Claims panel denies one DOC injury claim, approves another with small payout

The Legislative Joint Claims Subcommittee on April 30 denied one corrections injury claim and approved another after considering medical records and workers’ compensation schedules.

The subcommittee denied Arnold Baker’s claim for compensation for ankle and knee pain after he slipped on ice while performing assigned duties. Committee counsel reviewed medical records that showed persistent soreness but no objective documentation of a compensable ankle or knee injury; Senator Bar moved to deny the claim and the motion carried by voice vote.

By contrast, the panel approved payment to Mark Carroll for an ankle fracture judged to be a permanent partial disability under the relevant workers’ compensation schedule. Counsel summarized x‑ray findings and the disability rating; under Minnesota rules the fracture was rated at 4% whole‑person impairment, yielding a calculated payment of $4,570.40. Senator Bar moved to approve payment and the committee voted to approve.

Committee members asked staff to continue applying statutory and rule‑based formulas consistently and to ensure the evidentiary record supports recommendations on compensability.