Whether it’s fair or not, when something bad happens, we oftentimes look to place the blame on someone or something else. Was it someone else’s fault that something bad happened to you, or is there nobody else to blame but yourself?
Fault plays an interesting role in the injury claims process in Minnesota. In some instances, fault will make or break your claim, whereas in other types of injury cases, who is at fault doesn’t matter at all. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at different types of injury claims and explain when fault matters and when it doesn’t in Minnesota.
Injury Claims And The Blame Game
Let’s explore three common types of injury claims in Minnesota – workers’ compensation, personal injury and car accidents – and explain when fault matters for your claim.
Fault In Workers’ Compensation – When it comes to workers’ compensation claims in Minnesota, it doesn’t matter who is to blame for your injuries so long as you didn’t intentionally inflict the injuries on yourself. Workers are a protected class in Minnesota and throughout the United States, and as long as your injuries meet a very basic criteria, it doesn’t matter if you were to blame for your injuries or a co-worker played a role in your accident. If you were injured during the course of your work duties and suffered real and compensable injuries, you can pursue injury compensation, regardless of anyone’s fault in the matter. If you fell off a ladder at work because you leaned too far to one side, you’ll be eligible for injury compensation.
Fault In Personal Injury – Conversely, determining fault is incredibly important in Minnesota personal injury cases. In order to have a valid injury claim against another person or entity, they must hold the majority of the fault. You can be partly to blame, but if the court determines that you hold more than half the blame, you’re not going to be eligible for a personal injury lawsuit. You may know that the other party is clearly at fault, either as a result of their actions or negligence, but you need to prove this with your claim and to the court. The best way to do that is by bringing a personal injury lawyer into the fold. They’ll work to build an airtight case and showcase how little fault you hold in the situation, because the more someone else is to blame, the bigger your potential payday becomes. Determining and proving fault is the crux of a Minnesota personal injury claim.
Car Accidents – Interestingly, fault does and doesn’t matter when it comes to car insurance claims in Minnesota. Minnesota is a No Fault state, meaning that you don’t need to prove fault in order to have a valid car accident claim. You can be involved in an accident and file a claim with your own automobile insurance provider without fault deciding your case. With that said, if your damages or medical bills exceed your personal injury protection policy limits ($20,000 for medical expenses and $20,000 for non-medical expenses, with some other exceptions), then you can go after the other driver for additional compensation if they were at fault for your accident. Again, connecting with a personal injury attorney is imperative if you’re going to build a case against another driver that they hold the fault for your injuries and expenses. Fault may not matter for minor fender benders, but it does for major accidents or in the event you suffer significant injuries.
We want to be your legal resource if you’re filing an injury claim in Minnesota, regardless of whether or not fault matters for your case. Let us build a strong claim and help you maximize your award amount. For more information, or for help with a specific part of your injury claim, connect with the team at Hey Workers today at (844) 439-9675.
