Hot Weather Work Safety: Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

During these dog days of summer here in Minnesota, outdoor workers need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat stress and how to treat it. Heat stress occurs when a worker's body cannot cool down quickly enough.  

Heat exhaustion can be dangerous and heat stroke can be fatal.  


The symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke include:

If someone is suffering heat exhaustion or heat stroke, the following steps should be taken: 

You can take steps to avoid heat stress injuries such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke, including:

• Learning the signs and symptoms of heat stress. 
• Drinking plenty of water or electrolyte drinks. 
• Avoiding heavy work during the hottest parts of the day. 
• Slowing down the pace of work and taking more breaks. 
• Wearing light-weight, loose-fitting, light-colored, breathable clothing and a hat. 
• Taking regular breaks in the shade or in a cool area. 
• Avoiding alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine before or during work. 
• Keeping an eye on co-workers for symptoms of heat stress. 
• If you start to feel ill, stop what you’re doing immediately, and take steps to cool down. Tell your supervisor. 

If you’ve sustained a heat-related injury on the job in Minnesota that required medical attention, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. To learn more about your rights, call Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email.

Is My MN Workers' Comp. Claim Denied?

In our Minnesota workers’ compensation law practice, we regularly see even the most legitimate workers’ compensation claims being denied by workers’ compensation insurance companies. If primary liability is denied on your Minnesota workers’ compensation claim, you should strongly consider consulting with a Minnesota workers’ compensation lawyer. 

If you’ve sustained an on-the-job injury in Minnesota, your employer is supposed to report your injury to their workers’ compensation insurance company by filing a First Report of Injury form within 10 days of the date they had knowledge of your injury, or 10 days from the date that you reported your injury. If you miss more than three calendar days of work, the insurer is required to file the First Report of Injury form with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

The workers’ compensation insurance company has up to 14 days from the date your employer had notice of your injury within which to file a Notice of Primary Liability Determination in the event that the insurer is denying primary liability on your claim. In some cases, the insurance company may make initial payments on your case, and then after conducting an “investigation,” retroactively deny primary liability.

A Notice of Primary Liability Determination which denies liability requires a statement setting forth “a specific reason for the denial which must be in language easily readable and understandable…and a clear statement of the facts forming the basis for the denial.” If primary liability is denied on your Minnesota workers’ compensation case, it generally starts the running of a three-year Statute of Limitations. Unfortunately, not all employers or insurance companies follow these rules. Moreover, an insurer’s denial of primary liability on a workers’ compensation case is not always justified. In many cases, the basis for the denial is questionable or just plain wrong.

A Minnesota workers’ compensation attorney can help you contest a denial of primary liability on your workers’ compensation case. For a free, no-obligation case consultation, call Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email. 

Diagnostic Tests for Cervical Herniated Discs

If your doctor suspects that you have a herniated disc in your cervical spine (neck) as the result of a work-related injury, you may be referred to undergo diagnostic tests to confirm a diagnosis. 

MRI 

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan is the most common test used to diagnose a herniated disc. An MRI scan can image disc bulges, herniations, and nerve root impingement.

CT Scan

A CT (computerized tomography) scan combines x-ray views from many different angles to produce cross-sectional images of the bones and soft tissues inside your body. A CT scan may also performed using injected contrast dye, called a CT myleogram, to better visualize nerve root compression.

Discography 

Discography involves the insertion of a small needle into the discs to inject contrast dye. If the injection reproduces your pain, it confirms that the injected disc is the source of your pain.

EMG 

An EMG (Electromyography) is an electrical test involving stimulating specific nerves and inserting needles into various muscles in the arms and legs that may be affected by a pinched nerve. An EMG can help confirm the presence of nerve impingement, and help pin-point which nerve is causing you trouble.

In Minnesota, if you’ve sustained a work-related injury, and your doctor directs you to undergo an MRI, a CT scan, a discography, or an EMG to help diagnose your injury, these tests are often covered by Minnesota workers’ compensation insurance. Referrals for diagnostic studies such as MRIs, CT scans, discograhpies, or EMGs, are commonly the source of disputes in Minnesota workers’ compensation cases.

If the workers’ compensation insurance company is refusing to authorize the diagnostic procedure your doctor has recommended, a Minnesota workers’ compensation lawyer can help you get the medical care you need. Call Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email for a free, no-obligation Minnesota workers’ compensation legal consultation. 

Is Skin Cancer Covered by Workers’ Comp. in Minnesota?

That’s a tough question. While skin cancer, in some instances, could arguably be an occupational disease that was substantially caused by a workers’ sun exposure at work, the difficulty is in proving the medical causal relationship between the skin cancer and the work activities.

While there are a few cases in other states awarding benefits for work-related skin cancer, I’m not aware of any case law in Minnesota awarding workers’ compensation benefits for skin cancer as a result of a workers’ exposure to the sun. Please, if I am incorrect, and you are aware of a case awarding benefits, let me know by emailing me or posting a comment below.

