Students, teachers, and professors who suffer injuries while at school may wonder about getting their medical costs paid. In many situations, people who work or study at educational institutions are entitled to workers’ compensation to pay for wage losses and medical treatment.
Students
Some medical students can receive workers’ compensation for injuries suffered while attending medical school. To get benefits, these students must:
- Be enrolled in and regularly attending the Medical School of the University of Minnesota; and
- Taking classes in the graduate school program or the postgraduate program.
These students can receive wage loss benefits based on their educational stipend amount each year. They cannot receive workers’ compensation benefits from the University as their employer if injuries are not related to their attendance at medical school.
Teachers
Most public and private teachers receive workers’ compensation benefits through their employer – usually a school district, the state, or a private school. Teachers should check with their supervisor or union representative to find out how to report workplace injuries.
Professors
Some University of Minnesota faculty members are considered employees for workers’ compensation purposes even while on summer break. To qualify for the summer between two academic years, a faculty member must:
- Have a contract or reasonable assurance of a contract from the University of Minnesota for the next academic year; and
- Have an injury that arises out of and in the course of activities related to the faculty member’s employment by the University of Minnesota.
Professors and other academic staff are considered employees during the regular academic year too, so they can receive workers’ compensation benefits if injuries occur then.
Need help getting workers’ compensation for your injury? Joe Osterbauer, Esq. and the Osterbauer Law Firm stand up for injured Minnesota workers’ rights. Joe’s 27 years of workers’ compensation experience and his team’s speedy service combine to get clients the results they need. To schedule a free consultation, visit Osterbauer Law Firm online or call Joe’s office at (612) 334-3434.
