Workers Compensation/Workplace Injuries

Monetary recovery for workplace injuries

The Minneapolis, MN offices of Katz, Manka, Ltd. have been assisting clients injured at their place of work in Minnesota for more than 35 years. Our workers compensation/workplace injury practice is recognized for helping clients obtain the compensation they are lawfully due, and for handling complex cases where such claims are complemented and coordinated with third-party liability lawsuits.

What you need to know

Under Minnesota and federal law, under most circumstances you are entitled to get workers compensation for the injuries or illness caused by your employer at your place of work. However, being entitled and getting compensated correctly and in a timely manner may be two very different things.

Your employer and their insurance company may not act appropriately. This is why having experienced counsel representing you is important. It is the job of our attorneys to make sure that despite what may be a clear-cut case, you do not:

• Become a victim again, of the system or other parties
• Get everything that you are entitled to sooner rather than later

The law is on your side

Workers compensation laws are designed to provide fixed monetary awards to employees injured, disabled or killed on the job. They are supposed to:

• Eliminate litigation for the majority of workplace accidents
• Provide benefits for dependents of those killed by work-related accidents or illnesses
• Protect in some instances the financial viability of employers and fellow workers by limiting recovery amounts
• Eliminate co-workers liability

States establish the rules for most employment, while federal employees or those workers employed in some significant aspect of interstate commerce are governed by federal law.

In Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry is a repository of information and administrator of the rules, forms and procedures regarding workers compensation. It is a great place to become educated should you be injured or become ill at your job.

What you need to know foremost is that in Minnesota, under the law, most employers (certain small business can be exempted) are required to provide workers compensation coverage for all employees.

Compensation can be insufficient and slow

As stated above, while the law is on your side, insurance companies and employers may not be. Many have and will take advantage of injured workers by:

• Undervaluing lost wages
• Denying responsibility for various types of injuries
• Denying legitimate claims for medical treatment
• Discouraging getting a second opinion
• Pressuring workers to return to work prematurely

In addition, when an employer does not provide insurance, as the result of an exemption or negligence, there are specific rules that apply. An experienced workers comp lawyer is your best way to short-circuiting what can be a long delay in getting proper compensation when there is no coverage provided, and can help with the frustrations and misery employers and insurance companies may be applying.

Federal laws

Below is a list of important acts of Congress involving workers compensation that may apply to your situation. If you or a loved one may be covered under one of these, our workers compensation attorneys can advise you on how to get your compensation.

• Federal Employment Compensation Act
• Federal Employment Liability Act (FELA)
• Federal Jones Act
• Black Lung Benefit Act
• Longshore and Harbor Worker Compensation Act (LHWCA)

Third-party liability lawsuits

Workers compensation was supposed to eliminate the need for personal injury lawsuits in the workplace. In fact, discussing with an attorney your legal options is important because agreeing to workers compensation for almost all instances denies you the ability to sue your employer. However, it does not foreclose you from suing others (sub-contractors and manufactures of faulty equipment are examples) for their liability in your losses and pain.

Katz, Manka, Ltd. has experience with these cases and has been recognized for its success in obtaining maximum damage recovery for its clients.

Protecting the rights of Minnesota family law and personal injury clients for more than 50 years

Katz, Manka, Ltd., primarily a family law and personal injury law firm, represents clients from throughout the Twin Cities area and beyond, including:

Contact us today online or by calling 612-333-1671. Allow us to explain how we can assist you.