In my opinion, some factors that would come into play in determining the compensability of sun-exposure related skin cancer would include:

•  The strength of medical causation opinions, both for and against. 
• The length of time the employee worked in an occupation involving sun exposure. 
• Alternative personal risk factors, including smoking, family history, etc. 
• The location of the skin cancer, i.e., did it develop in a particular spot that is always exposed to the sun as a result of work activities? 
• Other sun exposure history, i.e., outdoor recreational activities, tanning, sun bathing, etc. 

Sun exposure is without question, a cause of skin cancer, whether that exposure is during work hours, or outside of work hours. Because it is so difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of skin cancer in terms of which period of sun exposure caused the cancer to develop, workers who develop skin cancer are probably going to have a difficult time in establishing these occupational disease claims for purposes of Minnesota workers' compensation coverage.

Regardless of whether skin cancer is covered under workers’ compensation or not, it is preventable. Employees who work outdoors should always take precautions to avoid excessive sun exposure.

• If possible, avoid sun exposure between 10 am and 2 pm. 
• Apply high SPF sunscreen prior to sun exposure, and re-apply often. 
• Wear a hat and a long-sleeve shirt. 
• Wear sunglasses. 

For a free, no-obligation Minnesota workers' compensation case consultation contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email.

Material Handler and Order Picker Workplace Safety

Order picking and material handling is an important task in most manufacturing industries, and unfortunately, on-the-job injuries are not uncommon. 

Back injuries incurred while lifting are among the most common hazards for order pickers. But order pickers also face risks of other types of injuries, including trips and falls, shoulder, elbow or arm strains, injuries from falling objects, and injuries involving forklifts and other material-handling equipment.

Order pickers and other material handlers should observe the following precautions to avoid the most common types of on-the-job injuries:

• Use material-handling aids, such as hand trucks and four-wheeled carts whenever possible to minimize heavy lifting and carrying. 
• Keep materials and supplies stored at a level between the knees and shoulders. It is much more physically strenuous to lift things from below knee level or from above shoulder height. 
• Slide, push, or pull materials and supplies whenever possible to avoid heavy lifting and carrying. 
• Avoid twisting the body while carrying a heavy object. Ask a co-worker for help when carrying a heavy object. 
• Use both hands when carrying loads and keep the load lose to the body. 
• Rotate heaving lifting duties with lighter work to reduce the wear and tear on the body. 

Many of today’s warehouses also store supplies and materials on high shelving units, sometimes up to 30 feet in height. Employees often perform order picking using operator-up lift trucks, which increases the risk of serious injuries due to a fall. Order pickers working at heights should be equipped with and wear proper fall protection, which usually means a full-body harness with a fixed-length or retractable tether. The working platform should be elevate only when actual order picking is in progress, and employees should understand load capacities and stability requirements of the equipment to avoid tip-over accidents due to overloads or unstable loads. Employees should also watch out for overhead obstructions, and the operator should avoid turning while the platform is elevated with a load to avoid tip-over accidents.

Warehouse or manufacturing order picker or material handler injuries commonly include back injuries, musculoskeletal sprains and strains, and injuries due to falls.

In Minnesota, workers who sustain injuries in the course and scope of their employment may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, including medical expense benefits, wage loss benefits, vocational rehabilitation benefits, and permanent partial disability benefits.

If you've sustained an on-the-job injury in Minnesota, call Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email for a free, no-obligation workers' compensation case evaluation.
 

Help in Settling Your Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Claim

If you’re suffering from a work-related injury, you not only have to deal with the physical symptoms of your injury, but you have the added stress of trying to deal with the workers’ compensation insurance company, trying to understand your rights and avoiding mistakes, and maybe even dealing with the uncertainty as to whether you’ll be able to continue working or not. Often times, injured workers want to settle their workers’ compensation claims in exchange for a lump sum, and in many cases, this is a good option. 

Unfortunately, trying to settle your case on your own is usually not a good idea. Minnesota workers’ compensation law is extremely complex. Workers’ compensation insurance adjusters deal with workers’ compensation law all day, every day. They know the rules; you probably don’t. They can spot potential problems on your case; you may not even be aware these potential problems exist. They recognize potential claims you may have, but they are not obligated to tell you about them. To make the playing field even less equal, insurance adjuster often hire defense attorneys to give them advice and guidance, particularly if there are disputes on your claim.

The deck is stacked against injured workers. 

A good Minnesota workers’ compensation lawyer can help you level the playing field, particularly if you’re exploring settlement of your case. There are literally dozens of factors that come into play in determining a fair settlement value of a workers’ compensation case, and a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you evaluate these factors. In order give yourself the best chance of securing the best results on your case, or increasing your odds of protecting your rights, you will want a legal ally on your side with just as much experience and knowledge about the workers’ compensation system as the other side has.

