How Do FMLA and Workers’ Compensation Work Together?

When you are injured on the job, a flurry of questions can go through your mind. How will I pay my medical bills while I’m unable to work? What happens if my employer pressures me to return before I’m fully healed? Can I lose my job if I take too much time off to recover?

Consulting a Minneapolis workers’ compensation lawyer can help you better understand your options, protect your rights, and ensure you receive the benefits you are entitled to during your recovery.

In Minnesota, injured workers may have several avenues of support available to them, including workers’ comp claims and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) benefits. However, the timing of when you use each benefit, how you communicate with your employer, and how you document your injury and recovery can impact your rights under both systems. 

What Is Workers’ Compensation in Minnesota?

Minnesota law requires almost all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance—even those with just one part-time employee. This insurance provides essential benefits when workers suffer job-related injuries or illnesses.

These include coverage for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and wage replacement while you recover. Workers’ compensation also provides disability benefits for those who suffer permanent injuries, as well as death benefits for families who lose loved ones in workplace accidents.

What Is the Family and Medical Leave Act?

The FMLA is a federal law that provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for specific medical and family reasons.

You may qualify for FMLA leave if you need time to recover from a serious health condition that prevents you from performing your job duties, or if you need to care for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition. 

To be eligible, you must work for an employer with 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius, have worked there for at least 12 months, and logged at least 1,250 hours in the past year. FMLA protects your job during your leave and requires your employer to maintain your group health benefits.

When Can You Pursue FMLA and Workers’ Comp Benefits?

If your work-related injury qualifies as a serious health condition under FMLA, you may be eligible for both workers’ compensation and FMLA protections simultaneously.

While workers’ compensation provides medical coverage and wage benefits, FMLA ensures your job remains protected during your recovery. Your employer must notify you in writing if they plan to count your workers’ compensation leave as FMLA leave.

Workers’ compensation covers your medical expenses and lost wages, but it does not always guarantee your job will be waiting when you return. FMLA fills this gap by providing job protection, but it doesn’t replace your wages. When used together, these benefits create a safety net that supports your complete recovery.

Navigate Your Options for Compensation with a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Minneapolis

Complex rules govern both workers’ compensation and FMLA benefits, and mistakes in timing or documentation can jeopardize your rights under both systems. Companies often pressure injured workers to return to work before they are ready, and some employers may not understand their obligations under these laws. 

To protect your rights, it is important to work with a lawyer who understands these laws. A Minnesota workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand your rights and receive all the benefits you deserve while protecting your job security during recovery.

After your injury or diagnosis, contact a Minneapolis workers’ compensation lawyer at KSK Law right away to discuss your case and plan your next steps.