Workmans’ comp insurance in Minnesota, or simply called workers’ compensation, is designed to provide financial assistance to employees who have been injured at their workplace. People who were hurt or sick from a work-related accident could be eligible in claiming such insurance.
People can claim compensation for the expenses they have in terms of their medical bills, missed wages, job displacement, and death. Business owners benefit directly from workers’ compensation as well, as having a policy in place will help businesses remain legally compliant and avoid potential fees or prosecution down the line.
This guide will explore what benefits business owners can experience from workers’ compensation, both for the sake of their employees and themselves.
Benefits for Medical Expenses
Workers’ compensation insurance is designed to take care of the medical expenses that are associated with workplace accidents. Some of the most common expenses that are covered include medications, doctor’s visits, therapy, and surgery.
For example, a warehouse staff member who slips at work and injures their head can be eligible for workers’ compensation insurance as it will pay for any of the expenses they had in getting their injury treated.
One thing to keep in mind is that medical care provided under workmans’ compensation is strictly regulated. This means that when an insurance company gets a request for authorizing medical care, the insurer has the right to bring in a doctor to review the necessary care. The insurance agency can then approve or deny these requests based on their findings.
Benefits for Missed Wages
Employees who are severely injured and are unable to work may be eligible to claim the benefits of workers’ compensation. These disability benefits are often categorized as temporary or permanent.
A temporary disability benefit is when an injured worker is paid for a set period while they are unable to return to work. The length of time the injured employee will receive payment can last for weeks or months and is processed immediately after an injury or surgical procedure.
On the other hand, a permanent disability benefit takes place when an injured employee receives payment for an impairment that is expected to remain for the rest of their life.
One example is when a technician tinkers with their standard electrical equipment and dies from being electrocuted. The company of the technician will be responsible for the expenses related to the funeral and burial by leveraging their workers’ comp policy. Any direct family members will also receive financial support.
Benefits for Supplemental Job Displacement
Employees can claim a supplemental job displacement benefit which is a voucher that will help them pay for improving their skills or receiving educational retraining from approved institutions.
Employers can provide these vouchers to help pay for tuition fees, books, equipment, and other expenses necessary to complete the educational courses. Examination fees, preparation courses, licensing, and certifications are also covered.
Workers can leverage a supplemental job displacement benefit if they are:
- Injured sufficiently to become partially disabled
- Not provided by their employer with a modified or alternative work setup within 60 days after being terminated due to their disability
Benefits for Employee Death
Any employee would feel at ease knowing that their dependents will be supported by their employer in case they die while doing their job. Workmans’ comp insurance in Minnesota provides death benefits to the surviving spouse, children, and other dependents of a worker who has died at work.
The amount given to these dependents will be based on two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly salary prior to the accident. The death benefit will also take care of the expenses for their funeral and burial.
What Else Does a Workman’s Comp Insurance in Minnesota Cover?
Besides the four types of coverage mentioned above, workers’ compensation policies can also cover the following:
- Illness: Employees who have fallen sick due to the extreme conditions they experience daily at work can be eligible for workers’ comp insurance. The insurance will take care of the costs associated with treating their condition as well as the expenses for ongoing care if necessary.
- Repetitive injury: Work-related injuries aren’t always one-off but can happen to an employee over time. One example is when a constantly overworked mechanic develops wrist tendonitis which is a condition that causes pain and stiffness to their wrists. When this happens, the workers’ compensation insurance of the auto shop will take care of all associated expenses in treating their mechanic.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Coverage in Minnesota
As you can see, workmans’ compensation can provide employees with benefits in case they get injured on the job while also protecting employers from costs associated with lawsuits. In the state of Minnesota, the benefits of workers’ compensation can include:
- Replacing part of lost wages
- Assisting employees in covering their medical expenses
- Finding vocational rehab
One thing to keep in mind is that a workers’ comp policy doesn’t provide coverage for all types of injuries. For instance, it will not provide benefits in case a worker:
- Becomes sick or is harmed outside of their workplace
- Is intoxicated during the time their accident happened
- Injures themselves intentionally
All employers in Minnesota are required to obtain workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. If they don’t wish to purchase insurance, businesses have to be self-insured.
Furthermore, businesses must have proof of coverage to prove that they obtained workers’ comp coverage for their workers. This formal document is a certificate of insurance that details what and who is covered within the policy of the business.
Who Gets to Choose the Doctor in a Workers’ Compensation Policy?
In Minnesota, workers’ compensation policies allow workers to choose their own healthcare provider. This provider will be responsible for forwarding all bills as well as supporting details to the insurance company. They should also contact the insurer prior to hospitalization or surgery, except for emergency situations.
An employee or the insurer themselves have the right to request a second opinion when it comes to non-emergency treatment. The health providers aren’t allowed to bill workers unless the insurance company determines that the treatment isn’t covered by their policy.
Conclusion
Workmans’ comp insurance in Minnesota is necessary for businesses because it protects both their employees and themselves in case of accidents that occur in the workplace. However, not all insurers will grant companies the right to claim the benefits of their policies for many reasons.
In case a settlement cannot be reached with your insurance company, you can get help from an experienced attorney who will work to negotiate the procedure with the insurer.
At Osterbauer Law Firm, we can help you obtain the benefits you and your workers deserve when filing a claim for your worker’s compensation insurance. Our team will guide you in filing the necessary paperwork, obtaining the required evidence, and submitting all of these documents to the court.
Call us today at 612-334-3434 for a free consultation and let’s discuss your case.
