You Have A Minnesota Work Injury And Need Spine Surgery. Should You Go With A Traditional or Laser Lumbar Spine Surgery?

Like many of you contemplating low back surgery, I was aware of the option of laser spine surgery before I underwent two low back surgeries following my Minnesota work comp injury.  I did a lot of research on the issue before deciding to go with the traditional microdiscectomy over the "laser" approach.  Though every individual has to come to their own decision as to surgery, I feel that treating with a local spine surgeon here in Minnesota is the smartest choice.  That said, I want to stress that just like workers compensation attorneys, all surgeons are NOT equal.  We are fortunate to have many excellent spine surgeons here in Minnesota.

In reading the numerous studies (not Laser surgery center advertisements) I have found that there is no real significant benefit for undergoing a laser spine surgery procedure.  In fact, the biggest downside is that our Minnesota workers compensation clients often have to travel to far flung states like Florida or Arizona to undergo a laser spine surgery.  This makes follow up care, treatment for complications, and building a relationship with a physician nearly impossible and horribly expensive.  In addition, often you need to rely on your doctor for a medical legal opinion as to whether your work injury is a substantial contributing cause to your surgery.  Too often doctors from outside of Minnesota simply don't understand Minnesota's complex "causation" standards or don't want to get involved in an out of state legal proceeding.  This should be a real concern for you as a patient and injured worker.

As for minimally invasive laser spine procedures, Dr. H. Gordon Deen, a neurosurgeon at the Mayo Clinic stated in a 2009 Mayo publication that "there are no clear benefits to laser surgery over more well-established spine surgery techniques that have proven to be effective."   Dr. Deen went further and stated that doctors at the Mayo Clinic neither use nor recommend laser spine surgery.  Having personally worked with dozens of other Twin Cities spines surgeons I can attest that his opinions are universal here in Minnesota.

If you have sustained a work related low back or cervical spine injury and are contemplating surgery, I'm happy to discuss these with you both as an expert workers compensation attorney and as a someone with personal experience having undergone spine surgery. There is never a charge to discuss the same.  I'm truly open to talking to you in person or by phone.  With over nearly 25 years experience in workers compensation and having had multiple spine surgeries, nobody is more qualified than me to advise you with your injury.  Call today at 651-333-3636 or visit our page at www.mndisability.com 

Thomas Atkinson Selected A 2015 Minnesota Workers Compensation Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers is a peer review, research driven rating system of outstanding lawyers in a particular field of practice.  No more than 5% of all lawyers throughout the practice of Minnesota workers compensation are selected.  Super Lawyers recognized Thomas Atkinson as a Minnesota Super Lawyer for his comprehensive knowledge of Minnesota workers compensation and recognition from his peer lawyers and workers compensation judges.  Join us in congratulating Tom on his recognition.

If you have sustained a work related injury the experience of an attorney matters. Let me repeat, the experience of your attorney matters.  Some firms in Minnesota such as Fields Law Firm employee lawyers with one to three years experience to handle you complex workers compensation matter. Would you prefer to a doctor just out of medical school to perform you surgery or some with nearly a quarter century experience?  Thomas Atkinson has more experience in workers compensation than most attorneys in Minnesota and some cases more than the combination of every attorney in some particular law firms.

Atkinson Law Office limits their practice to workers compensation.  Our lawyers have a combined experience of over 50 years.  We represent clients throughout the state of Minnesota and have a Spanish speaking attorney!  Call us today at 651-333-3636 or visit our website at www.mndisability.com

Falling Concrete Killed Excavation Worker at New St. Paul Ballpark Site.

Though I often Blog about work injuries, occasionally their are horrific tragedy such as todays death of a union heavy equipment operator in St. Paul.  As reported in the Minneapolis StarTribune today,

"A worker sitting in the cab of a backhoe was killed Tuesday morning when concrete fell on him during demolition at the site of a new ballpark in St. Paul a construction executive said.

The death of John Valek, 61, of Plymouth, occurred about 8 a.m. while he and others were tearing down and clearing the site of the old Gillette/Diamond Products building, a former 650,000-square-foot factory in Lowertown St. Paul.

“As heavy equipment operators were demolishing a building, a portion of the concrete structure supporting the building fell onto the cab of one of the backhoes involved in the demolition work,” Collin Barr, president of the Midwest region for general contractor Ryan Cos. said in a statement issued about 8 hours after the incident. “The accident resulted in the death of Johnny Valek.”

Excavation began in July at the site in the 300 block of 5th Street, near Interstate 94 and Hwy. 52, and was slated to last four months.

Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard described Valek’s death as sudden and came when he was hit by a piece of concrete measuring roughly 10 feet by 30 feet.  The excavation work was being done by Rachel Contracting, of St. Michael, Minn. Executives with the subcontractor were not immediately available to comment.

Randy Valek said his brother had more than 25 years of experience in construction. He said his brother had recently talked about what a tough job this demolition was.

“You got to watch out any time you’re around any equipment,” Randy Valek said.

