Workers Compensation

Home Depot is a favorite for do-it-yourselfers, but employees face workplace hazards every day while serving customers. Work accidents can easily occur, leaving an employee injured and facing mounting medical bills. Fortunately, if you are an employee injured at Home Depot, you may be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits.  What Is Workers’ Compensation? Workers’ compensation is a special type of insurance for employees. If you suffer an accident in the scope of your employment, workers’ compensation can provide benefits to ease financial strain.  If you’ve been injured while working at Home Depot, contact a workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible.  Available Workers’ Compensation Benefits Minnesota Home Depot workers’ comp can cover various expenses related to your workplace accident and injuries. These include: Medical expenses, Disability, Lost wages, and  Rehabilitation benefits.  You may not be aware of what benefits you are entitled to. A Minnesota workers’ comp attorney can review the details of your case and help you get what you deserve. Common Home Depot Workplace Accidents and Injuries Home Depot is always bustling, and there are many opportunities for workplace accidents to occur. Some common types of workplace accidents include: Falling objects, Slip and falls, Equipment accidents, and Falls from heights. Injuries can vary in severity, depending on the type of accident. Resulting injuries could include: Lacerations, Fractures or broken bones, Head and neck injuries, and Back and spinal cord injuries. Whatever your accident and resulting injury, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Be sure to file a Home Depot injury claim. What to Do After a Home Depot Work Accident To get the benefits you deserve, there are specific steps you should take after a Home Depot workplace accident. What you do after your accident can impact your ability to collect benefits. Get Medical Help Always put your health and well-being first. If your injuries are severe, call 911. Otherwise, visit your doctor as soon as possible. Explain the details of your accident, and let them know you are there for a Home Depot workers’ compensation claim. Your doctor will have to complete a Report of Work Ability form with details of your accident, injuries, and resulting limitations. Be sure to give your employer a copy of the completed form.  Report Your Workplace Accident Home Depot workers’ compensation policy requires you to report your accident as soon as you can. Aside from getting medical treatment, this is the most important step. Failing to report your accident to a supervisor or manager can result in your inability to receive benefits that you would be entitled to. After you report your accident, your supervisor will need to fill out a First Report of Injury (FROI) form.  Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Home Depot work accidents can come with physical and financial burdens. Help ensure you’re getting every benefit you’re entitled to by contacting a workers’ compensation attorney.  A Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help You The Criminal Defense Attorney and Workers’ Compensation Law Offices of Arechigo & Stokka has been proudly representing injured clients for over a decade. We approach every case compassionately while fiercely representing our clients and their rights. Our firm strives to be transparent and easily accessible, allowing our clients to feel confident and secure. We offer free case evaluations. Contact us today.

UPS employees have busy jobs, which often lead to work accidents. Fortunately, UPS workers’ compensation is available for UPS employees injured while on the job. It is important to become familiar with UPS workers’ comp and what it can mean for you. What Is Workers’ Compensation? Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance for employees, including those working for UPS. If you suffer an injury while acting in the scope of employment, you can file a UPS workers’ comp claim. Workers’ compensation helps cover expenses and financial losses from your workplace injury. If you’ve been injured while working for UPS, do not hesitate to contact a workers’ compensation attorney to help ensure you get the benefits you deserve. Types of UPS Workers’ Compensation Benefits Available After a work accident, you can file a workers’ comp claim to receive benefits. The benefits available in Minnesota for workers’ compensation include: Medical expenses, Lost wages, Disability benefits, and Rehabilitation benefits. If you are unsure of what benefits you are entitled to, contact a workers’ compensation attorney. Common UPS Work Injuries Working for UPS can be very hectic and stressful. Therefore, accidents while on the job are common. Some of the most common injuries for UPS employees include: Head and neck injuries, Knee and hip injuries, Back and spinal cord injuries, Shoulder injuries, Fractures or broken bones, and Lacerations. Depending on the type of accident, workplace injuries can range in severity. If you’ve been injured on the job, be sure to file a UPS workman’s comp claim.  What to Do Following a UPS Workplace Injury The steps you take after a work accident are crucial. Following these steps can help you get the benefits you deserve from UPS workers’ comp. Get Medical Care After a work accident, put your health first. If the resulting injuries are severe, call 911 right away. Otherwise, be sure to visit your primary care physician. Notify the doctor that the reason for your visit is UPS workers’ comp. The doctor will complete a Report of Work Ability form detailing your physical injuries and limitations. Your employer and insurer should receive copies of these forms. Report Your Accident Reporting your accident to your immediate supervisor or manager is part of the UPS injury policy. Employers must file a First Report of Injury (FROI) form. Failing to report your accident may prevent you from receiving UPS workers’ compensation benefits.  Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Attorney UPS workers’ compensation settlements can differ depending on your circumstances. However, in some cases, you may not be receiving the workers’ comp benefits you deserve, or you may be denied altogether. Discuss your situation with a workers’ compensation attorney. They will get you on the right path to the benefits you need. Contact a Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today The Criminal Defense Attorney and Workers’ Compensation Law Offices of Arechigo & Stokka has been serving injured clients since 2007. Our firm prides itself on offering the highest quality legal representation while providing clients with the patience and understanding they seek. We are committed to fighting for our clients’ rights. We offer free consultations. Contact us today to get started. 

When you experience a workplace accident, you need someone on your side to help you navigate the legal path to compensation. You may trust your workers’ compensation attorney to fight for you. It’s understandable if you feel betrayed when your lawyer doesn’t put forth an adequate effort. What can you do when you have a bad workers’ compensation attorney? If you’re wondering how to fire your workers’ comp attorney, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we present several tips for finding the right attorney and getting the money you deserve. Can I Fire My Workers’ Comp Attorney? You can always fire an attorney, though the reverse isn’t true. A lawyer can’t always abandon a client. Before you fire your attorney, you’ll want to think about the consequences of that action. Also, you want to make sure that you have a good attorney to take over your claim. Why Should I Fire My Attorney? Clients usually want to fire attorneys who aren’t doing a good job. Sometimes, delays or other inconveniences in the lawsuit process occur despite the attorney’s best efforts. Other times, an attorney may lack the knowledge or motivation to give your claim the attention it deserves. Here are some of the top reasons why clients fire workers’ compensation attorneys: The case is taking too long, The attorney doesn’t understand the details of workers’ compensation, The attorney seems lazy, and The attorney doesn’t communicate well. Though any of these are valid reasons to fire an attorney, you should not rush to sever your relationship. Find out if your perception of your attorney’s incompetence is accurate before taking action and changing workers’ comp lawyers. Questions to Ask Before Firing Your Attorney Before firing your attorney, you should ask a few questions to determine whether the relationship is worth saving. These questions should give you a better understanding of whether your attorney is giving their best effort to your case: What is causing the delay in my case? Is there anything you can do to speed up the claim resolution? Why haven’t you communicated with me regarding updates on my claim? Can we schedule regular phone calls or conferences to update me on my claim? How many workers’ compensation cases have you handled? Can I speak to any former clients who may be willing to share their experience regarding your representation? What steps have you taken to resolve my claim? Sometimes, the answers to these questions will convince you that your attorney is doing their best. All legal matters require patience, and you may be blaming your attorney for delays caused by red tape. However, if your attorney’s answers to these questions put you further on edge, it may be time to look for better representation. Consequences of Firing Your Attorney While firing your attorney may be necessary for your claim to succeed, the action does have potential consequences. Be aware of these risks before you fire your attorney: It could delay your claim, as a new attorney takes time to catch up on the process; You could lose money on attorney fees; You could wind up with a worse attorney; and It may be challenging to find another attorney, as they may see you as a difficult client. In addition to viewing you as a difficult client, other attorneys may hesitate to take your case if they think it won’t pay well. That’s because most workers’ compensation attorneys work on contingency, meaning you don’t pay them until they win your case. At that point, your attorney takes a portion of your settlement (usually 10-20%) as their payment. When you fire one attorney, that attorney is entitled to payment for the portion of work they performed. A second attorney knows they’ll have to split attorney fees with someone else and may hesitate to work for less pay than they usually get. Speak to Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorneys If you are unhappy with your legal representation, call the experienced attorneys at the Criminal Defense Attorney & Workers’ Compensation Law Offices of Arechigo & Stokka. Our lawyers have been representing injured workers for over a decade. We’re willing to take over workers’ comp cases where other lawyers have failed because we think every injured worker deserves superior legal representation. Contact us for a free consultation. You can ask any questions, and we’ll let you know if we can help with your claim.

