Workplace Injuries In Minnesota
All types of work injuries are serious. A work injury can cause an immense amount of physical pain, stress and serious challenges for a person. If you have been involved in an accident at work and suffered an injury, the next step to take is to speak to a lawyer who will stand up for your interests.
At Atkinson Gerber Law Office, we make it a priority to provide personalized and competent legal representation for our clients. Our firm represents people in workers’ compensation claims throughout the state of Minnesota from our office in St. Paul. We run an efficient practice and are dedicated to providing aggressive advocacy for our clients.
Contact our firm online or call 651-333-3636 now to schedule a free initial consultation.
Work Injury Claims In Minnesota
Our attorneys are well-versed in addressing claims across the spectrum of occupations, including:
- Construction worker injuries
- Office worker injuries
- Injuries suffered in the health care industry, including occupational diseases and injuries suffered by nurses, CNAs, health aids and more
- Injuries to state workers
- Injuries to retail workers
Many severe injuries may require surgery as part of the proper treatment. Other injuries — even seemingly minor injuries— may lead to chronic pain that makes continuing to work seem impossible. After suffering an injury at work, some individuals begin to suffer from depression related to their injury. We work hard to help workers get the medical care they need and the full benefits to which they are entitled to under the law. Our experience covers all types of injury, work-related medical conditions or occupational diseases such as:
- Injuries to the limbs and joints: An accident may affect any limb or joint in the body, or involve multiple injuries to a limb. We know how to work with clients who have suffered injuries from the shoulder to the fingertips and everywhere in between, as well as injuries to the legs and knees.
- Injuries to the head, back and spinal cord: Trauma to the head, or any activity that causes harm to the back can be debilitating. Getting medical care and treatment for injuries to the head, back or spine is vital. Whether you have suffered an injury to the spine, such as a herniated disk, a severe injury to the back from an accident or overexertion, or head trauma, we are here to help you.
- Nerve injuries and repetitive strain: Workers in offices, factories, warehouses and construction sites can all suffer injuries that develop over time due to overexertion and repetitive motions. Most people have heard of carpal tunnel injuries. However, repetitive stress injuries may include a wide range of injuries to other parts of the body. Repetitive motions often develop into serious medical conditions that can make work extremely painful.
What should I do if I think I sustained a work injury in Minnesota?
Immediately report the incident to your employer and seek medical attention. It is very important that you provide a history of the work injury to every medical professional who treats you for your injury. Don’t assume they are aware of the nature of your injury! If it’s not an emergency situation, ask to complete the first report of injury. If you require emergency room treatment or hospitalization, as soon as possible request that the employer file the first report of injury.
Be sure your doctor or chiropractor provides you with written work restrictions. Provide a copy of these restrictions to your employer. It is very important that you follow your doctor’s recommendations. If the employer refuses to provide you with the first report of injury, contact workers’ compensation attorney Thomas Atkinson, who will provide you with the paperwork necessary to report and file the first report of injury with the state of Minnesota.
What are the disability classifications known as TTD, TPD and PTD?
If you are seriously injured in Minnesota and you cannot return to work, there are several types of disability benefits you may be entitled to receive.
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Injured workers who can no longer perform their job duties and whose employers cannot provide them with alternate work as indicated by work restrictions qualify for temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. The employer’s insurer must pay two-thirds of the worker’s lost wages up to a maximum of $850/week for 130 weeks, or until 90 days post maximum medical improvement. To learn more about “maximum medical improvement,” contact our lawyers.
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): If your injury allows you to work in some capacity, but you are earning less money than before the injury due to, for example, a job change or a reduction in hours, you can receive temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits. Your employer must pay two-thirds of the difference between what you were earning before the injury and what you are making now for 225 weeks.
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD): If you are unable to work permanently or for an indefinite period of time due to a work injury, you can receive permanent total disability (PTD) wage loss benefits up to the age of 67. There are complex requirements that must be met to qualify for PTD, so it is important to consult a knowledgeable attorney.
Call 651-333-3636 to arrange a free initial consultation with Atkinson Gerber Law Office. Our attorneys will evaluate your unique circumstances, explain these benefits in easy-to-understand terms, protect your rights, and help you obtain maximum compensation.
What workers’ compensation benefits am I entitled to?
Injured employees are entitled to be paid total wage loss (which is paid at two-thirds of the wage at the time of the injury) or partial wage loss (which is paid at two-thirds of the wage differential between your wage at the time of the injury and your current wage). There are limitations on how long a person is entitled to either total or partial wage loss depending upon the date of injury.
There are also benefits for permanent partial disability, although the type and manner in which those benefits are paid can vary.
If you sustain a work-related injury, you are entitled to medical benefits regardless of whether you have health insurance through your employer or your spouse’s employer. There are also vocational rehabilitation benefits, including potential retraining. There are many additional benefits that a person may be entitled to, depending upon the circumstances and the applicable law. Contact our Minnesota workers’ comp lawyers to ensure you get the benefits you are entitled to receive.
Do I have to be treated by a company doctor?
In most cases, an injured worker is free to choose his or her own doctor. Usually, after an injured worker has been treated by a physician two to three times, that physician is considered to be the employee’s treating physician, and a motion must be filed to change the treating physician. However, you are entitled to a second opinion and/or a change of physician.
Please note that the insurer may request an independent medical examination (IME) to be performed by an adverse physician. The goal of this doctor is not to provide you with treatment. The IME is hired by the insurance company to determine the causation, extent of injury, restrictions, the date you reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) and the extent of your permanent disability. This usually results in extreme ramifications for your benefits.
Contact Atkinson Law Office, P.A. to ensure you get the doctor of your choice rather than an advocate working on behalf of the insurance company. Our attorneys can help you respond appropriately and preserve your rights if you are asked to submit to an IME.
Helping You Get Treated By A Qualified Medical Professional
All injuries are unique and affect people in different ways. We are familiar with many different types of workplace injuries and will make sure that you get to a medical professional who can help you with your specific injury. Our attorneys, and the entire legal team, can provide good recommendations for your case.
Suffering From An On-the-Job Injury? Turn To Our Law Firm.
Please contact our lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation at 651-333-3636. We can be reached 24/7 with our after-hours answering service and are available to schedule consultations to meet your convenience. If your injury prevents you from visiting our staff in the office, we are happy to make home, hospital and off-site consultations by appointment.
