Suffering an injury at work can be a life-changing experience — physically, emotionally, and financially. In the aftermath of a workplace injury, many employees are left wondering what steps their employer is legally required to take.
Fortunately, workers’ compensation Minnesota laws impose clear duties on employers to ensure injured workers receive the support, benefits, and treatment they need to begin their recovery.
If you’ve been hurt on the job, understanding your employer’s responsibilities is the first step in protecting your rights and making sure you get the compensation and care you deserve. Here’s what you need to know from your trusted work-related injury lawyer in Minnesota.
Immediate Response: Ensuring Safety and Reporting the Injury
When a workplace injury occurs, the employer’s first obligation is to respond quickly and appropriately, which includes taking the following steps.
- Providing immediate medical attention: If the injury is severe or life-threatening, the employer should call 911 or arrange for emergency transportation.
- Documenting the incident: Employers must collect details about the injury, including when and how it happened, who witnessed it, and any contributing factors.
- Filing a First Report of Injury (FROI): According to workers’ compensation Minnesota laws, the employer must file this form with their workers’ compensation insurance carrier within 10 days of becoming aware of the injury. Delays can harm your case and lead to penalties for the employer.
Your employer should not try to delay or discourage you from reporting the injury. Doing so violates state laws designed to protect workers from retaliation or negligence.
Providing Information About Your Rights
Once you’ve reported the injury, your employer must inform you of your rights under Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system. Employers must take these steps to fulfill this requirement:
- Explaining your right to file a workers’ compensation claim
- Sharing insurance contact information
- Providing access to medical care and wage replacement benefits
Employers are also required to display a Workers’ Compensation Notice in a visible area of the workplace, outlining their basic rights and how to begin the claims process.
If your employer fails to inform you or discourages you from filing a claim, that’s a red flag. You may be dealing with a violation of your rights and should consider speaking to a workplace attorney in Minnesota immediately.
Cooperating With Medical Care and Return-to-Work Plans
Employers are legally obligated to cooperate with medical evaluations and help facilitate your recovery process, and must follow these practices.
- Allowing time off for treatment and recovery as recommended by your physician
- Communicating with your healthcare provider to understand work restrictions
- Working with a Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant (QRC) if one is assigned to your case
- Offering light-duty or modified work if you’re unable to return to your previous role
Minnesota law encourages employers to support injured workers’ return to the workforce whenever possible. If a doctor determines you can return to work with restrictions, your employer should make a good-faith effort to accommodate those limitations. If they fail to do so, you may be entitled to rehabilitation benefits or vocational retraining.
Prohibiting Retaliation or Discrimination
One of the most critical protections for injured workers is the right to be free from retaliation. Minnesota law strictly prohibits employers from these practices.
- Terminating or demoting you for filing a workers’ compensation claim
- Harassing, threatening, or penalizing you for pursuing benefits
- Discriminating against you in future work assignments or promotions
If you’ve been treated unfairly after a workplace injury, you may have grounds for a retaliation claim in addition to your workers’ compensation case. It’s important to document any questionable behavior and consult with a workers’ comp attorney to explore your legal options.
Maintaining Insurance Coverage
In Minnesota, nearly all employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, even if they only have a few employees. This insurance is what pays for your medical care, lost wages, and other benefits following a work injury. Complying with this rule means taking these steps.
- Maintaining active insurance coverage
- Paying premiums regularly
- Working with the insurance adjuster to process your claim
If your employer doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance when you’re injured, they may face severe penalties and be held directly liable for your medical costs and lost wages.
You can still file a claim through Minnesota’s Special Compensation Fund, which exists to protect workers when employers break the law.
When Employers Don’t Fulfill Their Responsibilities
Unfortunately, not all employers follow the law. You may encounter the following challenges when this issue happens.
- Delays in reporting injuries to the insurer
- Denials of rightful medical treatment or light-duty accommodations
- Pressuring employees not to file a claim
- Disputing the legitimacy of the injury
These tactics are unethical and often illegal. If your employer is creating unnecessary roadblocks, refusing to cooperate, or actively retaliating against you, legal intervention may be necessary. Working with a work-related injury lawyer in Minnesota is your best course of action.
Workplace Attorney Minnesota: Contact Osterbauer Today
At Osterbauer Law Firm, we fight to make sure injured workers in Minnesota are treated with dignity and fairness. If your employer isn’t fulfilling their legal responsibilities, or if you simply need guidance through the workers’ compensation process, we’re here to help.
Contact our law firm today to schedule a consultation and start your comeback journey.
