Injured at Work and Not Sure of your Rights?
Minnesota Workers’ Compensation
If you have been injured at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for medical treatment, lost wages, and other losses resulting from your injury. Understanding your rights can be especially important when an insurance company or employer disputes your claim or refuses to provide the benefits you need.
Minnesota workers’ compensation law are complicated, and the decisions you make after an injury can affect your ability to receive benefits. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand your rights, evaluate your claim, and pursue the benefits to which you may be entitled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do After a Work Injury?
You must provide notice of your work injury to your employer. They are responsible for reporting the injury to their insurance company.
What Should I Do If I Receive a Notice of Intent to Discontinue?
If you receive a Notice of Intent to Discontinue (NOID), the employer wants to stop paying wage loss benefits. If you have returned to work at full wages, then a NOID is appropriate and generally shouldn’t stop you from receiving other benefits or wage loss in the future. If, however, it is for another reason or you haven’t returned at full wages, then it is imperative that you challenge the NOID.
What is an Independent Medical Exam?
There is nothing independent about an Independent Medical Exam. These exams are more appropriately called the Insurer’s Medical Exam, or an Adverse or Defense Medical Exam. If you receive notice of an IME, you should strongly consider hiring an attorney.
What Should I Do If I’m Injured and Can’t Work?
You should receive wage loss benefits from your employer’s worker compensation insurance. However, you may have other options, as well, including Minnesota’s new leave program, an employer’s short term disability program, Social Security, and/or no-fault insurance. If you’re going to be out of work for an extended period of time, not understanding how these benefits interact can mean the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Can I Be Fired if I’m on Work Comp?
It is illegal for an employer to retaliate or fire you for receiving workers’ compensation. However, it is surprisingly common. If you are fired, call us immediately.
Can I Receive Work Comp If I No Longer Work for the Employer?
Yes, whether you switch employers or are fired, you are still entitled to worker compensation benefits. However, if you quit your job, you could jeopardize your wage loss benefits.