When you suffer a neck injury at work, it can impact your entire life. You may be in pain, unable to work, and struggling to pay bills. Workers’ compensation can help you get medical treatment and pay you wages while you’re out of work.  However, some companies don’t treat you fairly when you file a workers’ compensation claim. Our lawyers fight companies who harm employees or fail to give them fair compensation. We help clients get fair workers’ comp settlements for neck injuries. The first step to getting the money you need is understanding Minnesota workers’ compensation legal requirements. How Much Does Workers’ Comp Pay? Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning that even if you were responsible for your accident, it usually pays. However, workers’ compensation provides only limited payment, depending on the classification of your injury. While it’s hard for us to give an average workers’ compensation settlement, neck injury payments are based on the extent of your disability and your average wage before the accident.  After evaluating your workplace injury, a doctor may classify you as:  Temporarily partially disabled (TPD), Temporarily totally disabled (TTD), Permanently partially disabled (PPD), or Permanently totally disabled (PTD). Each injury classification allows for different compensation amounts for varying time periods. Temporary Disability Compensation Temporary disability workers’ compensation payments include: Two-thirds of your average weekly wage up to a maximum of $1,134.24 per week; and Medical bills. Temporary total disability payments cease when: You return to work; You reach maximum medical improvement (more medical treatment won’t help); or You reach 130 weeks of benefits for a temporary total disability. If you return to work with a temporary partial disability, you may not be able to work in the same role due to your injury. If your salary is reduced in your new workplace role, you can receive temporary partial disability payments to make up two-thirds of the difference. These temporary partial disability payments cease after you get them for 250 weeks or reach 450 weeks after your injury. Permanent Partial Disability Compensation If you are permanently partially disabled, you can receive a one-time workers’ compensation neck injury settlement sum or installment payments. Permanent disability payments are calculated based on the severity of your injury, and that required compensation schedule is provided in Minnesota law. Permanent Total Disability Compensation Permanent total disability qualifies you for two-thirds of your average wage (up to a maximum) for as long as you are disabled. This amount may reduce if you receive government disability payments. Get Legal Help for Workers’ Compensation At the Criminal Defense Attorney & Workers’ Compensation Law Offices of Arechigo & Stokka, we have been helping work accident victims for decades. We have the legal experience and courage needed to fight big businesses that harm their employees. Workers’ comp neck injury settlements can help injured workers, so we pressure employers to pay fairly.  If you need help getting workers’ compensation, contact our attorneys for a free consultation. We’ll treat you with respect and fight for your rights to fair compensation.

