According to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-291, when any principal employer procures any work to be done wholly or in part for him/her by a contractor, or through him/her by a subcontractor, such principal employer shall be liable to pay all compensation to the same extent as if the work were done without the intervention of such contractor or subcontractor.  The provisions of this statute shall not extend immunity to any principal employer from a civil action brought by an injured employee or his/her dependent under the statutory provisions to recover damages resulting from personal injury or wrongful death, unless such principal employer has paid compensation benefits to such injured employee or his/her dependent for the injury or death which is the subject of the action.