Minnesota Workers Compensation Back Open For Business But Not As Usual!

Having just returned to work, our fine workers compensation judges are working quickly to clear a backlog of pending cases, stipulations for settlements, hearings and discontinuance conferences.  If you are one of the thousands of injured workers who have had their claims on hold during the month of July, we are pleased to share with you that within a few more weeks, the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings and the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry will be close to being caught up.  However, you can expect a few changes in store.  First, there are a few new workers compensation judges in the Twin Cities and Duluth and there are some procedural changes which I will address in future updates.

In this posting I want to reiterate an issue that comes up EVERY single week in my office.  We receive calls from injured workers whose claims have been paid for months and sometimes even for years without any significant conflict.  One day however, they have the rug pulled from underneath them and their benefits which they have come to count on END!  At Minnesota Disability and Atkinson Law Office we have represented thousands of injured workers long before an actual conflict exists.  There is no cost to you and our advice helps you plan for the eventual discontinuance of your benefits rather than merely react when the time comes.  If you have been injured at work it is imperative that you talk with an experienced workers compensation lawyer who are experts in workers compensation.  We caution you against choosing an individual who is not a true specialist.  Contact one of the lawyers from our office for a free consultation and learn how we can assist you without the need for a retainer.  NEVER a fee unless we recover benefits for you.  www.mndisabilty.com  651-333-3636.

Minnesota Workers Compensation Shutdown 2011 Update

I am pleased to share with our readers Specialmaster Kathleen Blatz has recommended and Ramsey County Chief Judge Kathleen Gearin has agreed to reopen parts of Minnesota Workers Compensation system.  The Order has led to a series of workers' compensation judges and staff being recalled.  Today 4 judges; Schultz, Knight, Brenden and Rieke began going through stipulations for settlements, scheduling NOID conferences and preparing to schedule hearings on expedited medical disputes such as surgical requests.  I learned today that 4 other judges will join them tomorrow ramping up the return for going through the mountain of accumulated paperwork.  It is hoped that with the start of today's special session called by Governor Dayton, business will be back to normal soon....but not soon enough for many injured workers.  If you have any questions regarding your workers' compensation benefits the attorneys at Atkinson Law Office and Minnesota Disability are waiting to assist you with a FREE initial consultation.  If we are able to assist you after the consultation there is NO charge until we recovery benefits for you.  Continue to visit our Blog and visit our other site, www.mndisability.com or contact us at 651-332-8717 or 800-933-5619.

Minnesota Government Shut Down And Your Workers Compensation Benefits

As many of you have heard by now, the Minnesota Department of Labor and the Office Of Administrative Hearings have temporarily shut down.  How does this affect YOU?  For many of you the shut down will go unnoticed.  For others though the shutdown could be a financial nightmare.  If you have any concerns about how this shutdown affects your workers comp benefits, contact the attorneys of Minnesota Disability and Atkinson Law Office TODAY.  651-414-0678 or visit our website at www.mndisability.com  We look forward to speaking with you.

Who Are The Best Workers Compensation Attorneys & Lawyers In Minnesota?

How do you choose the best lawyer to represent you in your Minnesota workers compensation case?  First, you should find a lawyer who specializes in workers compensation!  There are far too many lawyers who "dabble" in work comp here in Minnesota.  They will handle your work injury, divorce, DUI, personal injury, bankruptcy and draft a will for you.  Do you think it's really possible to be highly skilled in all these areas of the law?  I don't and neither should you!  Minnesota's workers' compensation laws are very complex and change nearly every year.  I have seen dozens of lawyers profess to be "experienced" workers compensation lawyers and when they appear before a work comp judge, the judge doesn't even know their name.  Keep in mind we only have about 20 workers compensation judges who cover then entire state.  I have appeared before EVERY workers compensation judge in Minnesota hundreds of times during the past two decades.  They know me and I know them.  Does this make me the best workers compensation lawyer in Minnesota?  Not necessarily, but it is an important first step in determining whether I or any attorney is truly "experienced".

The next step is to see how much experience the attorney has in handling work comp cases.  Have they only represented employees?  Do they have any experience representing employers and insurers?  Though I now limit my practice to representing employees, my true insight that I share with injured workers are the secrets I have learned as an insurance company attorney.  I have spent tens of thousands of hours watching and listening to insurance companies review claims for work comp benefits.  I know how they defend the claims, how they value the claim, when they are bluffing and when their offer of settlement is their best offer or simply a starting point.  I have recovered tens of millions of dollars for my clients including one of Minnesota's largest workers compensation settlements in 2011; well over half a million dollars in a single claim!  My success as an attorney for injured workers is directly derived from my experience representing employers and insurers AND my own workers compensation injury.

I am more than happy to meet with any injured workers throughout the entire state of Minnesota.  I have clients all over Minnesota as well as clients in many other states who sustained injuries while working in Minnesota.  Call our office and we will discuss your work injury or current workers compensation claim.  Your call or visit will be absolutely positively FREE.  You never, ever pay a fee until we obtain benefits on your behalf and even then the fee is limited by Minnesota law.  Visit our website today at www.mndisability.com and call our office at 651-333-3636.  We will meet you near you home or at our office.

Independent Medical Examinations are NOT Independent!

Many injured workers are under the mistaken belief that seeing an IME ("independent medical examiner") is simply a second opinion to address your injuries.  It is NOT!  This is an ADVERSE examination and though the below video makes light of the process you should not!  Though not all IME doctors are crooks, I have run into quite a few over the past twenty years.  Having undergone an IME myself  as well as being involved in thousands of these examinations during the course of my career, I have valuable secrets to share with you about this process. 

I strongly urge you to meet with an attorney BEFORE attending the any examination scheduled by an insurance company.  Contact attorney Tom Atkinson at 651-333-3636 or toll free at 888-933-5619 TODAY and visit our other website at www.mndisability.com where you will find additional information about workers compensation and independent medical examinations.  At Atkinson Law Office and Minnesota Disability, a free consultation is only a phone call away.