Committee Approves Workers’ Compensation Expansion

The legislature’s Labor and Public Employees Committee approved a bill March 13 expanding workers’ compensation benefits to cover post-traumatic stress injuries for workers who witness a serious bodily injury.

The committee approved HB 6954 on an 8-4 party line vote.

The bill adds “witnessing a serious physical injury to a person that does not result in the death or permanent disfigurement of such person” as a qualifying event for workers’ compensation coverage.

CBIA’s Pete Myers said the measure could increase employers’ premium costs and makes Connecticut an outlier compared with other states.

“This is a greatly different trend than we’re seeing in other states,” he said.

Expansion Trend

In recent years, state lawmakers have expanded workers’ compensation benefits for PTSI to include all employees in Connecticut who witness a narrow scope of events.

“This scope of qualifying events was set to provide benefits for employees who need this coverage,” Myers said.

“We are concerned that expanding the scope to witnessing a serious injury could negatively impact the cost of coverage for employers.” 

“We are concerned that e”Expanding the scope to witnessing a serious injury could negatively impact the cost of coverage for employers.”

CBIA’s Pete Myers

The legislature’s Judiciary Committee is also reviewing legislation expanding workers’ compensation coverage for cervical spine injuries.

HB 7141 increases partial permanent disability ratings for a cervical neck injury from 117 weeks to 208 weeks. 

The committee approved similar legislation last year, with a fiscal review revealing it would cost the state $1 million annually. 

CBIA anticipates committee will act on the legislation in the coming weeks. 

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For more information, contact CBIA’s Pete Myers (860.244.1921).