How to File a Workers' Compensation Claim in Minnesota
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Minnesota · Last updated 2026-09-07
In Minnesota, a workers' compensation claim is how an employee hurt on the job, or made ill by work, obtains medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, no proof of fault required, under a system administered by the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Workers' Compensation Division, with contested claims adjudicated at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). Two deadlines are critical. You should give your employer written notice of the injury within 14 days of its occurrence (Minn. Stat. 176.141), and no compensation is allowed unless notice is given or knowledge is obtained within 180 days. After you report, your employer files a First Report of Injury with its insurer, which accepts or denies the claim. If the claim is denied or benefits are disputed, you generally have three years from a written report of the injury to the commissioner to file an Employee's Claim Petition, and never more than six years from the accident (Minn. Stat. 176.151). Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
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Where are you after your work injury?
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How do I file a workers' compensation claim in Minnesota?
First, report your injury to your employer as soon as possible, giving written notice within 14 days (Minn. Stat. 176.141). Your employer then files a First Report of Injury with its insurer. If the claim is denied or disputed, you file an Employee's Claim Petition with the Department of Labor and Industry.
How long do I have to file a workers' compensation claim in Minnesota?
Two deadlines matter. You should give your employer written notice within 14 days of the injury (Minn. Stat. 176.141). Separately, you generally have three years from a written report of the injury to the commissioner to file a claim petition, and never more than six years from the accident (Minn. Stat. 176.151).
What claim form do I file for a work injury in Minnesota?
After you report the injury, your employer files a First Report of Injury with its workers' compensation insurer. You do not file that form. If the insurer denies the claim or disputes benefits, you file an Employee's Claim Petition with the Department of Labor and Industry to open a case.
Who handles workers' compensation claims in Minnesota?
Minnesota's workers' compensation system is administered by the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Workers' Compensation Division. Your employer's insurer decides your claim day to day. If a dispute arises, DLI offers mediation, and unresolved cases are adjudicated at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).
Minnesota workers' compensation claim law at a glance
In Minnesota, workers' compensation gives an employee who is injured on the job medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, regardless of fault. The system is administered by the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Workers' Compensation Division, and contested claims are adjudicated at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). You should give your employer written notice of the injury within 14 days of its occurrence (Minn. Stat. 176.141), and no compensation is allowed unless notice is given or knowledge is obtained within 180 days. Your employer then files a First Report of Injury with its insurer. If the claim is denied or benefits are disputed, you generally have three years from a written report of the injury to the commissioner to file an Employee's Claim Petition, and never more than six years from the accident (Minn. Stat. 176.151).
Filing a Minnesota workers' compensation claim after a home health aide's back injury
Suppose you are a Minnesota home health aide and hurt your back transferring a client. You tell your supervisor and, the same week, give written notice of the injury, staying well inside the 14-day reporting window (Minn. Stat. 176.141). Your employer files a First Report of Injury with its insurer, which starts paying for medical treatment. Months later, the insurer disputes how much wage-replacement you are owed and issues a denial. Because you must act within the limits in Minn. Stat. 176.151, three years from the written report of the injury and never past six years from the accident, you file an Employee's Claim Petition with the Department of Labor and Industry. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Minn. Stat. 176.141 (notice of injury to employer)
Provides that the injured employee shall give written notice to the employer within 14 days after the occurrence of the injury, and that unless knowledge is obtained or written notice given within 180 days after the occurrence of the injury, no compensation shall be allowed, subject to a limited exception for mental or physical incapacity.
Minn. Stat. 176.151 (time limitations for claims)
Limits actions or proceedings by an injured employee to determine or recover compensation to three years after a written report of the injury has been made to the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry, but not to exceed six years from the date of the accident.
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Workers' Compensation (Workers)
The DLI Workers' Compensation Division oversees and administers the workers' compensation system in Minnesota, provides Alternative Dispute Resolution and mediation for benefit disputes, and directs injured workers to report the injury and, if a claim is denied, to file an Employee's Claim Petition.
