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Member, Beacon International Group, Ltd.
ST. PAUL, Minn.—Injured workers and their employers in Minnesota have a new, state-run resource for navigating the often confusing process of pursuing a claim for workers compensation.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry announced this week that it has established an Office of Workers' Compensation Ombudsman to provide employers—particularly small businesses—and their workers advice and assistance on dealing with workers comp issues.
“The ombudsman will complement the other services provided by our agency's Safety and Workers' Compensation Division and will be an additional resource for parties who need in-depth help in resolving problems they encounter in the workers' compensation system,” Ken Peterson, DLI commissioner, said Thursday in a statement.
Ombudsman service to help workers, employers
The department said businesses and workers in Minnesota have been asking for an ombudsman service for some time.
Employers, particularly those at smaller firms, often lack the internal personnel necessary to comprehend how “the sometimes complex benefit entitlement system works in workers compensation,” according to the statement.
The state's Office of the Legislative Auditor, after studying DLI's oversight of workers comp, issued a report in February 2009 that encouraged establishing an ombudsman service to “help those injured workers who are overwhelmed with the workers compensation process.”
According to the department's statement, the ombudsman office will assist injured workers by advising them on their rights as employees, facilitating contact with claims adjusters and other parties to help resolve disputes and providing preparatory aid for settlement negotiations or mediation.
The new office also will aid employers by advising on best practices and informing them of their responsibilities in case of an injury.
For in-depth coverage of this topic and related issues, visit our Solution Arc on Getting the Most Out of Your TPA and Improving Outcomes.
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