You’re stacking boxes when a sharp pain shoots through your back during your shift.
Or a sudden slip and fall to the floor leaves you a little bruised.
At first, you brush it off—but days later, the discomfort hasn’t subsided, and it’s interfering with your daily routine. You’re left wondering: Are all workplace injuries eligible for compensation in Minnesota?
The short answer is no.
Knowing your rights is the first step to recovery when a workplace injury turns your life upside down. Below, we provide an overview of workplace injury compensation. We will provide information to help determine if your injury qualifies and what steps to take next to get the benefits you deserve.
Topics covered include:
- How Workers’ Compensation works in Minnesota,
- What workplace injuries are eligible for compensation,
- What injuries might NOT be eligible,
- How to qualify for workers’ compensation in Minnesota,
- and when you should hire a lawyer.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation in Minnesota
Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system is designed to provide financial and medical benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. It covers medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs.
This is a “no-fault” system compared to the traditional filing of a personal injury lawsuit based on negligence.
In other words, unlike negligence claims, you do not have to prove your employer was negligent to get workers’ compensation. This system offers a safety net for injured workers, ensuring they receive necessary support while shielding employers from costly lawsuits.
However, not every injury automatically qualifies for workers’ compensation. You must meet specific criteria to qualify for benefits.
The Basics: What Injuries Are Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
To determine what injuries are covered by workers’ compensation, it’s essential to understand Minnesota’s legal framework. Generally, injuries that “arise out of and in the course of employment” are covered by workers’ compensation.
Acute Injuries
These are sudden, traumatic events like slips and falls, burns, cuts, and strains sustained while performing work duties.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and back problems that develop over time due to repetitive job tasks are also covered.
Occupational Diseases
Illnesses like respiratory issues or skin conditions can result from exposure to hazardous substances (such as toxic chemicals) or workplace conditions. Examples of conditions in this category include asbestosis or certain cancers resulting from workplace contact with carcinogenic agents.
Pre-existing Conditions
While pre-existing conditions are generally not covered, aggravating those conditions due to work activities may be compensable.
For example, if you have an old knee injury that flared up after a box fell on it while you were taking inventory, you could be compensated for the amount the incident worsened your condition.
Mental Health Conditions
Workers’ compensation could also cover some mental health conditions caused by a physical injury or a work-related traumatic event.
Vehicle Accidents
If driving is part of your job, such as delivery drivers or movers, accidents during work hours may be eligible. However, injuries from commuting to or from work are usually not covered unless the employer provides transportation or work duties are performed during the commute.
In short, if your injury directly results from your job duties, it likely qualifies for compensation.
What Injuries Might NOT Be Covered?
While Minnesota’s workers’ comp system is comprehensive, some situations might disqualify you from benefits:
- Injuries outside of work duties. If you were injured while participating in activities unrelated to your job duties, worker’s comp will likely not cover your costs. Personal errands or unauthorized activities fall outside the scope of coverage.
- Self-inflicted injuries. Intentionally causing harm to yourself disqualifies you from receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
- Injuries under the influence. If drugs or alcohol were a factor in the incident, your request for benefits will likely be denied. This denial results from the fact that you are not supposed to be impaired while working because impairment or intoxication can significantly raise the risk of accidents.
- Violations of safety policies. You may not be covered if your injury results from deliberately disregarding established safety procedures or engaging in horseplay.
If you have doubts about your injury’s eligibility, it’s crucial to consult an attorney. Legal knowledge can often clarify gray areas in the law.
How Do You Qualify for Workers’ Compensation in Minnesota?
To be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, you generally must meet these 5 requirements:
- Employee status. You must be an employee, not an independent contractor, to qualify for workers’ compensation.
- Work-related injury. You must have been injured while performing your job duties.
- Timely reporting. Minnesota law requires you to report your injury to your employer within 14 days of the incident.
- Medical documentation. You must seek medical treatment and obtain documentation from a healthcare provider establishing the injury, its cause, and any resultant work restrictions.
- Filing a claim. Your employer should submit a First Report of Injury (FROI) to their workers’ compensation insurer. If they fail, you may need legal help to initiate the process.
If you do not meet these requirements, your claim could be at risk. An experienced attorney can help to ensure that every step is handled correctly.
When Should You Contact an Attorney?
It’s always a good idea to contact an attorney immediately if you wish to ensure the claim is properly handled from the start.
However, suppose you tried to handle it yourself, but you’re now doubting your eligibility, facing a denied claim, or experiencing delays in receiving benefits. In that case, it’s now high time to consult an attorney.
The sooner you get legal advice, the better your chances of securing the compensation you deserve.
Why Legal Representation Matters
When you’re already dealing with injuries, the financial strain caused by the workers’ compensation system can be confusing and put stress on your system.
Disputes may arise regarding the compensability of the injury, the extent of medical treatment, or the amount of wage replacement benefits.
Insurance companies may deny valid claims or offer you less compensation than you are entitled to.
Our skilled legal team can assist in understanding your legal rights and choices, compile supporting evidence for your claim, and negotiate with insurance providers to attain equitable compensation.
We’ll review the details of your injury and determine if you meet eligibility requirements. We will protect your rights and fight to get you the full and fair compensation you’re entitled to.
With decades of experience and a dedication to personalized representation, we ensure you are not alone in managing the nuances of Minnesota’s workers’ compensation laws. You can trust us to provide knowledgeable and practical legal support every step of the way.
Questions About Workers’ Comp in Minnesota? We’re Here to Be Your Guide
Injuries can turn your world upside down. Don’t let the complexities of the workers’ compensation system add to your stress.
At our boutique firm, your attorney will be hands-on with your case, giving you the direct attention and expertise your situation demands.
You won’t be passed off to an assistant or paralegal with us.
We’ll be your advocates, your guides, and your unwavering support throughout the entire process.
Contact us today for a free consultation (you can also call us at 651-877-6986) to discuss your case and how we can help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve.
Resources:
- Minn. Stat. § 176.141, link
- Minn. Stat. § 176.101, link
- Minn. Stat. § 176.011, link
- An employee’s guide to the Minnesota workers’ compensation system. Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, link
- Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute, link
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