Regional Variances
Minnesota workers' compensation claim rules at a glance
Reporting deadline
Written notice to your employer within 14 days after the occurrence of the injury, under Minn. Stat. 176.141. No compensation is allowed unless notice is given or knowledge obtained within 180 days.
Claim form
Your employer files a First Report of Injury with its insurer. If the claim is denied or disputed, you file an Employee's Claim Petition with the Department of Labor and Industry.
Filing deadline
Generally three years from a written report of the injury to the commissioner, but never more than six years from the date of the accident (Minn. Stat. 176.151).
Who administers it
The Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Workers' Compensation Division. Contested claims are adjudicated at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).
How disputes are filed
By filing an Employee's Claim Petition with the DLI when the insurer denies, delays, or underpays the claim. This must occur within the limits of Minn. Stat. 176.151.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Report the injury to your employer in writing
Within 14 days of the injury days after startingGive your employer written notice of the injury within 14 days of its occurrence (Minn. Stat. 176.141). Report promptly, because no compensation is allowed unless notice is given or knowledge is obtained within 180 days. Keep a dated copy of your notice.
Confirm your employer filed the First Report of Injury
Soon after you report days after startingYour employer must complete a First Report of Injury and submit it to its workers' compensation insurer. Ask for confirmation that it was filed. If your employer refuses, contact the Department of Labor and Industry and keep a record of your report.
Get medical care and keep records
Ongoing after the injury days after startingSeek treatment for your injury and keep every medical record, bill, and letter from the insurer. Documenting the diagnosis, treatment dates, and any work restrictions supports your claim if the insurer later denies benefits or disputes what you are owed.
Track the insurer's liability decision
While the claim is pending days after startingThe insurer issues a Notice of Insurer's Primary Liability Determination accepting or denying the claim. Calendar any deadline the insurer sets for information, keep proof of what you send, and note the accident date to protect your filing window under Minn. Stat. 176.151.
Complete and file an Employee's Claim Petition if disputed
Within the Minn. Stat. 176.151 limits days after startingIf the claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid, file an Employee's Claim Petition with the Department of Labor and Industry, served on your employer and its insurer. Keep a copy. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Protect the three-year and six-year deadlines
Three years, up to six years from the accident days after startingYou generally have three years from a written report of the injury to the commissioner to file, and never more than six years from the date of the accident (Minn. Stat. 176.151). File early so a late report does not cost you benefits.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report the injury to your employer in writing | Give your employer written notice of the injury within 14 days of its occurrence (Minn. Stat. 176.141). Report promptly, because no compensation is allowed unless notice is given or knowledge is obtained within 180 days. Keep a dated copy of your notice. | - | Within 14 days of the injury |
| Confirm your employer filed the First Report of Injury | Your employer must complete a First Report of Injury and submit it to its workers' compensation insurer. Ask for confirmation that it was filed. If your employer refuses, contact the Department of Labor and Industry and keep a record of your report. | - | Soon after you report |
| Get medical care and keep records | Seek treatment for your injury and keep every medical record, bill, and letter from the insurer. Documenting the diagnosis, treatment dates, and any work restrictions supports your claim if the insurer later denies benefits or disputes what you are owed. | - | Ongoing after the injury |
| Track the insurer's liability decision | The insurer issues a Notice of Insurer's Primary Liability Determination accepting or denying the claim. Calendar any deadline the insurer sets for information, keep proof of what you send, and note the accident date to protect your filing window under Minn. Stat. 176.151. | - | While the claim is pending |
| Complete and file an Employee's Claim Petition if disputed | If the claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid, file an Employee's Claim Petition with the Department of Labor and Industry, served on your employer and its insurer. Keep a copy. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft. | - | Within the Minn. Stat. 176.151 limits |
| Protect the three-year and six-year deadlines | You generally have three years from a written report of the injury to the commissioner to file, and never more than six years from the date of the accident (Minn. Stat. 176.151). File early so a late report does not cost you benefits. | - | Three years, up to six years from the accident |
Frequently Asked Questions
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