When A Minnesota Work Injury Keeps You From Returning To Your Job
A serious work injury can leave you medically unable to do the same work you did before. When that happens, Minnesota workers’ compensation may provide wage-loss benefits, help with returning to suitable work and payments for certain permanent impairments.
At Michael Schultz Law Firm, we help injured workers understand how these benefits fit together and what options may be available when an injury changes their ability to earn a living.
When Your Injury Changes What Work You Can Do
Your doctor may clear you to work but give you permanent restrictions. You may no longer be able to lift heavy objects, stand for long periods, climb ladders or perform other tasks that were part of your job.
For someone in construction, healthcare, manufacturing or another physical field, those limits can make it difficult or impossible to continue in the same career.
Minnesota workers’ compensation provides benefits that may help when an injury reduces your earning ability. What you qualify for depends on your medical condition, work restrictions, wages and employment options.
Wage-Loss Benefits And Vocational Retraining
If you return to work at a lower paying job because of your injury, you may qualify for temporary partial disability benefits. These benefits generally pay part of the difference between your preinjury wages and what you now earn.
You may also qualify for vocational rehabilitation if your injury keeps you from going back to the same type of work. A qualified rehabilitation consultant, or QRC, may help you:
- Find work that fits your restrictions
- Work with your employer on job modifications
- Explore other types of employment
- Receive job search support
- Pursue retraining when appropriate
Retraining is not automatic, but it may be an option when returning to your former line of work is no longer realistic.
Understanding Permanent Partial Disability
If your injury causes lasting loss of function, your doctor may assign a permanent partial disability, or PPD, rating.
That percentage is used under Minnesota law to help calculate PPD benefits. It does not simply mean you are unable to work by that same percentage.
Disputes can arise over your disability rating, work restrictions or whether wage-loss benefits should continue. The insurance company may also offer a lump-sum settlement before you fully understand how the injury could affect your future.
A workers’ compensation lawyer can review the offer and help you understand what rights or benefits you may be giving up.
Can You Collect Benefits Beyond Workers’ Compensation?
A serious work injury can involve more than one type of claim.
- Social Security Disability: If your condition prevents you from working over the long term, you may also qualify for SSDI. Workers’ compensation settlements can affect SSDI benefits, so it is important to consider both claims together.
- Third-party personal injury claims: If someone other than your employer caused the accident, such as another contractor, equipment company or negligent driver, you may have a separate personal injury claim. That claim may provide compensation that workers’ compensation does not.
Michael Schultz handles workers’ compensation, Social Security Disability and personal injury cases. This allows him to look at the full picture rather than treating each claim separately.
One Attorney For The Problems That Follow A Serious Work Injury
Michael Schultz has represented injured Minnesotans for 40 years. Clients work directly with him, receive his personal cellphone number and can reach him for emergency calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you cannot return to your old job after a work injury, contact Michael Schultz Law Firm for a free consultation. He represents clients in Minneapolis, St. Paul, the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.
Call us at 612-412-4916 or use our online form today.