee who was injured on or after January 1, 1974, and who subsequently dies shall be paid compensation on account of the death retroactively to the date of the employee's death. The cost of the payment or adjustment shall be paid by the employer or its insurance carrier who shall be reimbursed for such cost from the Second Injury Fund as provided in section 31-354 upon presentation of any vouchers and information that the Treasurer shall require.

      (c) (1) The dependents of any deceased employee who was injured between January 1, 1952, and December 31, 1973, and who subsequently dies, shall be paid compensation on account of the death retroactively to the date of the employee's death. The cost of the payment or adjustment shall be paid by the employer or its insurance carrier who shall be reimbursed for such cost from the Second Injury Fund as provided in section 31-354 upon presentation of any vouchers and information that the Treasurer shall require. No claim for payment of retroactive benefits may be made to the Second Injury Fund more than two years after the date on which the employer or its insurance carrier paid such benefits in accordance with this subdivision.

      (2) The dependents of any deceased employee who was injured before January 1, 1952, and who died on or before October 1, 1991, shall be paid compensation on account of the death retroactively to the date of the employee's death. The cost of the payment or adjustment shall be paid by the employer or its insurance carrier who shall be reimbursed for such cost from the Second Injury Fund as provided in section 31-354 upon presentation of any vouchers and information that the Treasurer shall require. No claim for payment of retroactive benefits may be made to the Second Injury Fund more than two years after the date on which the employer or its insurance carrier paid such benefits in accordance with this subdivision.

      (d) The dependents of any deceased employee who was injured in an accident arising out of and in the course of employment before January 1, 1952, and who died, as a result of those injuries, after October 1, 1991, shall be paid compensation, under the provisions of this section, effective as of the date of death of any such employee. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the weekly compensation rate for such dependents shall equal the amount of compensation the injured employee was receiving prior to death pursuant to section 31-307. Such weekly compensation rate shall hereafter be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. The cost of such payment or adjustment shall be paid by the employer or the insurance carrier of such employer who shall be reimbursed for such cost from the Second Injury Fund provided for in section 31-354. No claim for payment of retroactive benefits may be made to the Second Injury Fund more than two years after the date on which the employer or its insurance carrier paid such benefits in accordance with this subsection.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7428, 7429; 1949, 1951, 1953, 1955, S. 3042d; 1957, P.A. 463, S. 1; 1958 Rev., S. 31-159, 31-160; 1959, P.A. 580, S. 5, 22; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 29; 1967, P.A. 842, S. 12, 13; P.A. 77-554, S. 1; P.A. 78-369; P.A. 80-124, S. 2; 80-284, S. 2; 80-329; P.A. 84-453; P.A. 88-92; P.A. 89-68, S. 1; P.A. 91-32, S. 21, 41; 91-339, S. 25; P.A. 92-31, S. 4, 7; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-11, S. 54, 70; P.A. 93-228, S. 15, 35; P.A. 97-205, S. 3; P.A. 98-104, S. 2, 6; P.A. 01-162, S. 1, 2; P.A. 05-199, S. 2-4.)

      History: 1959 act replaced previous provisions and was in turn replaced by provisions of 1961 act; 1967 act increased payments for burial expenses from five hundred to one thousand dollars in all cases where previously thousand-dollar payment was given to father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter of deceased in Subsec. (a) and raised weekly compensation allowed in Subsec. (b) from sixty to sixty-six and two-thirds per cent of deceased's average weekly earnings; P.A. 77-554 increased burial payments to one thousand five hundred dollars and deleted requirement that death must have occurred within six years of date of injury or first manifestation of occupational disease symptoms in Subsec. (b), added provisions re cost-of-living adjustments in Subsec. (b) and amended Subsec. (c) to allow compensation to widows and widowers on same basis where previously widowers' payments terminated after three hundred and twelve weeks; P.A. 78-369 reorganized Subsecs., designating former Subsecs. (a) to (h) as Subdivs. (1) to (8) under Subsec. (b) and deleted former Subsec. (i) re reduction of compensation period by the period for which payments were made to deceased if death occurred more than two years from date of injury or manifestation of disease symptoms; P.A. 80-124 specified in Subsec. (b)(2) that time of injury is date of incapacity to work because of disease in cases involving occupational disease; P.A. 80-284 added Subdiv. (4) in Subsec. (a) re unmarried children, rephrased Subdiv. (5) in Subsec. (b) accordingly and deleted Subdiv. (6); P.A. 80-329 added provisions re cost-of-living adjustments as of October 1, 1980; P.A. 84-453 amended Subdiv. (1) of Subsec. (b) to increase burial expense benefits from one thousand five hundred dollars to three thousand dollars; P.A. 88-92 amended Subdiv. (1) of Subsec. (b) to increase burial expense benefits from three to four thousand dollars; P.A. 89-68 added Subsec. (c) providing for the payment of compensation to dependents of deceased employees who were injured on or after January 1, 1974, and who died not later than December 31, 1981; P.A. 91-32 deleted existing Subsec. (a) which had detailed persons to be considered wholly dependent on a deceased employee, relettering remaining Subsecs. accordingly and made technical changes; P.A. 91-339 changed the weekly compensation allowed in Subsec. (a)(2) from sixty-six and two-thirds per cent of average weekly earnings to eighty per cent of average weekly earnings reduced by deductions for federal taxes and FICA; P.A. 92-31 amended Subdiv. (1) of Subsec. (a) to provide that burial expenses shall be paid in any case where the employee died on or after October 1, 1988, amended Subdiv. (2) of Subsec. (a) to provide that cost-of-living increases shall be calculated using a percentage instead of a dollar amount, and amended Subsec. (b) to authorize the payment of compensation to dependents of deceased employees who died not later than November 1, 1991; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-11 added Subsec. (c) (Revisor's note: A reference to "second injury and compensation assurance fund" was changed editorially by the Revisors to read "second injury fund" for consistency with section 38 of public act 91-32); P.A. 93-228 amended Subdiv. (2) of Subsec. (a) to decrease weekly compensation benefits for dependents of deceased employee from eighty to seventy-five per cent of deceased's average weekly earnings, to require that state taxes be deducted in calculating such earnings, and to eliminate cost-of-living adjustments for dependents of deceased employees injured on or after July 1, 1993, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 97-205 amended Subsec. (a)(2) to reinstate cost-of-living adjustments to benefits received for injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1993, and before October 1, 1997; P.A. 98-104 increased the annual cost-of-living adjustment on workers' compensation benefits paid to those dependent upon a deceased employee who died of on-the-job injuries prior to October 1, 1990, effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 01-162 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b), added new Subsec. (c) re compensation to dependents of any deceased employee who was injured between January 1, 1952, and December 31, 1973, and compensation to dependents of any deceased employee who was injured before January 1, 1952, and who died on or before October 1, 1991, and redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d), making a technical change therein, effective July 6, 2001; P.A. 05-199 amended Subsecs. (a), (c) and (d) to require claims for payment of retroactive benefits to be made to Second Injury Fund not more than two years after payment by employer or insurer, effective July 1, 2006.

      See Sec. 31-275 for applicable definitions.

      Annotations to former statutes:

      1958 Rev., S. 31-159: For definition of "dependent" see Sec. 31-275 and note thereto. Payment to employee before his death not deductible from compensation for death. 93 C. 157. Where minor paid entire wage to his mother and she spent part of it in his support, her compensation was based on the total wage. 105 C. 423. Validating acts not retroactive as to amount. 112 C. 129. Cited. Id., 468. Heart case complainant to prove death arose from injury. Id., 691. Parent total dependent on minor son. 120 C. 35. Cited. 121 C. 72. Cited. 126 C. 279. Cited. 127 C. 395. Cited. 130 C. 661. Cited. 132 C. 170. Cited. 137 C. 295. Child's dependency, being one of fact and not one by presumption, did not terminate by reason of her becoming eighteen. Id., 484.

      If payments are neither more than $30 per week nor more than the sum actually contributed by the deceased, the question of classification of whole or partial dependency is academic. 14 CS 334.

      1958 Rev., S. 31-160: The total dependence of husband on wife does not exclude his partial dependence on minor son. 90 C. 259. Distribution between alien and resident dependents prior to 1921. 97 C. 113. Partial dependence defined and extent estimated on facts of the case. Id., 688. Wife living abroad and receiving less than $55 a year is a partial not total dependent. 100 C. 350. This discrimination against aliens is valid. Id., 219. Mother may be dependent although no contribution has been made. 112 C. 233. Widow or widower who is conclusively presumed to be wholly dependent entitled to entire award. 127 C. 394. Partial dependency may exist, though contributions be irregular. 119 C. 37. Cited. 130 C. 661; 131 C. 202. Premature determination of children's rights. 132 C. 169. Principle of equal division between those wholly dependent applies. 137 C. 292. Cited. Id., 486; 142 C. 596. The determination of dependency under the workmen's compensation act should be made in accordance with the fact at the time of the injury. 142 C. 598. See note to Sec. 31-222.

