Can I File My Workers’ Compensation Claim On My Own In Minnesota?

If you’re a frequent reader of our blog, you’re probably well aware that workers’ compensation law is a complicated business. That being said, the state does of decent job of explaining the process of a workers’ compensation claim so you could try to go through the system without the assistance of a workers’ compensation lawyer. In today’s blog, we’re going to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of filing your Minnesota workers’ compensation claim without a lawyer.

Filing a Work Comp Claim On Your Own

There are a number of things in this world that we choose to do on our own without the assistance of a professional. Some people prefer to change their own oil or cut their own hair, so why not apply the same logic and save a little money and file your own workers’ compensation claim? It’s true that in a perfect world, if you were able to achieve the exact same result as you would have if you hired an attorney, you’ll take home a larger share of your settlement if you file without an attorney. Many people have filed and won their workers’ compensation claim on their own without the assistance of an attorney.

However, one of the biggest drawbacks is that the insurance company knows that you are filing on your own, and they may make you jump through extra hoops or give you a lowball offer because they hope you’ll mess something up or accept their first offer. That’s where having an attorney pays off. As we mentioned in our recent post titled “How Much Does A Work Comp Lawyer Cost?” we talked about how spending a little money on a lawyer can pay off in the long term in the form of a much bigger settlement or an accepted claim. If you forget to put the drainage cap back on your oil tank or you give yourself a bad haircut, it’s not the end of the world. If you screw up your workers’ compensation claim, you can miss out on tens of thousands of dollars or more.

The Complicated Workers’ Compensation Process

There are a couple of drawbacks associated with foregoing legal representation when you’re filing a workers’ compensation claim. As we mentioned above, not only is it difficult to maximize your claim without a lawyer, but all it takes is one accidental mistake to cripple your case. There are a number of deadlines and time constraints in which paperwork needs to filed in order to have a valid claim. Missing one of these deadlines, even if you didn’t mean to or it was an accident, can give the insurance company all the leverage it needs to deny your claim.

Along a similar vein, aside from ensuring you meet all the necessary deadlines, your workers’ compensation lawyer can explain some of the lesser known ways in which to maximize your claim. For example, did you know you can be compensated for gas mileage to physical therapy appointments, or that you may be able to visit a different doctor than the one assigned by your company? All of these little things can add up and take some stress out of the workers’ compensation process, so oftentimes a workers’ compensation lawyer will pay for himself multiple times over when all is said and done.

St. Louis Park Work Comp Lawyer

At the end of the day, it’s up to you whether you hire a workers’ compensation attorney or not. You may very well be able to win your case on your own, but if you have an attorney on your side, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing your claim will be filed correctly, you won’t miss a deadline and you’ll be maximizing your potential claim. To learn how Dean Margolis can help maximize your work comp claim, contact him today.