You’re likely to lose time at work and gain a load of medical bills after injury strikes on the job. Workers’ compensation can help with these setbacks, but only if you’re qualified to ask for it.
The average cost of a workers’ compensation claim was around $40,000 in the most recently reported data. Given the large cost of getting you back on your feet, there are rules in place to make sure you are qualified to submit a claim.
Qualified to claim
There are a few important steps to take when you’re injured on the job in Minnesota, but at the front of the line may sit your ability to request assistance at all:
- Currently employed: You’ll generally have to be an employee before you can claim workers’ compensation. You’re not likely to be eligible for benefits if you’re a contractor working on location or a vendor delivering goods.
- Job description: If you are an employee, you’ll typically need to show that you were injured doing something that lines up with your job. Your employer’s insurance may not cover injuries you suffer while commuting, at the office happy hour or while fooling around, but there could be exceptions depending on the circumstances.
- Costly damages: The injury you suffered will usually have to result in some impairment or lost wages. Worker’s compensation typically isn’t set up to deal with punitive measures, so showing damages is likely a crucial part of certifying a workers’ compensation claim. It can also role a part in determining a satisfactory level of compensation.
Make sure you fall within the guidelines for seeking help from your company’s insurance policy. Qualifying to submit a claim could be the first step toward getting the help you need.