James Aspell

Firm/Organization: Law Offices of James F. Aspell, P.C.
Blogs: Course and Scope

Latest Articles

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In sailing, we use the expression “heave to” to take a break and essentially put the boat in time out to rest during long periods of rough seas or stormy weather. I feel the same way about the current state of practicing workers compensation law in Connecticut. In the past year, we have seen the retirement of three very experienced workers compensation commissioners, and the appointment of a new chairman. These are the “judges” of…
Frequently in the life of a Connecticut work injury claim, there will be a period of time where you are required to do the dreaded “job searches.” This situation typically arises when a worker, often a construction worker or heavy laborer, sustains an injury and is unable to perform the full range of their required job duties. For instance, while they heal their doctor may prescribe a 20-pound lifting restriction, or limit the use of…
I love questions from anyone.I do believe there are no dumb questions and when you ask me something I think should be obvious that just tells me we need to do a better job of explaining things. A really good question I got recently was from someone who wanted to know what the odds were of winning their case? I’m not in the odds making business and I hate lawyers that make false promises just…
As Seen on Nolo.com If you’ve suffered a serious work-related injury or illness, it’s almost always a good idea to hire an attorney to handle your workers’ compensation claim and ensure that you get all the benefits to which you’re entitled. But you need to find an attorney with specific expertise in workers’ comp. Because this area of the law is complex and highly specialized, clients are generally not well served by attorneys who try…
f you have sustained a Connecticut job-related injury, your employer may be responsible for helping you with lost wages or other accommodations. Most employers are required by laws in each state to carry workers’ compensation insurance, which pays a portion of an employee’s regular wages while he or she is recovering from a work-related injury or illness. However, some types of workers, including independent contractors and railroad workers, are not covered by these workers’…
The Workers’ Compensation Commission is pleased today to welcome Stephen M. Morelli as our newest Workers’ Compensation Commission Chairman. Morelli was recently appointed by Governor Dannel Malloy to this position following the retirement of Commissioner John A. Mastropietro. Chairman Morelli thanked Mastropietro in his communication with agency employees, “I share with you a debt of gratitude to Chairman Mastropietro for his years of excellent service and his outstanding stewardship of our organization. I look forward…
Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Claims: Eligibility, Filing, and Appeals Understand how workers’ compensation works in the state of Connecticut. By Sachi Barreiro Virtually all employers in Connecticut are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. As in the rest of the country, the workers’ compensation system in Connecticut is a no-fault system designed to compensate injured workers for medical bills, lost wages, and permanent impairments resulting from their injuries. To take advantage of these benefits, injured workers…
Rate of CT workplace injuries, illnesses exceeds nation’s Related Content Content by John Stearns More than 36,000 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported among Connecticut’s private industry employers in 2015, resulting in an incidence rate of 3.2 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers and higher than the national rate of 3.0, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Connecticut was among 21 states that had an incidence rate of total recordable cases (TRC)…
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In the recent CRB case of Greene vs. Ansonia Copper and Brass the Claimant, who was represented by counsel, failed to attend a scheduled formal hearing to prosecute her claim for 31-308a post PPD discretionary payments. Unfortunately, the Claimant forgot about the hearing and at the appointed hour was in Virginia attending a family member’s graduation . The Trial Commissioner dismissed her claim for benefits for failure to prosecute however the CRB reversed, essentially relying…
Article by Attorney Gary S. Starr, Esquire of Shipman and Goodwin, LLP of Hartford. Used with permission. Employers who use a staffing company to supplement their employees may find themselves in for a rude awakening if the temp gets hurt at their worksite. Ordinarily, an employee injured on the job would be covered by the workers compensation insurance. A recent Superior Court decision rejected the idea that the temp is covered by the employer’s…