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What does ‘Dependent’ Mean in Connecticut?

19 Jan, 2026 Frank Ferreri

connecticut 43752 640
                               
Glossary Check

When it comes to workers' compensation benefits, in tragic cases, it may be necessary to determine who a worker's dependents are to determine distribution of benefits.

As Simply Research subscribers know, Connecticut workers' compensation law defines "dependent" as follows.

Dependent

“Dependent” means a member of the injured employee's family or next of kin who was wholly or partly dependent upon the earnings of the employee at the time of the injury.

Dependent in Fact

“Dependent in fact” means a person determined to be a dependent of an injured employee, in any case where there is no presumptive dependent, in accordance with the facts existing at the date of the injury.

Presumptive Dependents

“Presumptive dependents” means the following persons who are conclusively presumed to be wholly dependent for support upon a deceased employee:

+ A wife upon a husband with whom she lives at the time of his injury or from whom she receives support regularly

+ A husband upon a wife with whom he lives at the time of her injury or from whom he receives support regularly

+ A child under the age of 18, or over the age of 18 but physically or mentally incapacitated from earning, upon the parent with whom he is living or from whom he is receiving support regularly, at the time of the injury of the parent

+ An unmarried child who has attained the age of 18 but has not attained the age of 22 and who is a full-time student, upon the parent with whom he is living or from whom he is receiving support regularly, provided, any child who has attained the age of 22 while a full-time student but has not completed the requirements for, or received, a degree from a postsecondary educational institution shall be deemed not to have attained the age of 22 until the first day of the first month following the end of the quarter or semester in which he is enrolled at the time, or if he is not enrolled in a quarter or semester system, until the first day of the first month following the completion of the course in which he is enrolled or until the first day of the third month beginning after such time, whichever occurs first

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    About The Author

    • Frank Ferreri

      Frank Ferreri, M.A., J.D. covers workers' compensation legal issues. He has published books, articles, and other material on multiple areas of employment, insurance, and disability law. Frank received his master's degree from the University of South Florida and juris doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Frank encourages everyone to consider helping out the Kind Souls Foundation and Kids' Chance of America.

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