How many days must a disability injury continue before benefits will be retroactively paid?

In Minnesota, benefits for a disability injury, such as Wage Loss Benefits, are retroactively paid only after the injury results in a total or partial disability that continues for a specific period. That timeframe is established as 10 days. This means that if an injured worker is unable to work due to the disability for at least 10 consecutive days, they become eligible for retroactive benefits, which can be paid from the beginning of the disability period.

The rationale behind this requirement is to ensure that benefits are directed toward situations where the duration of disability warrants financial support, thus preventing the system from being burdened by short-term claims. It strikes a balance between providing necessary assistance and managing the overall workers' compensation claims process effectively.

Understanding this aspect is crucial for both workers and employers as it directly impacts how and when benefits are distributed in the context of workplace injuries.