10/13/2026
A new Connecticut law is providing expanded workers’ compensation protections for teachers, healthcare professionals, and other qualifying employees who are injured in workplace assaults.
Effective October 1, 2026, Public Act 26-12 increases benefits for certain education and healthcare workers who suffer injuries as a result of violence while performing their job duties.
Under Connecticut’s standard workers’ compensation system, eligible injured employees generally receive 75% of their average weekly earnings after applicable tax deductions, subject to a statewide maximum. Under the new law, qualifying employees who are unable to work following an on-the-job assault may receive 100% of their average weekly earnings without the usual statutory benefit cap.
The legislation also provides for reasonable medical treatment related to the assault, compensation for wages lost while attending associated court proceedings, and additional protections for eligible school employees.
For qualifying education employees, time missed because of a workplace assault cannot be deducted from accumulated sick leave, vacation time, or personal days. Certain salary continuation protections may also apply, subject to applicable workers’ compensation offsets.
The expanded benefits cover certain teachers and employees of local and regional boards of education, qualifying personnel at institutions such as UConn and UConn Health, and eligible healthcare employees, including those who work directly with patients. Specific eligibility depends on the employee’s position, workplace, and circumstances surrounding the injury.
Workplace violence can have lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences, particularly for educators and healthcare professionals whose responsibilities may place them at increased risk. These legislative changes recognize those challenges and provide additional financial protections for employees who are injured while doing their jobs.
If you experience a workplace assault resulting in injury, it is important to notify your employer promptly, preferably in writing, and seek appropriate medical attention. Be sure to document the circumstances of the incident and retain copies of medical records, police reports, court notices, and records of missed work or lost wages. Employees should also ensure that a formal workers’ compensation claim is filed within the applicable deadlines.
Because these changes only recently took effect, questions regarding eligibility and how the new provisions apply to individual claims may continue to emerge as the law is implemented.
At Buckley Wynne & Parese, we believe Connecticut workers should understand their rights and the benefits available to them following a workplace injury. Our attorneys are committed to helping injured employees navigate the workers’ compensation process and pursue the benefits they may be entitled to receive.
