The law firm of Patterson Dahlberg can provide experienced workers compensation lawyers and attorneys in Rochester MN. Under Minnesota law, workers who are injured at work are paid benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Act.  There are six types of benefits provided under the Workers' Compensation Act. 

First - temporary total disability.  To get this benefit, your doctor must tell you not to work, and you must not work.  A second way to get this benefit is if your doctor releases you to return to work with restrictions and you make a reasonable, but unsuccessful effort to work within these restrictions. Under this scenario, temporary total disability benefites are due.  Temporary total disability is paid at the rate of two-thirds of your average gross weekly wage.  If your doctor says you can work either full-time or part-time, and your employer offers you work, you must attempt to do it.  You are not allowed to take off work merely because you're hurt.

Second - temporary partial disability.  Temporary partial disability is available if you are unable to work full time per written restrictions from your doctor. If these restrictions result in a reduced hourly wage or reduced hours that cause you to earn less than prior to your injury (on a weekly basis), you may draw temporary partial disability.  Temporary partial disability is paid at the rate of two-thirds of the difference between what you made before you were hurt and what you make each week in your partially disabled condition.

Third - permanent partial disability.  If you have a permanent injury, a doctor may rate the percentage of permanent overall bodily disability on the specific injury.  He must do this and point to a specific guideline under the workers’ compensation laws.  If there is no guideline, he may compare it to a guideline that, in his opinion, disables you as much as the guideline in question.

Fourth - permanent total disability. If you are unable to ever work again as a result of your injury, and have a sufficient minimum permanent partial disability rating, permanent total disability benefits can be paid for life at the same rate as temporary total disability.

Fifth - reasonable and necessary medical expenses. You are entitled to the payment of your reasonable and necessary medical expenses. This includes payment of your medical bills, as well as payment of your mileage for travel to your medical appointments. Mileage is currently paid at a rate of .585 per mile. If you wish to change physicians...

1. You must receive permission from the employer or insurer
2. You must be referred to another physician by your attending physician
3. You must petition the Workers’ Compensation Division in St. Paul requesting a change in physicians.

If you see another doctor without one of the above pre-requisites being satisfied, the employer and insurer will not have to pay for your medical bills.

Sixth - rehabilitation benefits. if you are unable to find work as a result of your injury, in certain instances, rehabilitation benefits can be provided. This includes helping you look for work in addition to possible re-training.

If you have sustained a work injury, as a result of a specific incident or as a result of repetitive job duties, contact Patterson Dahlberg.  Whether your claim has been accepted or denied, you may be entitled to additional benefits.

Thomas Patterson has been exclusively representing Workers’ Compensation clients since 1995.  There is no charge for the consultation to review your case, and you will pay nothing unless your case results in receiving compensation.  You need an advocate to assure you receive the compensation that is rightfully yours. Patterson Dahlberg will represent you fairly and aggressively to make sure you receive all the benefits due under Minnesota state law.

Reference
Worker’s Compensation Reinsurance Association
Department of Labor & Industry
Mapquest Instructions
National Weather Service
Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals
Office of Administrative Hearings

Mileage Log (PDF)
Job Search Log (PDF)

Contact us for your Workers' Compensation case
Name
Email
Employer
Date of Injury
Insurer
Body Part Injured
Street Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
Comments
Authorization Code:
	Please enter the code shown above :