A workplace injury can turn your world upside down in an instant. The pain, confusion, and uncertainty can feel overwhelming. At Osterbauer Law, we understand how challenging this moment can be for you and your family. Our team of dedicated Minnesota workplace injury attorneys is here to guide you through the critical steps that will protect your health, rights, and potential compensation.
When an accident happens at work, your immediate actions can significantly impact your health and legal options. While every situation is unique, there are fundamental steps every injured worker should take to safeguard their well-being and legal rights.
Follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way to lasting recovery – physically and, most importantly, financially.
1. Seek Medical Attention
Your health and physical well-being should always take priority. This is why the first step you must take is to get treatment for your work-related injury.
By seeking immediate medical care, you’ll be more likely to recover from your work-related injuries. However, there is another purpose for prompt medical treatment – to ensure accurate medical documentation.
Medical documentation serves two critical purposes.
First, it ensures you receive appropriate treatment for your injuries.
Second, it creates an official record that’s a must for any future workers’ compensation claims. Professional medical reports provide a clear, objective account of your injuries and their potential impact.
If you’ve been injured at work, a lawyer in Minnesota can leverage your documents and use them as evidence for your claim.
2. Report Your Injury to Your Employer
In Minnesota, you’re required to report your work-related injuries to your employer. Most employers have specific protocols for workplace injury reporting, and failing to follow these can jeopardize your potential compensation.
When reporting your workplace injury, provide a detailed, written account of the incident. Include the date, time, and location of the injury. Describe how the injury occurred and list any witnesses present.
A copy of the report for your records is essential for your work injury lawyer in Minnesota to build your case.
3. Document Everything
In the days and weeks following your workplace injury, documentation becomes your strongest ally. The more detailed your records, the stronger your potential legal case.
When recording the details surrounding your accident, you’ll want to create a file that includes the following:
- Your accident report
- Medical records and bills
- Photographs of the injury and accident site
- Witness contact information
- Communications with your employer
- Any documentation of any work you’ve missed due to the injury
This comprehensive array of documents helps build a strong foundation for any potential legal action.
4. Know Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits
If you’ve sustained injuries due to work in Minnesota, you’re entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits compensate you financially for any medical expenses you’ve incurred. If your injuries are so severe that they prevent you from working, a workers’ comp settlement will also compensate you for the days you’re unable to work.
However, not all types of workers’ comp benefits are the same. As an injured worker in Minnesota, it’s your responsibility to determine which ones you can claim.
Temporary Disability Benefits
Depending on the severity and nature of your workplace injury, you might be eligible for temporary disability benefits. There are two kinds in Minnesota.
Temporary total disability benefits can provide financial support if you’re unable to work during your recovery. Temporary partial disability benefits may apply if you can return to work with limited hours or in a reduced capacity.
Permanent Disability Benefits
For more serious injuries, permanent disability benefits can offer long-term financial assistance. In cases of total disability, workers may qualify for more extensive compensation that addresses ongoing medical needs and lost earning potential.
These benefits have specific qualification criteria and calculation methods that can be challenging to navigate without professional guidance.
5. Contact a Work Accident Lawyer in Minnesota
Navigating the aftermath of a workplace injury is rarely straightforward. While you might feel capable of handling everything independently, you may encounter the following without a job injury lawyer in Minnesota:
- Miss critical filing deadlines
- Accept a settlement far below your actual medical and wage losses
- Fail to document injuries comprehensively
- Overlook long-term medical treatment costs
This is why partnering with an experienced work injury lawyer in Minnesota is a must.
Your attorney can investigate your injury’s full context, calculate true compensation needs, gather medical evidence, and negotiate on your behalf. Your lawyer also understands the legal process in Minnesota, which most workers find overwhelming.
Your Path to Recovery Starts Here
A workplace injury can feel like an overwhelming setback, but with the right support, it becomes a challenge you can overcome.
At Osterbauer Law, we represent victims of workplace injuries in Minnesota. As the trusted job injury firm in the state, we’ve won countless settlements on behalf of our clients, and we’re willing to do the same for you.
Have you been injured at work? We’re just a consultation call away.
Contact our law firm today to schedule a consultation and start your comeback journey.