Connecticut Lawmakers Consider Expanding Workers Compensation Mental Health Benefits after Sandy Hook Shooting

After the horrors of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, Connecticut lawmakers consider expanding workers' compensation benefits. Currently, the law does not recognize "mental-mental" injuries. In other words, that state's law only allows benefits for mental health issues that arise after the worker suffers a work injury. The law currently does not provide mental health benefits arising from mental stress when no physical injury to the worker has occurred. This means that at the present time, police officers and first responders who have suffered severe mental health problems after their work at the shooting scene are not qualified for any workers' compensation benefits for their mental injuries. The legislature convenes on January 9 and hopefully a meaningful bill will be passed to help those who suffer greatly after witnessing the aftermath of the tragedy.