Minnesota workers' compensation is administered by the Workers' Compensation Division of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), with disputes resolved by the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), under Minn. Stat. Chapter 176.
1. Who Is Covered
Virtually all Minnesota employers with employees must carry workers' comp (Minn. Stat. § 176.181).
Includes part-time and seasonal workers.
Sole proprietors, partners, LLC members, and corporate officers may opt out.
2. Notice to Employer — 14 Days
Under Minn. Stat. § 176.141, give notice to the employer within 14 days of the injury for full benefits.
Notice within 30 days still allows benefits.
No notice within 180 days = claim barred (absent good cause).
3. Filing Deadline — 3 Years (or 6)
File a Claim Petition with OAH within 3 years of the date the employer files the First Report of Injury with DLI (Minn. Stat. § 176.151).
6 years if employer fails to file the First Report.
4. Weekly Benefit Calculation
Temporary Total Disability (TTD): 66 2/3% of AWW (Minn. Stat. § 176.101).
2024 maximum TTD: approximately $1,394/week (102% of SAWW); minimum: 20% of SAWW.
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): 2/3 of difference between pre- and post-injury wages.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): lump-sum or installments based on impairment rating × dollar amount per percentage point per body part.
5. Maximum Benefit Period
TTD: limited to 130 weeks, generally must be paid within 450 weeks of injury (Minn. Stat. § 176.101, subd. 1(j)).
Permanent Total Disability: lifetime.
PPD: lump-sum based on impairment.
6. Medical Treatment — Employee Chooses
The employee chooses any treating physician (Minn. Stat. § 176.135).
If employer has a certified Managed Care Plan, employee may have to use plan providers.
One change of doctor permitted as a matter of right within 60 days; later changes require DLI approval.
7. Choice of Doctor
Broad — employee chooses; managed care plans may restrict.
8. Attorney Fees
Capped at 25% of the first $4,000 + 20% of next $60,000 ($14,000 maximum statutory contingent fee under Minn. Stat. § 176.081); subject to OAH/judge approval.
9. Vocational Rehabilitation
Mandatory Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant (QRC) referral if the worker cannot return to the date-of-injury job (Minn. Stat. § 176.102).
10. Retaliation — Minn. Stat. § 176.82
Civil action for retaliatory discharge with damages including back pay, reinstatement, and emotional distress.
This is legal information, not legal advice.