With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting millions across America, many workers worry about their employment. You may have questions in this uncertain time, such as, will I be covered by workers’ compensation in MN if I contract COVID?
Workers’ compensation normally doesn’t cover community-acquired illnesses like colds and flu. However, there are some exceptions for COVID. Here, we explain workers’ compensation MN laws related to COVID.
If you have questions about these laws or want to discuss your situation, contact our experienced workers’ comp MN attorneys at the Criminal Defense Attorney & Workers’ Compensation Law Offices of Arechigo & Stokka.
COVID Workers’ Compensation for Frontline Workers
Last year, Governor Tim Walz signed H.F. 4537, which expanded Minnesota’s workers’ compensation to include COVID frontline workers. The law protects workers with a presumption that a COVID infection occurred at the workplace, though employers have the opportunity to rebut the presumption.
Frontline workers covered by this presumption include:
- Law enforcement officers;
- Firefighters;
- Paramedics and EMTs;
- Healthcare workers and correction officers working in correctional facilities; and
- Healthcare workers and assistants in healthcare, home care, or long-term care facilities with COVID-infected populations.
People providing childcare to these frontline workers can also qualify for the presumption. If you are not entitled to the presumption, you may still be able to claim workers’ compensation for COVID. Doing so will require you to present some evidence that your COVID infection came from your workplace.
How to Claim Workers’ Compensation for COVID
To claim workmans’ compensation in MN for COVID, you should take these steps:
- Notify your employer that you suspect COVID and stay home from work;
- Get laboratory testing to verify your COVID infection;
- Quarantine according to health authority guidance;
- Save medical records and bills related to your COVID diagnosis and treatment;
- File a workers’ compensation claim related to your illness; and
- Speak to an attorney if your employer rejects your workers’ compensation claim or threatens to retaliate if you file a claim.
Workmans’ comp insurance in MN should pay your medical bills and a reduced wage while you miss work due to COVID. To receive workmans’ comp benefits, you will need to present evidence of your injury and of your inability to work.
Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney About Your COVID Claim
If you think you acquired COVID at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. This new area of workers’ compensation claims can be confusing, and insurers may try to reject your claim. An experienced attorney can help you pursue the compensation you need.
To speak to an attorney about your workers’ compensation claim, contact the Criminal Defense Attorney & Workers’ Compensation Law Offices of Arechigo & Stokka. We have decades of experience helping hundreds of clients, but we personalize a legal solution for each client.
We offer a free consultation and work on contingency. This means you owe us nothing until we win you money. Contact us today to get started on your COVID workers’ compensation claim.
Josh has been representing injured workers for over 10 years. Josh was born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota, and attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology. Mr. Stokka alson received his law degree from the Hamline University School of Law. During law school, Josh clerked at a Minnesota law firm specializing in personal injury and workers’ compensation. Prior to practicing in the area of workers’ compensation, Josh clerked for a judge in the 7th Judicial District in Minnesota. This valuable experience gave him insight into how judges think, do their jobs behind the scene, and how to frame a case in order to obtain a favorable result. Now, he focuses 100% of his practice on defending injured workers in Minnesota.