Getting hurt on the job can create immediate physical and financial challenges, especially when the injury keeps you out of commission for an extended period. While Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system provides no-fault benefits to injured workers and enables them to receive the medical treatment they need, along with a portion of their lost wages, accidents involving third parties introduce fresh complexities into the process of securing a recovery.
The good news is that third-party claims can also go beyond the benefits workers’ comp provides and allow for a more comprehensive financial recovery following an accident. Bird, Stevens & Borgen, P.C., supports injured workers in southern Minnesota and has successfully pursued numerous third-party and workers’ comp claims, including against major corporations. Contact us today to get started with a free initial consultation.
Choosing an attorney to represent you in a third-party claim is one of the most consequential decisions you face after getting hurt at work. It may mean the difference between moving forward with financial security after an accident and struggling to make ends meet.
For over 30 years, Bird, Stevens & Borgen, P.C., has fought for the rights of injured workers to recover the benefits and compensation they deserve following workplace accidents. When you turn to our team to manage your claim, you benefit from:
Workers’ compensation and third-party claims both provide financial relief after a workplace injury, but they function in very different ways. Workers’ compensation allows injured employees to receive benefits that cover medical care, partial wage replacement, and vocational rehabilitation services, regardless of who caused the accident. However, these benefits are limited, and don’t cover non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.
A third-party claim seeks to hold someone other than your employer or co-worker responsible for their role in causing your injury. It enables you to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, the full amount of your lost income (including future earnings), and intangible losses like physical and emotional pain and suffering and diminished quality of life. When applicable, pursuing a third-party claim can potentially lead to a more complete financial recovery after a workplace accident.
Workplace accidents aren’t always limited to the injured worker and their employer. When someone outside your employer’s organization contributes to an accident, you may have grounds to file a third-party claim. In certain industries, these claims may arise because multiple companies, contractors, and equipment suppliers often interact in the same work environment:
Depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the accident that injured you, you may be entitled to file both a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party claim. These two claims can proceed simultaneously and often complement each other to provide a more complete financial recovery. Your workers’ compensation claim covers your immediate needs, while the third-party claim seeks compensation directly from the negligent party.
For some workers, this might mean filing for workers’ compensation after an injury while also bringing a claim against a contractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer whose actions played a role in the accident. An experienced Minnesota workplace injury attorney can help coordinate these claims and seek the benefits and compensation you are entitled to while you focus on healing.
Recovering from a serious workplace injury requires a lot from you. Your time and energy may be stretched to their limits, to say nothing of your finances, particularly while any claims are still in progress. You shouldn’t also have to manage the process of pursuing a third-party or workers’ comp claim (or both) on your own.
Thankfully, the Minnesota workplace injury lawyers at Bird, Stevens & Borgen, P.C., can handle the responsibilities of the claims process for you. This gives you the ability to focus on your health and your family. We’ll make sure no path toward recovery is left unexplored. While you concentrate on healing, we’ll be focused on:
Each of these steps is key to building a strong case. By having a skilled attorney take charge of the investigation, communicate with other parties and insurers, and prepare for potential litigation, you can more easily avoid the stress and pitfalls that often arise when dealing with a claim, much less two of them. We’ll preserve necessary evidence and meet all deadlines when preparing claims that reflect both your immediate needs and the long-term challenges you’re likely to face as a result of the accident.
With legal support from Bird, Stevens & Borgen, P.C., you’ll never feel like you’re being left to figure out the system on your own. Let us advocate for you and pursue the full justice you deserve.
Under Minnesota law, you have three years from the date your employer reported the accident to the Department of Labor and Industry, and no more than six years from the date of the accident, to file a lawsuit against any liable party.
This may seem like a lot of time, but it doesn’t mean you should wait to report the accident to your employer or delay in seeking legal representation. Instead, begin taking steps to protect your rights immediately.
If you suffered a workplace injury due to the carelessness or disregard of a third party, you may have grounds to pursue an injury claim against them and seek the full compensation and accountability you deserve. Contact the office of Bird, Stevens & Borgen, P.C., today to meet with an experienced southern Minnesota workplace injury lawyer and learn about your legal options.
To schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer from our firm, contact us online now. You may also call our offices in Southern Minnesota or the Twin Cities. To reach our location in Rochester, call 507-282-1503. To reach us in Bloomington, call 612-421-0526. We are always happy to answer questions about important legal matters.
