When you think of an injury that qualifies someone for workers’ compensation benefits, you probably picture an employee breaking a bone or suffering some other injury that keeps them away from work for weeks or months at a time. This is certainly a more standard type of work injury claim, but injuries come in all different ways and don’t always fit this type of standard mold.
In some instances, an injury occurs but the employee is able to return to work the next day or prior to Minnesota’s “three day waiting period” after an injury. It’s great that the employee hasn’t suffered an injury that will keep them away from work for an extended period, but does this also mean that they are ineligible for workers’ compensation benefits? In today’s blog, we explore the idea that you need to miss an extended period of time in Minnesota to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
How Much Time Must You Miss To Be Eligible For Work Comp Benefits?
There are a number of different types of workers’ compensation benefits, and your eligibility for these benefits are based on different factors. For example, wage loss benefits in Minnesota are only considered if the worker misses at least three work days due to their injuries. This means that if you don’t miss at least three days of work, you’re ineligible for wage loss benefits.
That said, you are absolutely eligible for some workers’ compensation benefits even if you didn’t miss any time at all. For example, you could still be eligible for medical benefits and rehabilitation benefits.
Medical Benefits – If you incurred medical expenses as a result of your work injury, you can file for reimbursement for these expenses through a workers’ compensation claim, even if you didn’t miss at least three days of work. Whether you went for a checkup, to get stitches or some other type of care, if this visit was necessitated by an accident at work, you will likely be eligible for medical benefits regardless of how much time you missed from work.
Rehabilitation Benefits – If rehab expenses are required to assist with your return to work, or if you’re being trained in a new role as a result of your injuries, you can file for rehabilitation benefits. It’s not all that common for someone to need rehabilitation benefits without missing at least three days of work, but it’s worth noting that there are no missed time requirements for these benefits.
So yes, you are able to collect some workers’ compensation benefits even if you don’t miss any time away from work with your injuries. If you incur medical expenses or need retraining benefits, you can file for them no matter how many days you missed after your injury. Don’t let your boss or HR tell you differently.
If you’re still confused about your eligibility or you want to talk with a professional about your compensation options after an injury at work, connect with Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm. We’ll be able to guide you through the process and ensure you get every penny you’re entitled to receive. For more information, reach out to our office today at (952) 230-2700.
