How To Choose A True Minnesota Workers Compensation Expert Attorney.

You have sustained a work injury in Minnesota and you want to know what to expect or what benefits you are entitled to.  What do most injured workers do when they need an attorney?  They ask friends, family or like most people you go onto the internet and research Minnesota Workers Compensation.  Unfortunately as I have stated on previous blog posts there are lawyers who exaggerate their expertise in workers compensation or are "posers".  They dabble in work comp or they are filled with "baby lawyers".  Here is a free checklist to use when interviewing a Minnesota workers compensation attorneys.  If any of the following answers are NO, you owe it to yourself and family to continue searching for the right attorney for you.

1.  Has the attorney practiced law for at least 10 years?  Would you have a surgeon just out of medical school operate on your child?  They may be smart, but they don't teach "experience" in law school.  Choose experience because it really does matter.

2.  Does the attorney specialize in workers compensation? - Workers compensation is an extremely specialized area of the law with laws that are constantly changing.  I have personally handled workers compensation cases exclusively for nearly 30 years.  I cringe when I get calls from injured workers who hired a "posers" or baby lawyer and soon realize the mistake they made.  It may not be too late to change.  In some special circumstances we will assist these injured workers change attorneys.

3.  Has the attorney taken a case to hearing before a judge at Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings every single year they been an attorney.  Why is this important?  It demonstrates the attorney is not a dabbler who handles work comp some days and family law and criminal matter on others.  It also shows that the attorney isn't afraid to take a case to a formal hearing and fight for their client when necessary.  I know an attorney who claims to "specialize" in work comp for over 10 years but has NEVER gone to hearing.  And guess what?  Every single defense attorney and insurance adjuster know who these attorneys are.  Even experienced personal injury attorneys are can be guilty of being work comp dabblers.  You've seen these firms advertise on TV or on billboards...dabblers.  Not a single top Minnesota work comp lawyer advertises on TV or has a billboard?  Why because they don't need to advertise to get clients.  Clients are often referred to Atkinson Law Office by other attorneys and doctors.

4.  Take lawyer ratings with a grain of salt.  Workers compensation disputes are very emotionally charged and frustrating.  Just like any relationship there may be times when you and your attorney do not agree.  Lawyers make recommendations and clients make decisions outside of the courtroom.  When they differ it may be time to find a new attorney.  In addition, many internet lawyer review sites are "anonymous" so some lawyers hire companies to leave good ratings...or poor ratings for others.  It's unethical but not enforced by many professional oversight boards.

5.  Listen to your gut instincts.  Don't hire an attorney just because they were the first one to take your call or they sound nice.  After asking the attorney the above questions and they answer YES to all three of the first test questions AND you seem to have a good rapport or ability to speak to them, you have found an attorney to potentially hire.  I often encourage injured workers I meet for the first time to talk with other lawyers.  I will even go so far as to suggest other lawyers who have the same expertise and high ethical standards as we do.  In the end we want you to have a "good fit" with an expert Minnesota workers compensation attorney.

If you want a free consultation regarding your work injury contact the work comp experts at Atkinson Gerber Work Comp Experts at 651-333-3636.

Does Minnesota Have Pain and Suffering For Work Injuries?

Minnesota workers compensation provides a different form of "damages" then one would receive in a personal injury accident such as a car accident or medical malpractice claim.  The reason is that "negligence" is not a factor in determining the cause of the injury or damages.  It's not relevant whether your co-worker or employer are negligent or that your injuries prevent you from doing the personal or social activities you did before your injury.

You can expect to receive lost wage benefits, vocational assistance to keep or find a new job, payment of your medical expenses and a small payment for any resulting permanent disability.

When I meet with new clients I'm always up front and tell them that these benefits may not seem fair, because in many instances they are not.  Especially when your employer or co-worker were grossly negligent.  I agree, Minnesota's workers compensation system is not fair.  I had a work injury too; a low back surgery many years ago.  After being off of work for months, being forced to give up activities I loved, having to hire people to perform household chores I can no longer perform, I received a small sum of money for my troubles.  Yep, it isn't fair.