Educating yourself about your Minnesota workers’ compensation rights is the first step in protecting those rights. For a free, no-obligation workers’ compensation case consultation, contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email to schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys. 

What is a Spinal Burst Fracture?

Spinal burst fractures are extremely serious injuries, and are usually caused by severe trauma such as a motor vehicle accident or a fall from a height. 

Extreme amounts of force exerted onto the spine can crush the vertebrae of the spine. A burst fracture involves extreme compression, or crushing, of the vertebra, causing the edges of the bone to spread out in all directions. With bony fragments and edges spreading out in all directions, there is a strong possibility that the spinal cord will be injured, resulting in paralysis or partial neurological injury. A burst fracture also causes severe instability of the spine at the affected area.

Neurological injury from a burst fracture can (in some lucky cases), cause no injury at all, or it can cause complete paralysis if the spinal cord damage is severe. The degree of neurological injury is usually determined by the amount of force at the time of injury, and the severity of the damage to the spinal canal. Bony fragments from a fractured vertebra can be forced into the spinal canal, resulting in loss of strength, sensation, or reflexes below the level of the injury. Mild burst fractures can result in relatively minimal symptoms or mild or no neurological injury.

Following an accident where a spinal injury is suspected, x-rays, CT scans, and/or MRI scans may be used to determine the amount of soft tissue trauma, bleeding, or ligament disruption, the presence and location of fracture, the type of fracture, and the amount of spinal canal compromise. All of these elements help determine the course of treatment.

Burst fractures, even without neurological injury, can be extremely painful, and can cause severe, long-term disability. Spinal burst fractures with neurological or spinal cord injuries can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating.

If you or a loved one sustained a spinal fracture as a result of a work-related accident, or a car accident due to someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation in Minnesota. For a free, no-obligation case evaluation, contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email to schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys. We can help you get the compensation you are entitled to. 

Ethylene Oxide Exposure and Minnesota Workers’ Compensation

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a flammable, colorless gas (above 51.3 degrees Fahrenheit) that smells like ether at toxic levels. It is found in the production of solvents, antifreeze, textiles, detergents, adhesives, polyurethane foam, and pharmaceuticals. It can also be found in fumigants, sterilants for spices and cosmetics, and surgical equipment sterilizers.

Exposure to ethylene oxide can cause eye and throat irritation, difficulty breathing, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, headache, convulsions, blisters, vomiting, and coughing. Exposure to EtO has also been linked to leukemia and other cancers, spontaneous abortion, genetic damage, nerve damage, peripheral paralysis, muscle weakness, as well as impaired thinking and memory. In liquid form EtO can cause severe skin irritation with prolonged or confined contact.

To learn more about Ethylene oxide in the workplace, read OSHA’s Ethylene Oxide Factsheet.

In Minnesota, workers who suffer injuries or illnesses related to chemical exposure at work are often eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, including wage loss benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, vocational rehabilitation benefits, and medical expense benefits.

Injuries or illnesses caused by chemical exposure are often difficult to prove, as these types of injuries or illnesses may develop over a long period of time, or the symptoms of these illnesses or injuries can be similar to other non-work related conditions.

A Minnesota workers’ compensation lawyer can help evaluate your claim if you’ve suffered an illness or injury due to ethylene oxide exposure or any other chemical exposure at work. For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email. 

 

Minnesota Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can be classified in two ways: complete spinal cord injuries and incomplete spinal cord injuries. Complete spinal cord injuries involve injuries to the spinal cord that cause complete loss of voluntary function and sensation below the point of injury. Incomplete spinal cord injuries do not cause complete loss of voluntary function and sensation below the injury.

Thankfully, advancements in modern medicine have reduced the likelihood that a spinal cord injury will be complete. Many spinal cord injury victims do eventually gain some voluntary function and sensation below the point of injury with medical care.

Spinal cord injuries are caused by severe trauma to the spinal cord. These types of injuries can be the result of blunt force trauma, falls, or high speed car accidents.

In Minnesota, if you suffer a spinal cord injury as a result of your work activities, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, including wage loss benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, vocational rehabilitation benefits, and medical expense benefits.

If you suffer a spinal cord injury in a car accident due to someone else’s fault or negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages from the at-fault party.

Spinal cord injuries are physically, emotionally, and financially devastating. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury at work, or as the result of a car accident, a Minnesota workers’ compensation or personal injury attorney can explain your rights, help you through the process of bringing a claim, and help you get the compensation you’re entitled to.

For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email. 

Preventing Construction Site Back Injuries

In the construction industry, 25% of injuries are back injuries. Construction has a higher rate of back injuries than any other injury, except transportation. Back injuries cause 1 in 100 construction workers to miss time from work every year.

