Minnesota’s economy depends heavily on manufacturing and factory workers. These hardworking individuals fulfill many roles, such as operating heavy machinery, assembling products, and overseeing quality control. Without them, supply chains would stall. However, given the physically demanding nature of the work, the risk of getting hurt on the job is very real.
If you have recently sustained an injury in a warehouse or factory, it is vital to know your rights. This guide will inform you of what to do and explain why connecting with a workplace accident lawyer in Minnesota is crucial to your recovery.
The Rights of Manufacturing and Factory Workers
Federal law entitles everyone, including manufacturing and factory workers, to a safe workplace. As an employee, you have the right to receive safety and health training, access safe machines and equipment, and refuse to work in hazardous situations.
Should you speak up about an injury or illness, your employer must not retaliate — instead, they must file a workers’ compensation claim to give you wage loss, medical, and vocational rehabilitation benefits.
Steps To Take When Injured on the Job in a Warehouse or Factory
Unfortunately, even in the safest workplaces, casualties can still occur. Whether you have strained your back lifting a heavy box or suffered a more serious injury, acting quickly and correctly protects your health and rights. Here are the steps you should take.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
Get medical care right away, no matter how minor the injury may seem. You can choose your doctor, even if your company suggests a preferred provider. Keep your employer updated on your condition, work restrictions, and treatment progress; this transparency helps guarantee proper accommodation and strengthens your claim.
Step 2: Report Your Injury
Report your situation to your supervisor or employer. Take note that Minnesota’s workers’ compensation law has strict deadlines:
- Within 14 days: Your notice is on time, and your employer or insurer cannot deny your claim for late reporting.
- 15 to 30 days: Your employer or insurer may deny your claim due to late notice if they prove the delay.
- 31 to 180 days: Your claim may be denied unless the delay was due to a mistake, ignorance of the law, or your inability to report it.
- More than 180 days: You are not eligible for workers’ compensation unless you were mentally or physically incapacitated, and then only if you notify your employer within 180 days after you recover.
Always report injuries as soon as possible and in writing.
Step 3: Ensure the Filing of a Workers’ Compensation Claim
The responsibility of reporting workplace injuries to insurance providers falls on the employers. As an employee, stay proactive by recording dates and details of all conversations regarding the mishap. If your employer does not tell you who their insurer is, check the information in your break room or shared space, which they are required to display.
You may also look up your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer online or call the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry at (651) 284-5170. Once you know the insurer, contact them to inquire about your injury report.
Step 4: Determine Claim Acceptance or Denial
If you have been fully or partially disabled for more than three calendar days or have a permanent loss of function, your insurer must file a Notice of Insurer’s Primary Liability Determination with the state and send you a copy. This notice will state whether your claim is:
- Accepted. If so, wage-loss benefits begin within 14 days of your employer learning of your injury and lost wages.
- Denied. If so, there must be an explanation based on facts and legal reasons.
If denied, you can provide more documentation or file a Claim Petition with the Office of Administrative Hearings within three years of submitting the First Report of Injury or within six years of the injury if no report was filed.
Step 5: Find a Workplace Accident Lawyer in Minnesota
While this step may come earlier, it is never too late to consult a workplace accident lawyer in Minnesota. These professionals are experts in the nuances of workers’ compensation laws and can help you navigate claims and gather and present the proper evidence. Lawyers can represent you in hearings and fight until you receive the full benefits you deserve.
Work injury attorneys in Minnesota handle delays, denials, and employer pushback. Count on them to be your advocates.
Get in Touch with Work Injury Attorneys in Minnesota Now
A safe and healthy work environment is the standard. When warehouse or factory mishaps happen, like a fall, a chemical burn, or machinery-related trouble, you do not have to handle the aftermath alone.
At Osterbauer Law Firm, our team of work injury attorneys in Minnesota is ready to be with you through every stage of your workers’ compensation case. We understand the system and know how to get just results.
Call Osterbauer Law Firm today at (612) 334-3434 or contact us online for a free consultation. Let’s work toward your comeback together.