Five Little Known Facts About Workers’ Compensation In Minnesota

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t have much knowledge of the workers’ compensation system in Minnesota, and that’s fine. However, don’t let your unfamiliarity with the system or how to maximize your claim prevent you from collecting everything you deserve in the wake of an on-the-job accident. With that in mind, today’s blog focuses on five little known facts about workers’ compensation in Minnesota.

Surprising Facts About Workers’ Compensation

Here’s a look at five surprising facts about the workers’ compensation system in Minnesota:

1. Your Protections Start Day 1 – Unlike things like a referral bonus or PTO accrual, you don’t need to wait a certain number of days until you are covered by workers’ compensation. Whether you’re a full-time or part-time employee, you are protected as soon as your first shift begins. Don’t let your employer tell you differently.

2. You Can Cause Your Own Injury – Causing your injury doesn’t mean you’re ineligible for compensation, so long as you didn’t intentionally cause your injuries. For example, you can accidentally hit your hand with a tool or slip while walking down stairs, and while you may be to blame, with workers’ compensation, it doesn’t matter. You were injured while performing work duties, so you are covered by workers’ compensation.

3. You Can Collect Lost Wages For More Than One Job – If you work multiple jobs, your lost wage compensation isn’t just limited to that employer. If you cannot work in any capacity for any of your jobs, you can collect lost wage compensation for all eligible forms of income. You’re not just limited to compensation based on the one employer where the injury occurred.

4. You Can Receive Benefits Even If You Didn’t Miss Time Away From Work – Even if you didn’t miss any time away from work, you can still collect compensation in some circumstances. If you require medical attention or incurred expenses as a result of your work injury, you can recoup those expenses via a workers’ compensation claim. Or if you are still working, but in a limited capacity or at a reduced wage because of your injuries, you can make up the difference through a workers’ compensation claim.

5. A Workers’ Compensation Attorney Oftentimes Pays For Themselves – You may be hesitant to hire a lawyer, but you shouldn’t be. That’s because injury lawyers oftentimes pay for their services by helping you secure a much larger award than you’d be able to get on your own. Also, because they work on a contingency basis, your lawyer has a vested interest in getting you the biggest payday possible, because they take home more money when you get a larger award. Instead of getting a $50,000 settlement on your own, let a lawyer handle all the work and earn double, triple or even more, which will more than offset the cost of the lawyer.

For more information about workers’ compensation cases, or to talk to a firm with extensive experience winning injury cases, reach out Dean and the team at Margolis Law Office today at (952) 230-2700.