Construction site back injuries are most often caused by lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, and puling materials. Low back injuries are more likely if you often carry heavy loads, must twist while carrying heavy loads, or work a lot while bending over or in other awkward positions. Most back injuries are sprains and strains, but a back injury can be more severe, such as a herniated disc or nerve impingement.

Many construction back injuries can be avoided by:

• Cutting down on carrying. Have materials delivered close to where they will be used. 
• Storing materials at waist height. Lifting from higher or lower heights can be awkward, and can increase the risk of back injury. 
• Raise your work to waist level. Working at waist level avoids awkward postures. 
• Make sure floors and walkways are clear and try. Slips, trips, and falls are a common cause of back injuries. 
• Take breaks. When you’re fatigued, you’re more likely to sustain injury. 
• Use carts, dollies, forklifts, and hoists to move heavy materials. 
• Use carrying tools with handles. Decrease your risk of back injury by having a good grip on awkward loads. 
• Avoid lifting items weighing more than 50 pounds by yourself. Get help from someone else, or use a cart. 
• Keep the load as close to your body as you can when carrying or lifting. 
• Avoid twisting when lifting and lowering materials. 
• Lift and lower materials in a smooth motion. 
• Don’t bend over when lifting materials off the ground. 

If you’ve sustained an on-the-job construction injury, you may be entitled to Minnesota workers’ compensation benefits, including medical expense benefits, wage loss benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, and/or rehabilitation benefits. For a free, no-obligation case consultation contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email. 

Report Your Minnesota Work-Related Injury

There are over 1.8 million workplace injuries reported in the United States every year. A third of these injuries result in lost time from work. The bigger problem is that up to twice as many, or as many as 3.6 million workplace injuries go unreported every year!

There are many reasons an injured worker may not report his or her injury: fear of being fired or retaliated against, wanting to avoid being seen as “difficult,” not wanting to look like a “wimp,” not being aware of their rights under workers’ compensation, not wanting to deal with the workers’ compensation system, not being aware that it is a covered workers’ compensation injury, or being asked by their employer not to report the injury. Almost invariably, it is in your best interest to report your work injuries! 

Failure to report your injury can potentially ruin your workers’ compensation case, and bar you from receiving workers’ compensation benefits, such as medical expense benefits, wage loss benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, and/or rehabilitation benefits. If your unreported work injury worsens, and you can’t work anymore, and you need extensive medical care, it’s far more difficult to try to go back and time and allege that your injury was work-related months or years after the fact.

Even if you are able to subsequently prove, after an extended period of time, that your injury was work-related, if you failed to report the injury to your employer, you may still be barred from recovering some kinds of workers’ compensation benefits.

Here’s a real life case: I recently spoke with a gentleman who recently underwent extensive neck surgery. His doctors are telling him he will never work again. He injured his neck at work. As I’m talking to him, I’m thinking to myself that this is a clear-cut case, and he will be entitled to benefits to cover his medical expenses, and his time off work.

Then he drops the bomb: He liked his job, and he thought that he might lose his job if he reported that his injury was work-related. So, he told his manager that he got hit by a car.

*Head-smack* 

I may be able to salvage his case, I may not. I’m going to try. By trying to be the “good guy,” and not reporting that his injury was work-related, he very may well have ruined his chances at getting the workers’ compensation benefits he would clearly otherwise be entitled to.

Moral of the story: If you’re hurt on the job, report your injury. At bottom line, by failing to report your injury, or being dishonest about the circumstances of your injury, you are only hurting yourself. Should your injury worsen to the point where you’re no longer able to do your job, or if you find yourself needing extensive medical care, and you failed to report your injury, you’ve seriously jeopardized your ability to successfully claim the workers’ compensation benefits you’re entitled to. Reporting your injury protects YOU.

If you have an on-the-job injury in Minnesota, and have questions about reporting your injury, contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email for a free, no-obligation case consultation. 

Does Workers’ Compensation Affect My Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) Benefits?

Under the Social Security rules, the total amount of your workers’ compensation benefits and social security benefits cannot exceed eighty percent (80%) of your average monthly earnings before you became disabled.

If your combined benefits exceed 80% of your pre-disability average monthly earnings, your social security benefits likely will be reduced. Minnesota workers’ compensation wage loss benefits are paid at a rate of 2/3 or 66.6% of your average weekly wage (AWW) at the time of your injury. For most people receiving both workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits, your social security benefits will be reduced, but not entirely offset.

When a workers’ compensation case is settled, we usually incorporate what we refer to as “Social Security” language into the Stipulation for Settlement, or the document that sets forth the terms of the settlement. In essence, this language prorates the lump sum settlement over the employee’s life expectancy. In determining whether and to what extent any offset is applicable, the Social Security Administration utilizes the prorated figures set forth in the language of the Stipulation for Settlement.