Our lawyers ensure that even if you believe you are receiving all of the benefits listed above, you are receiving the proper amount.  Often the basis for your wage loss is incorrect, or you are directed by the insurance company or your employer to treat only with a particular doctor who doesn't have your best interest in mind.  Everyone who has a work injury should take 30 minutes to speak to an experienced work comp expert.  Not a "dabbler" or "baby lawyer".  At Atkinson Law, we specialize in workers compensation, we have over 60 years combined experience and year after year are chosen as Super Lawyers by our peers and judges.  Call today for an appointment.  651-333-3636.

Will A Work Comp Claim Create An Adversarial Relationship With My Employer?

Unlike a car accident or a dog bite, when you have a work related injury the claim is brought against your employer.  There is a fear that "suing" your employer will result in your termination or other forms of retaliation.  Is this legal?  The answer is absolutely not!  An employer is subject to significant civil penalties for terminating or discriminating against an employee for reporting or bringing a workers compensation claim.  This is a separate claim from the workers compensation claim.  It's a civil action heard in district court and brought before a jury.  The work comp claim will be a separate claim brought before an administrative law judge, no jury and usually on an expedited basis in comparison to a civil case. 

If you have sustained a work related injury and believe your employer is discriminating against you for filing a claim, contact the lawyers of Atkinson Law Office today.  We will review your workers compensation claim AND advise you as to the likelihood of successfully pursuing a claim against your employer for discrimination.  Please do NOT let your employer bully or intimidate you from bring a Minnesota workers compensation claim.  There are time constraints for initiating a claim for work comp benefits and treatment.  Visit our website Free Minnesota Workers Compensation Law Center or call today at 651-333-3636.  We represent clients all over Minnesota and throughout the US who have sustained work related injuries.  Visit our website today

But My Minnesota Work Comp Case Is Closed. Usually You Are Wrong!

You know the saying, "if I had a nickel for every time..." someone called thinking their Minnesota workers compensation case was closed I would be a rich man. 

Here are the facts; in Minnesota a workers compensation judge MUST approve any settlement entered into between an insurance company and an injured worker.  If you have never had an attorney it's very unlikely your case is really "closed".  More likely, the insurance adjuster paid your permanent partial disability and closed your case.  In some cases, even though you had an attorney assisting with your claim, your case may also still be open! 

At Atkinson Law Office, we have reopened hundreds of these "closed" cases over the years.  In one instance recently we recovered an additional $200,000 in workers compensation benefits.  The client was astounded and frankly so were we.  How did this happen you may ask?  We were assisting a client with a social security disability application.  In preparing for the application we learned that one of his past back surgeries was work related.  He assumed that because he had an attorney and received a lump sum from the insurance company his case was closed. 

We conducted an investigation and within 2 weeks we learned he never actually settled his work comp case and all of his benefits remained open.  What he thought was a settlement was actually payment of permanent partial disability.  We subsequently filed a claim for permanent total disability arguing successfully that his prior work related back injury was substantially contributing to his inability to work.

Injured workers are entitled to wage loss, vocational assistance, medical benefits and permanent partial disability.  Though we don't have "pain and suffering" we are a no-fault benefit system.  Even if you could be deemed negligent in causing or contributing to your injury you are entitled to full compensation under Minnesota workers compensation laws. 

If you have a new or old workers compensation case, we would be happy to review your file and help you learn about missing benefits and compensation.  Call us at 651-333-3636 and visit our website www.mndisability.com . We have represented thousands of clients throughout Minnesota and across the United States who have sustained Minnesota workers compensation injuries.

I Settled My Minnesota Workers Compensation Case Years Ago. Can I Get Help?

Every week our office receives a call from someone who needs help getting a medical bill paid on a case they "settled" many years ago. The first thing we do is help them locate their old settlement papers. Sometimes the injured worker has retained a copy but if not, we can often we can obtain a copy from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry where the document was originally filed many years ago.  If we strike out there there are other ways for our investigators to track them down.  After we obtain a copy it literally takes our expert Minnesota work comp attorneys minutes to determine that in many cases they may have more benefits then they initially believed.

There are many different types of settlement which have evolved over the last three decades, the most common of which are outlined below.  Though settlement does not occur in every case, it's mandatory that the parties participate in settlement discussions in every case pending before the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings.  The parties can discuss settlement at the court mandated "Settlement Conference", a mediation with an independent third party mediator, or through direct party negotiations.