When you’re injured on the job, there are lots of details to handle. You need medical treatment, but you also need to figure out how to pay bills. You assume workers’ compensation will help with your income, but how does it work? Workers’ compensation can be complicated, and it’s best to hire an attorney who will look out for your interests. One thing our attorneys at Arechigo & Stokka explain to clients is the difference between temporary and permanent disability.  Types of Workers’ Compensation Workers’ compensation programs use a lot of acronyms, which can be confusing. For instance, What does TTD stand for in workers’ comp? It’s simply a classification of disability. Workers’ compensation insurance labels the category of your disability:  Temporary total disability (TTD),  Temporary partial disability (TPD),  Permanent total disability (PTD), or  Permanent partial disability (PPD). These classifications depend on the extent of your injury and how likely you are to recover, based on a medical professional’s evaluation.  TTD Workers’ Comp In Minnesota So, what does TTD mean in workers’ comp? When workers’ compensation insurance labels you with TTD, it means they think you have a temporary total disability. This means that you can’t work at all now, but they expect you to be able to work in the future. You don’t have to prove that someone was at fault for your injury to get workers’ compensation TTD payments. Even if you were at fault for your workplace accident, you can still file for compensation. Workers’ compensation covers a new injury sustained on the job or an old injury aggravated by a workplace accident. Your injury must relate to an employment activity. How Much Money Is Available? TTD benefits pay two-thirds of your average weekly wage, though there is a minimum and maximum payment you can receive. Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance will continue to pay you this benefit until you reach maximum medical improvement, meaning you have recovered or further medical treatment won’t help you get any better. At that point, you may be able to qualify for PPD or PTD benefits based on any permanent disability. Workers’ compensation also pays your medical bills and can pay for vocational rehabilitation. This means that if you can’t perform your job because of your injury, workers’ compensation will pay to train you for a new job. How Long Does Workers’ Compensation Pay? You are eligible for TTD payments for up to 130 weeks unless you enter a retraining program, which can extend the time you can receive payments. Workers’ compensation payments stop when any of the following occur: You reach 130 weeks of payment and are not eligible for retraining; You reach maximum medical improvement; You return to work; or You are medically released to return to work but don’t make an effort to do so. TTD workers’ comp is not a long-term solution for paying your bills. The compensation merely pays basic living expenses and medical bills while you are treated for your injuries. Contact a Minnesota Employment Attorney If you need someone to fight for your fair compensation, contact an experienced attorney. At Arechigo & Stokka, our attorneys fight for injured employees. We work to get you maximum compensation and safe job conditions.  Our attorneys have been helping injured employees for decades, and our compassionate, personalized approach can help you too. Contact us for a free consultation where we can discuss your situation and answer questions.

Have you been injured in a workplace slip and fall accident in Minnesota? These accidents are all too common, with nearly 700 workers killed in slip and fall accidents each year. Slip and fall accidents also cause more than 25% of all workplace injuries. If you experienced a slip and fall injury at work, you may need an attorney. Slip and fall accidents can cause life-altering injuries that impact your ability to work and provide for your family. Slip and fall at work settlements can compensate for the harm you suffered and allow you to pay the bills that may be piling up. Common Causes of Slip and Falls at Work In a busy work environment, employers must pay diligent attention to workers’ and customers’ safety. These common causes of slip and falls are likely to injure a worker: Uneven flooring, Spilled liquid, Loose flooring, Recently polished floors, Dim lighting, Wires stretched across the floor, Broken stairs, and Equipment left on the floor. Unfortunately, these hazards can seriously injure or even kill a worker. If you suffer an injury at work, your employer is responsible to compensate you under workers’ compensation law, regardless of whose fault the accident was. Additionally, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim against third parties who act negligently, such as manufacturers and independent contractors. What to Do After a Slip and Fall After you experience a slip and fall at work, you’ll want to do these things right away: Seek medical attention to treat urgent injuries; Notify your employer that you slipped and fell at work; Take photos or gather other documentation of the circumstances of your accident; Write down the names of witnesses to the accident; and Contact an attorney for help determining whether to file for workers’ compensation or pursue a personal injury lawsuit. It’s important to take immediate action after your accident so that your employer doesn’t dispute your claim. Notifying your employer, “I fell at work,” and seeking medical attention will alert them to the severity of your injury. Evidence gathered at the scene of your fall at work and witness statements can help validate your version of events. How a Lawyer Can Help You may feel confused by the pushback you get from supervisors after you file an accident claim. Of course, employers don’t want to pay injured workers unless they have to. Hiring an attorney gives you a determined advocate who will pressure your employer to pay all legally required compensation. The attorneys at Arechigo & Stokka can help you evaluate the various Minnesota laws that apply to your case, from workers’ compensation to personal injury and product liability. Our attorneys will advise you on your best strategy for maximum compensation and work passionately on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation. Our legal professionals have decades of experience representing injured workers in slip and fall at work settlements. As a two-attorney firm, we deliver personalized representation and diligent focus on each client, attention that is difficult to find at a big law firm.  We would appreciate hearing your story and considering how we can help you win maximum slip and fall compensation.

