What Benefits Are Available Through Minnesota Workers’ Comp?

The workers’ comp system in Minnesota is designed to ensure that workers get coverage for their injuries regardless of who is at fault in a workplace accident, while also minimizing workplace lawsuits and the burden on the court system that these lawsuits can bring. A Minnesota workers’ compensation attorney can help you access all the benefits that you’re entitled to in the system.

Medical Treatment Coverage

You should have coverage for all medical expenses that are related to your injury or occupational illness. This would include coverage for doctor visits and any hospital bills and surgery costs that are required. Also covered would be any scans or tests you need, such as an MRI; physical therapy costs; and the cost of any prescription medications required to treat you. You can also claim for travel expenses that are required for you to get the treatment you need.

Wage-Loss Benefits

The workers comp system is also designed to reimburse you for some of your lost wages. There are a couple of kinds of wage loss benefits. The most common that will apply in most situations are Temporary Total Disability Benefits (TTD). These pay you 2/3 of your salary if you’re unable to come back to work at all, but you can only receive TTD for a maximum of 130 weeks. If you’re still collecting these six months after the accident, most insurers will request an evaluation to see if you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (meaning you’re not expected to improve any further).

Temporary Partial Disability Benefits (TPD)

TPD benefits kick in when you can go back to work, but you either can’t work full time or you can’t work the same job as you did before. These benefits pay 2/3 of the difference between what you’re able to make now and what you were making before. You can get these benefits for up to 275 weeks.

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits (PPD)

Once it’s been declared that you have reached maximum medical improvement, if you’re still not able to return to the same job you had before, you’ll have to be evaluated for PPD benefits based on the percentage of functional loss you have sustained. If you were completely paralyzed, for example, you would be rated at 100% functional loss. For all percentages, there’s a specific schedule to be followed that assigns a dollar amount per year to the specific percentages.

Permanent Total Disability Benefits (PTD)

If you’ll never be able to work any job again, then PTD benefits can kick in when your TTD benefits end. You get paid your PTD benefits at the same time you would normally have been paid your regular paycheck, and PTD benefits are reduced by any other disability or retirement benefits you receive. They automatically end when you turn 72 unless you were injured after the age of 67.

Talk to a Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Attorney Now

For help bringing your claim and getting the full value of all the benefits you’re entitled to, contact us now at Frayne Injury Law in South Saint Paul, MN for a free consultation.

Tags: workers comp
Posted in St. Paul Workers Comp | No Comments »