At Atkinson Law Office we have handle many such death cases.  One would think that these cases are straightforward, but often issues arise as to dependency benefits, spousal retraining benefits, and death benefits.  If you or a loved one sustains a work related injury, one of our very experience lawyers is waiting to assist you.  Call today at 651-333-3636 or visit us at www.mndisability.com 

Minnesota Workers Compensation Mental Health Injury Benefits Expand In 2013.

A bill was signed by Gov. Dayton on May 16, 2013 that has changed the way workers' compensation claims have been handled for over three decades.  Minnesota now allows mental-mental injuries involving PTSD or post traumatic stress disorders.  This means that you do NOT need a physical injury in all cases to have a work related injury.  If your medical doctor or psychologist diagnosis's that you have suffered a work related mental health injury in the nature of PTSD, you may be entitled to wage loss benefits, free medical care, and in some cases even free retraining benefits.  

The new law however is very specific as to what is and what is not covered.  The definition of an occupational disease was revised to include mental impairment. Mental impairment is defined as post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist.  The statute states that for the purpose of workers’ compensation, "post-traumatic stress disorder" means the condition as described in the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 

At Atkinson Law Office, P.A. and Minnesota Disability, we represent injured workers with Minnesota workers' compensation injuries every day.  Every year we recover millions of dollars in benefits for injured workers; including medical, wage loss, retraining assistance and monetary benefits for permanent injuries.  Though attorneys Thomas Atkinson and Kerry Atkinson will litigate your matter on your behalf, we have a team approach in assuring we stay on top of your case day in and day out.

Contact Atkinson Law Office and Minnesota Disability today at 651-333-3636 and visit our website for more information.  You can also submit your questions online by following this link.  Remember your consultation is FREE and there is never a fee until we recover benefits for you. 

The Workers Compensation Insurer Is Paying My Benefits. Do I Really Need An Attorney?

Some injured workers think that an insurance company that is paying them some forms of Minnesota work comp benefits is looking out for them.  Unfortunately this is generally a false presumption and they are not getting  ALL of the benefits they are entitled to receive.  I hate to burst new clients bubbles but almost with exception this notion is wrong.  Wrong I say?  But the adjuster is so nice and they hooked me up with another "nice" QRC who goes with me to the doctor and says nice things...almost like they are my new best friend.   Really?  Do you honestly believe that a for profit insurance company is looking out for you the injured worker?  I have been on the other side; I have been an injured worker; I have represented hundreds and hundreds of injured workers and I can tell you that insurance companies and most employers only care about returning you to work as fast as possible.  This means steering you to doctors who believe that "occupational medicine" requires a finding of returning to work without restrictions as fast as possible, damn the consequences.

I previously worked on the "dark side" of Minnesota's workers compensation system for over 15 years and I can assure you that you are paid only those benefits that are absolutely mandatory and nothing...and I mean nothing more.  Cutting costs, reducing "lost time" claims, steering you towards insurance friendly doctors is a daily activity driven by employers and claims managers.  Don't get me wrong, there are well meaning, kind and thoughtful adjusters who try to work within the limits of their insurance company managers.  But most are like the wonderful actors and actresses of Broadway and those that are truly thoughtful and kind, are overseen by taskmaster management that meet every week to discuss how to manage costs and move cases towards closure as fast and cheap as possible.  This is the real world and you would be shocked, very shocked to know the truth.  Very few of my fellow attorneys who limit their practices to representing injured workers like myself have seen this side of the Minnesota Workers Compensation system. Let me show you the secrets to ensure you get the benefits your are entitled to today.  Feel free to explore my background and learn tips to obtaining all the benefits you are entitled to.  Contact my office for an absolutely free no pressure visit.  651-333-3636

I Think I Have A Work Injury. How Long Can I Wait To Bring A Claim?

If you have been injured at work OR believe that your work activities have caused, aggravated or accelerated an injury (even a pre-existing non work injury), time is your enemy.  Recent Minnesota Workers Compensation court decisions state that when you believe you have been injured at work, the clock begins to tick even though a doctor may not necessarily support your belief.  You may have to file a claim before you have obtained a narrative medical report just to prevent the "statute of limitations" lapse on your claim.  We can provide you with the information on filing the claim while you obtain firm support for you claim.  Though the initial medical records may be vague or unclear, often times medical specialists are just as clueless about the rules on "causation" as you the injured worker.

Contacting an experienced workers' compensation attorney such as those at Atkinson Law Office and Minnesota Disability for a free consultation is an excellent first step.  Thomas Atkinson has over 2 decades of experience in workers compensation matters having formerly represented insurance companies and now limiting his practice to representing injured workers.  Thomas has received numerous recognitions by his peers, spoken at many continuing legal educations seminars, counseled other lawyers in the area of workers compensation, and even been hired to provided expert testimony on the proper handling of workers compensation claims.  Let Thomas share with you the workers compensation secrets that the insurance companies want to hide from you. 

If you have been injured it's very, very important that you call for a FREE consultation.  Atkinson Law Office, P.A will help you determine whether you have a claim or even assist you in obtaining the medical support you need to prove your injury.  Contact our office today at 651-333-3636 or visit our website for more information.  www.mndisability.com