If you’ve been injured in a work accident, you are probably concerned about how long it will take for you to get back to work. Even if you are not fully healed, you may be able to return to work with certain limitations. Your doctor will assess your situation and recommend specific restrictions. Then you may be able to return to work under these restrictions with workers’ compensation light duty work. What Is Light Duty Work? Light duty work is a modified version of your current position or an entirely new job. Your employer will consider your physical limitations and offer a variation of your current position or a new position that suits your needs. Depending on your situation, you may need to perform less physical work or work shorter hours. Your employer should be willing to help you during this time. Should your employer not take your limitations seriously, do not hesitate to contact a workers’ compensation attorney. Examples of Light Duty Work Light duty work can look very different depending on the type of work. Some examples of light duty work include: Working a desk job, Performing office duties, Taking inventory, and Answering telephones. Depending on the type of work you do, your employer will know how to cater to your physical needs. If your employer cannot tailor your current position, they may assign you to an entirely new job until you can return to work with no limitations.  Does Light Duty Work Affect Your Benefits? Light duty work may affect your workers’ compensation benefits. If you are making less than you were before your accident, you may be eligible to receive lost wage benefits. However, if you are earning the same or more than you were earning before your accident, you will not be able to receive any lost wage benefits. Turning down light duty work may negatively impact your workers’ compensation benefits. If your employer offers you light duty work acceptable for your limitations and you do not accept, you might lose your right to collect lost wage benefits altogether. Act Quickly If your employer is willing to offer workers’ comp light duty work suitable for you and your physical restrictions, act promptly and accept it. An employer may work with their employee to come up with a mutually agreeable start date. Once all details are set, the employer will expect the employee to show up to work. Failing to do so may result in the employer rescinding their offer and negatively impact your workers’ compensation benefits.  Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney If You Need Help Workers’ compensation can be frustrating and confusing. Should you need help with your claim or benefits, contact a qualified workers’ compensation attorney. They will work with you to make sure you receive the benefits you deserve.  Arechigo & Stokka, P.A., has over a decade of experience helping clients navigate workers’ compensation claims. We pride ourselves on offering the specialized attention and dedication you won’t find at the large firms. Our team strives to be open and accessible to clients when they need us most. Contact us today, and let’s discuss your case.

