Benefits: Workers' Compensation Benefits

The University is committed to providing trainees with comprehensive medical care for on-the-job injuries, a timely return to work and to provide for the effective management of Workers' Compensation Benefit Claims, as mandated by Minnesota Statue 176.  Please note, that trainees, while a full-time student, are considered an employee of the University of Minnesota for Workers’ Compensation insurance purposes.

When a trainee is injured during training, they must take immediate steps to report the injury to the University.  If the process outlined on the Workers’ Compensation website is not followed, workers’ compensation benefits could be denied. It is recommended that you notify your program director and/or coordinator immediately when an injury occurs. 

Injuries should be reported as soon as possible to ensure timely processing and to avoid "late reporting" fines levied by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. If the University is fined for late reporting, any fine, of up to $2,000 may be charged back to the department responsible for the late reporting.

Fraud Warning: Fraud costs the University, taxpayers, and therefore all employees’ money.

It is a crime to lie or give false information to an insurance company to receive workers' compensation benefits. The law states:

"[A]ny person who, with intent to defraud, receives workers' compensation benefits to which the person is not entitled by knowingly misrepresenting, misstating or failing to disclose any material fact is guilty of theft and shall be sentenced pursuant to section 609.52 subdivision 3."

Employers and other parties who lie or give false information to gain at the expense of others are also subject to prosecution for fraud. Information about workers' compensation fraud should be sent to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's Investigative Services Unit at 651-297-5797 and the University's Workers' Compensation Department at 612-624-6054.

Questions regarding these procedures should be directed to Workers' Compensation at 612-624-6054 or 612-624-6019. Please refer to the Workers’ Compensation Department website for full instructions and access to forms at:  www.fpd.finop.umn.edu/groups/ppd/documents/policy/workers_comp.cfm

Please see your Program Manual for specific departmental policies and procedures.