The state of Minnesota is known for its unique, friendly environment. If you are an employer in the state, it’s essential to ensure that your employees are taken care of in all aspects – especially if they have been fired.
One of the most common questions that employees in Minnesota ask is whether or not they are still entitled to a workman’s compensation if they are fired from a job. This blog post will explore the answer to this question and offer some advice on how you can protect your rights as an employee.
Workman’s Compensation Insurance and Coverage
Workman’s Compensation Insurance and Coverage – workman’s compensation is a safety net designed to prevent an injured worker from being stranded without any income. In some circumstances, even fired employees can collect workman’s compensation benefits due to their injuries. That being said, getting fired can have a significant impact on whether or not you will be entitled to these benefits.
For a worker to be entitled to a Workman’s compensation due to their injury, they must have a disability. The employer may dispute a claim if the employee has been terminated and the disability is no longer present. If the employee was let go from their job for discipline purposes, they would most likely not be eligible for disability. Workman’s compensation is not about fairness. It’s about protecting people who are injured at work so that they don’t fall through the cracks financially.
Coverage
If your employee experiences an injury or illness as a result of their job, workers’ compensation payments may be available to help cover the following expenses:
- Expenses for medical treatment
- Wages that are being forfeited
- Costs of ongoing care
- Expenses for a funeral
If your employee is injured or becomes ill outside of the workplace, they will not be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Benefits may also be denied to employees who are driving under the influence of alcohol and cause an accident, as well as employees who purposely injure themselves.
Additionally, employees who require workers’ compensation coverage are shaped by various factors, including their unique job responsibilities and the size of the company. Workers’ compensation coverage for full-time employees is required in most states, but the requirements vary from state to state.
Contractors, temp employees, and interns are all covered by workers’ compensation regulations in several jurisdictions. You must understand the requirements for workers’ compensation coverage in your state.
Employees of the federal government are likewise not covered by workers’ compensation insurance governed by the states. Instead, they are covered by workers’ compensation benefits provided by the federal government. These exceptions do not apply in every state, so you should familiarize yourself with the workers’ compensation regulations in your state.
Workman’s Compensation Claim Process
The Workman’s Compensation Claim Process begins when the employee files a formal Workman’s Compensation Insurance claim. The Workman’s Compensation insurance company will usually request information regarding the injury, including an incident report and medical records.
The insurance company will then investigate the incident to determine whether or not it is work-related. If it is determined that the injury was related to employment, then they discuss the possibility of a lump-sum payment or a more extensive structured settlement to the employee. These payments are meant to help cover the financial responsibilities of the injured party while unable to work full-time away from their job for rehabilitation or other medical treatment needs.
Furthermore, the Workman’s Compensation insurance company will also determine whether or not the employee can return to work after their injury.
Workmans Comp Benefits
Workers’ compensation benefits can vary from state to state, but there are some commonalities among these benefits. Workman’s compensation payments may be available to help cover the following expenses:
Medical Treatment
Most injured workers receive medical care through workers’ compensation. This insurance covers employees’ compensation costs. It covers doctor visits, hospital stays, nursing care, pharmaceuticals, medical diagnostic tests, physical therapy, and durable medical equipment, among others (like crutches and wheelchairs).
Medical insurance usually has no dollar limits, deductibles, or copays. Workers’ compensation benefits continue until the worker is healed. Some therapies may be restricted by state law. For example, physical therapy or chiropractic care may be limited to 24 visits. State rules also govern whether alternative treatments like biofeedback and massage therapy are covered. In certain states, treatment is covered but not in others.
Disability
Disability benefits are intended to replace a portion of the wages an employee loses while they are disabled due to a work-related injury. Benefits are usually a percentage of the employee’s wages, paid in the same manner as wages (hourly, weekly).
If an employee suffers permanent partial damage not covered by a schedule, state law determines their disability benefits. Depending on the state, payments may be based on the worker’s disability, earning capability, or wage loss.
Cost of Ongoing Care
Workmans Comp Insurance in St. Paul, MN can cover the cost of ongoing care, such as health insurance premiums, prescription drugs, and non-medical services. In some states, employers are required to pay for medical coverage for a year or more.
Workers who are unable to return to their previous jobs due to an on-the-job accident are generally eligible for some form of vocational rehabilitation in most jurisdictions. Some companies also offer psychological rehabilitation to employees who have experienced a mental injury due to their jobs.
Expenses for a Funeral
Workers’ compensation benefits cover the expenses of a funeral, including burial and cremation costs. The death benefits are paid to the person who paid for the funeral or the employee’s survivors.
How We Can Help
The benefits from Workmans Comp Insurance in St. Paul, MN are a crucial part of your life after an injury at work. You need to know that you have someone in your corner who knows how to navigate the system and get what is owed to you.
Osterbauer Minnesota Injury Law Firm has years of combined experience in Workman’s compensation law, helping people just like yourself get through this challenging time and get back on their feet with financial stability again.
Our firm has helped thousands of clients receive compensation for their injuries so they can focus on getting better instead of worrying about finances. We will fight for every penny owed to our clients, no matter how long it takes or how much money it costs us!
Don’t let another day go by without knowing if you’re going to be able to pay rent next month because your bills are piling up from medical expenses while out of work due to a workplace accident or illness. Call today for a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.
