I was in a car accident.
Who pays for my medical bills?
Usually your own car insurance will pay the first $20,000.00 of your medical bills under the Minnesota No Fault Act. Some individual policies may have provisions allowing for a higher amount of medical pay.
What about my wage loss?
Your own car insurance will pay for the first $20,000.00 of your wage loss at the rate of 85% of your former weekly wage at a maximum of $250.00 per week. Some individual policies will have provisions allowing for a higher amount of wage loss.
How am I going to get my car fixed?
Take pictures of your damages. Get an estimate to repair your vehicle. If your car is totaled, it is worth its blue book value, regardless of what you paid for it or how much you owe on it. Visit KBB.com to find out what your car is worth.
Do I need a lawyer?
Yes. Your interest and that of the responsible insurance company are naturally opposing. It is in your interest to maximize your recovery. It is in the interest of the insurance company who will pay you to minimize your recovery. You need someone on your side to level the playing field. Having a lawyer to represent your interests is crucial to getting a fair recovery.
I was injured on the job
What should I do first?
Report the injury to your employer. Seek medical attention.
Who pays my medical bills and wage loss?
Your employer's worker's compensation insurance will pay for your reasonable and necessary medical bills and, subject to certain maximum and minimum rates, 2/3 of your former weekly wage for so long as you are off work. If you return to work at a reduced rate of pay, you should receive 2/3 of the difference between your pre-injury and post injury wages. Wage loss is subject to certain durational limits, as well.
My employer won't tell me who the worker's compensation insurer is.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry can look up your employer’s insurance information if they refuse to provide it to you.
Do I need a lawyer?
Yes. Even if your benefits have not yet been discontinued, having a lawyer can ensure that the proper benefits keep coming. The insurance company for your employer may not operate in your best interest. The effects of a work injury can extend far into the future. Having a lawyer to represent your interest is often crucial to getting a fair recovery.
How long is this going to take?
The average personal injury case takes roughly a year from start to finish. Some can be resolved more quickly and, some, of course, can take much longer. They take as long as they do because your doctors need to find out what is wrong with you, give you the correct treatment, and give an opinion as to how your injuries will affect you in the future before we will know how much money to ask for in damages to fairly compensate you for your injuries. Property loss claims are easy and will typically resolve within a month of the accident. Injury claims requires patience if you want to be fully compensated for your injuries.
What is this going to cost?
The Meshbesher Law Firm works on a one third contingent fee basis on all personal injury claims. This means that out of any eventual jury award or settlement we obtain for you, our fee is one third of the total recovery. In addition to this fee, the Meshbesher Law Firm, like other law firms in Minnesota, is reimbursed for out of pocket expenses. An example of these out of pocket expenses is the acquisition of medical records. Doctors and hospitals charge per page for your medical records. We send a check to the provider to obtain the records and, at the end of your case, ask for reimbursement for these costs. The contingent fee means if we cannot get you a recovery, you do not owe us for the time we spend working on your case.
Worker’s Compensation fees are governed by Minnesota Statute §176.081. Fees are only charged on a case with disputed benefits. Your lawyer receives 25% of the first $4,000.00 recovered and 20% of the next $60,000.00 with a maximum fee, in most circumstances, of $13,000.00. The Meshbesher law firm works on the statutory contingent fee basis on workers’ compensation claims. If we do not get you a recovery, you do not owe us for the time we spend working on your case. Costs are typically paid by the employer/insurer in a workers’ compensation case.
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