How Long Do You Have to Report a Work Injury in Minnesota?

To get your benefits from workers’ compensation here in Minnesota, you need to report your injury on time. If you have any questions, and to make sure that everything goes smoothly and you get all that you’re entitled to, contact a Saint Paul, MN workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as you can.

How Long Do You Have to Report a Work Injury in Saint Paul, MN?

To Your Employer

You should report your injury to your employer within 14 days or you may experience issues. If you miss that 14-day window, you can report up to 30 days after the injury, but it becomes easier and easier for your employer to dispute the injury the longer you wait. And if you wait beyond 30 days, you will probably not be able to collect any workers’ compensation at all unless you’re able to prove that your delay was due to something out of your control.

For example, if you’ve been in a coma since your injury, this would certainly count as an extenuating circumstance and allow you to bring your report past the deadline. Ultimately, the law allows you an absolute maximum of 180 days to report, but for anything over 30, you must have a very good reason for the delay. The wisest thing to do is always to report as soon as possible.

To the Workers’ Compensation Division of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

It’s your employer’s job to report the injury once you have reported it to them. Your employer has 14 days to report to the Workers’ Compensation Division of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, using a First Report of Injury form. If you’re in a union, then a copy of this form has to be given to the local union office, and you should also be given a copy. If your employer hasn’t given you a copy within two weeks, be sure to follow up and ask your lawyer for help and next steps.

Exceptions and When to Call Your Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

You only need to notify your employer if they wouldn’t reasonably be aware of the injury. This might be because it happened somewhere away from your primary workplace or because you have just been diagnosed with an injury or illness caused by your workplace environment, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. It’s always best to notify your employer if you’re at all unsure.

The insurer will either accept or deny your claim, and they have to send notice of this to your employer, who will share it with you. If you’ve been disabled for more than three calendar days and your claim is accepted, then wage loss benefits have to begin paying out within 14 days of the date that you informed your employer of your injury. If your claim is denied, reasons have to be given, and your lawyer can help you bring a claim petition to dispute it.

To learn more and get help with your workers compensation claim, contact Frayne Injury Law in South Saint Paul, MN today.

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