Injuries sustained while at work can have tremendous impacts on the livelihoods of workers in Minnesota. Receiving emergency medical attention after a serious workplace accident is only the first step in a process that can also require doctor’s appointments, therapy, and treatments that can keep an employee off the job for days, weeks or even months. While workers’ compensation insurance may be available, getting those claims filed is sometimes difficult.
Under Minnesota law, all employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance through either a licensed insurance company or through an approved self-insurance program. Once an on-the-job injury occurs, it is important that the employer be notified as soon as possible. This can be after emergency medical attention is sought.
It may become necessary for an independent medical practitioner to examine an injured employee separately from his or her own physician or chosen hospital in order for benefits to be approved or continue. A number of different injuries and treatments are covered by workers’ compensation laws as long as swift action is taken by both the employee and his or her employer to document any and all problems that arise.
While the process of getting a workers’ compensation claim seems simple and straight-forward, there are many hidden pitfalls that can derail a claim and keep an employee from receiving helpful benefits. Sometimes benefits are even curtailed too quickly and well before an injured person is well enough to return to his or her regular job. For these reasons, many employees faced with this situation choose to contact an attorney to discuss options and processes necessary to keeping these types of claims moving forward through the system.
Source: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Frequently Asked Questions”, October 04, 2014