This is a question I frequently hear not only from clients but also from people who have settled a claim, with or without a lawyer, at sometime in the past. In fact, sometimes many years have gone by since the settlement before this issue arises and I receive a phone call. The question is usually … Continue reading Can the Insurance Company Refuse to Pay Medical Bills after a Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Settlement?
Bradt Law Offices Case Report: Ankle Injury on a Flat, Dry Floor
Type of Case: Workers’ Compensation Legal Issue or Dispute: Denial of ankle injury claim which occurred at work Facts: Our client was employed with one of the mining companies in northern Minnesota. His job duties required him to maintain and repair equipment within the facility. On the day he was injured, one of the machines … Continue reading Bradt Law Offices Case Report: Ankle Injury on a Flat, Dry Floor
What Should I Do If I Receive a Notice of Intention to Discontinue Benefits on My Minnesota Work Comp Claim?
At some point in almost any work comp claim where you are paid wage loss benefits, you will receive a Notice of Intention to Discontinue benefits, commonly referred to as an NOID. An NOID is simply a form which the insurer is required to serve and file whenever they will be discontinuing wage loss benefits. … Continue reading What Should I Do If I Receive a Notice of Intention to Discontinue Benefits on My Minnesota Work Comp Claim?
Beware of a New Attack on Benefits for Injured Workers
It's bad enough that state legislatures, including ours right here in Minnesota, have chipped away at the rights and benefits of injured workers over the past 30 years. Now, some states are getting rid of workers’ compensation altogether and creating their own systems for compensating workers injured on the job. The argument made by business owners … Continue reading Beware of a New Attack on Benefits for Injured Workers
What Is the Difference Between a Settlement Conference and Mediation in a Minnesota Work Comp Case?
Over the past several years we have seen the increasing use of mediation to settle work comp cases in Minnesota. If you have a work comp claim, you may wonder why a settlement conference was scheduled on your case but a mediation has then been proposed or scheduled. What’s the difference, and is one better … Continue reading What Is the Difference Between a Settlement Conference and Mediation in a Minnesota Work Comp Case?
Avoiding Problems in Your Minnesota Work Comp Case
In my experience, the majority of Minnesota work comp claims “fly under the radar”, meaning there are no lawyers involved, no major disputes, no conferences or trials with the work comp judges, no settlements, etc. Claims involving minor injuries with fast recoveries typically are opened and closed relatively quickly without any involvement in the legal … Continue reading Avoiding Problems in Your Minnesota Work Comp Case
Bradt Law Offices Case Report: Consequential Knee Injury
Type of Case: Workers’ Compensation Legal Issue or Dispute: Consequential knee injury following a back injury Facts: Our client suffered a low back injury in the course and scope of his employment. The injury was accepted by the work comp insurer and our client eventually had two back surgeries. Although the surgeries were successful, he … Continue reading Bradt Law Offices Case Report: Consequential Knee Injury
Can the Insurance Company Deny My Minnesota Work Comp Claim Because of a Pre-existing Condition?
Unfortunately, the work comp insurance company can deny a claim on almost any basis, no matter how flimsy. This is how insurance companies avoid paying claims, because they know that a certain percentage of people will never hire a lawyer or pursue a claim if it has been denied. This is particularly true where the … Continue reading Can the Insurance Company Deny My Minnesota Work Comp Claim Because of a Pre-existing Condition?
Laid off Boise Cascade Employees May Have Workers’ Compensation Claims
If you are an employee of Boise Cascade in International Falls who recently lost your job due to the layoffs, you may be surprised to learn that you have work comp claims. We have represented people in similar situations over the years following major layoffs at Blandin Paper Company and LTV Mining, to name a … Continue reading Laid off Boise Cascade Employees May Have Workers’ Compensation Claims
What is Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) in a Minnesota Work Comp Case?
At some point in your work comp claim, you will almost certainly receive a letter or notice from the insurance company advising you that you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). After receiving such a notice, these are some of the questions you may have: What is MMI? Will it have an effect on … Continue reading What is Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) in a Minnesota Work Comp Case?