Do NOT Hire A Minnesota Work Comp Lawyer Who Is A Poser or Dabbles In The Law

The Minnesota workers compensation bar (the lawyers who regularly practice workers compensation law) is a very small group made up of a few dozen lawyers.  However, there are many more lawyers who handle other types of cases including family law, immigration, bankruptcy and criminal law who occasionally handle a Minnesota workers compensation case.  You may wonder how they can possibly keep up with the ever changing laws in order to properly represent their client.  The answer is they don't and they can't.

The Dabbler

For over 25 years I've practiced exclusively in workers compensation.  Many years ago, I also represented insurance companies and employers; I don't anymore.  I would often come across these "dabbler" lawyers as I called them who would actually ask me to teach them how to handle a work comp case.  In other words, an injured worker's lawyer asked the defense lawyer how to do best represent their client.  It's true, sadly it's true.  How do you think that turned out?  Not well for the client.

The Poser

Workers compensation laws are not uniform for injured workers across Minnesota.  Different dates of injury can result in dramatically different benefits and many lawyers don't know this simple fact.  What often happens is that an injured worker gets a referral from a family friend to a lawyer they know, or are drawn into a pretty website that states "Minnesota's Top Attorneys For Injured Workers".  Often some of these lawyers and law firms rarely, if ever, handle workers compensation cases.  For example, if you are considering representation by Fields Law Office, call the office and ask to speak to Steve Fields.  If you are already represented by Fields Law Office, ask that Steve Fields personally handle your case, attend your deposition and handle your hearing, and let me know how that goes.  Though there are lawyers at Fields that are dabblers, one would think that the firm namesake would regularly or even occasionally handle a workers compensation case himself.  Right?

Experience and personal attention matters.  Don't hire a "dabbler" and don't hire a "poser".  Hire a lawyer who personally handles workers compensation cases day in and day out.  One who meets clients, handles your deposition, and goes to court for you.  The lawyers of Atkinson Law Office are workers compensation Super Lawyers who have been recognized as such because we are experts in the field.  We try cases to hearing, the Workers Compensation Court of Appeals, and the Minnesota Supreme Court.  We are called upon by groups across the state to lecture and speak about workers compensation issues.  If you would like a Super Lawyer to represent you, contact Atkinson Law Office today at 651-333-3636.  

Does Minnesota Workers Compensation Provide For Pain and Suffering?

If you have sustained a serious injury while working for a Minnesota employer you may be entitled to what is called Permanent Partial Disability / PPD.  Often those who undergo surgery, lose a limb, or suffer another form of traumatic injury will likely be provided with a whole body permanency rating.  The rating are typically rated after the injured worker reaches maximum medical improvement / MMI (point at which no significant lasting medical improvement will occur).

In trying to understand PPD, you must accept that Minnesota's workers compensation is not fair.  The best you can hope for is a reasonable outcome and with the assistance of an attorney you can maximize your benefits.  Minnesota is on the low end as it pertains to payment of monetary damages for PPD in comparison to other states.  Pro Publica recently conducted a study that demonstrates that the national average for a lost leg is $150,000 and as high as $850,000 in states like Nevada.  However in Minnesota we only provide $48,000 in compensation for a lost leg.  Yes you read that right, if your leg is amputated you are limited to approximately $48,000 depending on how much you lost.  Granted you are also entitled to various wage loss benefits, vocational and retraining assistance and medical benefits which could result in an exceptional larger settlement of your claim, the PPD component is draconian at best.

If you have sustained a Minnesota workers compensation injury, the expert attorneys of Atkinson Law Office have over 50 years of combined experience in handling injury claims like yours.  Attorneys Thomas Atkinson, Kerry Atkinson and Dana Gerber are award winning attorneys dedicated to you.  They are all former insurance company attorneys waiting to share you the secrets that insurance companies don't want you to know.  Contact us today 24/7 at 651-333-3636

Planning To Reject A Light Duty Job Offer After A Minnesota Workers Compensation Injury?

