Construction sites are some of the most hazardous work environments in the country. Job sites expose workers to dangers such as falls, defective equipment, electrical incidents, and structural failures. When a construction injury occurs, having legal representation focused on Minnesota workers’ compensation is critical for protecting your rights.

At Atkinson Gerber Law Office, we bring over 50 years of combined experience to every case, and we understand the overwhelming toll that workplace injuries take on construction workers and their families. Trust us to fight for the full scope of workers’ compensation benefits available under Minnesota law. Call (651) 333-3636 for a free consultation with our award-winning St. Paul workers’ compensation attorneys.

Common Construction Accident Injuries

Construction workers face unique hazards that can cause severe and life-altering injuries requiring extensive medical treatment and long recovery periods. The physical demands of construction work often make returning to work after a serious injury difficult or impossible. Common injuries we see in construction accident cases include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Broken bones and fractures
• Crush injuries
• Amputations and loss of limbs
• Burns and electrical injuries
• Lacerations and puncture wounds
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Respiratory conditions from toxic exposure
• Hearing loss from noise exposure

Every injury deserves proper medical attention and fair compensation under Minnesota workers’ compensation law. We fight to ensure your benefits match the actual severity of your condition.

Workers’ Comp Benefits for Construction Accident Injuries

Minnesota Statutes Section 176.021 requires employers to report workplace injuries by filing a First Report of Injury with their workers’ compensation insurance carrier and the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Your employer must file this report within ten days of learning about your injury, and this document initiates the workers’ compensation process.

Once filed, the insurer will investigate your claim and determine whether to accept or deny liability for your benefits. We recommend contacting our office immediately after any construction site injury, even before the First Report of Injury is submitted, so that we can protect your interests from the very beginning of your case.

Medical Benefits

Workers’ compensation covers reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your construction accident injury, allowing you to receive care without paying out of pocket. Minnesota law generally allows you to select your own treating physician after your first visit. Medical benefits under workers’ compensation include:

• Emergency room treatment
• Hospital stays and surgeries
• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Diagnostic imaging and tests
• Medical equipment and devices
• Mileage reimbursement for medical appointments

Insurers sometimes dispute whether certain treatments are reasonable or necessary for your injury. Our attorneys at Atkinson Gerber Law Office advocate for your right to receive appropriate workers’ compensation medical care and challenge improper denials of treatment.

Wage Loss Benefits

Construction injuries often prevent workers from returning to their jobs immediately, creating financial hardship for families that depend on regular paychecks. Workers’ compensation provides wage loss benefits to replace a portion of your income while you recover:

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD): These benefits compensate you when your injury completely prevents you from working. TTD pays two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to state maximum limits, until you can return to work or reach maximum medical improvement.
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): These benefits apply when you can work in a limited capacity but earn less than your pre-injury wage. TPD pays two-thirds of the difference between your current earnings and your prior average weekly wage.

Calculating your average weekly wage accurately is crucial to receiving the correct benefits. We review wage records carefully and ensure insurers do not undervalue your compensation.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Some construction injuries leave workers unable to return to their previous occupation, even after reaching maximum medical improvement. Minnesota Statutes Section 176.102 provides vocational rehabilitation services to help injured workers develop new skills and find suitable employment.

These services may include job placement assistance, retraining programs, education benefits, and career counseling. We work with qualified rehabilitation consultants to create plans that match your abilities, interests, and employment goals while protecting your right to ongoing benefits during the rehabilitation process.

Permanent Disability Benefits

Construction accidents sometimes result in lasting impairments that affect your ability to work and enjoy life. Workers’ compensation recognizes two categories of permanent disability:

• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): These benefits compensate you for permanent impairments that do not completely prevent you from working. The amount depends on the affected body part and the severity of your impairment, as rated by your physician using the state’s schedule of disabilities.
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD): These benefits provide ongoing wage replacement when your injuries wholly and permanently prevent you from engaging in gainful employment. PTD benefits continue for the duration of your disability and may last for the rest of your life.

Insurers frequently underrate permanent impairments to reduce their payout obligations. Our firm retains medical experts when necessary to ensure your disability rating accurately reflects your condition.

