St. Paul Law Firm Services

During my 25 years plus of practice, the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation statute has been revised numerous times by the Minnesota legislature. Because an employee’s benefits are governed by the statute in effect on the date of injury, an injury in 1981 has a significantly different set of benefits as compared to an injury in 1986 or 2001.

If you have tried to understand Minnesota workers’ compensation law, you know how complicated it has become. Consequently, similar to doctors who specialize, competent legal representation requires a workers’ compensation attorney with specialized knowledge.

As a veteran workers’ compensation trial lawyer, I have the experience and knowledge required to provide high quality representation that is necessary to achieve a favorable result. I do this by providing:

  • Professional legal representation, based on experience and wisdom.
  • Consistency of service, striving for predictability of results.
  • Responsiveness in trying to meet or exceed each client’s expectations.
  • Professionalism, based on a desire to represent the client as effectively as possible, consistent with high ethical standards.

Notable Cases

Minnesota Supreme Court 2008. My client fell off a flat roof, had some pretty serious injuries and was in the hospital.  Workers compensation benefits were denied because he had cocaine and marijuana in his urine.  The judge decided that the cocaine and marijuana were not a significant factor in causing the accident.  The Court of Appeals upheld the judge’s award of benefits, and the Minnesota Supreme Court summarily affirmed that decision in January, 2009.

Minn. Workers Compensation Court of Appeals 2009.  My client was working at a lumber company when he gradually developed low back pain. Because there was no injury “event” like a slip and fall, or something hitting him, the claim was denied by Meadowbrook Claims Services. The compensation judge decided in Mr. Standford’s favor and concluded that his repetitive bending and heavy lifting at work caused an “overuse” injury [a Gillette injury] to his low back and ordered payment of all workers compensation benefits.