Connecticut Employment Law Blog Insight on Labor & Employment Developments for Connecticut Businesses

Tag Archives: workers compensation

Reality Bites: Know the Law Before Using That Hidden Camera

By Daniel Schwartz on Posted in Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Laws and Regulations

During the holiday break, I did what many lawyers do (but will publicly deny): I watched a few ”bad” reality tv shows.   No, I didn’t watch “Here Comes Honey Boo-boo” (even I have my limits).  But on the Food Network was a marathon of episodes of a show called “Mystery Diners”.   The show is based around so-called “Mystery… Continue Reading

Court: Regional District Employees Are “Town” Employees; Claims Barred By Workers’ Compensation Act Exclusivity

By Daniel Schwartz on Posted in Litigation, Wage & Hour

The Connecticut Supreme Court, in a decision that will be officially released next week (but released this morning), held that an animal control officer for several towns, was an employee of each of the towns.  Because of the creation of an employer/employee relationship, her claims that she was injured on the job (she suffered a… Continue Reading

U.S. Postal Service Is Not an “Employer” Under Connecticut Workers Compensation Law

By Daniel Schwartz on Posted in Wage & Hour

In a decision that will interest those that practice in Workers Compensation and with the U.S. Postal Service (and perhaps no one else), the Connecticut Supreme Court yesterday ruled that U.S. Postal Service is not an employer within the scope of workers compensation laws in Connecticut. The decision in Lopa v. Brinker Int’l is an… Continue Reading

The Basics – Injuries at the Workplace are Likely Covered By Workers Compensation

By Daniel Schwartz on Posted in Human Resources (HR) Compliance

Continuing our weekly series of basic laws of the workplace, this week will focus on the injuries at the workplace. In 2008, there were over 67,000 injuries reported at the workplace (with 34 fatalities).  Thus, at some point or another, odds are that one of your employees will get injured. While there are whole books… Continue Reading

High Court Limits Injured Workers Recovery Options…Again

By Daniel Schwartz on Posted in Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Litigation, Wage & Hour

For the second time in a month, the Connecticut Supreme Court overturned a sizable verdict to an injured worker.  And for the second time, the Court, in ruling on a contractor liability case, re-emphasized that workers compensation laws will act as a bar to many such claims against general contractors.  The case, Archambault v. Soneco/Northeastern,… Continue Reading

Connecticut Supreme Court Throws Out $41M Verdict for Injured Worker

By Daniel Schwartz on Posted in Litigation

When a worker is injured on the job, it’s tragic.  It’s even more tragic when that employee is left a paraplegic. When that same worker and his wife are awarded $41 million by a jury against a general contractor, it’s noteworthy.  It’s particularly noteworthy in Connecticut, which is not known historically for its high jury… Continue Reading

Part I – Employer Liability at Office Holiday Parties — Beyond Sexual Harassment

By Daniel Schwartz on Posted in Human Resources (HR) Compliance

With the Office Holiday Party scene upon us, most articles, like this one in the New York Times tend to point out the obvious risks associated with them — sexual harassment.  In my view, if employers are not aware that mixing alcohol with co-workers in a festive setting can be a recipe for harassment claims,… Continue Reading