Minnesota workers' comp glossary
Stipulation for Settlement
The written, judge-approved agreement that settles some or all of a Minnesota workers’ comp claim under Minn. Stat. § 176.521; "full, final, and complete" language typically closes benefits permanently.
A Stipulation for Settlement is the contract that ends some or all of a Minnesota comp claim. Minnesota has no settlement formula: stipulations are negotiated documents, and under Minn. Stat. § 176.521 a compensation judge must review and approve them before they take effect. Payment is then due promptly after the award on stipulation is served.
The words in the stipulation control everything. "Full, final, and complete" language typically closes wage-loss and PPD claims forever, including future flare-ups. Medical benefits may be closed or left open; many Minnesota settlements deliberately leave injury-related medical open, and closing it is a major concession that should be separately priced (and can require addressing Medicare’s interests).
Judge approval is a floor, not an endorsement: it means the settlement is not facially unreasonable, not that the number was good. Before signing, know what each benefit stream being closed is actually worth; that is exactly what an exposure estimate is for.
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General information, not legal advice. Reviewed by Daniel C. Swenson, Minnesota workers' compensation attorney, Robert Wilson & Associates.