If you were hurt by a colleague or became ill as a result of negligence or the nature of your work, your employer should pay for your medical bills and lost wages. As long as you’re eligible, you will legally receive compensation regardless of who was at fault for the injury.
But workers’ compensation claims are rarely straightforward. This is true in busy cities like Minneapolis as well. To deal with these complications, it’s best to seek the assistance of the workers’ compensation attorney in Minneapolis. They will:
- Determine the documentation needed to support your case
- Help in navigating local laws
- Resolve matters related to your case
They will ensure that your employer is paying for the medical expenses and will deal with insurance-related issues. They will also handle specific issues that need to be addressed.
Checking the Eligibility Criteria for Workers’ Compensation Benefits
The law states that employers have to opt into the workers’ compensation system. The employees will receive benefits for the injuries they sustain at their workplaces, but they won’t be able to file a lawsuit against the employer.
Usually most employers buy workers’ comp insurance on the private market or, in some states, from a state fund. However, several large employers, especially those belonging to the state and local government, pose a sort of financial risk for their employees’ workers’ comp benefits, which is termed “self-insurance.”
The vast majority of employers are required to have workers’ compensation coverage. It is the employer’s responsibility to provide coverage, and it depends on how many employees the organization has, the type of business, and the type of work employees do there.
Proof of Injury
You will only be eligible to receive the benefits if you were injured while carrying out a work-related task. You have to provide evidence that you sustained an injury or became ill as a result of this and that the entire thing happened within the office premises.
For example, if you sustain injuries to your back or neck due to loading boxes in the warehouse, then it’s clearly work-related.
Suppose you develop chronic back pain as a result of typing on your laptop for office work or become ill due to exposure to hazardous chemicals at the factory. This is valid grounds for workers’ compensation benefits as well.
On the contrary, if you were injured during your lunch break, at a company-sponsored social event, or fell ill at an office party, then it might not be enough to be considered for workers’ compensation benefits.
Meeting Deadlines
Even if you meet the other criteria, you could lose your right to receive workers’ comp benefits if you don’t meet the deadline. In most states, the deadline to submit your claims is usually within 1 to 3 years from the date of injury. The statute of limitations for workers’ compensation claims in Minnesota is 3 to 6 years from the date of injury. Once this time period has passed, the employee will lose the right to file a workers’ compensation claim.
Guest writer
Editor’s note: Labour legislation differs from country to country so readers are advised to check with legal practitioners in their country for legal advice that is relevant to their circumstances.
