State News : Minnesota

NWCDN is a network of law firms dedicated to protecting employers in workers’ compensation claims.


NWCDN Members regularly post articles and summary judgements in workers’ compensations law in your state.  


Select a state from the dropdown menu below to scroll through the state specific archives for updates and opinions on various workers’ compensation laws in your state.


Contact information for NWCDN members is also located on the state specific links in the event you have additional questions or your company is seeking a workers’ compensation lawyer in your state.


Minnesota

Heacox Hartman

  651-222-2066

The 2026 legislative changes represent an attempt to make the Minnesota workers’ compensation system operate as efficiently and effectively as possible. While some of the changes benefit injured Employees, others provide additional lenience to Employers and Insurers. Specifically, the changes may result in an increase in claims for post -traumatic stress disorder. They also serve to increase overall exposure for permanent partial disability benefits. To the benefit of Employers and Insurers, the new legislation provides additional time to amend a primary liability determination where additional investigation is needed. 

Changes Impacting all Dates of Injury 

Minn. Stat. § 176.155, Subd. 1. Employer’s Physician

This rule allows employees to have a personal physician or unpaid witness present at an IME. It is still the responsibility of the employee to cover the cost of the attendance of their personal physician, but they are now allowed to have someone other than their physician present during an examination.

Changes Impacting Dates of Injury on or After October 1, 2026

Minn. Stat § 176.011, Subd. 15. Occupational Disease

  • A diagnosis of work-related post-traumatic stress disorder can now be made by a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, not just by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist.   

Minn. Stat. § 176.221, Subd. 1. Commencement of Payment

  • An employer and insurer now have 90 days (an increase from 60 days) to file an Amended Notice of Primary Liability Determination (NOPLD).

Minn. Stat. § 176.101, Subd. 2a. Permanent Partial Disability

·         The dollar amount for any given permanent partial disability rating has been increased by approximately 20%