For example, assume we have a 55 year old male, born on January 1, 1956, that has settled his Minnesota workers’ compensation case for a lump sum of $35,000.00 for a close out of indemnity (monetary) benefits. According to the social security life expectancy tables, this gentleman has a life expectancy of 24.87 years, or 298.44 months.

In this case, the "Social Security" language would look something like this:

Of the $35,000.00 settlement amount, the sum of $7,200.00 is to be paid to the claimant’s attorney as fees. The claimant is currently 55 years old, having been born on January 1, 2956, and has a life expectancy of 24.87 years, or 298.44 months. The balance of $27,800.00 shall be paid to the claimant and shall represent a compromise payment of weekly indemnity benefits over the projected term of the claimant’s life expectancy of 298.44 months at the rate of $93.15 per month, or $23.29 per week. 

The advantage to incorporating this language is that the lump sum payment is stretched out over a longer period of time than most employees would be actually entitled to payment of benefits. By prorating the lump sum payment, or stretching it out over an employee’s lifetime, it minimizes any applicable Social Security offsets for the simultaneous receipt of Minnesota workers’ compensation benefits.

Individuals who are eligible for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits as the result of a work-related injury are also typically eligible for Minnesota workers’ compensation benefits. If you’re receiving SSDI benefits as a result of a disabling injury you received on the job, or if you’re currently receiving both SSDI benefits and workers’ compensation benefits, contact Meuser & Associate for a free, no-obligation case consultation. Call us at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email.

Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Tears

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is a wide, thick band of tissue that runs down the inner part of the knee from the thighbone to a point on the shinbone about four to six inches from the knee. The MCL prevents the leg from extending too far inward, helps keep the knee stable, and allows the knee to rotate.

Injuries to the MCL can happen when the knee is hit directly from its outer side, causing the ligaments on the inside of the knee to stretch too far or to tear. It is not uncommon to tear the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at the same time. The MCL can also be injured through repeated stress, which can cause the ligament to lose its normal stretch and elasticity.

Symptoms of an MCL tear can include:

• Pain, the severity of which depends on the severity of the tear 
• Stiffness 
• Swelling 
• Tenderness along the inside of the knee 
• Instability, or a feeling that your knee may give out 
• Locking or catching 

Depending on the degree of pain or looseness of the knee joint, the MCL tear will be classified as:

Grade I: Some tenderness and minor pain at the injury site.
Grade II: Noticeable looseness of the knee with manual movement, major pain and tenderness at the inside of the knee, and swelling.
Grade III: Significant pain and tenderness at the inside of the knee, swelling, marked joint instability with manual movement. A grade III MCL tear is often accompanied by an ACL tear.

Tears of the MCL usually respond well to non-surgical treatment, including rest, bracing, over-the-counter pain relievers, and physical therapy. If surgery is required, it is usually done through a small incision on the inside of the knee. If the MCL has become torn where it attaches to the thighbone or shinbone, the surgeon will re-attach the ligament to the bone using large stitches or a metal screw or bone staple. If the tear is in the middle of the ligament, the surgeon will sew the torn ends together.

If you’ve sustained an MCL tear as a result of a work-related injury, you may be eligible for Minnesota workers’ compensation benefits, including medical expense benefits, wage loss benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, and /or rehabilitation benefits. For a free, no-obligation case consultation, call Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email.

Preventing Electrical Accidents

Hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries occur every year as a result of electrical accidents at work, and most of these types of accidents can be prevented.

Some important things to keep in mind about electrical accidents:

• Normal workplace or household current can be lethal. 
• Electrocution can occur as the result of contact with seemingly innocuous objects, such as a broken light bulb. 
• Overloaded electrical circuits can cause fires. 
• Electricity always travels to ground, and a person can be the conduit for the electricity to ground. 

Case study: Meuser & Associate represented an individual who worked at a manufacturing facility. The normal maintenance person was gone for the day, so our client was asked to change a fluorescent bulb that had burned out. He had no electrical training, and had not been trained how to change a fluorescent bulb. He got on a metal ladder to reach the bulb, and suffered a severe shock injury when he came into contact with the electrical connectors. He also fell from the ladder as a result of the shock. Our client sustained burn injuries on his hand and feet, and suffered from memory loss and concentration difficulties following the injury. As a result of falling off the ladder, he also injured his knee and his back. He required significant emergency medical care, and missed several months from work. Thankfully, our client ultimately recovered with few residual effects from the injury, and he was able to return to work with his employer.

