Workers Compensation in Duluth, MN
Accidents in the workplace may leave you facing physical, emotional, and financial challenges. You deserve to understand your rights if you’re a Duluth resident who has suffered. Let us guide you through the complexities and connect you with a local attorney.
Workers Compensation Statistics in Duluth, Minnesota
The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts workplace injuries and illnesses in Minnesota into perspective. Their data shows a total of 63,800 reported incidents in 2021 alone. As a result, 3.3 per 100 employees in Duluth may have needed workers’ comp benefits.
How Does Workers Comp Work in Duluth, Minnesota?
Unfortunately, going through the process of applying for workers’ compensation begins with getting sick or injured on the job. The circumstances surrounding the incident that led to your problems are especially crucial. For example, the injury had to occur during your regular work duties. While an event that happens during your lunch break wouldn’t apply, getting into a car accident while running an errand for your boss would qualify for a claim.
All employers in Duluth have to have a workers’ compensation insurance policy. Generally, these benefits cover medical expenses, wage replacement, vocational rehabilitation, and permanent disability compensation. But there are exceptions for domestic servants, agricultural workers, and some executive officers of corporations.
For example, say your supervisor asked you to drop something off on your lunch break. While running this errand you then get in a car accident on your way to the destination. Any resulting injury is eligible for workers’ compensation. However, if you are on your lunch break, performing no such task when you get in an accident, it does not qualify for a claim.
The steps you take immediately following a workplace incident in Duluth, Minnesota are critical for purposes of filing a claim for compensation. Follow the following steps to preserve your rights and learn how workers comp works.
Get Medical Attention
After you get injured or feel ill, the first step is to see a doctor. Don’t delay seeking help from a Duluth, Minnesota healthcare professional. This could not only jeopardize your health, but you run the risk of missing time-sensitive deadlines in the workers’ compensation process. Having a proper medical report detailing the extent of the damage and how it occured is the first step in the process. Your employer cannot file a claim with their insurance carrier without this information.
When dealing with a job-related illness, the symptoms and diagnosis may not happen right away. You may find yourself attending regular checkups and testing for weeks or months before a doctor finally associates your illness with your job. Your doctor may make the determination that the illness is either the result of your work conditions or aggravated by them. Once they do, see your human resources representative to file a workers’ compensation claim.
File a First Report of Injury
The first report of an on the job injury or illness will provide the workers’ compensation insurance carrier with the details of the events leading up to the injury. In this report, you will provide your physical injuries, the medical treatment you received and the facilities that provided it. It’s always a good idea to bring a copy of the doctor’s report to submit with the report of injury.
Generally, employees in Duluth have up to 3 years from the injury or illness to file a claim. Failing to file within this period may result in losing the right to seek benefits. However, consult with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. They will have precise details that ensure compliance with state regulations.
Timeline and Other Information
Simple workers’ compensation claims from Duluth can take a few weeks to settle. However, more complex circumstances can take several months to complete investigations. This reality makes it necessary to have legal help to avoid errors or fraud allegations.
Your employer should furnish you with information about the claims process. The adjuster or insurance carrier representative may want to speak to you at some point about the incident and any possible witnesses to the event. In the meantime, the workers’ comp insurer may begin paying medical benefits while the investigation into your claim continues.
Why You Should Hire a Duluth, Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
While workers’ compensation claims may be straightforward for some cases in Duluth, Minnesota, in others, it may be more difficult. For example, your employer may decide to question whether you were hurt on the clock or your own time. It’s also common for a company to question the full extent of your injury. Hiring a Duluthworkers’ comp lawyer ensures that you have an advocate to fight for your rights as a victim.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Duluth, Minnesota
If you are hurt or contract an illness as a result of your job in Duluth, Minnesota you need to find the right people to help. Since the workers’ compensation claims process can have pitfalls, you should consider getting a local attorney who knows how to avoid them.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
