Minnesota uses its own PPD impairment schedule instead of AMA Guides and requires a Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant for lost-time claims. Use the 2026 Minnesota calculator for TTD and PPD estimates.
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| Category | Minnesota (MN) Rule |
|---|---|
| System type | Exclusive remedy, no-fault. Administered by DLI. |
| TTD benefit rate | 66 2/3% of average weekly wage. Set annually by DLI. Verify at dli.mn.gov. |
| Waiting period | 3 days. If disability exceeds 10 days, the first 3 days are paid retroactively. |
| PPD method | Minnesota's own PPD Schedule (Minn. R. 5223), NOT AMA Guides. |
| Notice to employer | 14 days (up to 30 if no employer prejudice). |
| Claim filing deadline | 3 years for benefits; 6 years for occupational disease (Minn. Stat. 176.151). |
| Doctor choice | Employee initially selects physician. Employer/insurer can request IME. |
| Settlement type | Stipulation for Settlement. Requires DLI/OAH approval. |
| Unique rule | Own PPD schedule (not AMA Guides) under Minn. R. 5223. Mandatory QRC for lost-time claims. Gillette cumulative-trauma doctrine. Supplementary benefits for long-term disability. 10-day retroactive threshold (shorter than most). |
Minnesota uses its own Permanent Partial Disability Schedule, codified in Minnesota Rules 5223.0010 through 5223.0590, instead of the AMA Guides used by most states. This schedule was developed specifically for workers compensation and is designed to reflect the actual impact of injuries on earning capacity.
The same injury can produce a different disability percentage in Minnesota than in a neighboring state. A herniated disc might receive one rating under AMA Guides but a different one under Minnesota's schedule because the state weights functional limitations differently. This makes using the Minnesota-specific schedule essential.
Minnesota also requires a Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant (QRC) for all lost-time claims. The QRC helps the injured worker return to suitable employment, including job placement, retraining, and vocational counseling. This requirement is more extensive than most states' optional rehabilitation programs.
TTD in Minnesota is paid at 66 2/3 percent of AWW, subject to the annual DLI maximum. The waiting period is 3 days. If disability lasts more than 10 days, the first 3 days are paid retroactively. The 10-day threshold is shorter than the 14-day standard in many states.
When TTD begins, a QRC is typically assigned within 14 days. The QRC develops a rehabilitation plan with the worker, physician, and employer. The plan may include modified duty, vocational testing, education, or job placement. The QRC's recommendations can affect TTD duration.
Minnesota's PPD Schedule (Minn. R. 5223) assigns ratings by body region including cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, upper and lower extremities, and neurological conditions. Each has severity-based percentage ranges. PPD is a lump-sum payment based on disability percentage, rate, and statutory multiplier.
Minnesota recognizes the Gillette injury (from Gillette v. Harold Inc., 1960): a cumulative trauma injury from repeated work activities. Carpal tunnel, chronic back conditions from repetitive lifting, and noise-induced hearing loss are common Gillette injuries. The date of injury is the last day of work, affecting the applicable benefit rate and deadlines.
Minnesota settlements are Stipulations filed with the OAH or Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals. The reviewing authority checks whether the settlement is reasonable.
Stipulations can close all benefits, close only indemnity while keeping medical open, or resolve specific issues. Disputes go to a Compensation Judge at OAH, with appeal to the WC Court of Appeals and then the Supreme Court. ADR is available through DLI.
Minnesota provides supplementary benefits for workers who received low initial rates and continue to be disabled, helping account for inflation.
Minnesota's requirement for a Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant is more than a procedural formality. The QRC is assigned within 14 days of a lost-time claim beginning and plays an active role throughout the claim. The QRC assesses the worker's functional limitations, identifies suitable employment options, coordinates with the treating physician and employer, and develops a formal rehabilitation plan.
The rehabilitation plan may include returning to the time-of-injury employer with job modifications, transitioning to a new position with the same employer, or retraining for a different occupation entirely. The QRC's recommendations carry weight in the system and can affect the duration of TTD benefits. If the QRC identifies suitable employment that the worker refuses without good cause, the insurer may seek to reduce or terminate TTD.
Minnesota's Gillette injury doctrine has important procedural implications. Because the date of injury for a Gillette claim is the last day of work rather than the date of first exposure, the applicable maximum benefit rate is the rate in effect on the last day of work. For cumulative injuries that develop over years, this means the benefit rate is based on current wage levels rather than historical rates. The Gillette doctrine also affects the statute of limitations calculation, because the 3-year filing period begins from the last day of work.
Minnesota's supplementary benefits provide additional support for workers who were injured years ago at lower benefit rates and remain disabled. These supplementary payments help bridge the gap between the historical rate and current cost-of-living levels, providing a form of inflation protection that most states do not offer for older claims.
TTD: 66 2/3% of average weekly wage
Minnesota developed its own schedule (Minn. R. 5223) designed for workers comp. The same injury can produce different ratings than AMA Guides states.
A Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant required for all lost-time claims, helping workers return to employment through placement, retraining, and counseling.
Cumulative trauma from repeated work activities. Date of injury is the last day of work, affecting benefit rates and deadlines.
66 2/3% of AWW, subject to DLI max. 3-day wait, retroactive if disability exceeds 10 days.
14 days for maximum benefits (up to 30 if employer not prejudiced). 3 years for benefits; 6 years for occupational disease.
Yes. For workers with low initial rates who continue disabled, supplementary benefits help account for inflation.
Yes. Employee initially selects. Employer/insurer can request IME.
No. Consult a licensed attorney in Minnesota for legal advice.