Am I Covered by Workers’ Comp If the Injury Was My Fault?

Workplace accidents are more common than we may believe. Every year, employees are injured or develop occupational illnesses on the job in Minneapolis, resulting in serious losses and hardships. However, workers’ compensation insurance allows eligible workers to recover benefits if they are hurt in these incidents. 

Usually, this coverage provides benefits regardless of fault or negligence, even if the claimant caused the accident. A workers’ compensation claim will not be denied if the injured employee was at fault, but there are some restrictions to this rule. It is important to be aware of workplace injury laws and to enlist the help of a Minneapolis workers’ compensation lawyer to identify your optimal path to recovery.

An Overview of Minnesota’s Workers’ Compensation Laws

If you are injured while performing your job duties or as a result of your employment, you are likely eligible for a workers’ compensation claim. Every Minnesota business with at least one employee must carry workers’ compensation coverage. This insurance pays benefits for several expenses related to workplace injuries and deaths, such as the following:

• Medical expenses
• Temporary partial or total disability
• Permanent partial or total disability
• Travel expenses for medical care
• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Death benefits and burial expenses

Minnesota follows a no-fault workers’ compensation system, which means that employees can file claims and recover benefits even if their own mistakes or errors caused their injuries. You have the right to file a claim and recover benefits as long as your injuries occurred at work or as a result of your employment, regardless of anyone’s fault or negligence. 

Situations Where Your Workers’ Comp Claim May Be Denied

While Minnesota does allow recovery for workers’ compensation if the employee was at fault, there are some limitations to this rule. Notably, if you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the workplace accident, the insurer will very likely deny your claim. 

Other reasons why your claim may be denied include:

• Your employer believes that the injury happened at home or is otherwise not related to work.
• You failed to notify your employer of the injury within the appropriate time frame.
• You are not considered an eligible employee under Minnesota workers’ compensation laws.
• Your employer believes that your injury is due to a pre-existing condition and was not caused by work.
• You are an independent contractor and therefore not covered by Minnesota workers’ compensation coverage.

These justifications may be used to deny your claim or limit your benefits. However, your insurer cannot use your fault or negligence as the basis for denial, as long as you were not intoxicated at the time of the accident.

Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to Help with Your Claim

Workers’ compensation is essential for helping injured workers recover from sudden accidents. However, recovery is not guaranteed, and the insurer may use several justifications to deny or reduce your claim. To protect your right to compensation, you need a Minneapolis workers’ compensation lawyer on your side.

An attorney can evaluate any decisions made by the workers’ compensation insurer and advocate aggressively for your right to benefits. If the insurer wrongfully denies your claim based on fault, your lawyer can file an appeal and request to overturn the decision. As soon as possible following your accident, contact a Minneapolis workers’ comp lawyer to discuss your next steps.