Workers' Compensation: Minnesota

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Author: Nicole Farley, Fisher Phillips.

Summary

• All Minnesota employers that are either required or elect to carry workers' compensation coverage are required to post the Minnesota Workers' Compensation and Employee Rights Poster in the workplace. Other reporting requirements may also apply. See Notice and Reporting Requirements.
• Employers are generally defined as those that hire other individuals to perform services, and may be organized as corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and associations. For purposes of workers' compensation, group of persons, the state, county, town, city, school district, and governmental agencies are also considered employers. See Covered Employers.
• Employees are generally defined as individuals performing services for hire, including minors, part-time workers and workers who are not citizens. Some individuals, including independent contractors, are exempted from the definition, and thus, may not be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. See Covered Employees.
• The Minnesota Workers' Compensation Act provides the exclusive remedy for workplace injuries and occupational diseases, with two major exceptions. See Compensable Injuries.
• Minnesota workers' compensation system is a no-fault system, meaning an employer or its insurer must compensate an employee who is injured or becomes ill on the job due to the performance of the employee's job duties, regardless of who is at fault or who caused the harm. See Compensable Injuries.
• However, covered employers or their insurers may not be held liable for certain workers' compensation claims, depending on the nature of the incident which gave rise to the employee's claim for benefits. See Employer Defenses to Workers' Compensation Claims.
• Employers are required to pay for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment necessitated by an injury, either directly or through their workers' compensation insurance provider. See Medical Benefits.
• In addition to paying for medical costs associated with work-related injuries, workers' compensation benefits also include payment in the form of wage replacement and other benefits. See Amount of Compensation Benefits.
• Employers are forbidden from retaliating or discriminating against employees who file workers' compensation claims. See Retaliation and Interference.
• Minnesota law provides for a review process to handle disputed claims; either party (the injured worker or employer) may pursue redress of disputes. See Claims Procedure.