MN Court of Appeals
The Minnesota Court of Appeals recently held in Advanced Delivery Systems, Inc. v. Alfredo Jaime (9/22/09) that when a workers’ compensation issue is present in a district court action, the court has discretion under Minn. Stat. § 176.301, subd. 1 (2008), to try the action itself without a jury, or refer the matter to the workers’ compensation court.
The issue before the court in this case was whether the respondent was an employee or an independent contractor.The court stated that under Minn. Stat. § 176.301, subd. 1, the district court had discretion to try the issue itself or refer the matter to the workers’ compensation court. In light of the statute, the district court decided not to exercise jurisdiction over the issue.
The court went on to state their decision was consistent with the legislative intent that workers’ compensation issues be decided in a “quick and efficient” manner under the workers’ compensation statute.