Survivor Benefits

When a construction accident results in a worker’s death, Minnesota workers’ compensation law provides benefits to the surviving family members. Dependents may receive the following:

• Wage payments of 50% to 66% of the deceased’s average weekly wage, depending on the number of dependents.
• Reasonable funeral and burial expenses up to the statutory limit
• of $15,000.
• A minimum of $60,000 in dependency compensation must be paid if dependents exist.
• After a dependent child stops receiving benefits, a spouse may receive a reduced benefit for up to 10 years.
• If there are no dependents, the deceased’s estate receives $60,000. 

Surviving spouses and children typically qualify as dependents. However, other family members may also be eligible depending on their relationship and financial dependence on the deceased worker. Our attorneys handle these sensitive cases with the compassion they deserve.

Negligent Causes of Construction Accidents

Many construction accidents occur because someone failed to follow safety protocols, properly maintain equipment, or provide adequate training. Identifying the cause of your accident helps document your claim and may reveal additional sources of recovery. Common causes of construction site accidents are as follows:

• Defective or malfunctioning equipment
• Inadequate fall protection systems
• Unsafe scaffolding conditions
• Improper trenching and excavation practices
• Electrical hazards and exposed wiring
• Lack of proper safety training
• Failure to provide protective equipment
• Hazardous material exposure
• Poor housekeeping and cluttered work areas

We investigate accident circumstances thoroughly to build the strongest possible case. We identify all relevant factors related to your work injury and pursue the full workers’ compensation benefits available to you.

How Much Does a St. Paul Construction Accident Injury Lawyer Cost?

Workers’ compensation covers construction site accidents in Minnesota, and the law allows you to hire a St. Paul construction accident lawyer without any upfront costs or financial risk. We only collect fees when we successfully recover disputed benefits on your behalf. Your fee percentage depends on your date of loss, but typically amounts to 20% of the benefits we secure for you. 

Every workers’ compensation attorney in the state operates under identical fee restrictions, which means you should select the legal team best suited to handle your claim. Minnesota law also includes provisions that may require the insurance company to pay part or all of your attorney’s fees without reducing your benefits. We will review your case and explain whether these provisions apply to your situation.

Why Choose Atkinson Gerber Law Office?

At Atkinson Gerber Law Office, we will represent your interests throughout every stage of a workers’ compensation claim, ensuring that insurance companies and employers treat you fairly. Attorney Tom Atkinson has dedicated more than 20 years of his career to workers’ compensation law, building a track record of successful outcomes for injured workers across Minnesota. 

What sets Tom apart from other attorneys is that he has personally experienced a workplace injury and navigated the workers’ compensation system as a claimant. Very few lawyers possess this firsthand understanding of the challenges, frustrations, and anxieties their clients encounter when dealing with insurers, medical providers, and employers after a serious injury.

How Our St. Paul Construction Accident Injury Lawyers Help

Our St. Paul construction accident injury lawyers provide comprehensive legal support designed to maximize your benefits and protect your rights from the moment you contact our office:

• Filing and managing your claim: We prepare and submit all necessary paperwork accurately and on time, preventing delays or denials caused by administrative errors. Our team monitors deadlines and responds promptly to requests from the Department of Labor and Industry.
• Gathering evidence to support your case: We collect medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and safety documentation that strengthen your claim. Strong evidence makes it difficult for insurers to dispute the nature or severity of your injuries.
• Communicating with insurance companies: We handle all correspondence and negotiations with the workers’ compensation insurer on your behalf. Insurance adjusters often attempt to minimize payouts, but our attorneys know how to counter their tactics effectively.
• Representing you at hearings: If your claim requires a hearing before the Office of Administrative Hearings, we present your case persuasively and advocate for your interests. Our courtroom experience gives you a significant advantage in disputed claims.
• Appealing denied claims: We challenge unfair denials and fight to overturn decisions that deprive you of benefits you rightfully deserve. Many initially denied claims succeed on appeal with proper legal representation.

Our firm handles all facets of your workers’ compensation case so you can prioritize your recovery. At Atkinson Gerber Law Office, we keep you informed throughout the process and answer your questions promptly.

Consult Atkinson Gerber Law Office About Your Construction Injury Claim

Do not let insurance companies minimize your injuries or deny the benefits you deserve after a construction site accident. At Atkinson Gerber Law Office, we have the experience, knowledge, and dedication to protect your rights and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf. 

Call us today at (651) 333-3636 or complete our online contact form to schedule your free consultation with an experienced St. Paul construction accident injury lawyer today.