Workers’ Compensation Commission
At a Glance
JOHN A. MASTROPIETRO,
Chairman
Established - 1913
Statutory authority – CGS Chapter 568
Central office - 21 Oak Street,
Hartford, CT 06106
Average number of full-time employees - 127
Recurring operating expenses - $18,969,622
Capital outlay - $303,094
Organizational structure
- Organizational Structure
– Chairman, Chief Administrative Officer, Compensation Review Board, Business,
Personnel, Information Systems, Education, Rehabilitation, and Statistical
units are located in the Chairman’s Office.
Fifteen additional trial Commissioners preside over dispute resolution
hearings at the eight district offices.
Since the Workers’ Compensation Act (Chapter 568, C.G.S.) was adopted in 1913, numerous enhancements and modifications in coverage and benefits have been made by the Legislature. With few exceptions, all workers and employers are now covered by the workers’ compensation laws. When a worker has suffered a job-related injury or illness, he or she is entitled to certain well-defined wage replacement and medical benefits. The mission of the Workers’ Compensation Commission is to ensure injured employees’ rights are fully protected, and that workers and employers fully carry out their legal responsibilities. There are fifteen At-Large Commissioners who serve in eight district offices throughout the state. They are appointed by the Governor with legislative approval. A sixteenth Commissioner serves as Chairman of the Commission. The Chairman is responsible for administration of the entire Commission. The Chairman also serves as Chief of the Compensation Review Board (CRB) along with two other Commissioners appointed by him for one-year terms to hear appeals of cases decided by the Commissioners. The Commission also educates employees about their legal rights and helps rehabilitate and return injured workers to gainful employment. During FY 2003, the Commission’s Safety Program Officers worked hard and effectively to monitor worker safety committees throughout the state. Prevention, education and rehabilitation are integral to the Commission’s statutory responsibilities. A Statistical Division measures and monitors the caseload and performance of the Commission.
In recent years, two landmark reform bills were enacted:
The Commission constantly strives to upgrade service to its clientele. Two key goals are: expediting disputed claims settlement, and returning injured workers to productive jobs. These goals are closely monitored by the Commission through manual and automated reporting systems.
Safety Program Officers work cooperatively and confidentially with employers to devise and implement safety programs resulting in reduced accidents, injuries, medical costs and lost workdays. Over 12,000 employer sites have been visited, and more than 4,600 safety and health committees, covering more than 850,000 employees, have been approved. Medical care plans, including preferred provider organizations, are also reviewed for compliance with workplace safety and health laws.
The Commission participates in the Connecticut Licensing Information Center, providing one-stop licensing information to state employers via the Internet.
During the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2003, the Commission moved aggressively to provide more effective and efficient service delivery.
All duties and responsibilities continue to be executed effectively and punctually with many fewer full-time employees than in the last several years.
Continual monitoring of hearing backlogs at the eight district offices, and reassignment of resources to meet heavy workloads, have resulted in a major decrease in time between initial hearing request and the date the hearing is actually held. Hearing backlog is down dramatically for both informal and formal hearings. The Chairman actively monitors cases ensuring that no cases are unnecessarily delayed.
The Compensation Review Board continues to process cases expeditiously. This year, new appeals numbered 146. Meanwhile, there were 126 dispositions, including 85 written opinions.
During FY 2003, 3,319 individuals were provided rehabilitation services. Initial interviews numbered 1,104. Through guidance, counseling and cost-effective short-term training programs, 723 injured workers returned to the workforce.
This high success rate was achieved despite the reduction of most of the program’s staff in January 2003, and the retirement of the remaining staff in May 2003. The clients of worker’s rehabilitation services who return to work can now support themselves and their families, and are paying taxes as a direct result of workers’ rehabilitation programs.
To help monitor medical costs, (comprising more than 40 percent of total workers’ compensation payments), the Commission reviews and approves applications for managed care plans. To date, 4,205 employers with 481,279 employees have approved plans.
A steadily increasing percentage of online reporting of workplace injuries has resulted in more accurate data at lower cost.
The Commission’s website has expanded vastly, providing vital, up-to-date information on all aspects of the Commission’s resources and services including the law, CRB decisions and late-breaking news. Additionally, the Commission’s major forms are now available in fill-able PDF format.
Worker Rehabilitation vocational education coordinators had been assigned to specific district offices, allowing greater familiarity with client needs and resources available in various geographic areas of the state. Highly cost effective on-the-job training programs had replaced an earlier emphasis on formal education programs. As of this time, there are no employees in this group, due to layoffs and early retirements.
During FY 2003 the Commission initiated major hardware and customized software upgrades affecting most of the Commission’s core functions, including claims processing, rehabilitation services, and health and safety programs. Operating systems and office mail are currently “state of the art”. Committees on the claims process, forms design, and intra-office communications, established in prior years continue their productive work. The Commission’s strategic planning goals are:
§ shortening the claims process in order to get benefits to injured workers as soon as possible;
§ elimination of duplicate claims;
§ identification of non-insured employers;
§ quick retrieval of records, saving personnel costs;
§ sophisticated data analysis to identify trouble spots before they become serious, thus affording greatly enhanced service to Connecticut workers; and,
§
worker rehabilitation case tracking for Connecticut
workers.
The Commission’s Affirmative Action Plan is currently in compliance. While the commission has no full-time Affirmative Action Officer, its Affirmative Action Plan and Program are prepared by its personnel officer. The commission continues its commitment to the state Affirmative Action Program.
Key Performance Measures FY 2003
Injuries/Illnesses – 56,465
Fatalities - 59
Formal and Pre-formal Hearings – 8,906
Stipulations – 6,689
Voluntary Agreements – 23,274
Awards - 2,026
Dismissals - 115
Education Services Information
Responses – 97,109