      Cited. 8 CS 313.

      Annotations to present section:

      Status of dependent in fact involves three factual elements: (1) Reliance on contributions of decedent for necessary living expenses; (2) a reasonable expectation that the contributions will continue; (3) an absence of sufficient means at hand for meeting these expenses. The first two are fixed at the time of injury and consequently the measure of dependence in section 31-315 can change from that existing at the time of the injury only if there is a subsequent change in the financial resources of the claimant. 152 C. 481. Where commissioner found claimant was partial dependent at time of injury but subsequently received sufficient funds from other sources to supply her present necessities, commissioner correctly concluded that, although claimant was dependent in fact at time of injury, her "measure of dependence" had changed before the time of the hearing and consequently defendants were relieved from paying compensation to her unless and until she showed a further change in circumstances. Id., 481, 482. An award to a dependent in fact as well as to a presumptive dependent is an award of compensation and subject to modification under section 31-315. Id. Question of dependency is one of fact not subject to review unless ascertained through an illegal standard or based on no evidence. 156 C. 245. Cited. 187 C. 53. Cited. 207 C. 665. Cited. 208 C. 576. Elimination of waiting period not accorded retroactive application. 209 C. 219. Cited. 213 C. 54. Concurrent payment of benefits for death caused by heart disease under this section and benefits for permanent partial impairment of one's heart under Sec. 31-308(d) is prohibited. 217 C. 50. Cited. 219 C. 28. Cited. 223 C. 336. Cited. 224 C. 382. Cited. 229 C. 587. Cited. 232 C. 311. Employee, in settling claim, has the authority to compromise the compensation rights of dependents and a clear and unequivocal expression of intent to do so by the employee will bar a claim under this section. 239 C. 19.

      Cited. 3 CA 162. Cited. 21 CA 63. Cited. 32 CA 595. Cited. 34 CA 307. Cited. 37 CA 835. Cited. 38 CA 73; Id., 754. Cited. 43 CA 737. Cited. 44 CA 112.

      Subsec. (a):

      Cited. 206 C. 242. Subdiv. (2)(A) does not require Special Injury Fund to reimburse municipal employer for cost-of-living adjustments paid in connection with a claim for benefits under Heart and Hypertension Act in Sec. 7-433c which benefits are special compensation and are not workers compensation benefits for purposes of reimbursement and such a result does not deny employers a protected property interest without due process of law. 269 C. 763.

      Subdiv. (2)(A): Formula devised in Gil v. Courthouse One, 239 Conn. 676, for calculating cost of living increases to total disability benefits also applies to calculation of cost of living increases to survivors' benefits under this Subdiv. from October 1, 1995 through June 30, 1998. 63 CA 370.

      Subsec. (b):

      Subdiv. (6) cited. 206 C. 242.

      Sec. 31-306a. Payments due children committed to the Commissioner of Social Services or the Commissioner of Children and Families. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in section 31-306, any compensation due on behalf of any presumptive dependent child under the provisions of said section, which child has been committed to the Commissioner of Social Services or the Commissioner of Children and Families as neglected or uncared-for, shall be payable to the commissioner as legal guardian of the child less fees approved under subsection (b) of section 31-327.

      (1967, P.A. 574, S. 1; P.A. 74-251, S. 12; P.A. 77-614, S. 521, 610; P.A. 91-32, S. 22, 41; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; 93-262, S. 1, 87.)

      History: P.A. 74-251 added reference to children committed to children and youth services commissioner; P.A. 77-614 replaced welfare commissioner with commissioner of human resources, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 91-32 made technical changes; P.A. 93-91 substituted commissioner and department of children and families for commissioner and department of children and youth services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993.

      Sec. 31-306b. Written notice of potential eligibility for death benefits. (a) Not later than thirty days after the date an employer or insurer discontinues paying weekly disability benefits to an injured employee under the provisions of this chapter due to the death of the injured employee, the employer or insurer shall send by registered or certified mail to the last address to which the injured employee's workers' compensation benefit checks were mailed, a written notice stating, in simple language, that dependents of the deceased employee may be eligible for death benefits under this chapter, subject to the filing and benefit eligibility requirements of this chapter.

      (b) Not later than October 1, 1998, the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission shall develop a standard form that may be used by employers and insurers to provide the notice required under subsection (a) of this section.

      (c) The failure of an employer or insurer to comply with the notice requirements of subsection (a) of this section shall not excuse a dependent of a deceased employee from making a claim for compensation within the time limits prescribed by subsection (a) of section 31-294c unless the dependent of the deceased employee demonstrates, in the opinion of the commissioner, that he was prejudiced by such failure to comply. Each dependent who, in the opinion of the commissioner, demonstrates that he was prejudiced by the failure of an employer or insurer to comply with the notice requirements of subsection (a) of this section shall be granted an extension of time in which to file a notice of claim for compensation with the deceased employee's employer or insurer pursuant to section 31-294c, but such extension shall not exceed the period of time equal to the interim between the end of the thirty-day period set forth in subsection (a) of this section and the date the notice required under said subsection was actually mailed.

      (P.A. 98-104, S. 1.)

      Sec. 31-307. Compensation for total incapacity. (a) If any injury for which compensation is provided under the provisions of this chapter results in total incapacity to work, the injured employee shall be paid a weekly compensation equal to seventy-five per cent of the injured employee's average weekly earnings as of the date of the injury, calculated pursuant to section 31-310, after such earnings have been reduced by any deduction for federal or state taxes, or both, and for the federal Insurance Contributions Act made from such employee's total wages received during the period of calculation of the employee's average weekly wage pursuant to section 31-310; but the compensation shall not be more than the maximum weekly benefit rate set forth in section 31-309 for the year in which the injury occurred. No employee entitled to compensation under this section shall receive less than twenty per cent of the maximum weekly compensation rate, as provided in section 31-309, provided the minimum payment shall not exceed seventy-five per cent of the employee's average weekly wage, as determined under section 31-310, and the compensation shall not continue longer than the period of total incapacity.

      (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, any employee who suffers any injury or illness caused by the employer's violation of any health or safety regulation adopted pursuant to chapter 571 or adopted by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and listed in 29 CFR, Chapter XVII, after the violation has been cited in accordance with the provisions of section 31-375 or the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 84 Stat. 1601 (1970), 29 USC 658 and not abated within the time fixed by the citation, provided the citation has not been set aside by appeal to the appropriate agency or court having jurisdiction, shall receive a weekly compensation equal to one hundred per cent of the employee's average weekly earnings at the time of the injury or illness.

      (c) The following injuries of any person shall be considered as causing total incapacity and compensation shall be paid accordingly: (1) Total and permanent loss of sight of both eyes, or the reduction to one-tenth or less of normal vision; (2) the loss of both feet at or above the ankle; (3) the loss of both hands at or above the wrist; (4) the loss of one foot at or above the ankle and one hand at or above the wrist; (5) any injury resulting in permanent and complete paralysis of the legs or arms or of one leg and one arm; (6) any injury resulting in incurable imbecility or mental illness.

