When you suffer an injury as a result of your employment activities, you may file a workers’ compensation claim to recover medical benefits and lost wages, as well as vocational rehabilitation if you cannot return to your original position.
Injuries that qualify for workers’ compensation include physical injuries, traumatic injuries, certain mental injuries and occupational diseases.
When will workers’ comp cover surgery?
In Minnesota, if the injury you suffered on the job requires surgery to cure or relieve the effects, workers’ compensation will cover the surgery. If the activities of your employment worsened or aggravated a prior injury, and you can show that your employment activities contributed to the worsening of your prior condition, workers’ compensation should cover surgery needed to cure or alleviate those injuries as well.
What costs will workers’ comp cover?
When you file a workers’ compensation claim for necessary surgery, your claim will include all of your medical treatment and costs related to the surgery. Workers’ comp should cover the surgery, the equipment, the surgeon, the anesthesiologist and all hospital fees. It will also cover all costs related to recovery care, including nursing help if needed. If you require physical therapy or occupational therapy during your recovery, workers’ compensation will cover those costs as well.
The workers’ compensation system in Minnesota is a no-fault system. You do not need to claim or prove that your employer was negligent in order to file a claim. You only need to show that your employment activities caused or worsened your injuries.
