Report your Work Injury to the Employer

For every compensable work-related injury there is a reported injury. In other words, you must report your injury to the employer. Failure to report your injury in a timely fashion can result in an inability to get workers compensation benefits. Regardless of whether the injury is a slip and fall, trip and fall, herniated disc or a Gillette type injury, you should always report your injury as soon as possible to the employer.

To receive worker’s compensation benefits, the injured worker must show the provided notice of the injury to the employer, or that the employer had actual knowledge of the injury, within 180 days as allowed under Minnesota statute 176.141. This does not require that you fill out any paperwork or a First Report of Injury but instead that you provided notice either verbally or in written form.

Notice must be given when it becomes “reasonably apparent” dad in injury has resulted in or is likely to cause, a compensable disability. Oftentimes, with cumulative trauma injuries or Gillette type injuries that may be difficult to know when you may have sustained an injury. The law requires that notice does not have to be given until the claimant/injured worker, as a reasonable person, should recognize the nature and seriousness and probable compensable character of their injury or disease. In other words, if you believe that you’ve got a work-related injury – you report it.

A Minnesota Worker’s Compensation attorney can help provide you advice as to whether notice was appropriately given. If you have sustained a work-related injury and would like to discuss whether you provided appropriate notice contact us today for free no hassle consultation.

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