If you experience an injury as a result of your work, you might wonder how long you can get workers’ compensation benefits. Knowing this is important because it helps you plan your finances and recovery.
How long do medical benefits last in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, medical benefits last as long as the treatment is reasonable, necessary, and directly related to your work injury. There is no set time limit, but a doctor must confirm that you need these treatments.
How long do disability benefits last in Minnesota?
Disability benefits make up for the money you lose when an injury stops you from working. The amount of time you can receive these benefits depends on how serious your injury is and how much it affects your ability to work:
- Temporary total disability (TTD):You get these benefits until you can go back to work or a doctor says you’re able to work. You can receive TTD benefits for up to 130 weeks.
- Temporary partial disability (TPD):These benefits are for when you go back to work but earn less because of your injury. They last up to 275 weeks.
- Permanent partial disability (PPD):If an accident at work permanently affects part of your body, you can get these benefits either in one lump sum or receive the same sum in installments that last until you have received the total amount.
- Permanent total disability (PTD):For serious injuries that stop you from doing any kind of paying work, PTD benefits can last until you are 72 years old.
Any of these benefits could end before this point if you become able to return to work.
What if you need retraining?
Vocational rehabilitation services help injured workers get back to work. These benefits can include help finding a job, retraining, and education, depending on what you need to work in a new field if you cannot go back to your old job. The time you receive these services depends on your needs and your rehab plan. Generally, they continue until you find a new job or are trained for a new job based on your rehabilitation plan.
The length of time you can receive workers’ compensation benefits in Minnesota really depends on the type of benefit and your specific injury and its effects. It is important for injured workers and their families to know these details to effectively plan their finances.