Every employee hopes to simply clock in, dive into their daily tasks, and then clock out. Whether you work in construction, health care, or manufacturing, the last thing you want is to get hurt. Unfortunately, workplace accidents happen, leaving employees in physical pain, emotional stress, and financial uncertainty.
If you have been injured at work, you deserve support and guidance not just from your loved ones and medical providers but from a system designed to protect you. Workers’ compensation is that system.
What is it, and how does the claim process work? Moreover, how can a workers’ compensation lawyer in Minneapolis or other Minnesota cities help you?
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system for injured employees or those who become ill because of their jobs. The no-fault structure means you do not have to prove your employer was negligent, and your employer cannot blame you to deny the claim.
The common work-related injuries that workers’ compensation covers include the following:
- Traumatic injuries from falls, machinery accidents, and others
- Repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Occupational diseases due to chemical exposure
- Qualifying mental injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder
The Basic Benefits
Workers’ compensation in Minnesota offers a range of benefits aimed at helping you recover and return to work. Here are the three basics.
Wage Loss
When your injury prevents you from working or affects your earning ability, you are eligible for wage replacements, including during the waiting period and the following:
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
Should a work injury result in death, dependents are entitled to benefits.
Benefits are adjusted annually, and most insurers allow them to be sent and received electronically.
Medical
Minnesota law entitles injured employees to reasonable and necessary medical treatment, including doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, mental health treatment, and chiropractic and podiatric care. Insurance must also furnish medical supplies and reimbursement for mileage and travel costs.
Workers’ compensation may cover the replacement or repair of damaged artificial limbs, glasses, dentures, and more, as well as family nursing care in cases of permanent total disability.
Vocational Rehabilitation
If your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job, vocational rehabilitation will help you find a new one or transition into a new role. The insurer must send a Disability Status Report (DSR) that refers you for a rehabilitation consultation or requests a waiver.
If a waiver is denied or expires, the insurer must schedule a consultation with a qualified rehabilitation consultant (QRC) to explore your return-to-work options.
Workers’ Compensation Claim Process
A workers’ compensation claim involves steps that all parties involved must follow to resolve:
- Step 1: Notification and Medical Attention. The worker should report the injury as soon as possible and get medical care for diagnosis and treatment.
- Step 2: Submission of the First Report of Injury (FROI) Form. The employer must fill out the First Report of Injury form and send it to their insurance company to start the official claims process.
- Step 3: Claim Acceptance or Denial. The insurer will review the claim and accept or deny it. If accepted, the employer begins receiving benefits. If denied, the employer has the right to dispute the decision with guidance from a work injury law firm in Minnesota.
The Role of a Work Injury Attorney in Minnesota
In 2023, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) received 5,711 dispute filings. This number proves that workplace accidents are still common in the state, and many employees do not get the compensation they deserve.
As such, the services of a workers’ compensation lawyer in Minneapolis or other Minnesota cities become essential. What do these professionals do?
Maximize Your Benefits
These experts take the time to study your case and determine what you are entitled to. They will not let you settle for less.
File and Manage Your Claim
A work injury attorney in Minnesota ensures you properly submit every form and meet every deadline. They give your claim the best chance of success.
Handle Denials and Disputes
They will appeal denials and handle all disputes by gathering and presenting substantial evidence.
Represent You at Hearings
Should your case go before a judge, your lawyer will present arguments, cross-examine witnesses, and fight for your rights.
Osterbauer Work Injury Law Firm in Minnesota
Getting hurt on the job is never part of the plan, and understanding the workers’ compensation system makes all the difference. Whether you’re just starting the claims process or facing a denial, having a legal professional in your corner guarantees you are not going through it alone.
Osterbauer is a work injury law firm in Minnesota with a team of experts committed to standing by you. We are ready to take over the paperwork and disputes so you can focus on healing and reclaiming your life.
Contact Osterbauer Law Firm today for a consultation. Your work injury attorney in Minnesota is eager to serve you.