Injured workers in St. Cloud face a tough road. Between confusing paperwork, unreturned calls, and pressure from employers or insurance companies, it’s easy to feel like the system is built to wear you down.
At Meshbesher & Spence, we stand with workers. Since 1961, our St. Cloud workman’s comp lawyers have been helping Minnesotans who were hurt on the job get the benefits they deserve and the support they need. We know how to handle stubborn insurance companies. We know what to do when your employer drags their feet or pushes back. Most of all, we know how to get results.
We’re proud to be a Minnesota-based law firm with deep roots in the St. Cloud community. Our lawyers have decades of combined experience in workers’ compensation cases, and we’ve recovered over $1.1 billion for injured people across the state.
Schedule a 100% free case review today online or by calling 320-656-0484. When you call us, you’re not getting passed around or pushed aside.
“After realizing I needed help, a friend recommended me to Ashley. Meeting Ashley for the first time, I felt the support and understanding I so desperately needed! Ashley made me realize the life I was missing out on. She told me from day 1 to trust her, and throughout the process, she always made me feel that she had my best interests in mind. I will forever be grateful to Ashley and how she saved my life!”
– Joe K. | Client
What Should I Do After a Work Injury in St. Cloud?
What you do next after getting injured on the job can make a big difference in how smoothly your workers’ compensation claim goes and how soon you get the help you need. If you’ve been injured at work in Minnesota:
- Report the Injury Right Away: Tell your supervisor or employer as soon as possible and fill out an incident report. Waiting too long can hurt your chances of getting benefits. Even if the injury seems minor at first, report it. Be clear and honest about what happened, where it happened, and when. If there were witnesses, make note of them too.
- Get Medical Attention: Your health comes first. See a doctor as soon as you can, even if you think your injury is minor or you can wait it out. Let the medical provider know your injury happened at work so they can document it correctly. This creates a clear medical record that ties your injury to your job.
- Keep Detailed Records: Start a file and save everything, including medical records and bills, copies of any forms or letters from your employer or their insurance, emails or texts about your injury, notes from conversations, and photos of your injury or where it happened. Having a paper trail helps protect your rights if your claim gets denied or delayed.
- File a Workers’ Compensation Claim: Your employer should file a First Report of Injury with their insurance company, but don’t assume they’ll do it right away or at all. If there are delays or if you’re unsure what’s happening, reach out to a St. Cloud workers’ compensation attorney. You also have the right to file a claim yourself through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
Can I Get PERA or MSRS Disability Benefits Alongside Workers’ Compensation?
Yes. If you’re a public safety officer or government employee in Minnesota, you may qualify for additional benefits through PERA or MSRS. PERA Duty Disability covers police, firefighters, paramedics, and corrections staff, offering tax-free payments and continued healthcare. MSRS Disability is available for state employees, including those in transportation, universities, and state agencies.
These claims often overlap with workers’ compensation but require detailed documentation and are frequently denied on the first attempt. A Minnesota workers’ compensation lawyer can help coordinate both claims and appeal denials to protect your full benefits.
When to Call a St. Cloud Workers’ Compensation Lawyer: Qualifying Injuries and Job Types
In Minnesota, the law is clear: most work-related injuries, whether they happen in one moment or over time, qualify for benefits.
Still, many workers don’t realize what’s actually covered or whether their job counts. Work injuries come in all forms. Some happen in a split second. Others build up over weeks, months, or even years. Here are some common types of injuries we see:
- Back, neck, and shoulder injuries from lifting, bending, or slipping
- Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or slippery floors
- Repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel or tendonitis
- Joint injuries in the knees, wrists, elbows, or hips
- Burns, cuts, or crush injuries from tools or heavy machinery
- Exposure to toxic chemicals or hazardous materials
- Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Mental health conditions related to trauma or extreme stress at work
Even if your injury didn’t happen in a single accident, it may still qualify. For example, if your back pain developed over time from repetitive lifting, or your anxiety grew from being exposed to traumatic situations on the job, you could still have a valid claim.
You don’t have to work a “dangerous job” to be covered. Whether you were injured using heavy equipment or just slipped on a wet floor, if it happened while you were doing your job, it likely qualifies.
If you’re not sure, it doesn’t hurt to ask questions. Some injuries aren’t visible, and some don’t follow a clear timeline.
Speak to a St. Cloud workers’ comp lawyer who can evaluate your case and explain your rights for free. Call 320-656-0484 or fill out our quick online form to schedule a no-obligation case evaluation at no cost to you.
How Can a St. Cloud Work Injury Lawyer Help You?
When you’re injured at work, the clock starts ticking. Every delay in your claim means bills piling up, missed paychecks, and growing stress. If your claim gets denied or pushed to the side, you could be left choosing between putting food on the table or paying for the care you need to heal.
These claims concern your health, your income, and your future. And you shouldn’t have to gamble with any of it. A workers’ compensation lawyer helps protect what matters most by:
- Make sure you get all the benefits you deserve: A lawyer will look at your full situation and make sure you’re getting every type of benefit available, including coverage for all related medical care and treatment, lost wages while you’re unable to work, compensation for permanent injuries or long-term disability, and vocational rehabilitation if you can’t return to your old job.
- Protect you from costly mistakes: Workers’ compensation claims come with rules and strict deadlines. Miss a step or miss a deadline, and your benefits could be delayed or denied. Even small errors, like seeing the wrong doctor or saying the wrong thing in a report, can hurt your case. A lawyer helps you avoid those traps.
- Stand up to the insurance companies: Insurance companies are not on your side. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible, even when your injury is serious. They might try to delay payments, deny your claim outright, or pressure you into accepting less than you deserve. An experienced St. Cloud workers’ compensation attorney knows how to push back.
Studies show that having legal representation dramatically improves your chances of getting compensation and increases how much you walk away with.
According to a Martindale-Nolo survey, over 90% of people who hired a lawyer received a settlement or award, compared to just 51% of those who went it alone. Even more striking? Those with lawyers received over four times more in compensation, $77,600 on average, compared to $17,600 for unrepresented claims.
Why Partner With the St. Cloud Workman's Comp Attorneys at Meshbesher & Spence
At Meshbesher & Spence, we bring over 60 years of experience fighting for injured workers across the state. From the floor of a St. Cloud manufacturing plant to the construction sites in Rochester, we’ve handled cases just like yours.
Our long history of successful outcomes includes a $237,500 workers’ compensation settlement for an Olmsted County Deputy with career-ending injuries, and a $295,000 settlement for a Bloomington Police Officer suffering from PTSD, which covered both healthcare continuation and workers’ compensation.
With more than $1.1 billion recovered for our clients, our results speak for themselves. And with no upfront costs, you don’t pay us unless we win your case. Whether your claim is just getting started or has already been denied, we’re ready to help.
Contact us today online or by calling 320-656-0484 to speak with a St. Cloud workers’ comp attorney. Your first consultation is completely free, and there’s no risk or obligation to move forward. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and help you decide what’s best for your future.