Some tips to avoid electrical accidents:

• Don’t use cords or wires with damaged insulation. 
• Don’t use electrical tools or equipment that smokes, sparks, shocks, smells, blows a fuse, or trips a circuit. 
• Don’t use any non-GCFI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet in a wet area. 
• Don’t use cords with bent or missing grounding plugs. 
• Don’t use metal ladders or tools when working near electricity. 
• Don’t use water to extinguish an electrical fire. 
• Don’t touch anything electric when your hands are wet, if you’re standing on a wet floor, or when you’re in contact with a wet surface. 
• Don’t touch an electrical shock victim. 
• Don’t place cords where they can be damaged. 
• Don’t place cords near heat or water. 
• Don’t place nails or sharp fasteners on electrical cords. 
• Don’t permit overloaded outlets or circuits.
• Don’t permit blind reaches into any areas containing energized parts. 
• Don’t permit combustible trash on or around electrical equipment or circuits. 
• Don’t permit anyone who isn’t trained and qualified to repair electrical equipment. 
• Don’t permit unauthorized removal of a lockout device or tag. 

If you’ve sustained an on-the-job electrical injury, you may be eligible for Minnesota workers’ compensation benefits, including medical expense benefits, wage loss benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, and/or rehabilitation benefits. For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email.

Alternative Treatments for Neck Pain

If you’ve got constant, severe neck pain that just won’t go away, it can be difficult to perform your activities of daily living, such as self-cares, cooking or cleaning, it can cause you to be depressed or irritable, leading to friction in your family relationships, and it can make it difficult, if not impossible, to be remain gainfully employed.

If you’re suffering from neck pain, and you’ve tried a variety of traditional treatment options, such as physical therapy, cortisone injections, narcotic pain medications, or surgical intervention, and you’re looking for other options, you may wish to ask your treating physician about alternative forms of treatment.

You might want to ask your doctor about:

Acupuncture: Many patients experience neck pain relief after a course of acupuncture treatments. Practitioners believe that acupuncture can help restore the healthy flow of energy in the body, which in turn can lead to pain relief. Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into your body at specific points.

Herbal remedies: Ask your doctor before trying any herbal remedies. Some herbal remedies have side effects, and some can interfere with other prescribed medications. Some herbal remedies that may help with neck pain relief include capsaicin cream, devil’s claw, or white willow bark.

Massage: Stress can cause neck pain, and it can make neck pain worse. Massage helps release tension, and can help reduce muscle inflammation and pain.

Yoga or Pilates: Yoga and Pilates help increase your core strength, help improve your balance and posture, and help reduce stress. Increased strength, better balance and posture, and reduced stress can all help decrease neck pain.

Minnesota workers’ compensation covers almost any type of medical treatment, so long as it is reasonable and necessary, and causally related to your work injury. Several of our Minnesota workers’ compensation clients who are suffering neck injuries have had success in reducing their pain with acupuncture and massage. Unfortunately, workers’ compensation insurance companies sometimes tend to be somewhat wary about approving or paying for so-called “alternative” therapies.

For a free, no-obligation evaluation of your Minnesota workers’ compensation case, contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email.

Minnesota Workers' Compensation Lawyer

A workplace injury can be a devastating experience for a worker and his or her entire family. 

In addition to the physical pain of the injury itself, an on-the-job injury often causes a lot of stress and anxiety. A work injury can be financially devastating, and it can end your career. 

If you’ve sustained an on-the-job injury in Minnesota, Meuser & Associate can help protect your rights and assist you in getting the compensation you are entitled to. Jen Yackley and Ron Meuser, Jr., attorneys at Meuser & Associate, have over 25 years of combined experience representing injured workers and ensuring that they have been compensated for their work-related injuries.

An on-the-job injury often leads to anxiety and worry about medical bills and lost income. To avoid some of this anxiety and worry, you should learn about your rights and what benefits are available to you, which may include medical expense benefits, wage loss benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, and/or rehabilitation benefits.

A Minnesota workers’ compensation lawyer can help you bring a claim for these benefits, or help you protect your rights to these benefits in the event there are disputes on your claim. We can also explore the possibility of securing a settlement of your workers' compensation claims.

You don’t need to wait until there’s a dispute on your case to consult with a workers’ compensation lawyer. In fact, the sooner you speak with us, the easier it is for us to help you navigate the system and avoid making costly mistakes.

At Meuser & Associate, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means our attorney fees are based on the amount we recover for you. There are no fees up front, there’s no monetary retainer, and there’s no out of pocket expense to you. In the event we are unsuccessful, there is no charge for our legal services.

If you’ve been hurt at work in Minnesota, one of the most important things you can do to protect your interests is to learn about your rights. Call Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email to schedule a free, no-obligation legal consultation. 

Money Benefits in a Minnesota Work Comp Case

Individuals who are hurt at work in Minnesota may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits, which, in addition to medical expense benefits and rehabilitation benefits, can include significant monetary benefits.

I often meet with potential Minnesota workers’ compensation clients who tell me that they just want to get the medical care they need and get on with their lives. They tell me they don’t want any money, they just want to get back to work, and they don’t want their employer to think poorly of them if they hire a lawyer. While this is an admirable attitude to have, all injured workers should know a few things about monetary benefits available under Minnesota workers’ compensation benefits.  

