The global shift to remote work skyrocketed in 2020 and has continued ever since. What started as a temporary solution quickly turned into a permanent arrangement for many professionals. Minnesota is among the states with a notably high number of remote workers, thanks to its diverse workforce and strong support for flexible employment.
What if one day, while getting up from your desk at home to grab a file, you trip over your power cord, fall hard, and injure your wrist? Or maybe after months of working long hours on your laptop at the kitchen table, you develop debilitating back pain? Can you file for work injury compensation in Minnesota?
The answer is certainly worth exploring. Let Osterbauer Law Firm break it down.
The Basics of Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that provides benefits to employees who sustain injuries or suffer from illnesses due to their jobs. The system ensures employees get support without lengthy litigation and shields employers from certain liabilities.
Whether accidents, repetitive stress injuries, occupational illnesses, or mental health conditions, a worker should demonstrate that their job activities caused, aggravated, or accelerated them to receive the following:
- Wage-loss benefits for disabilities, including Temporary Total Disability (TTD), Temporary Partial Disability (TPD), Permanent Total Disability (PTD), Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
- Medical benefits for necessary medical treatment, prescriptions, surgeries, and other healthcare services related to the injury
- Vocational rehabilitation benefits for returning to their original job or finding new employment that fits their abilities
Workers’ Compensation for Remote Employees
Initially, work injury compensation in Minnesota applied to traditional job sites, such as offices, factories, and construction sites. But since the workplace has changed, the laws have also changed. Any injury or illness that “arises out of and in the course of employment” is covered, regardless of where it happens.
Slip and Fall Accidents
For example, you head to your home office with a cup of coffee before logging in for the day. As you round a corner, you slip on a rug and fall, hurting your back. If you were already in the mindset and process of starting your workday, this accident could be considered work-related.
Ergonomic Injuries
Without the proper chair, desk height, or keyboard setup, remote workers may suffer from ergonomic injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or chronic back and neck pain. If your injuries stem from poor ergonomic conditions, you may qualify for compensation.
Stress-Related Conditions
Remote work can blur the line between home and professional life, sometimes leading to mental health struggles like anxiety and depression. Workers’ compensation covers stress-related conditions, especially if there is a clear link to your job duties or work environment.
The Challenges a Work Injury Lawyer in Minnesota Can Help With
Unfortunately, claiming workers’ compensation benefits is often complex. In fact, there are numerous work-related injury lawsuits in Minnesota because of denied, delayed, and disputed claims. These challenges only multiply when the mishap occurs away from a traditional workplace.
Since the process may be trickier for remote workers like you, having a work injury lawyer in Minnesota is ideal. These professionals will help you with the following.
Proving Work-Related Casualties
Working from home means you do not have a supervisor or coworker nearby to confirm what happened while you were working. Your situation can turn into a “he said, she said” one, pushing your employer and insurer to prove that your injury is truly work-related. A lawyer, then, will build a strong case backed by clear cause-and-effect logic.
Documenting and Reporting Injuries
When you are hurt at home, reporting it right away might not be the first thing you do. Of course, your health and safety are the priority. However, time is critical in workers’ compensation claims, so have an attorney walk you through the documentation and reporting.
The lawyer will coordinate with your healthcare provider for diagnoses and treatments. At the same time, they ensure you do not miss crucial deadlines or skip over essential details that could jeopardize your claim.
Receiving Full Compensation
Too often, employees settle for less than they deserve. A work injury lawyer in Minnesota will fight for your right to every dollar you are owed and will also challenge any lowball offers or unjust denials from insurance companies.
Claim Your Work Injury Compensation in Minnesota
At Osterbauer Law Firm, we have handled countless work-related injury lawsuits in Minnesota and seen how important our role is in the recovery of employees. We believe remote work is work and are here to tell you that workers’ compensation laws apply to you, too.
Our attorneys are ready to advocate for you and guide you through the legal maze until you receive benefits. It does not matter if you work in downtown Minneapolis or from your living room in Duluth; you have rights, and we will protect them fiercely.
Call Osterbauer Law Firm at (612) 334-3434 or contact us online for a free consultation. Your legal team is on standby.