Minnesota Statutes Labor, Industry (Ch. 175-189) § 176.137. Remodeling of residence; disabled employees

Subdivision 1. Requirement; determination. The employer shall furnish to an employee who is permanently disabled because of a personal injury suffered in the course of employment with that employer such alteration or remodeling of the employee's principal residence as is reasonably required to enable the employee to move freely into and throughout the residence and to otherwise adequately accommodate the disability. Any remodeling or alteration shall be furnished only when the division determines that the injury is to such a degree that the employee is substantially prevented from functioning within the principal residence.

Subd. 2. Cost. The pecuniary liability of an employer for remodeling or alteration required by this section is limited to prevailing costs in the community for remodeling or alteration of that type. The costs of obtaining the architectural certification and supervision required by this section, or the costs of obtaining approval by a certified building official or certified accessibility specialist under subdivision 4, paragraph (b), clause (3), are included in the $150,000 limit in subdivision 5.

Subd. 3. New residence. Where the alteration or remodeling of the employee's residence is not practicable, the award may be to purchase or lease a new or different residence if the new or different residence would better accommodate the disability.

Subd. 5. Limitation. An employee is limited to $150,000 under this section for each personal injury.

Subd. 6.Disputes. A proceeding to resolve a dispute under this section shall be initiated by petition undersections 176.271and176.291and decided by a compensation judge at the office undersection 176.305,176.322, or176.341. The decision of the compensation judge is appealable to the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals undersection 176.421.