      (d) An employee who has suffered the loss or loss of the use of one of the members of the body, or part of one of the members of the body, or the reduction of vision in one eye to one-tenth or less of normal vision, shall not receive compensation for the later injury in excess of the compensation allowed for the injury when considered by itself and not in conjunction with the previous incapacity except as provided in this chapter.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7430; 1949, 1951, 1953, S. 3043d; 1957, P.A. 463, S. 2; 1958 Rev., S. 31-161; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 30; 1967, P.A. 842, S. 14; P.A. 78-360, S. 1; P.A. 80-124, S. 3; P.A. 82-455; P.A. 90-272, S. 1, 2; P.A. 91-32, S. 23, 41; 91-339, S. 26; P.A. 93-228, S. 16, 35; P.A. 06-84, S. 1.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1967 act increased compensation rate from sixty to sixty-six and two-thirds per cent of average weekly earnings at time of injury and deleted references to normal vision "with glasses"; P.A. 78-360 authorized compensation at seventy-five per cent rate where injury or illness caused by employer's violation of health or safety regulation has been cited and he has subsequently failed to abate violation; P.A. 80-124 specified that time of injury is date of incapacity to work as a result of disease in cases involving occupational diseases; P.A. 82-455 changed the minimum weekly benefit from twenty dollars to twenty per cent of the maximum weekly compensation rate, provided the minimum does not exceed eighty per cent of the employee's average weekly wage; P.A. 90-272 increased the weekly compensation from seventy-five per cent of the employee's weekly earnings to one hundred per cent for injury or illness caused by his employer's OSHA violations; P.A. 91-32 divided the existing section into Subsecs. (a) to (d), inclusive, and made technical changes; P.A. 91-339 changed the weekly compensation allowed in Subsec. (a) from sixty-six and two-thirds per cent of average weekly earnings to eighty per cent of average weekly earnings reduced by deductions for federal taxes and FICA; P.A. 93-228 amended Subsec. (a) to decrease weekly compensation allowed for total incapacity from eighty to seventy-five per cent of injured employee's average weekly earnings, to require that state taxes be deducted in calculating such earnings, and to decrease maximum compensation allowed for minimum payment from eighty to seventy-five per cent of employee's average weekly wage, and added Subsec. (e) to require that compensation for total incapacity be offset by Social Security retirement benefits, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 06-84 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a), (b) and (d) and deleted former Subsec. (e) re offset of amount of old age insurance benefits employee entitled to receive under Social Security Act against total incapacity workers' compensation payments, effective May 30, 2006.

      If a one-eyed man lost his eye he was entitled to compensation for total incapacity. 95 C. 354; but see last clause of the present act. Where plaintiff's labor is unmarketable, may substitute total incapacity. 110 C. 282. Cited. 112 C. 132; Id., 629. Compensation limited to 520 weeks including specific loss. 113 C. 707. Cited. 123 C. 194; Id., 513. Cited. 125 C. 564. Cited. 126 C. 495. Disability followed by specific indemnity and subsequent disability traceable to original injury, final disability compensable. 127 C. 294. Whether paid specific or total or partial compensation, discretionary with commissioner. 129 C. 591. Not in conjunction with previous incapacity. 130 C. 401. "Total incapacity to work" means not the employee's inability to work at his customary calling, but the destruction of his capacity to earn in that or any other occupation which he can reasonably pursue. If, though he can work, his physical condition is such that no one will employ him, he is just as much totally incapacitated as though he could not work at all. 135 C. 498. Where plaintiff has equal earning capacity in other work, but there is no other work because of business conditions, he is not totally incapacitated. 136 C. 514. Does not apply to partial incapacity. 137 C. 235. If, because of employee's injury, his labor becomes unmarketable, he is totally incapacitated. Id., 454. Since 1946 accident was an equal, concurrent and contributing cause of plaintiff's disability by reason of which compensation was paid in 1950, the award was properly predicated on statutory rate payable in 1950 rather than lower rate of 1946. 139 C. 338. Cited. 196 C. 104; Id., 529. Cited. 209 C. 59. Rule against double compensation prohibits concurrent payment of specific indemnity benefits for permanent partial impairment under Sec. 31-308(b) and benefits for total incapacity under this section as result of same incident. 217 C. 42. Cited. Id., 50. Cited. 218 C. 9; Id., 531. Cited. 219 C. 28. Special benefits under Sec. 5-142(a) are not an obstacle to greater recovery under this section. 220 C. 721. Cited. Id., 739. Cited. 221 C. 41. Cited. 226 C. 569. Cited. 227 C. 261. Cited. 231 C. 287. Injured employee's workers' compensation benefit rate to be determined in case of traumatic injury by reference to his earnings preceding the date on which he became incapacitated. Id., 529. Cited. 233 C. 14. Cited. 237 C. 71. Does not permit discontinuance of total disability benefits to incarcerated recipients. 261 C. 181.

      Cited. 7 CA 142. Cited. 16 CA 660. Cited. 25 CA 350. Cited. 26 CA 466. Cited. 27 CA 483; Id., 699. Benefits are calculated on wages on the date of incapacity to work rather than date of injury. 28 CA 226. Cited. 29 CA 559. Cited. 36 CA 298. Cited. 45 CA 324.

      Cited. 9 CS 375. See note to Sec. 31-310. Cited. 38 CS 648. Benefits under Sec. 31-308(d) are payable contemporaneously with those under this statute. 39 CS 449.

      Subsec. (a):

      Cited. 239 C. 676.

      Subsec. (e):

      Is constitutional because legislature's goal of cost saving was legitimate and the offset is a rational means to achieve that goal. 263 C. 328.

      Applies prospectively because it impacts substantive rights. 78 CA 472.

      Sec. 31-307a. Cost-of-living adjustment in compensation rates. (a) The weekly compensation rate of each employee entitled to receive compensation under section 31-307 as a result of an injury sustained on or after October 1, 1969, and before July 1, 1993, which totally disables the employee continuously or intermittently for any period extending to the following October first or thereafter, shall be adjusted annually as provided in this subsection as of the following October first, and each subsequent October first, to provide the injured employee with a cost-of-living adjustment in his or her weekly compensation rate as determined as of the date of the injury under section 31-309. If the maximum weekly compensation rate as determined under the provisions of section 31-309, to be effective as of any October first following the date of the injury, is greater than the maximum weekly compensation rate prevailing as of the date of the injury, the weekly compensation rate which the injured employee was entitled to receive at the date of the injury or October 1, 1990, whichever is later, shall be increased by the percentage of the increase in the maximum weekly compensation rate required by the provisions of section 31-309 from the date of the injury or October 1, 1990, whichever is later, to such October first. The cost-of-living increases provided under this subsection shall be paid by the employer without any order or award from the commissioner. The adjustments shall apply to each payment made in the next succeeding twelve-month period commencing with the October first next succeeding the date of the injury.

      (b) The weekly compensation rate of each employee entitled to receive compensation under section 31-307 as a result of an injury sustained prior to October 1, 1969, which has disabled the employee for a period extending to October 1, 1969, or thereafter shall be adjusted as of October 1, 1969, and annually thereafter, as provided in this subsection to provide the injured employee with a partial cost-of-living adjustment in his or her weekly compensation rate. The weekly compensation rate paid prior to October 1, 1969, to the injured employee shall be increased as of October 1, 1969, by the amount that the maximum weekly compensation rate as determined under section 31-309 to be effective for injuries sustained on or after October 1, 1969, is greater than the maximum weekly compensation rate as determined under section 31-309 to be effective for injuries sustained on or after October 1, 1965, or the date of the injury, whichever is later, but not more than fifteen dollars per week. Thereafter, increases, if any, for cost-of-living as provided in subsection (a) of this section shall be added to the amount of weekly compensation payable as of the date of the injury or October 1, 1990, whichever is later. The partial cost-of-living adjustments provided under this subsection shall be paid by the employer without any order or award from the commissioner. The adjustments shall apply to each payment made in the next twelve-month period, on or after October 1, 1969. The cost of the adjustments shall be paid by the employer or the employer's insurance carrier who shall be reimbursed therefor from the Second Injury Fund as provided in section 31-354 upon presentation of any vouchers and information that the Treasurer shall require. No claim for payment of retroactive benefits may be made to the Second Injury Fund more than two years after the date on which the employer or its insurance carrier paid such benefits in accordance with this subsection.

      (c) On and after October 1, 1997, the weekly compensation rate of each employee entitled to receive compensation under section 31-307 as a result of an injury sustained on or after July 1, 1993, which totally incapacitates the employee permanently, shall be adjusted as provided in this subsection as of October 1, 1997, or the October first following the injury date, whichever is later, and annually on each subsequent October first, to provide the injured employee with a cost-of-living adjustment in his or her weekly compensation rate as determined as of the date of injury under section 31-309. If the maximum weekly compensation rate, as determined under the provisions of said section 31-309, to be effective as of any October first following the date of the injury, is greater than the maximum weekly compensation rate prevailing as of the date of injury, the weekly compensation rate which the injured employee was entitled to receive as of the date of injury shall be increased by the percentage of the increase in the maximum weekly compensation rate required by the provisions of said section 31-309 from the date of the injury to such October first. The cost-of-living adjustments provided under this subdivision shall be paid by the employer without any order or award from the commissioner. The adjustments shall apply to each payment made in the next succeeding twelve-month period commencing with October 1, 1997, or the October first next succeeding the date of injury, whichever is later. With respect to any employee receiving benefits on October 1, 1997, with respect to any such injury occurring on or after July 1, 1993, and before October 1, 1997, or with respect to any employee who was adjudicated to be totally incapacitated permanently subsequent to the date of his or her injury or is totally incapacitated permanently due to the fact that the employee has been totally incapacitated by such an injury for a period of five years or more, such benefit shall be recalculated to October 1, 1997, to the date of such adjudication or to the end of such five-year period, as the case may be, as if such benefits had been subject to recalculation annually under the provisions of this subsection. The difference between the amount of any benefits which would have been paid to such employee if such benefits had been subject to such recalculation and the actual amount of benefits paid during the period between such injury and such recalculation shall be paid to the dependent not later than December 1, 1997, or thirty days after such adjudication or the end of such period, as the case may be, in a lump-sum payment. The employer or the employer's insurer shall be reimbursed by the Second Injury Fund, as provided in section 31-354, for adjustments, including lump-sum payments, payable under this subsection for compensable injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1993, and before October 1, 1997, upon presentation of any vouchers and information that the Treasurer shall require. No claim for payment of retroactive benefits may be made to the Second Injury Fund more than two years after the date on which the employer or its insurance carrier paid such benefits in accordance with this subsection.