•   Full Final & Complete - The most common these days is a "full, final and complete settlement".  This is a common settlement when the workers compensation insurer has denied liability that you have a work injury.  This type of settlement involves the insurer paying you a lump sum of money to closed out all past, present and future workers compensation benefits of any kind.  In exchange for the lump sum payment you right to all workers compensation benefits are closed out.
•   Full, Final & Complete With Medical Open - This is the most common settlement when the employee has an admitted injury but the there is conflicting evidence regarding the extent of the injury or whether it is temporary or permanent.  Often an adverse medical report from an "independent medical examination" constributes to an employee agreeing to the same.  This is similar to the first settlement above with the exception that some of your future medical benefits are left open.  
•   To Date Settlement - This was more common years ago and still occurs on occasion especially when the employee has a very strong case.  This settlement usually results in the workers compensation insurer paying all outstanding medical bills through the date of the agreement as well as a compromise of wage loss claims or other disputes as well.  In this settlement all future wage loss, vocational and medical claims remain open subject to the ongoing defenses of the workers compensation insurance company.

Settlements are voluntary and you are not compelled to engage in the same.  However, our attorneys and all workers compensation judges believe that settlement discussions are a necessary part of the workers compensation system.   Workers compensation is a "no-fault" system and as the result of this compromised system of justice you will never be made "whole" or fully compensated for your injury. Having been an injured workers like you, I can assure you that you will NOT receive "justice" even with a win at hearing.  The best that you can hope for is that the compensation judge finds you to be a credible witness and that you have met your burden of proof in establishing you sustained a work related injury.  From there you entitlement to workers compensation benefits will flow.  However, often the injured worker chooses to settle for reasons personal to them and their case.  

At Atkinson Law Office we have recovered millions of dollars in benefits on behalf of our clients every year!  For a free consultation contact the workers compensation experts today.  All of our lawyers are award winning attorneys and FORMER insurance company attorneys who will show you the secrets the insurance companies don't want you to know.  Contact us today at 651-333-3636.  

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

I Hurt My Shoulder At Work. My Employer Won't Report My Injury What Should I Do?

It's not uncommon for our office to receive a call from an individual who has been performing repetitive over head work for days, weeks, or even years and has started to complain of shoulder pain. Though this symptom can be a sign of a cervical disc injury, more often then not this is the start of a rotator cuff injury.  We see workers who have either specific accident related injuries or those who have developed "Gillette" injuries to their shoulders.  Gillette injuries are what we call work related repetitive stress injuries here in Minnesota.  Often these are diagnosed as rotator cuff injuries.

Rotator cuff injuries are very common work related injuries in Minnesota.  I have handled well over 200 such injury claims in the last 25 years as a Minnesota workers compensation expert.  A rotator cuff is made of muscles and tendons whose function is to hold your shoulder in place.  It is without question one of the most important parts of your shoulder. The rotator cuff enables you to lift your arms up and reach above your head.  The most common Minnesota work related injuries we see are due to repetitive activities or traumatic tears as the result of falls onto outstretched arms or hands.

A rotator cuff injury can be a strain, partial thickness tear or even a full thickness tear.  The treatment can range from physical therapy to arthroscopic (microscopic/camera guided) surgery.  In some extreme cases there is an open reduction (much larger incision) made to better repair the torn rotator cuff.

Recovery can last weeks or months.  During this time you may be able to return to light duty at reduced hours.  In some cases you will be completely off of work.  If you lose time from work, our attorneys can assist you in recovering lost wages for part or all of the time you are off.  If you surgery has been denied or the workers compensation carrier seems to be dragging their feet we can assist in getting you the surgery you need in an expedite manner in many cases.  Contact the workers compensation experts as Atkinson Law Office today for an absolutely free, no hassle consultation.  Our phones are answered 24/7.  Call today for a free consultation 651-333-3636 from the Twin Cities or throughout the entire state of Minnesota.  Visit us at www.mndisability.com as well.

I Was You. How I Recovered From My Lumbar Surgery Following My Minnesota Workers Compensation Injury.

As a Minnesota Workers Compensation attorney I bring a very unique background in representing my clients.  I began my career as an attorney representing insurance companies and employers in workers compensation matters.  During that time I had three spine surgeries; cervical spine surgery followed by lumbar spine surgery and lastly my third and final repeat lumbar spine surgery.

