Suffering an injury on the job is a jarring experience. One moment you are focused on your daily tasks, and the next, you are dealing with physical pain and the
Minneapolis Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Skilled Workers Compensation Attorneys Helping Clients in Minneapolis, Minnesota
If you were hurt on the job in Minnesota, your life probably changed in a single second. Suddenly, you are dealing with physical pain, missing work, and wondering how you will pay your bills. You might feel stressed, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next. First, take a deep breath. You do not have to carry this heavy burden alone. At 612-Injured, our Minneapolis workers’ compensation lawyers are here to help you navigate this difficult time. We treat our clients like family, providing a calm, compassionate space where you can focus on healing. But when it comes to dealing with the insurance companies, we switch gears. We are fierce trial warriors who will not back down until you get every dollar you deserve.
Our founding partners are military veterans. Ben Heimerl served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and Mike Lammers served in the U.S. Navy during the Gulf War. That military discipline and “never retreat” mindset shapes everything we do. For more than 25 years, we have been protecting hardworking Minnesotans and fighting the insurance industry’s tricks. We know their playbook inside and out, and we are ready to fight for you.
Why Choose 612-Injured for Workers’ Compensation Representation
Deep Knowledge of MN Law
Minnesota’s system is highly technical. We know how to navigate filing rules, deadlines, and benefit calculations so mistakes do not cost you your claim.
Defense Against Insurers
Insurers often try to downplay injuries or rush settlements. We use medical and vocational evidence to protect the true value of your claim.
Accurate Calculations
We review overtime, bonuses, and second jobs to ensure your benefits reflect what you actually earned, not just your base pay.
Litigation Experience
If your claim is denied or cut off, we are prepared to take your case to a judge and fight for the compensation you deserve.
No Fees Unless We Win
You never pay out of pocket. We only get paid if we secure benefits or a settlement for your workers’ compensation claim.
Calculate Your Potential Benefits Here
The Minneapolis Workers’ Comp Process: Step-by-Step
The Minnesota workers’ compensation system has very strict rules and deadlines. Missing a single step can put your entire claim at risk. Here is exactly what the process looks like from start to finish:
Step 1: Report Your Injury (The 14-Day Rule)
In Minnesota, you should report your injury to your boss immediately. By law, you must report it within 14 days of the accident. If you wait longer than 30 days, you could lose your right to benefits entirely.
Step 2: Your Employer Files the Paperwork
Once you report your injury, your employer has 10 days to file a form called the First Report of Injury with the state and their insurance company.
Step 3: The Insurance Company Responds (The NOPLD)
The insurance company has 14 days to accept or deny your claim. They will send you an official letter called a Notice of Insurer’s Primary Liability Determination (NOPLD). This letter tells you whether they are going to pay your medical bills and lost wages, or if they are denying your claim.
Why Minneapolis Workers Trust Our Legal Team
With years of dedicated practice in the Twin Cities, we’ve helped hundreds of families navigate the complexities of the work comp system. Here is what they have to say.
Important Note: If your NOPLD letter says “Denied,” do not panic. This is a common tactic insurance companies use to avoid paying. It is simply the cue for us to step in and fight back.
612-Injured: Minneapolis Workers’ Comp Resource Center
Expert tips and resources designed to protect your rights and maximize your compensation.
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Maximize Your Recovery: The Interplay of Workers’ Comp and Third-Party Claims
If your workplace injury was caused by a negligent third party, such as a reckless driver while you were driving for work, a faulty equipment manufacturer, or a negligent subcontractor on a commercial construction job site, you have the legal right to pursue both a Minnesota workers’ compensation claim and a civil personal injury lawsuit simultaneously.
However, navigating these dual claims requires a sophisticated understanding of Minnesota Statute § 176.061, which governs the workers’ compensation insurance carrier’s subrogation rights to recover what they paid out from your civil settlement or verdict.
Navigating the Statutory Allocation Formula (Minn. Stat. § 176.061, Subd. 6)
When you recover damages from an at-fault third party, the financial proceeds cannot simply be deposited into your bank account. Under Minnesota law, the allocation must follow a strict statutory hierarchy:
- Costs of Collection: First, all reasonable attorney’s fees and litigation costs incurred to win the third-party case are deducted from the gross recovery.
