What happens after I file a workers comp claim in Minnesota?

After you report a work injury and a First Report of Injury (FROI) is filed, the insurer must respond—typically with a Notice of Primary Liability Determination (NOPLD) or a denial (NOID). If accepted, you receive wage-loss benefits (TTD) and medical treatment. A Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant (QRC) may be assigned. If the insurer disputes your claim, you may need to file a Claim Petition with the Office of Administrative Hearings under Minn. Stat. § 176.271. The process can include mediation, settlement conferences, and a formal hearing before a compensation judge. This is general information, not legal advice.

How does the workers comp process work in Minnesota?

The Minnesota workers' comp process generally follows these stages: (1) Report injury to employer; (2) Employer files FROI with DLI; (3) Insurer issues acceptance or denial; (4) Wage-loss benefits (TTD/TPD) and medical treatment begin if accepted; (5) QRC rehabilitation services may be provided under Minn. Stat. § 176.102; (6) If disputes arise, the insurer may file a NOID to stop benefits under Minn. Stat. § 176.238; (7) The employee can file a Claim Petition; (8) The case proceeds to mediation, settlement conference, or hearing before a compensation judge; (9) A decision is issued, with appeal rights to the WCCA and Minnesota Supreme Court. This is general information, not legal advice.

What is a QRC in Minnesota workers comp?

A QRC (Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant) is a rehabilitation professional assigned to help injured workers return to employment. Under Minn. Stat. § 176.102, a QRC develops a rehabilitation plan, coordinates vocational services, and monitors the injured worker's progress. QRC services are paid by the insurer and are mandatory when the employee has been off work for a certain period. The QRC is supposed to work in the injured worker's interest, though they are paid by the insurer. This is general information, not legal advice.

How long does a workers comp claim take in Minnesota?

The timeline varies widely. Straightforward accepted claims may resolve within months. Disputed claims that require a Claim Petition under Minn. Stat. § 176.271 can take 6 months to over a year to reach a hearing. Settlement negotiations can happen at any time. Appeals to the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals (WCCA) add additional months. Complex cases involving permanent total disability or multiple disputes can take several years. Each case is different. This is general information, not legal advice.

What is a NOID in Minnesota workers comp?

A NOID (Notice of Intention to Discontinue) is a formal notice the insurer must serve before stopping your wage-loss benefits. Under Minn. Stat. § 176.238, the NOID must state the reason for discontinuance and give you time to object (generally 12 days). If you file a timely objection, benefits continue until a compensation judge rules. Common reasons for a NOID include the insurer claiming you can return to work, have reached MMI, or that another legal basis to stop benefits applies. This is general information, not legal advice.

What's next in my claim?

Pick your situation and follow a step-by-step flow. This is designed to mirror how Minnesota workers' compensation claims actually branch: injury reporting → insurer acceptance/denial → wage-loss checks → QRC rehab → discontinuance disputes → claim petition/hearing → settlement/appeal.

Educational roadmap — not legal advice.

What's next (claim roadmap)

Injury happened

Your first job is to document the injury and get appropriate medical care. The second job is to make sure your employer/insurer can’t later claim you “never reported it.”

Where are you in the claim?Date of injury (optional)

What to do next

✓Report the injury to your supervisor in writing (email/text is fine). Include date/time, body parts, and how it happened.
✓Get medical care and tell the clinic it is work-related. Keep a copy of the visit summary.
✓Start a timeline: symptoms, missed work days, restrictions, and who you notified.

Choose the next branch

Have you already reported the injury to the employer?

Deadlines to watch

Notice to employer (time sensitive)statutory
Minnesota has strict notice rules (commonly discussed as 14/30/180-day issues). If you haven’t reported yet, do it now and keep proof.

Important note

This roadmap is educational and is not legal advice. Minnesota workers' comp timelines can change based on exact facts, service dates, and which procedure you're in.