Firm News

We have added eight new case results to the case results page of the TSR Injury Law website. The results are detailed below.

If you were injured in an accident that was caused by negligence, we may be able to help you seek compensation for your damages. Visit our case results page to learn more about some of the cases we have worked on and the results we have obtained.

Our firm has recovered more than $1 billion on behalf of our clients and there are no upfront fees with our services.

Work Injury – Confidential

TSR obtained an eight-figure confidential settlement for a person who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a workplace accident.

Personal Injury – $12,000,000

Rich Ruohonen represented an individual in his 40s involved in an accident whose injuries resulted in amputation of his leg for a settlement of $12 million.

Truck Accident – $4,000,000

Partner Rich Ruohonen obtained a $4 million settlement for a woman who suffered a dominant arm injury caused by a crash with a commercial semi-truck.

Truck Accident – $875,000

Maria was seriously injured when she was stopped at a light and a garbage truck caused a crash in which it deflected off another vehicle and hit her stopped vehicle. Her vehicle was destroyed in the crash. The crash resulted in injuries including a broken leg requiring open reduction fixation surgery and a severe hematoma to the leg which required surgery to draining the hematoma. Partner Rich Ruohonen obtained a $875,000 settlement for Maria.

Car Accident – $325,000

Ben was injured when he was on his way to a job site and his van was rearended at a high rate of speed. He ended up having injuries including a cervical disc herniation resulting in neck pain and mild traumatic brain injury. Ben received several injections for the pain in his neck and therapy for his brain injury. Partner Rich Ruohonen was able to obtain a settlement for $325,000 for Ben.

Personal Injury – $1,000,000

N.R. suffered a severe, traumatic brain injury while under the care of commercial daycare provider. She is believed to have been shaken while at the day care by one of the workers. There were no cameras at the daycare to show what occurred. When she was picked up by her parent, she seemed lethargic and a police investigation ensued, and it was narrowed down to two workers that cared for her that day as being the cause of what occurred. Neither would admit that anything unusual occurred. Medical doctors confirmed this type of brain injury usually only occurs in the event a child is shaken. Partner Rich Ruohonen is well-known for representing children who are injured as a result of daycare provider negligence and was hired to represent N.R. He was able to secure a $1,000,000 settlement for N.R. Although N.R. still has ongoing effects from the traumatic brain injury, N.R. has improved far better than ever expected and should lead a normal life.

Car Accident – $140,000

R.K. was rearended when a teenager was going too fast in icy conditions and could not stop in time. R.K. suffered a mild traumatic brain injury with mild post-traumatic stress disorder. She also suffered neck and upper back injuries with associated headaches pain which were treated with occipital nerve blocks. The PTSD really only affected her ability to drive in snowy and icy conditions without anxiety. She received therapy for her PTSD as well. There were numerous accidents across the metro area that day due to icy roadways. The teenage driver of the car claimed there is nothing she could do as she slid on ice for several hundred feet. Partner Rich Ruohonen took her deposition and proved her inexperience in driving in icy conditions was the reason she crash into R.K. that day. This matter was resolved for the policy limits of $100,000 shortly after the deposition. The underinsured case then was settled for an additional $40,000 resulting in a total settlement of $140,000.

Motorcycle Accident – $175,000

Tim was injured in a motorcycle crash when an inattentive driver turned left in front of him. He tried to lay down the motorcycle before hitting the vehicle, but a collision occurred with the vehicle. The insurance company for the vehicle tried to state it was Tim’s fault for going too fast but TSR was able to obtain a video from local retail store which showed he was not going fast like the insurance company claimed. Tim had a cut on his head and suffered a concussion. He also developed headaches and neck and upper back pain. He was treated by a neurologist with trigger point injections and occipital nerve blocks approximately every three months for the neck pain and headaches. After receiving a minimal offer from the insurance company, TSR Partner Rich Ruohonen sued out the case and after significant litigation and a mediation was able to secure a recovery of $175,000 for Tim.

Were you injured by another’s negligence? Call TSR: (612) TSR-TIME.

TSR’s rapid growth in the last several years meant the firm needed a larger office space. After a yearlong search, they settled on the top two floors of 8300 Norman Center Drive and moved in last year.

Last month, Minnesota Lawyer wrote a story about the firm’s new office space, describing the journey to get there. The story discusses the unique features of the office and how it will allow the firm to make their vision a reality.

The Journey From the Basement to the Top Floor

TSR’s Managing Partner Steve Terry started his first firm in the basement of an office building back in 1997. Back then that was all he could afford.

In the 25 years since, TSR Injury Law was formed, and it has experienced rapid growth in the last several years.

This meant the old space at 494 and France was no longer big enough to accommodate the firm’s growing needs. TSR’s original office space was a long “L” shape, and over time the firm had expanded from one side of the L to the other. The space did not allow for the communication and cohesiveness Terry wanted.

Eventually, the firm decided on the top two floors of an office building overlooking Normandale Lake as their new location.

Unique Features of the New Office

As the overall square footage of the new space is less than what a firm the size of TSR would normally have, an interior design company was brought in to build out and optimize the new space according to the firm’s needs and vision.