- The Employee’s Unfiltered Third: Next, exactly one-third of the remaining balance is paid directly to you. By law, this portion is completely protected and cannot be touched by the workers’ compensation insurer’s subrogation claim.
- The Employer/Insurer Reimbursement: Out of the remaining balance, the workers’ compensation carrier is reimbursed for the medical bills and wage loss benefits they have already paid out on your behalf, minus their proportional share of your attorney’s fees and litigation costs.
- The Future Credit: Any cash balance left over after these steps goes to you. However, that remaining amount creates a “future credit” for the workers’ compensation insurer. This means they can halt further workers’ comp payments until you incur new medical or wage loss damages that “exhaust” that remaining credit amount.
Meet Our Workers’ Comp Attorneys
Benjamin Heimerl
Partner
As a founding partner and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Ben applies a mindset of hard work and dedication to every claim. He focuses exclusively on workers’ compensation, ensuring injured Minnesotans receive the benefits and respect they deserve during their most difficult moments.
Ingrid Wahlquist
Attorney
Ingrid has devoted her practice to helping injured workers navigate the complexities of the Minnesota legal system. Born and raised in Minnesota, she is passionate about ensuring her clients aren’t left behind by insurance companies and receive every benefit allowed by law.
Strategic Settlement Frameworks: McCorkell vs. Heise
We do not use a one-size-fits-all approach to third-party workplace claims. Depending on the specifics of your accident, we utilize distinct legal structures to protect your money:
- The McCorkell Framework (Henning v. Wineman / McCorkell allocations): If your third-party settlement includes a mixture of damages that workers’ comp covers (like medical bills and lost wages) and damages they do not cover (like pain, suffering, and loss of consortium), we can petition a Minnesota district court judge to run a judicial allocation hearing. By explicitly separating your pain and suffering damages from your medical expenses, we can dramatically lower the amount of money the insurance company is allowed to take back through subrogation.
- The Heise Framework (Heise v. J.R. Clark Co.): In specific third-party configurations, we negotiate independent settlements that resolve only your unique, non-workers’ compensation damages. This protects your personal financial recovery from being consumed by the insurer’s past subrogation liens or future credit calculations.
Your Statutory Right to Choose Your Own QRC in Minnesota
If your workplace injury restricts your ability to perform your pre-injury job duties, you may be eligible for statutory vocational rehabilitation services under Minnesota law. This process is guided by a Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant (QRC).
A QRC plays a monumental role in your recovery. They assess your physical restrictions, communicate directly with your doctors, manage your rehabilitation plan, and influence whether you are forced back into a job that hurts you.
Critical Warning: The insurance company will almost always automatically assign their own preferred QRC to your file. This insurance-selected QRC is paid by the carrier and frequently works to minimize your restrictions and rush your return to full duty to stop your wage loss benefits.
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The 30-Day Statutory Right
Under Minnesota Rules 5220.0710, you are not required to use the insurance company’s hand-picked consultant.
- You have an absolute statutory right to select a completely independent, neutral QRC of your own choosing.
- The Timeline: You must exercise this right within 30 days of the very first rehabilitation consultation or the date the insurer’s QRC choice was formally communicated to you.
If you do not object and request a change of consultant within this strict 30-day window, you may lose your right to switch QRCs later without proving a formal, litigated dispute at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). We help you exercise your right immediately to ensure your medical advocate is loyal only to your health and recovery.
We Are Ready to Fight for You
You do not have to battle a powerful insurance company on your own while trying to heal. Let our Minneapolis workers’ compensation lawyers be your shield. We offer a same-day response guarantee, and we are available 24/7 via phone or text. You will never pay us a penny out of pocket unless we win money for you.
Contact 612-Injured today. Call or text us right now at (612) 465-8733 for a free, friendly consultation. If you cannot make it to our office, do not worry, we can easily come directly to your home or your hospital bedside.
Workers’ Compensation FAQs
What should I do first after a work injury in Minneapolis?
Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible and seek medical treatment. Delays can hurt your claim.
In Minneapolis, can my claim be denied even if I was hurt at work?
Yes. Insurers often deny claims by arguing the injury is not work-related or is pre-existing. A lawyer can challenge those decisions.
Do I have to see the employer’s doctor after being injured at work in Minneapolis?
In most cases, you can choose your own doctor. Insurers may try to steer you, but you still have rights.