      (1967, P.A. 842, S. 23, 24; 1969, P.A. 696, S. 5; P.A. 91-32, S. 24, 41; 91-339, S. 27; P.A. 93-228, S. 17, 35; P.A. 97-205, S. 4; P.A. 98-104, S. 3, 6; P.A. 05-199, S. 5.)

      History: 1969 act rewrote previous provisions in greater detail and required presentation of vouchers etc. as required by treasurer rather than comptroller; P.A. 91-32 made technical changes; P.A. 91-339 amended Subsec. (a) to provide a cost of living adjustment based on the percentage of the increase in the maximum weekly compensation rate; P.A. 93-228 amended Subsec. (a) to eliminate cost-of-living adjustments for totally incapacitated employees injured on or after July 1, 1993, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 97-205 added new Subsec. (c) establishing cost-of-living adjustments for compensation received by totally incapacitated employees on and after October 1, 1997; P.A. 98-104 increased the annual cost-of-living adjustment on workers' compensation benefits paid to employees totally and permanently disabled by a work-related injury prior to October 1, 1990, effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 05-199 made technical changes and amended Subsecs. (b) and (c) to require claims for payment of retroactive benefits under subsections to be made to Second Injury Fund not more than two years after payment by employer or insurer, effective July 1, 2006.

      Cited. 239 C. 676.

      Cited. 45 CA 324.

      Subsec. (c):

      P.A. 97-205, which reinstated cost-of-living-adjustments, also provided that fund, rather than employers and insurers, was responsible for paying such adjustments to qualified employees who sustained compensable injuries on or after July 1, 1993, and before October 1, 1997. 262 C. 416.

      Sec. 31-307b. Benefits after relapse from recovery. Recurrent injuries. If any employee who receives compensation under section 31-307 returns to work after recovery from his or her injury and subsequently suffers total or partial incapacity caused by a relapse from the recovery from, or a recurrence of, the injury, the employee shall be paid a weekly compensation equal to seventy-five per cent of his or her average weekly earnings as of the date of the original injury or at the time of his or her relapse or at the time of the recurrence of the injury, whichever is the greater sum, calculated pursuant to section 31-310, after such earnings have been reduced by any deduction for federal or state taxes, or both, and for the federal Insurance Contributions Act made from such employee's total wages received during the period of calculation of the employee's average weekly wage pursuant to said section 31-310, but not more than (1) the maximum compensation rate set pursuant to section 31-309 if the employee suffers total incapacity, or (2) one hundred per cent, raised to the next even dollar, of the average weekly earnings of production and related workers in manufacturing in the state, as determined in accordance with the provisions of section 31-309, if the employee suffers partial incapacity, for the year in which the employee suffered the relapse or recurrent injury and the minimum rate under this chapter for that year, and provided (A) the compensation shall not continue longer than the period of total or partial incapacity following the relapse or recurrent injury and (B) no employee eligible for compensation for specific injuries set forth in section 31-308 shall receive compensation under this section. The employee shall also be entitled to receive the cost-of-living adjustment provided in accordance with the provisions of section 31-307a commencing on October first following the relapse or recurrent injury which disables him or her. If the injury occurred originally prior to October 1, 1969, the difference between the employee's original weekly compensation rate and the rate required by this section and the cost-of-living adjustment, if any, thereafter due shall be paid initially by the employer or the employer's insurance carrier who shall be reimbursed for such payment from the Second Injury Fund as provided by section 31-354 upon presentation of any vouchers and information that the Treasurer shall require. No claim for payment of retroactive benefits may be made to the Second Injury Fund more than two years after the date on which the employer or its insurance carrier paid such benefits in accordance with this section. In no event shall the employee receive more than the prevailing maximum compensation.

      (1967, P.A. 842, S. 28; 1969, P.A. 696, S. 6; P.A. 79-376, S. 74; P.A. 91-32, S. 25, 41; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-12, S. 51; P.A. 93-228, S. 18, 35; P.A. 05-199, S. 6.)

      History: 1969 act deleted reference to Sec. 31-306(b), deleted reference to "maximum" recovery from injury and set forth provisions re payments for cost-of-living adjustments; P.A. 79-376 added references to recurrent injuries; P.A. 91-32 made technical changes; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-12 changed the weekly compensation allowed under this section from sixty-six and two-thirds per cent of average weekly earnings to eighty per cent of average weekly earnings reduced by deductions for federal taxes and FICA, and provided for maximum compensation in the case of total and partial incapacity; P.A. 93-228 decreased weekly compensation benefits for relapse or recurrence of previous injury from eighty to seventy-five per cent of employee's average weekly earnings and required that state taxes be deducted in calculating such earnings, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 05-199 made technical changes and required claims for payment of retroactive benefits under section to be made to Second Injury Fund not more than two years after payment by employer or insurer, effective July 1, 2006.

      Claimant need only have recovered sufficiently to have returned to work with medical permission to be entitled to the section's benefits on a relapse or recurrence of injury. 231 C. 529.

      Sec. 31-307c. Compensation under agreements or awards effected prior to October 1, 1953. Any person who received compensation for total incapacity under a workers' compensation agreement or award effected prior to October 1, 1953, shall receive such compensation as was authorized by such agreement or award under section 31-307 or for not longer than the period of total disability, and shall be paid in addition thereto the cost-of-living adjustment provided for under subsection (b) of section 31-307a. The compensation authorized under this section, including the cost-of-living adjustment, shall be paid out of the Second Injury Fund provided for in section 31-354. Such compensation and cost-of-living adjustment shall be paid only for weeks of total disability existing or commencing on or after October 1, 1969.

      (1967, P.A. 842, S. 30; 1969, P.A. 696, S. 7; P.A. 79-376, S. 45; P.A. 91-207, S. 4, 9.)

      History: 1969 act specified applicability of cost-of-living adjustments; P.A. 79-376 replaced "workmen's compensation" with "workers' compensation"; P.A. 91-207 made a technical change in fund's name.

      Sec. 31-308. Compensation for partial incapacity. (a) If any injury for which compensation is provided under the provisions of this chapter results in partial incapacity, the injured employee shall be paid a weekly compensation equal to seventy-five per cent of the difference between the wages currently earned by an employee in a position comparable to the position held by the injured employee before his injury, after such wages have been reduced by any deduction for federal or state taxes, or both, and for the federal Insurance Contributions Act in accordance with section 31-310, and the amount he is able to earn after the injury, after such amount has been reduced by any deduction for federal or state taxes, or both, and for the federal Insurance Contributions Act in accordance with section 31-310, except that when (1) the physician attending an injured employee certifies that the employee is unable to perform his usual work but is able to perform other work, (2) the employee is ready and willing to perform other work in the same locality and (3) no other work is available, the employee shall be paid his full weekly compensation subject to the provisions of this section. Compensation paid under this subsection shall not be more than one hundred per cent, raised to the next even dollar, of the average weekly earnings of production and related workers in manufacturing in the state, as determined in accordance with the provisions of section 31-309, and shall continue during the period of partial incapacity, but no longer than five hundred twenty weeks. If the employer procures employment for an injured employee that is suitable to his capacity, the wages offered in such employment shall be taken as the earning capacity of the injured employee during the period of the employment.

