A Guide to Understanding Workers’ Compensation After a Heavy Machinery Accident in Minnesota
An injury from an accident with heavy machinery at work can be devastating. You may face mounting medical bills, an uncertain recovery, and reduced income if you cannot work. This guide will explain how Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system works so you can get the help you need. We aim to educate you on your rights and options if injured so you can focus on healing.
At Mottaz & Sisk Injury and Work Compensation Lawyers, we have years of knowledge and industry experience. Call us at 763-421-8226 today for your free consultation.
What is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is an insurance program that supports employees injured while working. It pays for medical treatment and some lost wages related to the accident. In Minnesota, most employers are legally required to have this insurance to protect their workers. So, if you are injured on the job by heavy machinery, you will likely be covered and can file a workers’ compensation claim to access benefits.
Common Heavy Machinery Accident Injuries
Heavy machinery accidents can cause various injuries, including:
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Broken bones or fractures
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Traumatic brain injuries
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Spinal cord damage leading to paralysis
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Amputated fingers, hands, arms or legs
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Severe cuts, bruises, burns
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Hearing loss or vision damage
The severity depends on the machine and type of accident. A doctor should examine all injuries to assess their extent and recovery needs. Ongoing symptoms like headaches, memory problems, numbness, or breathing issues after an accident should also be evaluated. Be sure to document your injuries and their impact on your daily functioning.
Taking Legal Action After an Accident
If you are injured at work by heavy machinery, taking legal action through workers’ compensation should be a priority. This will open doors to medical care and income benefits while you recover. Here are the critical steps in the legal process:
1. Report the Accident
Report what happened to your employer in writing immediately. Describe the accident, your injuries, and any medical care received. Minnesota law requires reporting within 14 days.
2. File a Claim
You must file an official claim through your employer’s insurance provider to access workers’ compensation benefits. A skilled workers’ compensation attorney can help ensure proper paperwork and deadlines are met.
3. Attend Evaluations
The insurance provider may require you to be examined by a doctor they choose to confirm your injuries and eligibility for benefits. You must comply with these evaluations.
4. Receive a Decision
The insurer will accept or deny your claim for benefits based on investigation findings. A qualified attorney can advocate for approval.
5. Appeal If Denied
If your claim gets denied, you can appeal the decision, and a hearing will be scheduled. Your attorney can gather evidence to fight the denial. Do not give up!
Having legal guidance maximizes your chances of navigating this bureaucracy properly, so you receive the maximum allowable benefits.
What Are the Benefits You Can Receive?
If approved, workers’ compensation in Minnesota provides the following valuable benefits:
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Complete coverage of reasonable and necessary medical expenses like hospital fees, doctor visits, physical therapy, and medications. Future treatment related to the injury is also included.
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Wage replacement income for the time you miss work recovering. The amount aims to reimburse around 2/3 of gross weekly wages lost.
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Job protection allows a return to the same or comparable position once medically able.
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Compensation for any permanent disability reducing future earnings capacity.
The money and resources provided support recovery and survival while you get back on your feet. An experienced lawyer can prove and calculate the full benefits you deserve.
Why Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
The aftermath of a heavy machinery accident is disorienting. There are complex legal filings, health evaluations, confusing jargon, and strict deadlines. Insurance adjusters handle claims daily, which is foreign and scary for you. Having a skilled Minnesota work injury attorney on your side balances tenure and skills so your rights and well-being are protected. An attorney acts as your advisor and advocate to:
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Maximize the compensation you are entitled to
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Handle paperwork and ensure proper work injury claim filing
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Coordinate medical documentation and care referrals
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Dispute unfair claim denials and appeal bad decisions
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Negotiate fair settlements if needed
This support empowers you as you navigate a traumatic event. Focus energy on healing while your attorney deals with the legal system fairly. We help injured workers statewide get justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Should I Do After A Work Heavy Machinery Accident?
Seek medical care immediately after any injury, then write to your employer about what happened. Include specifics on how you got hurt, the machine involved, and who witnessed it. Get copies of accident reports filed onsite. Document health issues and keep all medical records. Call a Minnesota work injury lawyer to discuss legal options.
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How Long Do I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Minnesota?
You must report the accident to your employer within 14 days. To qualify for benefits, file the claim paperwork with their insurance provider within three years. But apply right away! Quick claims get paid faster, so do not delay.
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Can I Go To My Doctor?
After reporting the injury, you can seek treatment from your doctor or specialists. However, the insurance company may also require an exam with a doctor to confirm your condition. Always comply if asked.
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What If My Work Injury Claim Gets Denied?
If your claim gets denied, all is recovered! You have the right to appeal, which triggers a hearing where you can present more proof. Around 70% of initially denied claims are reversed upon appeal when represented well. An attorney knows how to prepare a convincing case.
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How Much Does A Workers’ Compensation Attorney Cost?
Hiring a lawyer costs nothing upfront. We only collect our fee as a percentage of the benefits awarded to you in your case if successful. If no benefits come, you have no legal fees. This guarantees accessible help.
Let Mottaz and Sisk Law Firm Help You
Our experienced Minnesota work injury law firm, Mottaz & Sisk, helps severely injured workers statewide navigate the claim process to maximize your recovery resources. We know heavy machinery accident trauma firsthand and treat you like family with patience, compassion, and diligence.
Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law has 20+ years of experience dealing with work injury matters. Please call us at 763-421-8226 for a free consultation if you have experienced a personal injury.
