Gardner Fix Tops Workers’ Compensation Legislative Issues
The General Assembly’s quick actions to address a costly state Supreme Court ruling topped the list of workers’ compensation issues during the 2025 legislative session.
The House and Senate both approved legislation last month that effectively overturned the court’s controversial Gardner v. Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services ruling.
Gov. Ned Lamont signed the bill—seen as critical to address the gaps and uncertainties created by the court’s March decision—protecting employers from a staggering 235% increase in premium costs.
The legislative fix clarified long-standing provisions of workers’ compensation law, preserving the integrity of the 1993 reforms that have kept Connecticut’s system balanced, affordable, and effective for over three decades.
“This is a critical victory for every employer in Connecticut,” said CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima.
“The legislature’s action avoided a $320 million annual cost increase that would have devastated small businesses, municipalities, and nonprofits across the state.”
Protecting a Balanced System
The Gardner decision threatened to upend the careful balance struck by the 1993 reforms, which reduced costs while maintaining strong protections for injured workers.
By expanding the discretion of administrative law judges to award benefits beyond statutory guidelines, the ruling opened the door to unpredictable and unsustainable cost increases.
CBIA worked closely with legislative leaders, business groups, and labor representatives to ensure a swift and fair resolution.
The clarifying language was included in a broader budget measure and passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.
“This is what good governance looks like,” said DiPentima. “Lawmakers recognized the urgency, listened to stakeholders, and acted quickly to protect jobs and economic stability.”
Expansion Attempts
CBIA opposed multiple bills during the legislative session that increased workers’ compensation premium costs.
HB 6954 expanded coverage to include post-traumatic stress injury if an employee witnessed an injury in the workplace—regardless of other qualifying factors.
That bill passed passed the Labor and Public Employees Committee on a 9-4 vote and was later referred to the Appropriations Committee, which failed to act on it before the session’s deadline.
HB 6409, which introduced unnecessary system delays by requiring additional hearings before any changes to prescribed medications could be made, also failed after the Insurance and Real Estate Committee did not act on it.
The bill was referred to the Insurance Committee after passing the Labor Committee on a 9-4 vote.
For more information, contact CBIA’s Pete Myers (860.244.1921)
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