To start, the first floor was designated to incorporate the reception and employee break areas, creating a warm and welcoming feel into the firm. In addition, offices were placed on the top floor giving employees a wonderful view of Normandale Lake below, while also increasing communication and cohesion.

The new office area has the benefit of full-length windows and a skylight in the middle of the floor. To take advantage of the natural light this provides, designers chose various shades of blue, complimented by lighter wood finishes. There is also art on the walls that are enjoyed by employees and clients alike. The overall effect is an unimposing and welcoming environment; a significant visual uplift over the beige colors and dark wood that predominated the old office decor.

Other unique features of the office include:

Terry says the designers created a whole new “feel” to the office, successfully achieving the welcoming, warm and collaborative space they were seeking.

The lawyers at TSR Injury Law are frequently asked to teach other lawyers about a wide range of topics, including trial practice. Yesterday, Partner Nate Bjerke presented at the Minnesota CLE seminar on trial preparation.

The all-day seminar was titled Trial Preparation: A Strategic Approach. Due to the weather, the seminar was presented live online instead of in-person.

From 10:25 to 11:25 a.m., Bjerke, along with Kathy S. Kimmel and Judge John R. Tunheim, taught a group of lawyers about preparing opening and closing statements. Their session was titled Preparing Your Opening and Closing Arguments – How to Strengthen Your Credibility with the Judge and the Jury.

The goal of the session was to help lawyers strengthen their credibility and make winning arguments.

The full seminar will be replayed online on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Minnesota Lawyer recently profiled TSR Injury Law Partner Charles Slane, who was elected president of the Minnesota Association for Justice (MNAJ) in August. We are so proud of Chuck for this tremendous accomplishment.

In the interview, Slane discusses the MNAJ, what he enjoys about representing injury victims, how he got into the legal profession, misconceptions people have about being an attorney, and more.

Slane said the MNAJ has done a lot for him and that is why he has pursued leadership roles within the association. The association lobbies to the state Legislature for laws that treat consumers fairly.

In the article, Slane talks about why he went to law school. How he did a lot of reading about the civil rights movement, and how it inspired him to help others. He enjoys how every case provides an opportunity to learn something new.

One of the common misconceptions people have about being an injury lawyer is that it is a glamorous job. However, Slane says it involves a lot of late nights reviewing evidence.

TSR Injury Law was the 2022 Regional Title Sponsor of Minnesota Walk Like MADD, which is MADD Minnesota’s main fundraising event. The walk supports the MADD Minnesota goal of increasing awareness of impaired driving and ending it.

This year’s walk took place last Saturday at 10 a.m. at Clifton E. French Regional Park in Plymouth, MN.

Our firm raised over $2,000. In total, the event raised $77,091 as of September 22. According to the event website, there were more than 200 fundraisers and 20 fundraising teams.

TSR has been a proud partner and participant in Walk Like MADD for over a decade. While MADD’s mission is to eliminate drunk and impaired driving, TSR’s mission is to hold these bad drivers accountable. Together we hope to make all Minnesotans safer on the roads.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the walk!

We are proud to announce firm partner Nate Bjerke (pictured on the far right) received the President’s Award for Outstanding Service from the Minnesota Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) earlier this month.

The award is recognition for judges and lawyers who show a commitment to preserving the right to a jury trial in civil cases, a right granted in the U.S. Constitution.

Bjerke and two others won the award for forming a committee for civics education for school-aged children to educate them on how the government and judicial system work.

We are also proud to announce Bjerke was voted as an officer of the Minnesota Chapter of ABOTA. He is going to serve as Secretary in 2023 and currently serves on the Executive Committee. Bjerke should advance to President of the Minnesota Chapter of ABOTA by 2026.

ABOTA has strict guidelines for admission, including trying a minimum of 10 cases as lead counsel and receiving recommendations from judges and lawyers an attorney has faced at trial.

The general purpose of ABOTA is to promote improvement in the ethical and technical standards of practice so individual litigants receive effective legal representation.

TSR Injury Law partner Charles D. Slane was elected president of the Minnesota Association for Justice (MNAJ) on August 19th at the MNAJ’s annual convention in Brainerd, Minnesota.

In the MNAJ’s announcement, TSR cofounder Steve Terry explained what makes Chuck a great lawyer, describing Chuck’s ability to listen and understand his clients.

“The only way that a lawyer can do a good job of representing a client in the courtroom is to listen to the client and understand what they have gone through. It is that experience that allows the story to be properly told, and that is what Chuck Slane is all about,” Steve Terry said.

The power of “storytelling to transform” is going to be the theme of Slane’s term as president. Members of the MNAJ and their clients are looking forward to Mr. Slane’s leadership as the association continues to evolve.

Mr. Slane is becoming president of the MNAJ after the COVID-19 pandemic transformed the practice of law.

“The global pandemic has transformed every aspect of our lives,” Slane said. “But there is one thing the pandemic did not change: the need for ordinary citizens harmed through the wrongful acts of others to assert their legal rights.”

Congratulations Chuck!

