Post-traumatic stress disorder

• Evaluating PTSD claims in Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system:  Findings and recommendations (October 2025)

Background

During the 2023 session, the Minnesota Legislature passed recommendations from the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC) in House File 2988. The law included a requirement for the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) to conduct a study to identify systemic or regulatory changes to improve the experience and outcomes of employees with work-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). DLI contracted with the Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety at the University of Minnesota to complete the study.

Police benefit adequacy study

During the 2022 session, the Minnesota Legislature passed Senate File 1547, a bill requiring the Department of Labor and Industry to complete a study of police disability benefit adequacy with the assistance of the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). DLI partnered with researchers at the Institute for Urban and Regional Infrastructure Finance from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota to work on completing the study.

The study considered workers' compensation benefits and duty disability and retirement benefits from the PERA Police and Fire plan and the adequacy of these benefits for Minnesota police officers.

• Adequacy of disability benefits for Minnesota police officers

• Addendum

Resources

Workers’ compensation: Post-traumatic stress disorder and mental injuries

Workers’ compensation claims involving psychological/mental problems are divided into three categories: cases in which mental stress produces physical injury; cases in which physical trauma produces mental injury; and cases in which mental stress produces mental injury. This information sheet explains the three categories as well as which claims can be approved or denied based on their criteria.

Post-traumatic stress disorder treatment rule checklist

In 2018, the Minnesota Legislature required the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) to adopt rules that establish criteria for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a workers’ compensation claim. DLI adopted rules in Minnesota Rules part 5221.6700. See a copy of the adopted rule. These rules are effective May 4, 2020. This checklist notes key provisions of the rules.