Report your injury to your supervisor and ask him or her to complete a First Report of Injury. Seek medical care for your injury as soon as possible. Your employer may ask you to see one of their doctors for an initial examination, however you have the right to see your own doctor if you choose.
Tell your doctor you were injured at work, explain your symptoms, and ask him or her to provide you with work restrictions, if appropriate. Provide a copy of your work restrictions to your employer and follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment.
Contact us for a free consultation to learn how to protect your rights. If your injury is serious, or you anticipate being out of work for an extended period of time, contact us sooner rather than later. Don’t wait until a dispute arises.
Even if you have a great relationship with your employer, you should consider speaking with an attorney. As a rule of thumb, even if your employer and their insurer accept your workers’ compensation claim, it’s generally not a matter of if they will deny your claim, but when. This is particularly true if your injury is serious, if you are going to be off work for an extended period of time, or if there is a question as to whether you will be able to return to work with your date-of-injury employer due to your injury. Don’t rely on your employer and their workers’ compensation insurer to “do the right thing.” It comes down to dollars and cents, and your employer and insurer will often look for ways to minimize what they have to pay on your claim. They are ultimately looking out for their own interests, leaving you to look out for your own.
The Minnesota Workers’ Compensation system is complicated. It’s easy to make mistakes that can cost you thousands of dollars and leave you without a job, without medical care, and without a source of income. Our experienced attorneys can help you navigate the system and ensure that your rights are protected.
Covered types of injuries include any type of injury, illness or condition that occurs at work or because of your work activities. This can include an aggravation or re-injury of a pre-existing condition. It can also include conditions or injuries that develop gradually over time, such as low back conditions, repetitive motion injuries, or carpal tunnel syndrome. Workers’ Compensation also covers illnesses that are contracted in the workplace or conditions that develop as a result of exposure to chemicals or toxins.
As the result of new Minnesota workers’ compensation legislation, effective October 1, 2013, post-traumatic stress disorder injuries that are the result of work-related exposures, are also covered in Minnesota.