COVID Work Comp For Frontline Workers

Governor Tim Walz signed H.F. 4537, which expanded Minnesota’s workers’ compensation to include COVID frontline workers. The law protects workers with a presumption that a COVID infection occurred at the workplace, though employers have the opportunity to rebut the presumption.

Frontline workers covered by this presumption include:

• Law enforcement officers;

• Firefighters;

• Paramedics and EMTs;

• Healthcare workers and correction officers working in correctional facilities; and 

• Healthcare workers and assistants in healthcare, home care, or long-term care facilities with COVID-infected populations. 

People providing childcare to these frontline workers can also qualify for the presumption. If you are not entitled to the presumption, you may still be able to claim workers’ compensation for COVID. Doing so will require you to present some evidence that your COVID infection came from your workplace. 

How To Claim Workers’ Compensation For COVID

To claim workmans’ compensation in MN for COVID, you should take these steps:

• Notify your employer that you suspect COVID and stay home from work;

• Get laboratory testing to verify your COVID infection;

• Quarantine according to health authority guidance;

• Save medical records and bills related to your COVID diagnosis and treatment;

• File a workers’ compensation claim related to your illness; and

• Speak to an attorney if your employer rejects your workers’ compensation claim or threatens to retaliate if you file a claim.

Work comp insurance in MN should pay your medical bills and a wage loss while you miss work due to COVID. To receive workers’ comp benefits, you will need to present evidence of your injury and of your inability to work. 

Frayne Injury Law is a law firm that represents injured employees in work comp cases. A free, no obligation, consultation is available to anyone looking for legal advice.