Duluth Minnesota Injury Blog | Falsani, Balmer, Peterson & Balmer

Property owners must keep their properties safe

On behalf of Falsani, Balmer, Peterson & Balmer posted in premises liability claims on Tuesday, December 11, 2018.

When a premises is not safe, there is a chance that you could be hurt. If you are hurt, then you could be a person who has the right to file a premises liability claim. A premises liability claim is designed to help you get financial support during the time you need to get care. It's also a way to hold the owner of a property responsible for their negligence leading up to your injury.

In a premises liability claim, it's normally the owner of a structure or property who is to blame for injuries. It is the responsibility of these individuals to maintain a safe environment.

How long do you have to file a workers' compensation claim?

On behalf of Falsani, Balmer, Peterson & Balmer posted in workers' compensation on Wednesday, November 28, 2018.

If you have to file a workers' compensation claim, you should be aware that there are time limits in place. You have only a limited amount of time to make your claim and to recover the compensation you need for your injuries.

With workers' compensation, it's important to file a claim as soon as possible. You're entitled to several kinds of benefits including medical care, coverage for wage loss, death benefits and vocational rehabilitation. However, you have to file a claim soon enough that it's possible to get those benefits.

Overloading a big rig is a leading cause of truck crashes

On behalf of Falsani, Balmer, Peterson & Balmer on Monday, November 26, 2018.

An 18-wheeler is a massive vehicle both in terms of size and weight. Overloaded cargo can easily cause a semi to be off balance and a danger to other motorists.

Overloading, in fact, is a major cause of truck-related crashes. The resulting lawsuits are often complex, involving multiple negligent parties.

Crash results in 1 death, 1 in critical condition in Minnesota

On behalf of Falsani, Balmer, Peterson & Balmer posted in motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, November 14, 2018.

When traffic is slowed or stopped, you have to pay attention. You might need to start forward and stop again quickly, or what seems like a slowdown might actually be a full stop ahead.

If a driver does not stop for stopped traffic, they can cause serious or fatal injuries. Take, for example, this case out of Minnesota. There was a three-vehicle crash on Highway 169 when a vehicle failed to stop and pushed a second vehicle into the tail end of a semitruck.

What kinds of products are likely to cause injuries to children?

On behalf of Falsani, Balmer, Peterson & Balmer posted in dangerous children's products liability and negligence on Thursday, November 1, 2018.

There are many kinds of children's products that can pose a threat to your loved ones. Some of these dangerous products may include swings, walkers, bassinets, bunk beds and play yards.

When using these products, parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents and others trust that the child using them won't be harmed. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case.

Know the benefits offered with workers' compensation in Minnesota

On behalf of Falsani, Balmer, Peterson & Balmer posted in workers' compensation on Tuesday, October 16, 2018.

If you're hurt on the job, you may not be someone who has to stay off the job forever. Many people who suffer injuries do recover over time. If that's you, then you are able to seek out help with your rehabilitation benefits.

With rehabilitation benefits, you may be able to obtain several services that can help you find the right position for your return to the workforce. It may be that you can no longer do what you did in the past, but you could be entitled to services to help you find a job that suits you as you are today.

Work-zone crash draws attention to the dangers of highways

On behalf of Falsani, Balmer, Peterson & Balmer posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, October 5, 2018.

A motor vehicle accident that took place in Minnesota left one person dead, and it may lead to charges for the driver involved. According to the reports, a semitruck rear-ended a truck that was pulling a trailer. This resulted in the trailer and truck entering into a spin while on Highway I-94.

When the truck spun, it entered into a work zone and impacted a 59-year-old man at the scene. The most tragic part of this story is that the incident was completely avoidable.

Workers' compensation claims and the opioid epidemic

On behalf of Falsani, Balmer, Peterson & Balmer on Friday, September 28, 2018.

The opioid epidemic in America has been a hot topic in the media lately. The rates of abuse, addiction and overdose are high, particularly among millennials and teens. In just one year, the Midwest alone had a 70 percent rise in overdoses, reveals the National Institute on Drug Abuse. This data brings the issue closer to home.

The numbers are worrying all around, but one demographic that needs more attention is those who are taking opioids due to a workplace injury. How does the system treat injured workers who become addicted to or overdose on their prescription medication?

Slipping at a garden center: Making your claim

On behalf of Falsani, Balmer, Peterson & Balmer posted in premises liability claims on Thursday, September 20, 2018.

You went to a garden shop hoping to find products that you could use around your home. You realized that some areas would have water, and you knew that some of the items on the property could be dangerous. However, you didn't expect the ground to be slick in the areas where water was running. The pathway was clearly marked for visitors to use, and there were no signs to let you know that it would be slick.

When you fell, you caught yourself, but you hurt your wrists. As someone who has to work an office job, a trade or generally use your hands in your daily life, this has made a significant impact on your daily activities. You are in a position to make a premises liability claim.

Are you covered by workers' compensation?

On behalf of Falsani, Balmer, Peterson & Balmer posted in workers' compensation on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

In Minnesota, workers who are employed have a right to workers' compensation by law in most cases. If you are hurt on the job, then you can seek workers' compensation to help cover your medical losses as well as lost wages.

There are some important deadlines you need to know. First, you have only 14 days to notify your employer of your injuries if you wish to receive the maximum benefits. There is also a three-year limit on the ability to recover compensation or determine there was an injury.