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Understanding how workers’ compensation works

On Behalf of | Nov 2, 2022 | Workers' Compensation |

Some Minnesota workers suffer job-related injuries and have to take time off to recover. In this situation, filing a workers’ compensation claim is crucial. While you wait for the status of your claim, you should understand how workers’ compensation works.

Report the injury

First, you should report your injury to your immediate supervisor or manager. Waiting to do this could hurt your chances of your claim being accepted, so the sooner your employer is aware of the situation, the better. They will provide you with a form to fill out and include details of your injury. After you’ve completed it, your employer must file it with the insurance company.

In some cases, after your claim has been sent to the insurer, there may be an investigation. This doesn’t always occur, but it might if the company is leaning toward denying an employee workers’ comp benefits.

Get a medical evaluation

After your workers’ compensation claim has been filed, you should see a doctor to get a medical evaluation to assess your condition. You may be able to see your own primary care physician, but in some cases, your employer will require you to see a specific doctor chosen by the insurance company. After your evaluation, the insurer will receive copies of your medical assessment. The insurance company also notifies your employer of whether your claim for workers’ comp has been approved.

Receive benefits

If your claim is approved, you will begin receiving benefits to cover the costs of your lost wages and medical expenses. Additional benefits from workers’ compensation include disability, rehabilitation and death benefits. In the latter case, if a worker dies on the job, their surviving family members recover those benefits to cover burial and funeral costs.

Workers’ compensation can cover an injured person’s expenses while they are unable to work. Benefits are less than the person’s salary but allow them to get by while they recuperate.

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