      (b) With respect to the following injuries, the compensation, in addition to the usual compensation for total incapacity but in lieu of all other payments for compensation, shall be seventy-five per cent of the average weekly earnings of the injured employee, calculated pursuant to section 31-310, after such earnings have been reduced by any deduction for federal or state taxes, or both, and for the federal Insurance Contributions Act made from such employee's total wages received during the period of calculation of the employee's average weekly wage pursuant to said section 31-310, but in no case more than one hundred per cent, raised to the next even dollar, of the average weekly earnings of production and related workers in manufacturing in the state, as determined in accordance with the provisions of section 31-309, or less than fifty dollars weekly. All of the following injuries include the loss of the member or organ and the complete and permanent loss of use of the member or organ referred to:

      *The loss or loss of use of one phalanx of a thumb shall be construed as seventy-five per cent of the loss of the thumb.

      Sec. 31-308a. Additional benefits for partial permanent disability. (a) In addition to the compensation benefits provided by section 31-308 for specific loss of a member or use of the function of a member of the body, or any personal injury covered by this chapter, the commissioner, after such payments provided by said section 31-308 have been paid for the period set forth in said section, may award additional compensation benefits for such partial permanent disability equal to seventy-five per cent of the difference between the wages currently earned by an employee in a position comparable to the position held by such injured employee prior to his injury, after such wages have been reduced by any deduction for federal or state taxes, or both, and for the federal Insurance Contributions Act in accordance with section 31-310, and the weekly amount which such employee will probably be able to earn thereafter, after such amount has been reduced by any deduction for federal or state taxes, or both, and for the federal Insurance Contributions Act in accordance with section 31-310, to be determined by the commissioner based upon the nature and extent of the injury, the training, education and experience of the employee, the availability of work for persons with such physical condition and at the employee's age, but not more than one hundred per cent, raised to the next even dollar, of the average weekly earnings of production and related workers in manufacturing in the state, as determined in accordance with the provisions of section 31-309. If evidence of exact loss of earnings is not available, such loss may be computed from the proportionate loss of physical ability or earning power caused by the injury. The duration of such additional compensation shall be determined upon a similar basis by the commissioner, but in no event shall the duration of such additional compensation exceed the lesser of (1) the duration of the employee's permanent partial disability benefits, or (2) five hundred twenty weeks. Additional benefits provided under this section shall be available only to employees who are willing and able to perform work in this state.

      (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, additional benefits provided under this section shall be available only when the nature of the injury and its effect on the earning capacity of an employee warrant additional compensation.

      (1967, P.A. 842, S. 25; 1969, P.A. 696, S. 8; P.A. 79-376, S. 76; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-12, S. 52; P.A. 93-228, S. 20, 35.)

      History: 1969 act changed amount of additional compensation benefits from the difference between employee's average weekly benefits and his probable weekly earnings after injury to two-thirds of that difference; P.A. 79-376 used wages currently earned by employee in comparable position to that of injured employee prior to injury rather than injured employee's average weekly wages as basis of computation; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-12 changed the additional compensation allowed under this section to eighty per cent of the difference between wages currently earned in a comparable position prior to injury, reduced by deductions for federal taxes and FICA, and the weekly amount earned after the injury, reduced by deductions for federal tax and FICA, but not more than one hundred per cent of the average production wage; P.A. 93-228 designated existing language as Subsec. (a) and decreased amount of additional benefits available for permanent partial disability from eighty to seventy-five per cent of difference between wages currently earned in a comparable position prior to injury, less deductions for state and federal taxes and FICA, and weekly amount earned after injury, less such deductions, and to place limitations on availability and duration of such additional benefits, and added Subsec. (b) to condition availability of additional benefits on nature of injury and its effect on employee's earning capacity, effective July 1, 1993.

      Cited. 223 C. 376. Cited. 231 C. 287. Cited. 237 C. 71. It appears that in calculating benefits, legislature was concerned, not with a broad all-inclusive definition of "earnings", but intended the formula to reflect the difference between actual wages claimant had earned from his employer before his injury and wages claimant would be able to earn after his injury. 270 C. 1. Because legislature has explicitly provided for an offset mechanism under either Sec. 5-169(g), which governs Tier I retirees, or Sec. 5-192p (d), which governs Tier II retirees, benefits awarded under this section need not be offset by claimant's receipt of state disability retirement benefits. Id., 32.

      Cited. 40 CA 562. Cited. 42 CA 147. Statute does not specifically require claimant to seek employment to qualify for a discretionary award of benefits. 54 CA 289. Court accepts established policy of board and declines to adopt the "whole man" theory. Id., 296. Exclusion of regular retirement pension and Social Security benefits from calculation of award of additional benefits under statute proper and not violative of public policy by allowing double recovery. 82 CA 505.

      Subsec. (a):

      Use of word "are" evinces legislature's intent that claimant must presently fulfill "willing and able" requirement to receive benefits. 72 CA 611.

      Subsec. (b):

      Expressly restricts commissioner's authority to compensate even those employees who meet criteria in Subsec. (a). 72 CA 611.

      Sec. 31-308b. Dependency allowance. Section 31-308b is repealed.

      (1967, P.A. 842, S. 22; 1969, P.A. 696, S. 9; P.A. 76-217; P.A. 80-284, S. 3; P.A. 91-32, S. 27, 31; 91-339, S. 52, 55.)

      Sec. 31-309. Maximum weekly compensation. Determination of average weekly earnings of state workers and production and related workers in manufacturing. (a) Except as provided in section 31-307, the weekly compensation received by an injured employee under the provisions of this chapter shall in no case be more than one hundred per cent, raised to the next even dollar, of the average weekly earnings of all workers in the state as hereinafter defined for the year in which the injury occurred except that the weekly compensation received by an injured employee whose injury occurred before July 1, 1993, shall be computed according to the provisions of law in effect at the time of his injury. In the case of an occupational disease, the time of injury shall be the date of total or partial incapacity to work as a result of such disease.

      (b) (1) The average weekly earnings of all workers in the state shall be determined by the Labor Commissioner on or before the fifteenth day of August of each year, to be effective the following October first, and shall be the average of all workers' weekly earnings for the year ending the previous June thirtieth and shall be so determined in accordance with the standards for the determination of average weekly earnings of all workers established by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

      (2) Prior to July 1, 1993, the Labor Commissioner shall determine the average weekly earnings of all workers in the state to be effective during the period July 1, 1993, to October 1, 1993.

      (c) The average weekly earnings of production and related workers in manufacturing in the state shall be determined by the Labor Commissioner on or before the fifteenth day of August of each year, to be effective the following October first, and shall be the average of the manufacturing production and related workers' weekly earnings for the year ending the previous June thirtieth and shall be so determined in accordance with the standards for the determination of average weekly earnings of production and related workers in manufacturing established by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

      (1959, P.A. 580, S. 19; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 32; 1967, P.A. 842, S. 16; 1969, P.A. 696, S. 10; 1971, P.A. 371; P.A. 78-354, S. 1, 8; 78-360, S. 2; P.A. 79-483, S. 12; P.A. 80-124, S. 4; P.A. 87-547; P.A. 88-2, S. 1, 2; P.A. 91-339, S. 29; P.A. 93-228, S. 21, 35.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1967 act set maximum at sixty rather than fifty-five per cent of average production wage in state for year in which injury occurred; 1969 act substituted "weekly earnings of production and related workers" for "production wage"; 1971 act raised percentage maximum to sixty-six and two-thirds per cent; P.A. 78-354 raised percentage to eighty-five per cent and added exception re employees injured before January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-360 added exception re Sec. 31-307; P.A. 79-483 raised percentage maximum to one hundred per cent except for those injured October 1, 1979; P.A. 80-124 specified that in cases of occupational disease, time of injury is date of total or partial inability to work as a result of disease; P.A. 87-547 increased maximum percentages to one hundred fifty per cent; P.A. 88-2 replaced "1979" with "1987," in provision re applicable injury date; P.A. 91-339 divided existing section into Subsecs. (a) and (b) and changed applicable date from October 1, 1987, to October 1, 1991; P.A. 93-228 amended Subsec. (a) to decrease maximum for persons injured on or after July 1, 1993, from one hundred fifty per cent to one hundred per cent of state average weekly wage for all workers, inserted new Subsec. (b) to require labor commissioner to annually calculate average weekly earnings of all state workers as well as production and related workers, and redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (c), effective July 1, 1993, except that Subdiv. (2) of Subsec. (b) effective June 30, 1993.

      Rate applicable to volunteer firemen under section 7-314a. 159 C. 53. Cited. 187 C. 363. Cited 217 C. 42. Cited. 220 C. 739. Cited. 239 C. 676.

      P.A. 79-483 (product liability law) cited. 16 CA 558, 562. Cited. 38 CA 754. Cited. 40 CA 409.

      Cited. 39 CS 449.

