Minneapolis isn’t just the largest city in Minnesota—it’s the engine that keeps much of the state running. From factory floors in the North Loop to construction crews reshaping the skyline, the city runs on hard work. But when that work leads to injury, too many employees find themselves facing resistance instead of support.
Workers’ compensation is supposed to protect you. It’s meant to cover your medical care, replace lost wages, and support your recovery after an on-the-job injury. In reality, many injured workers in Minneapolis face denied claims, delayed payments, and pressure to return to work before they’re ready.
That’s where we come in. Meshbesher & Spence has stood up for Minnesotans since 1961. We know how quickly a job site injury can upend your life and what it takes to hold employers and insurance companies accountable.
Whether you’re a welder injured on Hennepin Avenue or a nurse dealing with PTSD after a violent incident at work, a Minneapolis workman’s comp lawyer is ready to fight for the full benefits you’re entitled to.
Call (612) 339-9121 or contact us online to speak with a Minneapolis workers’ compensation attorney today. You don’t pay us unless we win.
“Meshbesher and Spence are excellent attorneys. They fight hard for you. Excellent communication with me, they make sure everyone is on the same page going through litigation. If you have a problem along the way, don’t hesitate to call them.”
— Sam Reid | Client
What Workers' Compensation Covers in Minneapolis
Every Minnesota employer is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. That coverage should include:
- All necessary medical treatment;
- Mileage for medical visits;
- Partial wage replacement;
- Vocational rehabilitation, retraining, or placement support;
- Permanent disability benefits (partial or total); and
- Death benefits for surviving family members.
But benefits don’t always reflect the true impact of an injury. Insurance companies minimize, delay, and deny claims, not because it’s right, but because it saves them money. Injured workers often find themselves fighting for what they thought was guaranteed.
A Record Verdict That Started With a Training Failure
One of the most serious work injury cases we’ve ever seen began on a third day of work. A Minneapolis factory worker—just hired, with no formal training—was instructed to operate a box-stacking machine. The machine malfunctioned, pinning his head and causing a severe traumatic brain injury.
We took the case to trial. The jury awarded him $35.3 million, Minnesota’s largest personal injury verdict.
This case wasn’t about a freak accident. It was about safety shortcuts, ignored protocols, and a preventable failure that permanently altered a worker’s life.
Injuries a Minneapolis Workman's Comp Attorney Commonly Sees
In a city as diverse as Minneapolis, job sites look different, but the risk of injury is real in every industry. Our firm routinely represents workers who suffer:
- Back injuries from warehouse lifting or patient transfers,
- Traumatic brain injuries from falls or equipment malfunctions,
- Burn injuries from industrial accidents and chemical exposure,
- Joint damage from repetitive stress on the line,
- Crush injuries from improperly secured machinery, and
- Occupational PTSD from traumatic events on the job.
Some of these injuries happen in an instant, while others take years to develop. Either way, workers’ compensation should cover them, and a Minneapolis workers’ compensation attorney knows how to ensure that it does.
Psychological Injuries Deserve to Be Taken Seriously
Emergency medicine, law enforcement, and public safety workers often witness scenes that most people never encounter in a lifetime. In Minnesota, PTSD related to these traumatic exposures qualifies as a work-related injury, but proving that connection isn’t always easy.
We’ve worked with first responders and healthcare professionals whose claims were ignored or dismissed. They were told to tough it out, but we made sure they got care, benefits, and the time they needed to recover.
When your injury isn’t visible, documentation and advocacy make all the difference. Our attorneys know what it takes to validate psychological injuries under Minnesota law.
Protect your health, your paycheck, and your future. Call (612) 339-9121 or message us online to speak with a Minneapolis workers’ comp attorney today.
What Happens When You're Denied?
A denied claim isn’t the end. It’s more common than most people think. Employers and insurers frequently dispute:
- Whether the injury actually occurred at work,
- How severe the injury is,
- Whether a pre-existing condition is to blame, and
- Whether you followed “proper reporting procedure”.
We’ve appealed countless denials and forced insurers to take responsibility. From getting an independent medical exam to representing you at a hearing, our attorneys step in when the system stalls.
“We hear it every day: ‘I thought my employer had my back.’ That illusion disappears fast when a claim is denied or delayed. Our job is to stand in that gap and make sure workers don’t get pushed aside.”
— Ashley Biermann | Partner at Meshbesher & Spence
Real Case: Burn Injury Leads to $2.15M Settlement
A maintenance worker at a Minneapolis manufacturing facility was performing routine work on a sulfuric acid tank when a valve suddenly ruptured. The chemical caused catastrophic burns across his body, leaving him permanently unable to work.
Our investigation traced the fault to poorly made polypropylene containers supplied by a local distributor. The case settled for $2.15 million, covering medical treatment, wage replacement, and long-term care.
This case highlights something we see often: employers and suppliers pointing fingers while the injured worker is left without answers. We don’t wait for them to sort it out—we go after whoever failed to protect you.
A Martindale-Nolo survey found that injured people who hired a Minneapolis workers’ compensation attorney received an average of nearly three times the compensation compared to those who didn’t.
That’s not just a statistic. It reflects the reality that workers’ comp is a legal system, and insurers rely on you not knowing how it works. We know how to document your injury, counter lowball offers, and push back on denials.
Whether you’re weeks into a claim or haven’t filed yet, it’s not too early or too late to get help from a Minneapolis workers’ comp attorney.
How Long Do You Have to File?
In Minnesota, most work injury claims must be filed within three years from the date of injury, or within six years if your employer filed no First Report of Injury. However, waiting to act can jeopardize your access to evidence, care, and wage benefits.
Don’t assume you’ve waited too long—let a Minneapolis workers’ compensation lawyer review your situation. Many injured workers in Minneapolis delay because they think the system is working behind the scenes. Often, it isn’t.
What Our Attorneys Do for Injured Workers
Meshbesher & Spence handles every part of your case, including:
- Collecting medical records and expert opinions,
- Filing your claim with the Department of Labor and Industry,
- Pushing back against IMEs that try to downplay your injury,
- Negotiating a settlement or representing you at a hearing, and
- Identifying all responsible parties, including employers, third parties, and suppliers.
Your job shouldn’t cost you your future. If you were hurt at work, call (612) 339-9121 or message us online. A Minneapolis workers’ comp lawyer from Meshbesher & Spence will review your case for free and help you take the next step.
