What Should I Do If I’m Injured on the Job?

If you sustain an injury in the course and scope of your employment in the state of Minnesota, you have certain rights under the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Act. Here is a very basic, step-by-step checklist to follow after an injury to ensure your rights are protected.

Step 1: Report your injury

• When your injury occurs, make sure your supervisor knows about it. Notifying your supervisor can be as simple as writing an email stating the date of your injury, how and where your injury occurred, and which body parts were affected. 
• When you return to the station or firehouse, make sure that a First Report of Injury is filed. Minor injuries can quickly turn into major injuries and there are strict reporting guidelines under the Minnesota Workers Compensation Act. It is important to be covered in the future, so make sure to report ALL of your injuries. 
• An employer may require you to fill out a supplemental injury report, such as a supervisor’s report, incident report, IOD or JD. You should complete these reports. Also make sure a First Report of Injury is completed. The First Report of Injury form is necessary in the context of workers’ compensation. 

Step 2: Seek treatment for your injury

• If you sustain an injury while on duty you must seek treatment in order to protect your rights. This can be as simple as a visit to the emergency room, urgent care or to your family physician. Filling out an IOD is not enough.
• An employer may require that you make an appointment with a physician of their choosing, but you have the right (and should) choose your own doctor for purposes of ongoing care.

Step 3: Ensure the bill is paid by the workers’ compensation insurer

• Once one bill is paid on your behalf by the workers’ compensation insurer it is deemed an admitted injury. This means that for the rest of your life your rights are vested under the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Act and the statute of limitations does not apply. 

Step 4: Call Meuser Law Office, P.A. to review your options

• Whether your injury is minor or career-ending, it is important to know your rights and options from the onset of your claim.

• We offer police officers and firefighters free, no-obligation consultations in person or over the phone at any point throughout the claims process. We pride ourselves on representing those who spend their lives protecting and serving the public, and are happy to answer any questions you may have about your potential claims. 

Don’t wait to get an attorney involved if you have a Minnesota workers’ compensation claim. The process can be complex and you want to be sure you receive the full benefits you are entitled. Contact Meuser Law Office, P.A. for a free no-obligation consultation and claim evaluation. At Meuser Law Office, P.A. we keep our clients informed of the process as well as what to expect each step of the way. Call us today at 1-877-746-5680.

by Ashley Biermann
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