All three of my surgeries were necessary to repair herniated discs impinging foraminal nerves creating "radicular" symptoms in my arms and legs.  I was unlucky enough to have had two work related low back injuries over the years as the result of slips and falls.  The first occured when I slipped on ice exiting my car in the company parking the lot and years later while running to catch a phone call. 

The surgery to my neck was a cervical microdiscectomy and laminectomy.  I had a slightly different procedure to my lumbar spine in the nature of a microdiscectomy and hemilaminectomy.  In my next blog article I will describe both of these procedures in more detail. 

My recovery times varied dramatically with my surgeries.  My cervical surgery had a 6-8 week recovery time followed by extensive physical therapy.  Though 22 years later I consider the surgery a success, I was left with some residual numbness in my left arm and diminished grip strength.  My lumbar surgeries were a bit more complicated with one recovery lasting about 6 months and the last one taking nearly a year due to complications.

I am nearly 8 years post surgery and in that time I have had some ups and downs but I am very happy with the outcome of all of my surgeries.  This said the choice for surgery is a personal decision that you should discuss with you physician and your family.  As an attorney who has represented hundreds of individuals undergoing surgery, I NEVER tell them what to do.  I share my experiences and remind them that any surgery has risks and the potential for complications.  I have seen absolutely outstanding outcomes and some extremely horrific life changing surgical results.

One of the reasons I started Atkinson Law Office years ago was because of my personal experience litigating my work related lumbar back injury.  Call it Karma or simply bad luck but I experienced what so many of the injured workers with whom I had cases against experienced.  Frustration, anger, disappointment, depression, and the sense that this can't be happening...to me.  Like many of my clients I resolved my dispute without having to go to hearing but the experience has shaped how I represent my clients.  My firm is dedicated to zealously representing the injured worker.

For nearly a decade the Attorney and staff of Atkinson Law Office have represented injured workers.  Our past experience as defenses attorneys and even claims adjusters allows us to share the tricks and secrets of Minnesota's worker compensation system with our clients.  There is never a fee to consult with our lawyers and despite your fear that you have to pay a retainer agreement to hire us, it simply is not true.  We only get paid if we recover benefits for you.  Call us for a free consultation.  651-333-3636.  We represent Minnesota injured workers throughout Minnesota and across the entire United States.  We are Minnesota's workers compensation experts.  Visit us at www.mndisability.com

I Can't Afford A Minnesota Workers Compensation Attorney. Really?

I get about a dozen phone calls each week from workers who have been injured at work and want a free consultation.  In most cases, I simply provide free advice and explain some questions regarding their case and leave them my cell phone number should they have any future concerns.  Occasionally, however, there are some who should have contacted me months or even years ago. 

Don't assume that the internet, work comp blogs, your family and friends or your old personal injury attorney has the CORRECT answers to your questions.  Minnesota Workers Compensation is a very specialized area of the law.  A personal injury attorney who handles a few cases every year is in no way an expert.  Your family or friends workers compensation case may be very, very different than yours based upon the facts of their case.  You may be entitled to far more benefits then they received.

Experience also matters in finding an attorney.  The internet is the great equalizer.  Some firms like Fields Law Firm advertise that they are the biggest law firm in Minnesota and yet I have never seen the firms namesake, Steve Fields, at the Office of Administrative Hearings where I have been to thousands of times over the past 21 years.  Other attorneys claim they are the most respected workers compensation attorneys in our state and yet rarely handle workers compensation matters. 

I want you to call the lawyer whom the firm is named after and ask him or her how many cases they have PERSONALLY gone to hearing at the Office of Administrative Hearings AND appearances before the Workers Compensation Court of Appeals in 2014.  The answers may shock you.  At Atkinson Law Office, both Kerry and Tom Atkinson have taken cases to hearing every month in 2014.  We have also appeared before the Minnesota Workers Compensation Court of Appeals as well.  Every week I personally make multiple appearance at the Office of Administrative Hearings for settlement conferences, discontinuance conferences, medical dispute conferences, vocational rehabilitation conferences, meditations, and/or hearings. EVERY week!

Finally, there is NEVER a fee to contact an attorney and discuss your workers compensation case.  Atkinson Law Office will not require you to pay a retainer fee or send us payment at ANYTIME during your case.  We get paid directly by the insurance companies when benefits are disputed.  Can you afford NOT to contact an experienced law firm and attorney like Thomas Atkinson.  Visit us today for a free consultation.  www.mndisability.com or call 651-333-3636, 24 hours/day, 365 days/year.

