They say the more you know, the more you can control. Understanding the basics of Minnesota workers’ compensation laws can help you in the unfortunate event that you are injured at work.
Each state has its own workers’ compensation laws; these laws help to protect millions of employees throughout Minnesota alone. Workers’ compensation is the remedy for injured Minnesota workers instead of having (or being able) to sue employers for tort negligence—something that is much harder to prove.
The legal team at Harvey & Carpenter, Attorneys at Law, understands the complexities of Minnesota workers’ compensation laws, and we use this understanding to help protect workers. With over 50 years of experience, we will fight to get you the benefits and compensation you deserve. Keep reading to learn more about some of the basics of workers benefits and how worker’s compensation applies to certain work-related injuries.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Like most states, Minnesota requires businesses to carry workers’ compensation insurance or be self-insured in an employer-funded plan approved by the State.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system available to employees injured at work that helps cover wage loss and medical expenses that result from work injuries. Workers’ compensation provides these benefits to employees that become sick from a work-related cause (occupational disease) or are injured on the job. The Minnesota Workers’ Compensation statute can be found at Minnesota state statute section 176. Other workers’ compensation benefits include:
- lost wages;
- medical benefits to cure or relieve the work injury;
- vocational assistance in returning to work;
- if applicable, payment for a percentage of permanent disability; and
- death benefits, including funeral expenses and payments for dependents of workers who die from a work injury
If you have been injured at work and have any questions about your workers’ compensation benefits, do not hesitate to speak to a legal professional.
How Do I Apply for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
After being injured at work, the first thing you should do is report your injuries to your employer as soon as possible. The employer’s responsibility is to inform the insurance company that you reported the injury (first report of injury) as soon as you report a work-related illness or injury. The claim should be based on your direct employer-related injury.
You should see a doctor right away and give the doctor the information about how you were injured and that it was at work. You may be asked to see an employer preferred doctor, but you can always see a private physician to diagnose your illness or injuries later on. It is important to tell the physician if you have any preexisting conditions and differentiate them from your directly related work injuries. The nature of your work injuries will determine what restrictions may apply or whether you need to be off work for some period. The length of time for any benefits you receive will depend on how long you are required to be off work and whether you are able to return full time.
Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Facts Everyone Should Know
As discussed earlier, every private employer in Minnesota is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This is a mandatory requirement for any employer with at least one part-time employee. Your employer should report your injury to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Injury within ten days. If not, your claim could be delayed or denied.
Various monetary benefits are available through workers’ compensation. For example, you can get temporary total disability (TTD) benefits if you are unable to work due to your workplace injury and a doctor confirms that you need to be off work. On the other hand, temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits are available if you receive a lower weekly wage than you earned before the time of your injury due to a lack of work within your doctor-imposed restrictions or your pay or hours are reduced due to the injury. Minnesota law also provides permanent total disability (PTD) benefits if a workplace injury leaves you permanently disabled and the relevant requirements for proving that can be established.
An experienced attorney will help you obtain the correct medical documentation so that you can properly record all of your injuries and will get you the benefits you deserve. If your claim is disputed, your lawyer will know how to fight for the compensation you are entitled to. This is especially true when your employer or their insurer tries to give you less than is needed to cover your expenses. Unsurprisingly, this is common, and you should never settle for less than you deserve if you have been hurt or injured on the job.
Why Employees Prefer Harvey & Carpenter, Attorneys at Law for Their Workers’ Compensation
At Harvey & Carpenter, Attorneys at Law, we have over 50 years of experience dealing with local Minnesota workers’ compensation cases. We proudly serve the greater Mankato area and surrounding counties in southern and southwestern Minnesota. Anytime you are not familiar with the legal system or just have a general question about workers’ compensation, our team of legal experts will be here to help – and we do NOT charge you for consulting with us. We get paid only if you hire us – and then our fee is limited to 20% of whatever disputed benefits we obtain for you.
Please contact us to discuss your work-related accident, injury, or workers’ compensation claim. Our caring team is dedicated to helping you get better while we handle the legalities of your unique case. Contact us at (507)-779-7529 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation.
References:
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/workers-compensation/work-comp-benefits-general-information
