Injured Minnesota workers may be eligible for benefits

Minnesota workers who are injured while working or develop a chronic condition due to work may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

Thousands of Minnesota workers put their heart and soul into their job every day. However, a workplace accident may leave them with a serious injury, excessive medical bills and the inability to return to work in some cases. Some accidents even result in employee death, leaving dependent family members uncertain of what to do next. Minnesota workers who are injured on the job and the families of those who are killed in a workplace accident may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits from their employer. Injured workers are encouraged to report any incidents to their employers as soon as possible in order to get the process started and ensure that all deadlines are met.

What does workers’ compensation cover?

In addition to covering the medical expenses associated with the injury, workers’ compensation benefits may also help with the following, according to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry:

• Occupational, physical and vocational rehabilitation services for the workplace injury
• Continued benefits for any permanent damage done to a body part or body function
• Money spent traveling to and from medical and rehabilitation appointments
• Partial wages for income that was lost due to the injury
• Certain benefits given to the family of a person who died in a workplace accident

Since each case is unique, there may be special circumstances involved that will also be considered as part of a workers’ compensation case.

What types of injuries are covered?

In addition to basic injuries, such as broken bones, lacerations and muscle strains, there are other conditions that may be covered under workers’ compensation as well. People who work in an environment that causes or exacerbates a chronic condition, such as emphysema, asthma, back pain or even cancer are eligible for benefits. In some cases, severe stress, anxiety and other mental conditions that arise from the workplace may also be covered.

What types of benefits are workers entitled to?

Workers may qualify for permanent or temporary disability benefits depending on the type of injury they received, as reported by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Due to its severity, a permanent injury often prevents the employee from ever returning to work and earning a steady wage. It can also occur if the worker loses a body part or the ability to use a body part. Temporary disability benefits are often awarded when injured workers are unable to go back to work while the injury is healing, but will eventually return to the job. Although people with a temporary disability may be able to return to work, their injuries may prevent them from earning the wages they once made before the accident. Workers’ compensation benefits may cover these costs as well.

Finding legal counsel

Going through the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim can be overwhelming. Not only are there specific deadlines that must be met, but people must make sure all of the forms are filled out correctly in order to maximize their chances of receiving benefits. An attorney in Minnesota who understands the workers’ compensation process may be helpful during this hard and stressful time.

Keywords: workers’ compensation, injury, job