Workers' Comp Settlements in Vermont

Agreements about compensation must be filed with the Commissioner of Labor in a memorandum and are approved only if they conform to the workers' compensation law. The Commissioner may approve a compromise agreement if it is in the best interests of the employee or dependents, and a compromise settlement made while an appeal is pending takes effect only with the Commissioner's approval. On the employee's application, the Commissioner may order permanent disability benefits paid in a lump sum if that is in the best interests of the employee or dependents.

Temporary total disability benefits are paid during the disability; the statute sets no maximum number of weeks. Before stopping temporary benefits (unless the worker has successfully returned to work), the employer must file a notice with the Commissioner and the employee giving the date and reasons, and remains liable for seven days after the notice is received; the worker can object, and if the evidence does not reasonably support the discontinuance, payments continue until a hearing decision. Permanent total disability benefits are paid for the duration of the permanent total disability, and never for less than 330 weeks.