Sometimes, no matter how careful and attentive you are, a workplace accident can occur. These accidents can leave you injured, frustrated, and unable to return to daily life. Fortunately, workers’ compensation may help ease the stresses and financial burden.  However, workers’ compensation does not cover all injuries. It is essential to know and understand the types of injuries that make an employee eligible for workers’ comp benefits.  Common Types of Accidents at Work Some employees have higher chances of work-related accidents than others, including construction workers, truck drivers, and warehouse workers. The most common causes of accidents at work include: Slip and falls, Falls from heights, Tool and equipment malfunctions, Lifting accidents, Electrocutions, and Items falling on employees. No two workplace accidents will look the same, and the kind of accident will depend on the industry and work environment.  Types of Work Injuries Injuries can also vary significantly by industry and type of accident. Some of the most common types of work-related injuries include: Back and spine injuries, Broken bones, Lacerations, Burns, Soft tissue injuries, and Traumatic brain injuries.  Work injuries are not only those that are seen and felt, like broken bones and laceration. Toxic exposure in the workplace that leads to specific health issues, including cancers, can also be covered by workers’ compensation.  If you are unsure whether workers’ compensation will cover your injury, speak to a St. Paul workers’ compensation attorney. What Is a Compensable Injury? In Minnesota, injuries must occur during the course of employment to be considered compensable. For an injury to be compensable: The injured party must be an employee, not an independent contractor; The injury must be the result of a work-related accident; and The injury must lead to some impairment and/or lost wages.  If the injury does not satisfy these requirements, it is considered a non-compensable injury, and the employee will be unlikely to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Can I Be Forced to Go Back to Work After an Injury? Whether or not you return to work will depend on the severity of your injuries and your doctor’s recommendations. If your injuries are severe and impose limitations on your physical activity, you will not be expected to return to work. However, if your injuries do not stop you from working altogether, you may need to return to work. Every time you visit your doctor for your work injury, they will assess your physical health. They will determine whether you should take time off work, if you can return to work with some restrictions, or if you can work with no limitations.  If your doctor decides you are well enough to return to work, either with or without restrictions, you will need to go back to work. If you do not return to work, you will risk losing your workers’ compensation benefits.  Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today Workers’ compensation can be tricky to navigate, and you don’t want to risk losing your benefits. It is best to seek the help of a workers’ compensation attorney. Your attorney will help ensure you take the necessary steps to receive all your benefits.  Arechigo and Stokka, P.A., has been working with injured clients for over a decade. We offer clients the time and dedication they deserve while fighting tirelessly for their rights. Our team knows the impact an injury can have on clients and their families, and we’re always ready to help when they need it most. Contact us today to discuss your case. 

At some point in your workers’ compensation case you will run into the term “maximum medical improvement”. Depending on the timing of this designation it can, and most likely will, effect your benefits. What is Maximum Medical Improvement in Minnesota? Maximum medical improvement in Minnesota is defined as “the date after which no further significant recovery from or significant lasting improvement to a personal injury can reasonably be anticipated, based upon reasonable medical probability.” In most cases, this designation of being at maximum medical improvement will occur after an Independent Medical Examination.  However, in some cases, your treating doctor will submit a report stating that you, the employee, has reached maximum medical improvement. There are specific requirements that must be adhered to by the doctor and insurance company to place you at maximum medical improvement, such as: there must be a medical opinion indicating the employee has reached it, It must be served on the employee and attorney, and It must contain specific identifying information such as name, SSN, date of service, and other statutory requirements. After an Employee Receives the Report After an employee receives the report indicating she/he has reached maximum medical improvement, the next issue is to determine how this will effect your benefits. If you are receiving temporary total disability benefits, these will continue for an additional 90 days.   Medical benefits will continue if you have been given a permanent restriction by your treating doctor and the IME report does not contain information to the effect that there are no lasting effects from the work injury. The designation of maximum medical improvement will not effect your temporary partial disability benefits unless the IME doctor states that your symptoms are not the result of the work injury. When to Contact an Attorney When you receive a letter from the insurance company indicating you are at maximum medical improvement, it is important to contact an attorney. Certain timelines are applicable and an attorney will need to submit certain information to the Department of Labor or the Office of Administrative Hearings before these deadlines pass. Additionally, many doctors and insurance companies try to prematurely place you at maximum medical improvement.  If this is the case, we will fight to get your benefits back. No attorney fees are associated with hiring an attorney under Minnesota workers’ compensation law unless there is a successful resolution of disputed benefits or there is a settlement of your case.  And as always, there are no out of pocket fees.

