Understanding Minnesota Worker’s Compensation Benefits

Any employee is at risk of getting hurt or contracting an illness while at work. To help protect their employees, all Minnesota employers are required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance. This ensures that should you be hurt or become ill while on-the-job, you’re protected from financial distress.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Minnesota

Under Minnesota law, workers’ compensation benefits provide support to employees who receive medical treatment, lose wages due to missed work, and who require help returning to work.

Wage Loss Benefits

There are many different types of wage loss benefits you could be entitled to, depending on the severity of your injury or illness. Some of these benefits include:

• Temporary partial disability (TPD): TPD is a partial wage loss benefit you may receive if your injury or illness caused you to earn less than your pre-incident wage. This means you may be back to work but not working as many hours or performing the same job. You can now be able to claim up to 275 weeks of TPD, depending on your situation.
• Temporary total disability (TTD): TTD is a benefit you may be eligible for if you’re unable to work at all. The maximum limit is typically two-thirds of your gross weekly wage at the time of your injury.
• Permanent partial disability (PPD): If you’re able to work but lose some function due to injury or illness, PPD is a benefit you might receive. Minnesota now provides for higher payments due to recent changes in the law.
• Permanent total disability (PTD): If you’re permanently unable to work due to an injury or illness, you may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits up until the age of 72.

Medical Benefits

Employers are also required to cover the medical treatment needed to help you heal. This includes all types of medical care such as psychological counseling, surgery and physical therapy. If you need to stay in the hospital or another treatment facility, these benefits will cover that as well.

Vocational Rehab Benefits

If you need assistance finding a new job or need re-training after an extended injury or illness, workers’ comp can help. The goal is to ensure you’re able to return to work with confidence.

Workers’ Compensation & COVID-19

Did you contract COVID-19 while on-the-job? You may be able to receive workers’ compensation due to your illness. If you’re an essential employee, such as an EMT, nurse or childcare provider, there are new laws in place to help you receive workers’ comp benefits.

Not an essential employee covered under the recent bill? You can still bring a claim if you contract COVID-19 while working. We recommend reaching out to an attorney for help.

Have You Been Hurt or Suffered Illness While On-the-Job? Call Us Today!

If you’ve been hurt or contracted an illness while on-the-job, an experienced attorney can help you pursue workers’ compensation. To learn more about workers’ comp or to speak with an attorney, send us a message today.