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What do Minnesota workers’ compensation benefits consist of?

On Behalf of | Dec 5, 2022 | Workers' Compensation |

Minnesota workers’ compensation protects employees from prohibitive medical costs. The system is no-fault, meaning you do not need to establish liability before you receive benefits.

According to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), workers’ compensation covers three areas of benefits. To learn more about the coverage you might expect to receive after a workplace injury, see below.

1. Medical costs

Medical benefits cover any necessary and reasonable costs for medical treatment. The DLI states that employers must cover podiatric, surgical, psychological, chiropractic and hospital treatments. Additionally, the employer must pay for replacing glasses, dentures, artificial limbs, canes, crutches, wheelchairs or hearing aids if they become damaged through work-related activities.

2. Lost wages

Wage-loss benefits fall under several categories. First, there is the waiting period. You do not receive wage loss benefits for anything less than three calendar days. However, waiting period coverage pays for everything beyond ten calendar days of disability, including the three days during the waiting period. Next, there are disability benefits. These include temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, permanent total disability and permanent partial disability. Typically, the pay rate is two-thirds of your gross weekly wage, subject to state minimums and maximums.

3. Vocational rehabilitation

Vocational rehabilitation benefits are like medical benefits. The employer must begin a rehabilitation consultation if you require retraining or rehabilitation. Unless your employer can provide a document proving gainful employment approved by your treating doctor, they must cover the cost of rehabilitation.

Workers’ compensation insurance covers various wage losses and medical benefits. If you suffer a workplace injury, there is a good chance that your employer must assist with the costs.