Personal Experiences From A Minnesota Work Comp Lawyer Who Has Had Cervical Disc / Neck Surgery.

Years ago I sustained an injury resulting in numbness down my right arm/hand and pain into my upper right shoulder/arm.  My family physician eventually ordered an MRI which revealed a herniated disc and then referred me to a neurosurgeon for a consultation.  I underwent physical therapy, was prescribed a steroid and eventually underwent a C6-7 laminectomy and microdiscectomy.  The surgery was a success in relieving all of the pain symptoms and most of the numbness and weakness sensation.  I subsequently ran many races including a marathon.

My symptoms and outcome may be different then yours so let's take a look at the most commons symptoms of a cervical disc injury. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of cervical herniated disc may include:

• Pain that radiates down the arm to the hand and/or fingers
• Numbness and/or tingling in the shoulder, arm, or hands• Weakness of hand and/or arms
• Difficulty with fine motor skills in the hands and arms
• Tingling or "shock" type feelings down the torso or into the legs

You may have one or all of these symptoms.  I had them all to some degree before the surgery.

Certain positions or movements such as looking up and down or left and right of the neck can intensify the pain. Often the symptoms of a cervical herniated disc often resemble other disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome  injury to the rotator cuff.  I have actually had clients misdiagnosed with both CTS and rotator cuff injuries who actually had cervical disc injuries.

Causes

Direct trauma such as hitting your head, lifting heavy objects, sudden jarring of the neck and/0r head or repetitive actions over time can result in injury to the cervical disc.  These injuries can cause a cervical herniated disc or spinal cord compression, where disc material pushes on a "foraminal nerve" the spinal cord. This is a much more serious condition and may require a more aggressive treatment plan. Spinal cord compression symptoms include: 

• Awkward or stumbling gait

Treatment

There are many methods to attempt to treat these conditions which I have discussed in other blogs including physical therapy, traction, chiropractic care, medications and even various types of surgery.  You and your doctor will have to determine what is the best protocol for you.  I am happy to share my personal thoughts on what I experienced and what hundreds of my clients have done over the years.  Visit our website or call today at 651-333-3636.  We are work comp experts who recover millions of dollars of benefits for our clients every year and unlike many firms we have decades of experience in workers compensation.  We represent clients across the entire state of Minnesota.

Do You Have To Peform "Light Duty" Work Following Your Minnesota Workers Compensation Injury?

If you sustained a Minnesota work related injury, it's likely that at some point your doctor will provide you with work restrictions.  You're employer has the two options;  refuse to accommodate the work restrictions and pay you temporary total disability benefits or offer you temporary "light duty" employment.  If your employer does not accommodate your restrictions and the insurance company doesn't pay your lost wages in the form of temporary total disability benefits, contact one of our expert workers compensation attorneys at Atkinson Law Office immediately!

If your employer offers you light duty work, it may take many forms.  It may be your date of injury job with the elimination of any restricted activities; it may be working in an entirely new temporary position with your employer in another company location or it may be with an entirely different company whereby you are outsourced to perform light duty work.  Yes, you read that right.  Your employer may outsource you to an entirely different company performing job duties that you have never ever performed.  In most cases, all of the above examples are usually temporary.

When a client is offered light duty work, I often want his/her QRC to check that the job is truly light duty as outlined by the doctor.  Often an employer will promise to offer light duty work, tell the employee to "follow their restrictions" but then give them work which they know will NOT actually allow the injured worker to follow the doctors restrictions...and blame YOU the injured worker for not following the restrictions.

I strongly encourage my clients to try the light duty job offer.  Whether for months, weeks or in some cases for only a few hours.  Often your physician will provide you with what they think are your likely restrictions but this is really an educated guess at best.  If you try the work and you have significant ongoing issues performing the tasks or develop severe pain, immediately return to your physician.  The doctor may modify your restrictions or take you back off of work.  If your doctor will NOT modify your restrictions, please talk with an attorney before you "doctor shop" for a second opinion.  In some cases the QRC can help facilitate a better understanding by your doctor of the problems associate with your pain issues and the work.

