Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is it called Second Injury Fund?
2. Did the Legislature close the Second Injury Fund in 1995?
3. Does the Second Injury Fund cover injured workers who are employed by the State of Connecticut?
4. Why are employers required to pay assessments to the Second Injury Fund?
5. What are the assessment rates for Connecticut employers?
6. Will there continue to be Second Injury Fund assessments?
7. Where should you call or email if you have questions?

1. Why is it called Second Injury Fund?
   The Second Injury Fund is Connecticut's special workers' compensation program which provided relief to employers, prior to the statutory closing of the Fund, where a worker who already had a "pre-existing" injury or condition, was hurt on the job and that second injury was made "materially or substantially" worse by the first injury. Thus, the term Second Injury Fund.
   
   
2. Did the Legislature close the Second Injury Fund in 1995?
   In 1995 the legislature closed the Fund to new transfers of claims covered by Connecticut General Statutes 31-349, (claims where an injured worker, who already had a "pre-existing" injury or condition, sustained a second injury).
   
   Today the Fund continues to be liable for those claims transferred prior to the closing of the Fund as well as claims involving uninsured employers, reimbursement of cost of living adjustments for certain injuries involving payment of total disability benefits or dependent widow's benefits and, on a pro rata basis, reimbursement claims to employers of any worker who had more than one employer at the time of the injury.
   
   
3. Does the Second Injury Fund cover injured workers who are employed by the State of Connecticut?
   The Second Injury Fund program is mandated by Connecticut General Statutes and does not cover state employees. State employees are covered under a separate provision of the statutes.
   
   
4. Why are employers required to pay assessments to the Second Injury Fund?
   Assessments were established by state law to finance the operations of the Second Injury Fund.
   
   
5. What are the assessment rates for Connecticut employers?
   The State Treasurer, as custodian of the Fund, establishes the assessment rate on or before May 1 of each year. Click here for the current assessment rates for Connecticut employers.
    
6. Will there continue to be Second Injury Fund assessments?
   Yes. The Fund will continue to assess Connecticut employers and their insurers for its ongoing responsibilities for those claims transferred prior to closing of the Fund as well as claims involving uninsured employers, reimbursement of cost of living adjustments and, on a pro rata basis, claims to employers of any worker who had more than one employer at the time of the injury.
   
   
7. Where should you call or email if you have questions?
   Michelle Seagull: Assistant Treasurer for SIF, (860) 702-3125, Michelle.Seagull@ct.gov
   Adolphus Ellis: Claims Manager, (860) 702-3223, Adolphus.Ellis@ct.gov
   Danielle Pare: Controller, (860) 702-3082, Danielle.Pare@ct.gov
   George Petropoulos: Supervising Special Investigator, (860) 883-0020, George.Petropoulos@ct.gov