St. Paul Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you’re facing issues with your workers’ compensation claim in St. Paul, like denied benefits, delayed payments, or pressure to return to work too soon, the right lawyer can make a big difference.

While some straightforward claims don’t need legal help, complicated situations often require guidance from an attorney. A St. Paul workers’ compensation lawyer can protect your rights, handle disputes, and deal with insurance companies on your behalf.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with a work injury claim, a St. Paul workers’ compensation lawyer from Schmidt & Salita Law Firm will seek the benefits deserved under the law.

Do I Need a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?

While not every workplace injury in St. Paul requires a lawyer, there are times when having legal help is crucial to protect your rights. If your employer denies that your injury is work-related or the insurance company is stalling your claim processing, an attorney can step in to make sure you’re treated fairly. You should also reach out to a lawyer if your employer pressures you to return to work before you’re ready, or if they retaliate against you for filing a claim.

Other signs that you may need legal help include your benefits being reduced or terminated without explanation, or if your injury leaves you with lasting disabilities. Even in seemingly simple cases, Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system can be tricky, with complex rules and deadlines.

A local St. Paul workers’ compensation attorney knows these rules inside and out and can make sure you don’t accidentally hurt your case by missing important details or deadlines.

How Can Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Laws Help You?

Minnesota has some of the most worker-friendly compensation laws in the country, designed to protect you when you get injured at work. Often, the problem is usually in the fact that many people don’t realize just how many benefits they are entitled to under these laws.

Workers’ compensation is meant to cover all your medical treatment costs, including not only immediate care but also long-term treatments like ongoing physical therapy. It even includes reimbursing you for the miles you drive to medical appointments, which many workers don’t know they can claim—and these travel costs can add up fast.

If your injury forces you to miss work while you recover, Minnesota law also offers wage replacement benefits to help support you financially during this time. These benefits come in a few forms:

• Temporary total disability benefits to help if you’re unable to work at all
• Temporary partial disability benefits to help when you can work part-time but not your full schedule
• Permanent partial disability benefits are there if your injury leaves you with lasting impairments.

One of the biggest protections provided by Minnesota law is your right to return to your job once you’ve recovered. Your employer cannot fire you just for filing a workers’ compensation claim, which helps give you peace of mind while you focus on healing and getting back to work.

But perhaps the most important protection under Minnesota law is the right to keep your job if you are able to return to work. Your employer can’t fire you just because you are receiving workers’ comp benefits. This job protection gives you peace of mind, as many people fear termination in such situations.

What Should I Do After a Work Injury?

The steps you take right after a workplace injury can make or break your claim.

First and foremost, report your injury to your supervisor immediately. Minnesota law requires this, and waiting too long can hurt your case. Write down exactly what happened while the details are fresh in your mind.

Next, seek medical care right away. Some workers try to tough it out, hoping they’ll feel better on their own. This can backfire in two ways:

• Your injury might get worse without treatment, and
• The insurer might question why you waited to see a doctor

Document everything carefully. Save medical bills, take photos of visible injuries, and keep a journal about your recovery. A journal helps you provide the details with accuracy without forgetting anything. Write down the names of any coworkers who saw the accident happen. These details might seem minor now, but they could become crucial evidence later.

Be careful what you say to insurance adjusters. Don’t say things like you’re “fine”, as this can imply your injuries are healed when you are still recovering. Insurance adjusters might seem friendly but remember they work for the insurance company, not you. Let your work comp lawyer handle these conversations to protect your rights.

How Long Do I Have to File a Work Comp Claim in St. Paul, MN?

Generally, you have three years from the date of injury to file a workers’ comp claim in St. Paul, MN claim. However, if your employer filed a First Report of Injury with the Department of Labor and Industry, you might have longer.

These deadlines might sound long, but waiting to file can create problems. Evidence can disappear, witnesses might forget important details, and your employer might question why you waited. The claim might even not seem legitimate the longer you wait. So, the sooner you start your claim, the better your chances of success.

For occupational diseases or conditions that develop over time, like carpal tunnel syndrome or lung conditions from toxic exposure, the clock starts ticking when you first learn that your condition is work-related. This often happens when a doctor diagnoses your condition and connects it to your job.

Remember that notifying your employer about an injury isn’t the same as filing a claim. Even if you’ve told your supervisor about the accident, you still need to file formal paperwork to protect your rights.

Consult a St. Paul Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

Don’t wait for issues to get worse before speaking with a workers’ compensation lawyer. Schmidt & Salita Law Firm’s St. Paul workers’ compensation lawyers will review your case, explain your rights, and help you secure the benefits you’re entitled to.

We can handle the legal process, so you can focus on healing and getting back to work. Call us at (952) 473-4530 or contact us online for a free consultation today.

Client Reviews

What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

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Google Review

Schmidt Law Firm is so much more than the usual out for their back pocket firm they are a group of truly caring people. I was hit by a car & have memory loss. I don’t know how many times they all had to go over and over the same thing with me. They even gave me reminder calls for my doctors appointments. When things were so overwhelming I would call and all I could do is cry and they listened and never once complained or cut me short. Doug and Vanessa were all very helpful so was the rest of the staff. God Bless them all. By the way they got me a lot more than I had hoped for. You really don’t want to be on the opposing side of the table of Doug, he will rip you before you know he did it and he does it in such a nice way.

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