Finally, you should be aware that if you begin working a temporary light duty job and your take home pay decreases because of a lower wage or inability to perform overtime, you may be entitled to compensaiton for your wage loss.  We call this temporary partial disability and it is 2/3rds of the difference between your "average weekly wage" on your date of injury and your current earnings.  The lawyers in our office would be happy to explain this rule free of charge.

If you have been given "light duty" work restrictions by your doctor, chiropractor or health care professional we strongly urge you to call the expert Minnesota workers compensation attorneys with Atkinson Law Office today.  There is never a fee unless we recover benefits for you and you will never pay our office directly regardless of outcome.  www.mndisability.com or 651-333-3636

Your PTSD May Be Considered A Work Related Injury In Minnesota Beginning October 1, 2013.

For years, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was NOT a compensable or payable workers compensation claim in Minnesota even where all parties agreed the condition was related to a work injury.  This changed effective October 1, 2013 and in many situations your PTSD may be found to be work related.

What is PTSD?

When someone feels in danger, it’s a natural response to feel afraid. This fear triggers multiple split second changes in the body to prepare to defend against the danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a healthy reaction meant to protect a person from harm. But in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the individuals reaction is changed or damaged. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they’re no longer in danger.

PTSD develops after a terrifying ordeal that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm. The person who is diagnosed with PTSD may have been the one who was harmed, the harm may have happened to a loved one, or the person may have witnessed a harmful event that happened to loved ones or even strangers.


What are some symptoms of PTSD?  

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are three primary categories for PTSD.

1. Re-experiencing symptoms

• Flashbacks—reliving the trauma over and over, including physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweating
• Bad dreams
• Frightening thoughts.

2. Avoidance symptoms

• Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the experience
• Feeling emotionally numb
• Feeling strong guilt, depression, or worry
• Losing interest in activities that were enjoyable in the past
• Having difficulty remembering the dangerous event.

3. Hyperarousal symptoms

• Being easily startled
• Feeling tense or “on edge”
• Having trouble sleeping, and/or having angry outbursts.

If you have been diagnosed with PTSD due a work related injury OR incident, you may be entitled to 100% coverage of your medical costs, wage replacement, and vocational assistance in finding new work or paid retraining.  Since the enactment of Minn. Stat. §176.011 in 2013, our firm has represented multiple individuals relative to PTSD claims including a store worker who was robbed at gunpoint and a worker who witnessed a traumatic suicide.  The attorneys of Atkinson Law Office have over 45 years combined experience handling injury and workers compensation claims in Minnesota.  Each attorney has a minimum of over 20 years experience and are widely recognized as experts in our fields.  Experience matters!  Contact our office today for a free consultation at 651-333-3636.  We represent clients across the entire state of Minnesota.  Also visit our website at www.mndisability.com for more information.

Minnesota Workers Compnsation Secrets From An Expert.

You have sustained a Minnesota work related injury.  You may live in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Duluth, Worthington, International Falls or perhaps you don't even live in Minnesota.  Our lawyers have handled thousands of workers compensation cases over the past 20 years.  During this time we have gained valuable insight and secrets that insurance companies hope you don't find out.  How did we find out these secrets?  Our lawyers are former insurance company attorneys and many of our staff members are former insurance company employees, including work comp claims adjusters.  Some of our staff and lawyers have themselves sustained work related injuries for which they also had to fight insurance companies for their benefits.  With our insider information and first hand experience we have compiled a list of secrets very few if any law firms can share.  Below are some of the secrets we will share.

• You do NOT need to sign a blanket employment and medical release for insurance companies in all cases. 
• Insurance companies will often have their staff nurses and doctors call your physicians and try to convince them to limit your treatment and lift your restrictions.  You can refuse to allow this.
•  Nurse case managers are NOT neutral.  They work solely for the insurance company to limit your treatment and rush your return to work.  You can prohibit them from working on your file.
• You have the right to chose the QRC.  Some QRCs are actually employee's of the insurance company.  Can they really be neutral?  You can and MUST chose your own QRC.

These are just some of the Secrets From A Former Insurance Company Attorney we can share with you online.  Contact attorneys Tom Atkinson or Kerry Atkinson to schedule a free consultation to learn even more secrets.  There is never a fee unless we recover benefits for you.  Visit our website at www.mndisability.com or call 651-333-3636 today.