If you suffer a job-related injury, workers’ compensation insurance could provide some benefits that can assist with your medical expenses and the time you miss from work. However, there are strict eligibility rules, and navigating the claims process can be frustrating. Understandably, many injured workers are left trying to figure out, What does workers’ comp cover? If you have questions about pursuing a workers’ compensation claim, contact an experienced Minnesota workers’ compensation attorney.   What Does Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cover? If you are eligible, your workers’ compensation benefits can cover: Medical treatment, Loss of earnings, Any ongoing care costs, and Funeral expenses. Some workers’ compensation claims are not related to a single accident or traumatic event. Instead, they develop over time. Some illnesses would qualify for benefits if you suffered exposure to harmful substances or chemicals. If a medical doctor diagnoses you with a condition connected to your work-related activities, workers’ compensation benefits would likely provide some assistance with your treatment and time off work.  Repetitive injury claims also fall under workers’ compensation. For example, carpal tunnel syndrome can take years to develop in some cases. If your job involves a lot of typing, workers’ compensation may pay for some of your treatment costs. In some cases, injuries or illness are severe enough that you are temporarily disabled. In that case, workers’ compensation could potentially pay for some of your missed wages during your disability period as well as your treatment. What Does Workers’ Compensation Not Cover? Workers’ comp benefits won’t cover you for injuries you sustain outside of work. Additionally, benefits won’t apply if you: Were intoxicated or using illegal drugs at the time; Intentionally hurt yourself; Were injured during the commission of a crime; Started a fight; or Violated company policy. If you are worried about a denial, it’s better to be honest upfront. If you try to cover up your actions and someone figures it out, you could be facing a coverage denial even if your claim was valid. Who Gets Workers’ Comp? In general, Minnesota Workers’ compensation laws state that employers must purchase applicable coverage or be self-insured. However, some employers may be exempt from carrying coverage. Federal government employees are also not covered under state-run benefits programs. Instead, federal employees have benefits under federal workers’ comp. Minnesota law excludes specific categories of workers from workers’ comp benefits as well. The exclusions can apply to people who are associated with the following business types, depending on their role in the company, their relationship to the company owners, and the size of the company: Family farm corporations, Sole proprietors and partnerships, Closely held corporations, and Limited liability companies. In some cases, employers who wish to include categories of workers excluded from workers’ comp can take steps to have them listed as eligible for benefits. Some employers elect to do this if they have independent contractors, seasonal workers, domestic workers, etc. If you fall under one of these categories and suffer a job-related injury, ask about potential coverage. How Does the Workers’ Compensation Coverage Process Work in MN? You must report your accident or condition to your employer within 14 days of the injury. For repetitive injuries or occupational diseases, your date of injury is when you knew or should’ve learned that you had work-related injuries. Once you have reported the information, your employer will fill out a form and send it to the insurance company. Provided your injury wasn’t severe and required immediate transport to the hospital, the insurance company will advise whether you are approved for benefits and provide a list of doctors within the plan. Typically, you are expected to see a doctor covered under the plan, unless there is no listed medical provider within 30 to 50 miles from your home. If your benefits are denied, you have the right to file a formal appeal with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.   I Wasn’t Injured at My Workplace; What Does Workers’ Comp Cover? There may be coverage for someone who wasn’t injured at their place of employment in some cases. Were you still in the course and scope of your employment but somewhere else? If so, then your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance should provide coverage. Maybe you were out at a training session, speaking at an event, or driving a company vehicle on your way to the office after visiting a job site. Injuries occurring during any of these events could potentially trigger workers’ compensation benefits. Why Would I Need a Workers’ Comp Attorney? Unfortunately, it’s common to have a legitimate claim for benefits denied by the insurance company. The appeals process can be complicated. You want an experienced Minnesota workers’ compensation benefits attorney on your side who can help you through the process.  If you need assistance with a workers’ compensation claim, contact the Law Offices of Arechigo & Stokka. We have decades of experience handling workers’ compensation denials. Let us put our experience to work for you and help you get the benefits you’re entitled to after a work-related injury.