When you sustain an injury at work, the steps you take immediately afterward could be crucial for protecting your right to workers’ compensation. In Minnesota, workers’ compensation laws are designed to support employees who get hurt on the job. However, to take full advantage of these benefits, you need to understand the importance of timely reporting your injury to your employer.
Timely reporting
Under Minnesota law, there are deadlines for notifying your employer about a workplace injury. The longer you wait to report your injury to your manager or supervisor, the less chance you have of getting fair consideration for your workers’ comp claim. Here’s what you need to know:
- Within 14 days: It’s best to notify your employer of your injury within 14 days. If you do, your employer cannot deny your claim for late notice.
- 15-30 days: If you report your injury after 14 days but within 30 days, your employer may deny your claim for late notice, but they must prove that the delay adversely affected them.
- 31-180 days: Notification beyond 30 days and up to 180 days could result in a denied claim unless you have a valid reason for the delay, such as a mistake or deceit by your employer.
- Beyond 181 days: If you wait longer than 180 days, your claim will likely be denied unless you were incapacitated during the delay and could not report.
There is an important exception to these rules. If your employer already knows about your injury, perhaps from witnessing the incident or having enough information to suspect it was work-related, the formal notification requirement may not apply.
Act now for your rights
If you haven’t yet reported your injury, don’t lose hope. Your claim may still be salvageable. To understand your rights and navigate the complexities of workers’ compensation law, consider reaching out to a seasoned workers’ comp attorney. They can provide personalized guidance and help you secure the benefits you deserve.
