worker’s compensation is a no-fault insurance system that helps injured workers with a work-related injury or illness, to pay for medical bills, partial wage replacement, and rehabilitation.
Each state has its own worker’s compensation system, which has its own set of regulations, processes, payment restrictions, and record-keeping methods. In Minnesota, every business is required by law to provide worker’s compensation insurance to its employees. The worker’s Compensation Division of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) is in charge of overseeing and administering the worker’s compensation system in Minnesota.
If you have obtained your worker’s compensation in Minnesota, the next question is how long can you be on worker’s compensation?
The duration of your benefits will be determined by the type of worker’s compensation you have. As a result, it is important to understand the different types of worker’s compensation benefits.
Wage Loss Benefit
Wage loss benefit is the most common and popular type of Workman’s Compensation benefit. These are the benefits that aid in reimbursing lost wages as a result of a work-related injury.
In Minnesota, the worker’s compensation system provides a variety of wage loss benefits that can help injured workers recover some or even all of their lost wages as a result of a work-related injury or illness.
Temporary Total Disability
Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits are provided to employees who are temporarily off work as a result of a work-related accident. Usually, their doctor will tell them not to work for a particular amount of time if their disability is total but only temporary.
How Long Do Temporary Total Disability Benefits Last in MN?
Temporary Total Disability Benefit is provided for a maximum of 130 weeks. However, the exact compensation time within the 130 weeks can vary depending on the severity of the injury. The duration of the compensation can be estimated with the doctor’s advisement about the recovery period and rehabilitation time.
After an injured worker has fully recovered from their illness and can return to work with the doctor’s approval, the Temporary Disability Benefit will be terminated.
Temporary Partial Disability
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits are wage loss benefits for workers who are partially disabled and able to work but are paid less because of physical or mental restrictions that prevent them from performing at their best.
In this case, workers are earning some money, but it’s not as much compared to before the work-related accident. Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits apply if workers had to work fewer hours or earn less per hour because of their disability.
How Long Will Temporary Partial Disability Benefits Last in MN?
Temporary Partial Disability Benefits are available for a maximum of 225 weeks. Similar to Temporary Total Disability, an injured worker can return to work with their full potential and can receive their original compensation if they have fully healed from their injury or illness with the doctor’s approval.
Permanent Total Disability
The Permanent Total Disability benefit is for workers who are completely disabled and unable to work in any way for the rest of their lives due to a work-related accident and illness.
The following are among the most common injuries that are under the Permanent Total Disability benefit, but are not limited to:
- Total Blindness
- Amputated Limbs
- Amputated Arms
- Limbs Permanently Paralyzed
- Insanity as a Result of a Brain Injury
How Long Do Permanent Total Disability Benefits Last In MN?
Permanent Total Disability Benefits are considered to expire when you reach the age of 67, which is retirement. Minnesota’s worker’s compensation regulations assume that a person will retire at the age of 67. As a result, you will no longer be able to work, therefore, there will be no wage loss.
Even if you are 67 years old, you may be able to submit a claim and convince a worker’s compensation court that you should not have retired at that age. You can hire one of the experienced and high-caliber Workers Compensation Lawyers in Minnesota to help you file a claim. If you win, your Workmen Compensation Insurance Minnesota will be obligated to continue paying.
Workers Compensation: Medical Benefits
According to Minnesota worker’s compensation laws, an injured worker is entitled to medical treatment or supplies that are reasonable and necessary to treat or relieve the effects of a work-related injury.
According to Minnesota Statutes 176.135, sub. 1, the employer is required to provide medical treatment. This includes:
- Psychological
- Chiropractic
- Podiatric
- Surgical
- Hospital treatment
How Long Will Workers Compensation’s Medical Benefits Last in MN?
Medical Benefits from the Workers Compensation system commonly end if the worker’s doctor has permitted them to end the medical treatment. The doctor’s decision will be based on whether or not the workers have fully recovered from a work-related illness or injury.
Alternatively, if a worker’s medical condition has reached the medical threshold that will no longer improve with medical treatments, the Medical Benefits can be terminated with the doctor’s official advice.
Workers Compensation: Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
In accordance with Minnesota Statutes 176.102, vocational rehabilitation benefits will allow an injured worker to return to a job that is similar to their previous job, or to a job in a different field but provide as close or even the same level of income that they would have had if they had not been disabled due to work-related accident.
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits include:
- Vocational Evaluations
- Job Search Assistance
- Job Training and Tuition Fees
- Job Coaching and Counseling
How Long Will Workers Compensation’s Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits Last in MN?
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits can continue up to 156 weeks if they are approved by the insurer and the Department of Labor and Industry.
The Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits can be terminated if the injured worker can find a job and a position where they are contented with.
The Best Workers Compensation Law Firm in Minnesota
Osterbauer Law Firm is a prominent and well-established law firm in Minnesota, known for its exceptional legal assistance over the years. Osterbauer Law Firm is composed of a team of experts and professionals that specialize in worker’s Compensation.
For many years, Osterbauer Law Firm’s experienced and well-versed worker’s Compensation Lawyers have worked to protect the rights of many people of Minnesota and get them the worker’s compensation benefits they deserve.
If you have questions about your work-related injury, call the professionals of Osterbauer Law Firm for a free initial consultation.
