Connecticut Workers’ Comp Commission Unveils New Mediation Program

The Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) on July 1 launched a new program providing mediation opportunities for possible settlement of contested cases.

Under the program, parties in a litigated matter may request the services of a commissioner to help mediate a resolution prior to trial. In all, 10 commissioners have agreed to serve in this capacity, the announcement said. The guidelines and requirements for using this program are as follows:

• Mediation services are available only with the agreement of both parties. A request for mediation services is to be made through the WCC chairman’s administrative office. The parties are not to contact the commissioners directly.
• The parties are to request the names of a commissioner as well as an alternate commissioner that both have agreed upon. The WCC chairman’s administrative office will contact the commissioners to determine availability and scheduling based on the commissioners’ workload.
• Based on the timetable, to be determined by the commissioner to whom the mediation is assigned, the parties shall submit information to include identification of the issues in dispute and documents in support of the respective positions taken by each party.
• At the time of the mediation, the claimant is expected to be in attendance (unless physically or geographically impractical to attend) and the respondent is required to have available someone who can be reached by telephone with authority to help achieve settlement.

Source: The Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission

Topics Workers' Compensation New Markets Connecticut