• The amount of your wage loss benefits is usually dependent on how much money you earned in the 26 weeks preceding your date of injury.  This calculation method is used to determine your Average Weekly Wage (AWW). Your AWW is used to calculate wage loss benefits, including temporary total disability (TTD) benefits, temporary partial (TPD) disability benefits, and permanent total disability (PTD) benefits. In some cases, a different calculation rule may apply. Determining an injured workers’ correct AWW is important to determining the appropriate compensation rate for wage loss benefits. Calculation errors or under-calculations can cost an injured worker hundreds or even thousands of dollars. 

• There is no pain and suffering compensation available in a Minnesota workers’ compensation case. Compensation paid on a work injury claim is based strictly on the benefits available under the law. “Pain and suffering” or “loss of enjoyment of life” are money damages awarded by judges or juries in personal injury cases, not workers’ compensation cases. Even the most horribly painful injury will not warrant any compensation for pain and suffering if it is a workers’ compensation injury in Minnesota. In some workers’ compensation cases, however, there may be what’s known as a third-party liability claim, or a personal injury claim, against someone other than an injured workers’ employer or a co-worker, which can include damages for pain and suffering. 

• Permanent partial disability awards are available only to injured workers whose injuries are permanent. Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits are available to injured workers in Minnesota who have suffered a permanent injury. A worker in Minnesota who sustains a serious, but temporary injury, is not eligible for permanent partial disability benefits. For workers who have sustained a permanent injury, your doctor should assign a permanent partial disability rating based on the Minnesota PPD schedules once you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). This rating is often a source of disagreement in workers’ compensation cases. In some cases, five different doctors might come up with five different ratings. 

• Insurers sometimes “close” a Minnesota workers’ compensation case without obtaining a permanent partial disability (PPD) rating from the injured worker's treating physician. On occasion, this may be because the primary treating physician simply isn’t familiar with the workers’ compensation PPD schedules or the rules governing timing of assigning a PPD rating. In other cases, the doctor, unfortunately, simply doesn’t want to be bothered. In yet other cases, the insurer never requests a rating from the doctor, and a rating is never issued, even though the worker clearly has a permanent injury. We routinely see cases that were supposedly “closed” by the insurance company, where the worker was clearly entitled to several thousand dollars’ worth of permanent partial disability benefits.

• It may be difficult, if not impossible, to predict how much money an injured worker will get for a Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) award at the outset of the claim. When an injured worker comes for a consultation at the beginning of his or her claim, I may not be able to predict how much money will be awarded for PPD, because we don’t know the extent, if any, of any permanent injuries that individual may have until that worker has gone through a course of medical treatment. For some types of injuries, I can give a ballpark estimate on the permanent partial disability, but others depend on loss of range of motion, review of MRI’s or operative reports, or neurological testing. Aside from the value of a claim for permanent partial disability benefits, an injured worker’s case may have additional monetary value for wage loss benefits and other workers’ compensation benefits. 

• The workers’ compensation insurance company is not required under the law to offer you a settlement on your workers’ compensation case. One of the most common questions I hear is: “when does the insurer have to offer me a settlement?” The answer is: They don’t. That being said, in many, many cases, we are able to secure a settlement on behalf of our clients. There are a variety of different types of Minnesota workers’ compensation settlements. An injured worker is extremely well advised to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer before attempting to settle his or her case. There’s simply too much at stake to try to “wing it” when you’re looking at settling your workers’ compensation case, particularly if your injuries are serious, or if you’ve missed significant time from work. 

Even if you have an “admitted” Minnesota workers’ compensation claim, meaning that the insurer is paying your benefits, as a rule, it’s not a matter of IF there will be a dispute on your case—it’s a matter of when. At every turn, the workers’ compensation insurer is looking for ways to minimize the amount of benefits they have to pay on your claim. You need to look out for your best interests!

To learn more about the benefits available to workers’ hurt on the job in Minnesota, call Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. 

Electrocution Injuries and Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Almost all workers are exposed to the dangers of electric shock and electrocution in the workplace, although construction workers, and electrical and cable professionals are at the most risk of electrocution injury.

Approximately 1,000 people in the United States are killed annually as the result of electrocution. Power line accidents account for almost 1/3 of all fatal electrocutions. Electrocution burns are the most common electrical related injury, and approximately 3,000 people suffer electrical burns each year in the United States.

Depending on the power, the path, and the duration of the electrical shock, a worker can suffer a variety of injuries as a result of an electrical accident:

Cardiovascular: An electric shock can stop the heart or cause fibrillation of the heart rhythm, both of which are lethal if not treated immediately, and permanent damage to the heart may also occur.

Respiratory: If electrical current passes through the chest, it can cause respiratory arrest. Respiratory arrest can also occur if the respiration-controlling area of the brain is affected by the electrical shock.