      Sec. 31-310. Determination of average weekly wage of injured worker. Concurrent employment. Payments from Second Injury Fund. Publication of wage tables. (a) For the purposes of this chapter, the average weekly wage shall be ascertained by dividing the total wages received by the injured employee from the employer in whose service the employee is injured during the fifty-two calendar weeks immediately preceding the week during which the employee was injured, by the number of calendar weeks during which, or any portion of which, the employee was actually employed by the employer, but, in making the computation, absence for seven consecutive calendar days, although not in the same calendar week, shall be considered as absence for a calendar week. When the employment commenced otherwise than at the beginning of a calendar week, that calendar week and wages earned during that week shall be excluded in making the computation. When the period of employment immediately preceding the injury is computed to be less than a net period of two calendar weeks, the employee's weekly wage shall be considered to be equivalent to the average weekly wage prevailing in the same or similar employment in the same locality at the date of the injury except that, when the employer has agreed to pay a certain hourly wage to the employee, the hourly wage so agreed upon shall be the hourly wage for the injured employee and the employee's average weekly wage shall be computed by multiplying the hourly wage by the regular number of hours that is permitted each week in accordance with the agreement. For the purpose of determining the amount of compensation to be paid in the case of a minor under the age of eighteen who has sustained an injury entitling the employee to compensation for total or partial incapacity for a period of fifty-two or more weeks, or to specific indemnity for any injury under the provisions of section 31-308, the commissioner may add fifty per cent to the employee's average weekly wage, except in the case of a minor under the age of sixteen, the commissioner may add one hundred per cent to the minor's average weekly wage. When the injured employee is a trainee or apprentice receiving a subsistence allowance from the United States because of war service, the allowance shall be added to the injured employee's actual earnings in determining the average weekly wage. Where the injured employee has worked for more than one employer as of the date of the injury and the average weekly wage received from the employer in whose employ the injured employee was injured, as determined under the provisions of this section, are insufficient to obtain the maximum weekly compensation rate from the employer under section 31-309, prevailing as of the date of the injury, the injured employee's average weekly wages shall be calculated upon the basis of wages earned from all such employers in the period of concurrent employment not in excess of fifty-two weeks prior to the date of the injury, but the employer in whose employ the injury occurred shall be liable for all medical and hospital costs and a portion of the compensation rate equal to seventy-five per cent of the average weekly wage paid by the employer to the injured employee, after such earnings have been reduced by any deduction for federal or state taxes, or both, and for the federal Insurance Contribution Act made from such employee's total wages received from such employer during the period of calculation of such average weekly wage, but not less than an amount equal to the minimum compensation rate prevailing as of the date of the injury. The remaining portion of the applicable compensation rate shall be paid from the Second Injury Fund upon submission to the Treasurer by the employer or the employer's insurer of such vouchers and information as the Treasurer may require. For purposes of this subsection, the Second Injury Fund shall not be deemed an employer or an insurer for any claim brought on behalf of an insolvent insurer and shall be exempt from liability, unless such claim is brought not later than thirty days after a determination of such insurer's bankruptcy. No claim for payment of retroactive benefits may be made to the Second Injury Fund more than two years from the date on which the employer or its insurer paid such benefits in accordance with this subsection. In cases which involve concurrent employment and in which there is a claim against a third party, the injured employee or the employer in whose employ the injury was sustained or the employer's insurer shall advise the custodian of the Second Injury Fund if there is a third party claim, and the employee, employer or employer's insurer shall pursue its subrogation rights as provided for in section 31-293 and shall include in its claim all compensation paid by the Second Injury Fund and shall reimburse the Second Injury Fund for all payments made for compensation in the event of a recovery against the third party.

      (b) Each August fifteenth, the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission, in consultation with the advisory board, shall publish tables of the average weekly wage and seventy-five per cent of the average weekly wage after being reduced by any deduction for federal or state taxes, or both, and for the federal Insurance Contributions Act, to be effective the following October first, except that not later than June thirtieth, the chairman, in consultation with the advisory board, shall publish tables of the average weekly wage and seventy-five per cent of the average weekly wage after being reduced by any deduction for federal or state taxes, or both, and for the federal Insurance Contributions Act, to be effective during the period July 1, 1993, to October 1, 1993. Such tables shall be conclusive for the purpose of determining seventy-five per cent of the average weekly earnings of an injured employee after such earnings have been reduced by any deduction for federal or state taxes, or both, and for the federal Insurance Contributions Act made from such employee's total wages received during the period of calculation of the employee's average weekly wage for purposes of sections 31-306, 31-307 and 31-308.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7432; 1949, S. 3045d; 1958 Rev., S. 31-163; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 33; 1967, P.A. 842, S. 17; 1969, P.A. 696, S. 11; 1971, P.A. 350, S. 1; P.A. 79-376, S. 77; P.A. 91-32, S. 28, 41; 91-339, S. 30, 55; P.A. 93-228, S. 22, 35; P.A. 95-277, S. 2, 19; P.A. 05-199, S. 7.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1967 act added provisions re calculation of and liability for compensation payments when injured employee worked for more than one employer; 1969 act expanded provisions added in 1967 to specify applicability to cases where wages at time of injury would not enable injured employee to receive maximum benefits, to change basis of calculation in such cases, to require that injured person receive at least minimum prevailing rate from employer and dependency allowance if he is totally incapacitated; 1971 act added provisions re third party claims; P.A. 79-376 substituted "worker" for "workman" and rephrased reference to Sec. 31-308; P.A. 91-32 made technical changes; P.A. 91-339 designated existing section as Subsec. (a), deleted provisions re dependency allowance, added provisions re submission of vouchers and information to the treasurer and added Subsec. (b) re average weekly wage tables; P.A. 93-228 amended Subsec. (a) to change the basis of calculation for an employee's average weekly wage from twenty-six to fifty-two weeks and amended Subsec. (b) to require the chairman of the workers' compensation commission to publish tables of seventy-five, rather than eighty, per cent of the average weekly wage less deductions for state and federal taxes and for the federal Insurance Contributions Act, effective July 1, 1993, except that Subsec. (b) effective June 30, 1993; P.A. 95-277 amended Subsec. (a) to change portion of wages paid by the employer in whose employ the injury incurred from a "pro-rata" share to a portion equal to "seventy-five per cent of the average weekly wage paid by him to the injured employee" after such earnings has been reduced by the applicable federal and state taxes and the federal Insurance Contribution Act and made technical corrections for clarity by substituting "insurer" for "insurance carrier", effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 05-199 amended Subsec. (a) to make technical changes, to provide that Second Injury Fund not be deemed an employer or insurer and be exempt from liability for claim brought by insolvent insurer unless claim brought not later then thirty days after determination of bankruptcy, and to require claims for payment of retroactive benefits under subsection to be made to Second Injury Fund not more than two years after payment by employer or insurer, effective July 1, 2006.

      Construed. 95 C. 607. Applies if employee worked two weeks in all within the last twenty-six, though not continuously. 98 C. 820. Basis of compensation is average wage 26 weeks before incapacity occurs, though not in employ of employer in whose service disease is contracted. 114 C. 24; 116 C. 193. When allowance for board and room is added to weekly wage. 114 C. 410. Cited. 121 C. 152. Determination of average wage on basis of allowance for truck and hourly rate. 124 C. 433. Average weekly wage. 126 C. 265; 129 C. 591. Prevailing wage in same locality. Id., 234. Working for more than one employer. 133 C. 215. Cited. 135 C. 500. "Prevailing" wage held to be the wage earned by part-time workers engaged for one day a week. 136 C. 107. Construed with section 31-308 when employee holds two jobs. 145 C. 101. Industrial corporation employee who was member of volunteer fire department was not person who worked for more than one employer within meaning of this section. 159 C. 53. Cited. 203 C. 34. Cited. 220 C. 721. Recovery of either salary benefits under Sec. 5-142(a) or workers' compensation benefits including right to receive concurrent employment benefits under this section discussed. Id., 739. Cited. 221 C. 356. Cited. 223 C. 911. Injured volunteer firefighters do not come within concurrent employment provisions of this section. 224 C. 479. Injured employee's workers' compensation benefit rate to be determined in case of traumatic injury by reference to his earnings preceding the date on which he became incapacitated. 231 C. 529. Provides method for calculating average weekly wage of individual who was unemployed when disease manifested itself. 245 C. 66. "Wages" do not include insurance and pension benefits. 247 C. 126.

