Experienced Legal Help For Injured And Disabled People

Helping Injured South Dakota Workers Maximize The Benefits They Recover

A workplace injury can change an entire career. Even injuries that a worker can recover from completely and return to the job may require an extensive recovery period during which the employee may not be able to work at all.

South Dakota workers’ compensation laws protect injured workers by stipulating that if they are injured on the job, they may be able to recover:

  • The full cost of medical treatment that is directly related to the workplace injury
  • A portion of their lost wages as a result of temporary or permanent disability
  • Expenses for retraining or education if they are unable to return to their previous job
  • Death benefits for surviving family members if a workplace injury results in death

All of this makes workers’ compensation benefits sound like a reliable safety net in the event of injury. Unfortunately, employers’ insurance companies often undervalue the benefits that an injured worker qualifies to receive, or they deny legitimate claims completely. The insurance companies are out to protect their own bottom lines, and employers want to keep their workers’ compensation insurance costs as low as possible.

When a dispute over a workers’ compensation claim occurs, it is wise to enlist the assistance of a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney who can help you navigate the dispute process and recover the benefits you deserve. In Sioux Falls, Watertown, Yankton and statewide, that law firm is Christensen Law Office, PC.

Fighting For What’s Right For Injured Workers

If you have been injured on the job and your claim to recover workers’ compensation benefits has been denied, you may request mediation with the Division of Labor and Management. If mediation is unsuccessful, or if you do not wish to pursue mediation, you may file a petition for a hearing before an administrative law judge. This must be done within two years of the date that your benefits were denied.

You may enter into mediation or pursue a formal hearing without legal representation. However, enlisting the representation of a personal injury lawyer can be extremely helpful in obtaining the full amount of benefits you deserve. Our knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney will help collect all of the medical records necessary to support your claim and develop the strongest possible case on your behalf.

Attorney Renee H. Christensen brings nearly three decades of experience to each client. She will advocate assertively in negotiations with your employers’ insurance company as well as before an administrative law judge in a formal hearing if necessary.

Ms. Christensen works directly with each client from the initial consultation through the resolution of the case. She blends compassion with conviction and commitment to produce the best possible outcome.

Schedule A Free Consultation

Under South Dakota law, an injured worker has three days to provide written notice of a work-related injury to an employer and one year from the date of the accident to file a workers’ comp claim. A worker can also seek benefits if he or she aggravates or exacerbates a preexisting injury through work-related activity.

In some instances, injured workers receive the benefits they deserve without the need for a lawyer. In others, the insurance company disputes the claim and legal representation is the best way for an injured worker to protect his or her rights. If you are wrestling with an insurance provider over a workers’ compensation claim, call our office at 605-206-5872 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.

We accept workers’ compensation cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we only receive a payment if we help you obtain a recovery. State law dictates the amount we get paid, and it fluctuates depending upon whether it is resolved without a hearing, after a hearing or if either side files an appeal. Our goal is to put more money in your pocket than you would recover without us, even after our fees are paid.