Attorneys in Rochester MN and SE Minnesota

Areas of Practice

Contact Information

Bird, Jacobsen & Stevens, P.C.
Ironwood Square Building
300 Third Avenue SE, Suite 305
Rochester, MN 55904

507-282-1503 | Contact Us

Workers' Compensation

Injuries or illnesses suffered on the job can have a significant financial impact on workers and their families as workers are faced with unexpected medical bills and lost wages. Minnesota has established a workers' compensation system to provide benefits for workers who have been injured or suffered an illness in the course of their work. These benefits include payment for medical bills and lost wages, payment for permanent injuries, vocational rehabilitation services for workers who are unable to return to their old job and dependant benefits if a worker dies of a work injury or illness. These benefits are available for an injured or ill worker regardless of who was at fault for the injury or illness, and even if the employer does not carry workers' compensation insurance. All workplace injuries and illnesses are covered under the workers' compensation system.

The benefits available under the workers' compensation system are related to the nature of the injury or illness suffered by the worker:

Temporary Partial Disability benefits are paid if a work injury results in a lower weekly wage than was earned at the time a worker was injured. Payments are two-thirds of the difference between the average gross weekly wage at the time of the injury and the workers current gross weekly earnings;
Temporary Total Disability benefits are paid if a worker is unable to work due to a work injury. Benefits are equal to two-thirds of the gross weekly wage at the time of injury;
Permanent Partial Disability benefits are paid for permanent loss of use of a body part. Benefits are paid after temporary total disability ends and are paid at approximately the same rate and intervals;
Permanent Total Disability benefits are paid if a work injury or illness prevents a worker from returning to a steady job and earning a living from work. Benefits are paid at two-thirds of the gross weekly wage at the time of injury if a certain level of permanent disability is reached, based upon age and education.
Vocational rehabilitation services are available if a worker needs assistance returning to work because of a work injury, and the employer is not able to offer suitable gainful employment with the workers' work restrictions.
Once you are eligible, a Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant (QRC) will assist you in returning to work, job search, medical appointments and/or retraining. You have a right to choose your own QRC. Often, insurance companies will recommend a QRC that may not be neutral. If the insurance company sends a QRC to you, contact us before you sign any forms. We are happy to provide referrals to QRC's that we feel will be truly neutral to all.
Death/dependency benefits are available to the spouse, children and/or other dependants of a worker who dies from a work injury or illness, including burial expenses up to $15,000.

There are many factors that affect a worker's eligibility for benefits and the level and duration at which benefits are paid. The attorneys at Bird, Jacobsen & Stevens have many years of experience representing clients in the workers' compensation system and have obtained benefits for workers with a wide range of injuries, from temporary minor injuries to permanent catastrophic injuries. Bird, Jacobsen & Stevens has the experience to provide expert advice and representation for injured workers.

At times workers' compensation claims can also involve Social Security Disability Insurance issues. Bird, Jacobsen & Stevens also has extensive experience representing clients in Social Security Disability matters and can guide you through complicated cases that involve workers' compensation and Social Security benefits.

Additional information about workers' compensation issues can be found on the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry’s workers’ compensation website at: http://www.dli.mn.gov/WorkComp.asp.