Dealing with a work-related injury can be a scary and frustrating experience. Not only do employees have to deal with the physical pain of being injured on the job, but they also have to worry about what it will mean for their job. Without the ability to work, a person might fear financial instability taking hold.
Fortunately, Minnesota law provides some reassurance for injured workers. Employers are generally required to carry a workers’ compensation insurance policy, which can provide financial support for those injured in the normal course of work. Of course, it may be natural to wonder: What types of injuries are covered by state law?
According to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, coverage for workplace injuries is more inclusive than just injuries caused by an on-the-job accident. In addition to medical concerns that arise as a result of employment activities, workers can be covered for injuries that are “aggravated or accelerated” while at work. Knowing this, employees might be able to breathe a little easier knowing that several kinds of injuries are covered under state law.
A person could be forced to deal with the pain of a pre-existing injury as the result of a particular job’s physical demands. For example, a person could have received treatment for an injury before starting a particular job. Through the course of employment, however, the injury that was once stabilized could become an issue again. If this is the case, a person could receive workers’ compensation benefits, since this is an aggravated injury.
Even though the law provides protection to injured employees, workers’ compensation claims can still be unfairly denied. Dealing with a denied claim and the complexities of workers’ compensation law can make this a difficult problem to handle without the sound advice.
Source: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, “Workers’ compensation — Claim process,” accessed March 25, 2014