Minnesota workers who get hurt on the job depend on workers’ compensation benefits. The coverage provided by their employer provides them with no-cost medical care and also disability pay until they can get back to work again.
If you have already filed a successful claim for medical benefits and permanent total or partial disability benefits, you may eventually need to change jobs. Some workers with significant injuries will achieve maximum medical improvement for their condition without being able to go back to their previous job responsibilities.
How does workers’ compensation insurance protect you if you have to change jobs and lose earning potential because of your job-related medical condition?
You can receive permanent partial disability benefits
Minnesota does provide permanent benefits for those who will have lasting consequences related to a job injury. For someone with a permanent partial disability who can continue to work but will not command the same wages they previously did, a medical evaluation may be necessary.
The medical exam can establish a percentage of impairment, and that percentage will dictate how much the worker receives in permanent partial disability benefits. Some people receive those benefits in a single, lump-sum payment. Other workers receive weekly payments.
You can reduce the drop in your income with your claim
Permanent partial disability benefits, like other workers’ compensation disability coverage, will not fully reimburse you for all of your lost earning potential. However, it can go a long way toward diminishing the financial impact your injury will have for you and the other members of your household.
There are maximum benefit amounts that apply based on the impairment rating, which the state expresses as a percentage. The lowest rating of less than 5.5% could lead to a maximum amount of $78,800 in benefits. A worker with a rating of 95.5% or higher could potentially qualify for lifetime benefits of as much as $540,800. The process of negotiating a permanent disability claim can often require professional support.
