Factors That Determine Workers’ Compensation in Minnesota
Workers’ compensation insurance applies to a broad range of injuries. The circumstances, specifically the location and nature of the injury, determine whether the insurance covers it. Below are some of the circumstances and injuries that workers’ compensation covers in Minnesota.
Location of Injury
Below are some of the areas where workers’ compensation may apply.
Injuries on Employer’s Premises
Workers’ compensation covers employee accidents on the employer’s premises, irrespective of its exact location. The injury doesn’t have to occur in your workstation. For example, you are entitled to the compensation if you slip and fall in the bathroom, if something falls on you in the break room, or if you trip and fall on the stairwell.
Injuries that occur on the employer’s premises may also count even if you are not on the clock. Specifically, the coverage applies if you suffer an accident immediately before clocking in or after clocking out for work. Say you have just clocked off work and you slip and fall on your way to the parking lot. You are entitled to workers’ compensation.
Injuries off Employer’s Premises
For injuries that occur off-premises, the coverage depends on the exact location plus what you were doing at the time of the injury. For example, the coverage extends to injuries that occur:
- While working on a remote job site
- While visiting a client in another office
- While driving from one work site to another
If your employer maintains a parking lot away from their premises, you are entitled to workers’ compensation if you suffer an injury between the employer’s premises and the parking lot. An example is if your office is on one side of the road and your parking lot is on the other side. You deserve compensation if you slip and fall while crossing the street to or from the parking lot.
Nature of Injury
Workers’ compensation covers a broad range of injuries. Below are some of the injuries it may cover.
Acute Injuries
These injuries arise from a single traumatic event. Examples include slip-and-fall injuries, burn injuries, or electrical shock.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
These injuries arise if you perform the same motion repeatedly. For example, you may suffer a repetitive strain injury in your wrist if your job requires you to move your wrists in the same motion throughout the day.
Aggravated Injuries
Workers’ compensation is not exclusive to new injuries. The coverage applies if your job aggravates an existing injury. Consider an example where you have a bad back from a car accident and your supervisor assigns you to the store where you have to carry heavy boxes. You deserve workers’ compensation if your work duties aggravate your back injury.
Toxic Exposure
You are entitled to workers’ compensation if you get sick after exposure to harmful substances. Exposure typically occurs in the form of inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion — the latter not so common. For example, exposure to asbestos can trigger various forms of health effects, including cancer.
Mental Illness
Lastly, workers’ compensation may also cover mental illness. However, mental illness coverage only applies if the illness arises due to something that forms a normal part of your job. Consider someone who works with abused kids and develops psychological trauma after listening to horrendous stories. The employee is entitled to compensation for their stress.
As you can see, workers’ compensation insurance covers a broad range of injuries. If you suffer an injury at work, don’t assume that the coverage doesn’t apply before talking to a lawyer. Walz Law Office has worked with workers’ compensation claims for over 30 years. If you have suffered an injury at work, contact us for a free initial consultation to determine your next step.