Who Is And Who Isn’t Covered By Minnesota Workers’ Compensation?

Injured workers are entitled to receive workers’ compensation for any medical expenses or lost wages they incur as a result of an injury in the workplace, so long as they are considered an eligible employee under the law. Fortunately, most employees meet the definition of a compensable employee under Minnesota’s workers’ compensation law, but there are still some groups and individuals who do not meet the definition of an eligible employee. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at four groups of people who are covered by Minnesota workers’ compensation and three groups who likely are ineligible for benefits.

Who Is Covered By Workers’ Compensation?

Let’s start by looking at some of the groups who are eligible for workers’ compensation. As you’ll see, most employees fall into one or more of these eligible groups:

1. Full-Time Employees – If you work for an employer full time, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in the event of an injury.

2. Part-Time Employees – You don’t need to log 40 hours a week in order to be eligible for workers’ compensation. Part-time employees are also eligible for compensation.

3. Minors – You don’t need to wait until your turn 18 to be eligible for workers’ compensation. If you are earning a paycheck from a company before you turn 18, you’re likely eligible for workers’ compensation.

4. Undocumented Workers – Undocumented workers or undocumented aliens are eligible for workers’ compensation. Even if they are not legally in the country, workers’ compensation protects them if they are earning a paycheck from a company so that an employer cannot take advantage of their workers and place them in dangerous situations without injury coverage.

Who Is Not Eligible For Workers’ Compensation?

Conversely, here’s a look at three groups of people who are likely ineligible to receive compensation for any injuries that are suffered on the job.

1. Independent Contractors – If you are classified as an independent contractor, you would not be covered under workers’ compensation from the company that is contracting you. Some companies may incorrectly classify you as an independent contractor so that they don’t have to provide you with coverage, but you may actually be an employee under the law. You can learn more about independent contractor classifications on this blog.

2. Volunteers – In most instances, volunteers are not covered by workers’ compensation laws in Minnesota, but as you might imagine, there are some exceptions. Again, you can learn more about the specifics on this blog about volunteer injury compensation, but know that most unpaid volunteers would not be covered by the event or organization in the event of an injury during the course of their volunteer work.

3. Babysitters/Household Workers – Although you’re likely paying a babysitter for their services, that doesn’t mean that they are guaranteed workers’ compensation protection. Household workers and babysitters who earn less than $1,000 in a three-month period are not protected by workers’ compensation laws in Minnesota.

If you have questions about injury compensation coverage, or you want help developing and pursuing an injury claim in Minnesota, reach out to Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm today at (952) 230-2700.