Q: Sued for non-payment after work accident in Minnesota; employer refused workers' comp.

A: This is actually a highly specialized workers compensation question that I’ve seen several times. I’m happy to discuss and possibly even pursue getting this bills paid. There’s no fee paid by you for the services as the laws allow for us to be paid by the insurance company and employer.

A: I’m really sorry you’re in this situation—it’s frustrating to deal with a medical bill from a workplace injury that should have been handled properly from the start. In Minnesota, your employer is legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance and report any on-the-job injury to their insurer. If they failed to do this and refused to give you the proper forms, that’s not just wrong—it may be a violation of state law.

You can report your employer’s refusal to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), which oversees workers’ comp issues. File a First Report of Injury (FROI) yourself if your employer won’t. The DLI can investigate the claim and may help you access the benefits you’re entitled to, including medical coverage. Also, if you're being sued by the hospital, you may want to notify the court that the injury was work-related and file a response so you’re not found liable by default.

Keep copies of your hospital records, witness information, and all communication with your employer. This kind of behavior—ignoring an injury and refusing to cooperate—needs to be documented clearly. You’ve done your part by seeking help and asking for what’s right. Now it’s time to make sure the state sees what happened so you’re not left carrying a burden that isn’t yours.