A workplace accident can happen when you least expect it. And when it does, the resulting injuries can range from minor bruises to life-altering injuries. If you sustain an injury at work, you may be eligible for financial restitution through the employer-funded workers’ compensation program.
But, while the employer is responsible for ensuring a safe workplace, employees have a duty to take certain actions when they are involved in an accident at work. One of these is reporting the accident that resulted in their injuries.
Minnesota statute stipulates when and why you should report a workplace accident to your employer.
Reporting the workplace accident – why?
Informing your employer about the accident that resulted in your injury preserves your Minnesota workers’ comp rights. Besides this, here are additional reasons why you need to report a workplace accident:
- It demonstrates consideration for your coworkers and employer. Informing your employer of the hazards that resulted in your injuries can ensure that they are addressed to prevent future accidents. By knowing what happened and how it did, your employer can take steps to keep the workplace safe for your co-workers.
- Reporting a workplace accident protects your interests. Some injuries take time to manifest. Others worsen over time. If you do not report the accident in time, your employer and their insurance company can use the delay to dispute your claim. If you take too long to report the accident and the resulting injury, your employer can infer that your injury was not work-related, and therefore dispute your eligibility for compensation.
Reporting the workplace accident – when?
In Minnesota, you have 14 days from the date of the injury or when you realized that your injury or illness was work-related to notify your employer of the incident. If you report the injury after the 14-day window, you may lose your eligibility for worker’s compensation.
A workplace accident can have devastating consequences. If you are hurt at work, you need to know important timelines for reporting your injuries and pursuing the benefits you are entitled to.