Neurological: The spinal cord or brain can be damaged if the electrical current passes through the brain or spinal cord. Victims of electrocution often suffer secondary brain injuries or spinal cord injuries if they fall from a height after being electrocuted.

Musculoskeletal: If the electrical shock causes prolonged muscle contraction, it can cause muscle damage in the effected body part. Body parts in contact with the power source or the ground, or touched by an arch flash are often severely and deeply burned.

Other injuries: Some injuries caused by electrical shock are not always immediately apparent, such as hearing or vision damage. Some individuals may also suffer from mental symptoms following an electrical injury, such as depression, memory loss or confusion.

Electrocution injuries can be severe and complex. You may require extensive medical treatment. You may miss significant time off work, or you may be disabled from returning to work.

If you’ve suffered an electrocution injury as a result of your work activities, you may be eligible for Minnesota workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits help cover your expenses after an on-the-job injury, and can include medical expense benefits, wage loss benefits, permanency benefits, and/or vocational rehabilitation benefits. After a severe electrocution injury, an experienced Minnesota workers’ compensation attorney can assist you get the benefits you’re entitled to, and help protect your rights.

For a free, no-obligation case consultation, call Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email. 

 

Scaffold Safety and Minnesota Workers' Compensation

According to OSHA, at least 2.3 million workers, or 65% of workers in the construction industry, perform their jobs perched on top of scaffolds. 

Scaffold-related accidents can easily result in serious injury or death, and OSHA strictly regulates their use. Annually, on average, 60 workers are killed, and another 4,500 are injured as the result of scaffold accidents.
 
In our Minnesota workers’ compensation practice, we have handled a number of workers’ compensation claims due to scaffolding accidents. These injuries have included traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, back injuries, neck injuries, shoulder injuries, and knee injuries.

Most commonly, these injuries stem from falling off a scaffold, but we’ve also seen cases involving scaffold collapse or overturning, or workers being struck by objects falling from scaffolding overhead.

Minnesota workers utilizing scaffolding should be aware of the following safety requirements:

• Scaffolds must be specifically designed for that purposes. Never jury-rig a scaffold from ladders and planks. 
• Supported scaffolds must be placed on base plates or other firm foundations, must have platforms at least 18 inches wide, and must be built to withstand at least four times the intended load. 
• Suspended scaffolds must be able to withstand six times there intended load, and have specific requirements about the wire rope used to lift them, and how it must be maintained. 
• Scaffolds require toprails and toeboards. If there are people working or passing beneath the scaffold, there must be a screen installed between the toprails and toeboards. 
• Before every shift, a “competent person” must inspect the scaffold. 
• Debris nets or other protective devices must be used under scaffolds if anyone can pass beneath. People working beneath scaffolds must wear hardhats, and people working on top of scaffolds should wear hardhats, too. 
• Workers on scaffold should wear shoes with nonslip soles move carefully, and avoid leaving materials on the scaffolds that might cause a tripping hazard or fall on workers beneath the scaffold. 
• Fall protection devices are required when working more than 10 feet above the ground or the next level down. 
• Care should be taken by workers at ground level to avoid running into or hitting a scaffold with heavy equipment. 
• Scaffold work should be avoided in stormy or windy weather, or when platforms are slippery. 

In Minnesota, if you’ve suffered a work-related injury, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, including medical expense benefits, wage loss benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, and/or rehabilitation benefits. Scaffold accidents often result in serious injury.

A Minnesota workers’ compensation attorney can help make sure that you get the benefits you’re entitled to. For a free, no-obligation workers’ compensation case evaluation, call Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email. 

Osteoarthritis of the Neck and Back: Minnesota Work Comp

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is a common cause of neck and back pain. It is the result of the mechanical breakdown of the cartilage between the facet joints in the spine, which can cause frictional pain. Development of bone spurs can irritate or entrap spinal nerves.

Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease of the neck or back can be caused by work activities, or work activities may aggravate or accelerate the condition. An acute work injury can also aggravate a workers’ pre-existing spinal osteoarthritis.

Medical evaluation for neck or back pain typically involves a discussion of symptoms and a detailed medical history, a physical examination, and if osteoarthritis is suspected, a series of x-rays. Other tests, such as MRI’s or CT scans may be performed to confirm the diagnosis or to rule out other conditions. For more information about osteoarthritis visit Spine-health.com.

Unfortunately, a workers’ compensation claim for a back injury can become complicated if there’s a concurrent or underlying diagnosis of osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. Workers’ compensation insurance companies typically try to argue that the injured worker’s condition was “pre-existing,” or that if they did sustain an injury, it was simply a “temporary aggravation.” They commonly use these arguments to deny an injured workers’ work comp. claim entirely, or to limit the amount of benefits they have to pay if that worker becomes disabled due to neck or back pain.

For a free, no-obligation evaluation of your Minnesota workers’ compensation case, contact Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email.