No so fast.  If you have sustained a Minnesota Workers Compensation injury and your doctor provides you with work restrictions, an employer may offer you a light duty job until you reach maximum medical improvement and it's determined whether you will have permanent restrictions.  This "light duty" job can be almost anything and can even be with another company.  One of the recent trends in Minnesota workers compensation is to have you work as a volunteer.  Light duty jobs do not need to be even remotely similar to your date of injury job.  A firefighter or carpenter could be placed as a volunteer at a food shelter wiping off tables or serving meals.

There are however some restrictions on light duty jobs.  If your employer and workers compensation insurer offer you a light duty job it's important that you speak with a workers compensation attorney immediately.  At Atkinson Law Office, you will NEVER be charged a fee and your consultation will always be free.  Every one of our expert workers compensation attorneys at Atkinson Law Office has over 22 years of experience in litigation and when you are choosing the best workers compensation attorney, experience matters!  Call us today for a free consultation 651-333-3636.  We represent clients across the state of Minnesota who have sustained work injuries.

How Do I Hire The Best Minnesota Workers Compensation Attorney For My Case?

In the past decade the internet has become the number one tool used by injured employees throughout Minnesota to answer questions and find a lawyer.  Young, old, tech savvy or novices, it really doesn't matter.  Nearly everyone uses the internet to research what to do when they have a Minnesota workers compensation injury AND who they should hire for an attorney.

The internet is the great equalizer to the uniformed and inexperienced injured worker.  A great website can make a crappy lawyer with an eve worse reputation look great!  If only I could publish the list of lawyers who you should run and hide from....

Sure my law firm has great websites which we use to educate injured workers, but that isn't what makes our firm great!  EXPERIENCE and expertise in the law is what makes our firm GREAT!  Our lawyers live and breath workers compensation rather than car accidents, dog bites and slip and falls.  Attorney Thomas Atkinson has more than 2 decades of experience handling thousands of workers compensation cases and obtaining millions of dollars for his clients.  Attorney Kerry Atkinson is one of the very few lawyers in Minnesota who is considered a civil litigation expert by the Minnesota State Bar Association and even more rare, a member of the ABOTA (American Board Of Trial Advocates).  Though Minnesota doesn't have a "expert" designation for Minnesota workers compensation lawyers, Kerry uses her civil litigation expertise throughout her practice.

I could fairly and accurately list lawyer after lawyer with flashy websites who just recently began practicing workers compensation or who handle work comp cases in addition to dozens of other practice areas such as car accidents, wills, real estate closings etc.  But do they really KNOW work comp?  Do you really want someone like that to handle your claim?

Here is my suggestion.  Call a few law firms, not just ours and ask to speak to the lawyer.  YES the lawyer who will handle your case.  Then ask them the following questions:

1.  Have long have you been practicing law? 
2.  How long have you exclusively practiced workers compensation?
3.  Have you ever been disciplined by the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board?
4.  How many staff members do you have to assist me in my workers compensation?
5.  How often do you actually take a case to hearing if necessary?
6.  Can you guarantee I will win my case?

Let me answer those questions for you!

1.  Over 20 years.
2.  Over 20 years.
3.  NEVER, in fact I have been called multiple times by attorneys and investigators with the LPRB with questions regarding best practices in a workers compensation case while investigating some of the very lawyers whose websites you may have visited.
4.  2 lawyers, 2 paralegals and an investigator who are dedicated to your Minnesota Workers Compensation claim.
5.  We try dozens of cases every year when a reasonable settlement can not be reached.
6.  No and anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar.

I urge you to call and speak to a few different lawyers and find one that works best with you.  Ask the questions I have listed above.  You will know whether I'm the best lawyer for you and if I'm not, I promise to give you the names of other excellent lawyers who may be able to help you with your claim.  We want you to be happy with your choice and assured that you have an attorney with EXPERIENCE to assist you with you Minnesota Workers Compensation Injury!

There is a never a fee unless we recover benefits for you.  Call today to see whether we can help you with your claim.  651-333-3636 or visit our websites for more useful information.  www.mndisability.comhttp://www.mndisability.com/blog/