Workers’ compensation has been available in some form or other in Minnesota since it was passed into law in 1913. However, like all types of legislation, it is couched in legalities and blanketed in rules and regulations. In MN, the workers’ compensation rules for receiving benefits are enshrined in the statute.
Three Basic Rules to Qualify for Benefits
In Minnesota, three rules are put into place to govern who can and cannot receive worker’s comp benefits. They determine who does and who does not qualify. The three things that must exist concern both the employee and the place of employment. They are:
- The employee must suffer from a personal injury or be inflicted with an occupational disease
- The personal injury or occupational disease must be directly related to his or her employment
- The personal injury or occupational disease must be the result of his or her time at this place/type of employment
Although in MN, this legislation is compulsory, its no-fault status and other related workers’ compensation rules affect its application and can restrict the ability of injured workers to obtain fair compensation for a workplace-related injury.
Role of a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
With the possibility of denial and miscomprehension of the viability of a claim, it is often in the best interest of an injured worker to hire an experienced attorney. A lawyer cognizant of workers’ compensation rules can help an uninformed and vulnerable worker steer through the various bureaucratic steps toward obtaining the Workmen’s Compensation he or she deserves.
