An employer must fill out a First Report of Injury after you report a work injury however, despite completing and filing this form, an employer may still doubt your veracity and the legitimacy of your injury claim. If this belief is communicated to the Minnesota workers’ compensation insurer, your claim may be denied. After the denial, the employer may feel justified in disciplining or firing you for filing a “false claim.”
Minnesota law does not allow an employer from discharging or threatening to discharge an employee for seeking workers' compensation benefits or in any manner intentionally obstructing an employee seeking workers’ compensation benefits. This provision allows an injured worker to bring a civil claim against his employer if the employee was fired or obstructed from bringing a workers’ compensation claim. In practice, these actions are fairly uncommon but they’re also essential. The action acts as a check against employers, allowing employees to recover the workers’ compensation benefits that they would have received if not for the unlawful interference of their employer.
This law does not mean that an employee can never be fired legally after sustaining a work-related injury. For example, if an employee already has an extensive history of absenteeism and then misses several days from work after a work injury without providing restrictions from his doctor, the employee may be terminated through the process set out in the employer’s standard policy. If your employer terminates you after filing a work injury and does not follow its standard policy, does not assist you in filing for workers’ compensation benefits, or does not allow you a reasonable opportunity to seek medical treatment, you may be able to bring a successful retaliation claim.
Furthermore, with regard to “false claims,” the employer may be able to fire you for reporting what they believe to be a false workers’ compensation claim. This, however, is risky for the employer because the court seems to be asking whether the employer had a “reasonable belief” of claim falsification. What is a reasonable belief of claim falsification? Again, it depends, but the consensus seems to be that the employer must conduct a thorough investigation of the employee’s allegation of work-related injury. In completing this investigation, the court looks at whether the employer conducted a detailed and fair investigation, and was not simply results oriented. It also should make sure that any such investigation is complete and not results oriented.
It is also worth noting that practical concerns influence employers with regard to discharging employees. If an employee’s claim is admitted, the employer and insurer will be on the hook for ongoing wage loss benefits, if they choose to terminate you. This results in a very real financial incentive for employers to find work for you after sustaining a work injury. This is still true, but to a lesser extent, for denied claims. Even if your claim is denied by the workers’ compensation insurer, you’re still able to fight for the benefits the insurer should have paid you and establish ongoing workers’ compensation payments from the date of termination forward.
Contact Meuser Law Office, P.A. for a free, no-obligation case evaluation and consultation. The knowledgeable attorneys at Meuser Law Office, P.A. take the time with each client to help determine which benefits under the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Act you are entitled. Call us today at 877-746-5680.
by Ashley BiermannMore posts by Ashley
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