      Cited. 12 CA 138. Cited. 29 CA 559. Cited. 44 CA 112; Id., 397. Formula to establish average weekly wage is clear and unambiguous, includes employee's part-time employment and does not include earnings from another part-time job during year prior to injury. 47 CA 628.

      Cited. 5 CS 10. When plaintiff on "call" or "daily list", held that each day is an independent contract of employment. Id., 49. Where part time worker is injured, wages criterion is that of men similarly employed. 16 CS 30. Cited. Id., 164. Where apprentice employee was totally incapacitated, amount received as war service subsistence allowance was not to be computed as "amount he is able to earn", thus classifying employee as partially incapacitated under section 31-162. Id., 481.

      Subsec. (b):

      Applies only to those employees whose income is subject to deduction for contribution to FICA. 259 C. 783. Because it would be inefficient and unduly burdensome to require case-by-case calculations of compensation rates, there is a rational basis for treating employees who contribute to FICA different from employees who do not contribute to FICA, and statute thus does not violate equal protection clauses of federal and state constitutions. Id.

      Sec. 31-310a. Average weekly wage of supernumerary policemen and volunteer police officers. (a) For purposes of compensation the average weekly wage of a supernumerary policeman shall be construed to be the average weekly earnings of production and related workers in manufacturing in the state as determined by the Labor Commissioner in accordance with the provisions of section 31-309.

      (b) For the purposes of this section, compensation shall not be prorated because of other employment by a supernumerary policeman.

      (c) For the purpose of determining compensation payable under this chapter for death, disability or injury incurred by volunteer police officers, the average weekly wage of such officers shall be the average production wage in the state as determined by the Labor Commissioner under the provisions of section 31-309.

      (1969, P.A. 565, S. 1, 2; P.A. 79-376, S. 46; P.A. 91-32, S. 29, 41.)

      History: P.A. 79-376 replaced "workmen's compensation" with "workers' compensation"; P.A. 91-32 made technical changes and added Subsec. (c), re average weekly wage to be considered for purposes of determining compensation.

      Sec. 31-310b. Average weekly wage of General Assembly member. For purposes of workers' compensation the average weekly wage of a member of the General Assembly shall be construed to be the average weekly earnings of production and related workers in manufacturing in the state as determined by the Labor Commissioner in accordance with the provisions of section 31-309. For the purposes of this section, there shall be no prorating of benefits because of other employment by a member of the General Assembly.

      (1972, P.A. 281, S. 3; P.A. 79-376, S. 47.)

      History: P.A. 79-376 replaced "workmen's compensation" with "workers' compensation".

      Sec. 31-310c. Average weekly wage of worker with an occupational disease. For the purposes of this chapter, in the case of an occupational disease the average weekly wage shall be calculated as of the date of total or partial incapacity to work. However, in the case of an occupational disease which manifests itself at a time when the worker has not worked during the twenty-six weeks immediately preceding the diagnosis of such disease, the claimant's average weekly wage shall be considered to be equivalent to the greater of (1) the average weekly wage determined pursuant to section 31-310 and adjusted pursuant to section 31-307a or (2) the average weekly wage earned by the claimant during the fifty-two calendar weeks last worked by the claimant, which wage shall be determined in accordance with said section 31-310 and adjusted pursuant to said section 31-307a.

      (P.A. 90-116, S. 8; P.A. 93-228, S. 23, 35.)

      History: P.A. 93-228 amended Subdiv. (2) to base payment on wages earned during preceding fifty-two weeks, rather than twenty-six weeks, effective July 1, 1993.

      Purpose and retroactive application. 245 C. 66. Calculation of benefits for surviving dependent spouse and estate of employee who died as result of occupational disease. Id., 88.

      Cited. 44 CA 112.

      Sec. 31-311. Replacement of artificial aids. Each employer subject to the provisions of this chapter shall be liable for the payment of damages accidentally sustained by an employee in the course of his employment to artificial legs, feet, arms or hands. Such payments shall consist of the cost of the replacement or repair of such artificial aid. The employer shall also repair or replace eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and artificial teeth, where damage to such eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and artificial teeth is accompanied by bodily injury about the face or head.

      (1955, S. 3046d; 1958 Rev., S. 31-164; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 34; 1967, P.A. 842, S. 18; 1972, P.A. 171.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1967 act required that employer repair or replace artificial teeth; 1972 act required employer to repair or replace contact lenses and hearing aids.

      Sec. 31-312. Compensation for time lost during and expense of medical treatment. Reimbursement of wages lost due to appearance at informal hearing. Payments to prevailing claimants in contested cases. Medical attention outside regular work hours. (a) An employee receiving medical attention under the provisions of this chapter and required to be absent from work for medical treatment, examination, laboratory tests, x-rays or other diagnostic procedures, and not otherwise receiving or eligible to receive weekly compensation, shall be compensated for the time lost from the job for required medical treatment and tests at the rate of such employee's average earnings, but not less than at the minimum wage established by law, provided the amount payable in any one week shall not exceed the employee's weekly compensation rate. Time lost from the job shall include necessary travel time from the plant to the place of treatment, the time for the treatment and any other time that is necessary for the treatment, examination or laboratory test. The employer shall furnish or pay for the transportation of the employee by ambulance or taxi where transportation is medically required from the point of departure for treatment and return. In all other cases, the employer shall furnish the employee transportation or reimbursement for the cost of transportation actually used, at a rate equal to the federal mileage reimbursement rate for use of a privately owned automobile set forth in 41 CFR Part 301-10.303, as from time to time amended, for a private motor vehicle or the cost incurred for public transportation, from the employee's point of departure, whether from the employee's home or place of employment, and return, if the employee is required to travel beyond a one-fare limit on an available common carrier from the point of departure to the place of treatment, examination or laboratory test. Where the medical attention or treatment is provided at a time other than during the employee's regular working hours and the employee is not otherwise receiving or eligible to receive weekly compensation, the employee shall be compensated for the time involved for the medical treatment as though it were time lost from the job at the rate of the employee's average hourly earnings and shall be paid for the cost of necessary transportation as provided in this subsection.

      (b) When a claimant is given notice to appear at a conference or an informal hearing before a commissioner and does appear, he shall be entitled to reimbursement of wages lost by reason of the appearance if he is not then receiving compensation for the appearance as provided in this subsection. When liability or extent of disability is contested by formal hearing before the commissioner, the claimant shall be entitled, if he prevails on final judgment, to payment for services rendered him by a competent physician or surgeon for examination, x-ray, medical tests and testimony in connection with the claim, the commissioner to determine the reasonableness of the charges, and he shall be entitled to receive payment of one-fifth of the weekly compensation, as computed in accordance with section 31-310, for each day, or part thereof, that he is in attendance at the formal hearing if he is not then receiving compensation.

      (c) No employer shall require any person receiving medical attention under the provisions of this chapter to receive such medical attention outside the person's regular work hours if such work hours overlap or coincide with the office hours of the treating physician.

      (1959, P.A. 580, S. 9; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 35; 1969, P.A. 696, S. 12; 1971, P.A. 474; P.A. 79-376, S. 48; P.A. 80-10; P.A. 91-32, S. 30, 41; P.A. 01-33.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; 1969 act expanded and clarified employer's responsibility to furnish or pay for transportation, replacing previous provision which simply stated that costs for travel "outside the one fare limit from the plant to the place of treatment and return shall be borne by the employer and shall not be included in the maximum limit set forth above"; 1971 act added Subsec. (b) prohibiting employer from requiring treatment to occur outside injured employee's regular work hours; P.A. 79-376 replaced "workmen's compensation" with "workers' compensation"; P.A. 80-10 increased transportation allowance from ten to fifteen cents per mile; P.A. 91-32 made technical changes, added new Subsec. (b) re claimant's right to reimbursement for certain expenses and redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (c); P.A. 01-33 amended Subsec. (a) by changing the mileage reimbursement rate from fifteen cents per mile to a rate equal to the federal mileage reimbursement rate for use of a privately owned automobile and made technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality.

      Sec. 31-313. Transfer to suitable work during period of treatment or rehabilitation or because of physical incapacity. Civil penalty for failure of employer to comply. (a) (1) Where an employee has suffered a compensable injury which disables him from performing his customary or most recent work, his employer at the time of such injury shall transfer him to full-time work suitable to his physical condition where such work is available, during the time that the employee is subjected to medical treatment or rehabilitation or both and until such treatment is discontinued on the advice of the physician conducting the same or of the therapist in charge of the rehabilitation program or until the employee has reached the maximum level of rehabilitation for such worker in the judgment of the commissioner under all of the circumstances, whichever period is the longest. (2) The commissioner shall conduct a hearing upon the request of an employee who claims his employer has not transferred him to such available suitable work. Whenever the commissioner finds that the employee is so disabled, and that the employer has failed to transfer the employee to such available suitable work, he shall order the employer to transfer the employee to such work.

      (b) The commissioner shall conduct a hearing upon the request of an employee claiming to be unable to perform his customary or most recent work because of physical incapacity resulting from an injury or disease. Whenever the commissioner finds that the employee has such a physical incapacity, he shall order that the injured worker be removed from work detrimental to his health or which cannot be performed by a person so disabled and be assigned to other suitable full-time work in the employer's establishment, if available; provided the exercise of this authority shall not conflict with any provision of a collective bargaining agreement between such employer and a labor organization which is the collective bargaining representative of the unit of which the injured worker is a part.

      (c) Whenever the commissioner finds that an employer has failed to comply with the transfer requirements of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section, or has failed to comply with any transfer order issued by him pursuant to this section, he may assess a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars against the employer. Any appeal of a penalty assessed pursuant to this subsection shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of section 31-301. Any penalties collected under the provisions of this subsection shall be paid over to the Second Injury Fund or its successor.

      (1959, P.A. 580, S. 10; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 36; 1967, P.A. 842, S. 26; P.A. 79-376, S. 78; P.A. 83-65; P.A. 86-166; P.A. 91-207, S. 5, 9.)

      History: 1961 act replaced previous provisions entirely; 1967 act increased weekly payments for rehabilitation treatments from fifteen to forty dollars and added Subsec. (b) re reassignment of employees to different work positions; P.A. 79-376 specified that employee be transferred or reassigned to "full-time" suitable work in Subsecs. (a) and (b) and substituted "worker" and "workers' compensation" for "workman" and "workmen's compensation"; P.A. 83-65 amended Subsec. (a) to remove the provisions for compensation of forty dollars per week for rehabilitation treatments and to remove the requirement that the commissioners establish rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this section and compile a list of available in-state rehabilitation facilities; P.A. 86-166 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to specifically provide that the commissioner shall conduct a hearing to determine if a job transfer or assignment is necessary, and to issue an order for the employer to do so and added Subsec. (c), establishing a civil penalty for employers who fail to comply with the transfer requirements; P.A. 91-207 made a technical change to fund's name in Subsec. (c).

      Cited. 16 CA 437. Cited. 24 CA 362.

      Sec. 31-314. Allowance for advance payments. In fixing the amount of any compensation under this chapter, due allowance shall be made for any sum which the employer has paid to any injured employee or to his dependents on account of the injury, except such sums as the employer has expended or directed to be expended for medical, surgical or hospital service.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7433; 1958 Rev., S. 31-165; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 37.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions.

      Payment to employee not deductible from amount due to dependent for his subsequent death. 93 C. 159. "Payments made on account of" means those payments paid on credit, or in advance of, any sums that subsequently become payable by employer. 270 C. 1.

      Sec. 31-315. Modification of award or voluntary agreement. Any award of, or voluntary agreement concerning, compensation made under the provisions of this chapter or any transfer of liability for a claim to the Second Injury Fund under the provisions of section 31-349 shall be subject to modification in accordance with the procedure for original determinations, upon the request of either party or, in the case of a transfer under section 31-349, upon request of the custodian of the Second Injury Fund, whenever it appears to the compensation commissioner, after notice and hearing thereon, that the incapacity of an injured employee has increased, decreased or ceased, or that the measure of dependence on account of which the compensation is paid has changed, or that changed conditions of fact have arisen which necessitate a change of such agreement, award or transfer in order properly to carry out the spirit of this chapter. The commissioner shall also have the same power to open and modify an award as any court of the state has to open and modify a judgment of such court. The compensation commissioner shall retain jurisdiction over claims for compensation, awards and voluntary agreements, for any proper action thereon, during the whole compensation period applicable to the injury in question.

      (1949 Rev., S. 7434; 1958 Rev., S. 31-166; 1961, P.A. 491, S. 38; P.A. 95-277, S. 11, 19.)

      History: 1961 act entirely replaced previous provisions; P.A. 95-277 amended the section to include any transfer of liability for a claim to the Second Injury Fund and allowed for its modification upon request of the custodian of the fund, effective July 1, 1995.

      Power of commissioner to modify award. 94 C. 625; 95 C. 298; 97 C. 83; Id., 335. Modification because disability has ceased may be retroactive to the date when it ceased. 108 C. 36. No bar that the controlling facts were known to claimant and might have been presented in the former hearing. 95 C. 356; 97 C. 76, 84. Aliter in case of long continued negligence of moving party. 100 C. 185. Power to open corresponds to that of a court during the term. 98 C. 741. But this is only as to the change of facts named in the first sentence of section. 100 C. 185; 103 C. 704. Employer may claim revision as well as employee. 97 C. 332. Death of employee after award does not entitle employer to retry the question of liability. 103 C. 705; 105 C. 419. Commissioner may open award because he misunderstood the facts. 106 C. 92. Can open only on the motion of some person entitled to claim revision. 101 C. 113. Procedure on petition to open award. 94 C. 626; 106 C. 5. Having opened the award, commissioner may try it de novo. 97 C. 84. May determine who shall receive payments after employee's death. 100 C. 419. Powers of commissioner under this section. 129 C. 591. No right of appeal from denial of motion to reopen and rehear unless commissioner exceeds limits of legal discretion. 112 C. 333. As to power to reopen. 109 C. 601; 128 C. 1; Id., 284; Id., 574. Motion to reopen should follow terminology of statute. 113 C. 747; 126 C. 522. Reopening rests largely within discretion of commissioner. 119 C. 170; id., 522. No power to reopen to correct mistake of law. 116 C. 1. When it is error in refusing to reopen. 112 C. 333; 113 C. 282. If question of law involved, decision subject to appeal. 113 C. 262. Voluntary agreement may be modified if fraud shown. 121 C. 149. Cited. 110 C. 285. Cited. 111 C. 403. Cited. 113 C. 172. Cited. 114 C. 395. Cited. 116 C. 229. Cited. 120 C. 284. Cited. 126 C. 494. Cited. 127 C. 297. Cited. 130 C. 665. Cited. 132 C. 172. Power of commissioner to open an award. 134 C. 269. Commissioner was justified in treating plaintiff's motion as one for a new trial rather than for a modification of award. 136 C. 340. Denial of a motion to reopen an award is proper subject of a separate appeal. Motion to reopen on ground of mistake denied. 136 C. 361. Cited. 137 C. 187; Id., 487. Status of dependent in fact involves three factual elements: (1) Reliance on contributions of decedent for necessary living expenses; (2) a reasonable expectation that the contributions will continue; (3) an absence of sufficient means at hand for meeting these expenses. The first two are fixed at the time of injury and consequently the measure of dependence in this section can change from that existing at the time of the injury only if there is a subsequent change in the financial resources of the claimant. 152 C. 481. Where commissioner found claimant was partial dependent at time of injury but subsequently received sufficient funds from other sources to supply her present necessities, commissioner correctly concluded that, although claimant was dependent in fact at the time of injury, her "measure of dependence" had changed before the time of the hearing and consequently defendants were relieved from paying compensation to her unless and until she showed a further change in circumstances. Id., 481, 482. An award to a dependent in fact as well as to a presumptive dependent is an award of compensation and subject to modification. Id. Trial court was in error in admitting testimony of draftsman of agreement made under section 31-296 which was clear and unambiguous on its face as only workmen's compensation commissioner could open and modify the award. 157 C. 538. Cited. 159 C. 302. Cited. 177 C. 107. Cited. 206 C. 242. Cited. 210 C. 423. Cited. 212 C. 441. Cited. 219 C. 28. Cited. 221 C. 905. Cited. 226 C. 569. Cited. 231 C. 469. Authority to modify otherwise final awards does not authorize modifications based on changes of law. 244 C. 1.

      Cited. 26 CA 194. Cited. 28 CA 536. Cited. 37 CA 648. Cited. 45 CA 324. Commissioner lacked authority to modify award because statute does not authorize modifications based on a new interpretation of law and therefore, lacked authority to recalculate the plaintiff's benefits. 55 CA 789. Workers' compensation commissioner did not have authority to grant Second Injury Fund equitable relief under section to open approved stipulation and schedule approval hearing because there was no evidence that fund was prevented from making a defense by fraud, accident, mistake, surprise or improper management of opposite party. 66 CA 332. Under this section, commissioner has same power as a court to open and modify an award. 75 CA 591.