Our firm is a proud sponsor of Minnesota Mothers Against Drunk Driving (Minnesota MADD), which works to support victims and advocate for stronger laws to prevent drunk or impaired driving.

On May 26, 2022, partner Steven Terry was honored to award many law enforcement officers for their dedicated service in trying to keep drunk and impaired drivers off our state’s roads.

Thank you for your service as you work to keep us safe!

Are There Any Upfront Fees?

At TSR Injury Law, we charge no upfront fees to help determine if you have a case, no upfront fees while we build your case and no upfront fees while we work on your case. At the end of the legal process – when your case reaches a settlement or a jury verdict – we charge a percentage of your total, awarded compensation. The percentage varies, depending on your type of case and this can be discussed during a consultation with a lawyer at our firm.

Why Do We Handle Cases This Way?

By not charging our fees in advance, it provides a risk-free way for injury victims to consider their legal options without financial pressure. It also helps victims to level the legal playing field – claims are often against large insurance agencies and companies that have full teams of lawyers and support staff.

Our award-winning legal team have successfully handled many cases against such competition and understand how they build the cases that they handle. We use that knowledge to help build a strong argument for your maximum compensation recovery.

What Happens During an Initial Consultation?

The initial consultation is a completely free, no-obligation opportunity for potential clients. In this meeting, we determine whether you may have a valid case and answer any questions that you may have about your case and how we can help you. We also explain more about our fees, including what they are and when we collect payment for our services.

If you have a case and choose to hire our law firm, your attorney will provide a contract that will include the fees as discussed. Both you and your attorney must sign the contract before work can begin.

What Happens at the Conclusion of My Case?

At the end of the legal process, when your case either reaches a settlement or the jury awards you compensation after a trial, your attorney will provide you with a closing statement. You can review the total amount of compensation awarded as well as our costs and fees. We can also help if you have outstanding medical liens that you need help resolving and bill those costs through your compensation. However, no money is disbursed until you have reviewed and signed the closing statement.

Once all the outstanding costs and attorney fees are paid out, the client receives the remainder of the compensation. If we do not recover compensation for you, we do not get paid.

Do Some Attorneys Use Other Types of Fee Arrangements?

Some attorneys use an upfront type of fee arrangement that can be costly and difficult for most people to afford. Lawyers may require thousands of dollars to retain their services before any work begins. After that, clients pay a hefty set fee per hour, often hundreds of dollars or more. These costs are expected up front. They are not advanced costs that you can hold off paying until your case concludes.

The Attorneys at TSR Injury Law are Ready to Help

When it is time to call for legal help, reach out to our licensed attorneys at TSR Injury Law. We have been representing injured victims in Minnesota for more than 20 years. Our proven track record includes millions in compensation obtained on behalf of our clients.

You can reach our firm 24/7 by calling our toll-free number. We also have a convenient contact form online that you can complete and submit to get a return call from our firm.

Call TSR Injury Law for Legal Help at no-risk to you: (612) TSR-TIME

We are excited to announce that two of our partners were selected for The Power 30: Personal Injury Law. Nate Bjerke and Rich Ruohonen were chosen for the inaugural edition of this list, that was created by Saint Paul’s legal ledger, Minnesota Lawyer.

Rich Ruohonen is an award-winning attorney who has been voted a Minnesota Super Lawyers every year since 2003. He was twice selected as Minnesota Lawyer Attorney of the Year and is also a former president of the Minnesota Association for Justice. Rich tried the first COVID civil trial in the State of Minnesota in September 2020 and received a jury award of over $250,000.

Rich has helped numerous accident victims secure compensation, including a recovery of $3 million for a nurse who suffered a brain injury in a semi-truck crash.

Nate Bjerke has won personal injury cases all over the nation and has been selected a Top 100 Super Lawyer each year since 2014. Nate is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100. Nate also gives lectures and teaches trial practice skills to lawyers all over the nation.

Bjerke’s profile on the Minnesota Lawyer website notes that his career trajectory sounds like a plot in one of John Grisham’s novels.

As this Power Series advertisement says, “Those who know us are not surprised!”

Congratulations Rich and Nate on receiving this fantastic award!

Concerned about coronavirus but injured from an accident? TSR Injury Law offers a free no-obligation consultation and electronic signups, so you never need to leave home to get experienced legal representation.

Our initial legal consultation is completely free, and you do not need to come to our office. We can conduct your free claim review, process the case-filing forms and obtain your electronic signature without you ever having to leave home.

Submit Our Case Evaluation Form Online

We provide a FREE Case Evaluation form online for your convenience. You can avoid unnecessary public contact and initiate a callback from one of our experienced attorneys in Minnesota.

Once you have submitted the form by clicking the “SUBMIT” bar you can rest assured someone will call you back shortly.

Consultations by Phone

You can also do a free consultation by phone. This is a chance for us to review your claim and for you to ask any questions you have. Call to schedule a free consultation with a licensed attorney. A representative from our firm is always available to answer your phone call.

We Offer E-signature Convenience

You can also formalize case forms using eSign, which offers the assurance of encrypted security combined with the convenience of signing from anywhere, and you do not need to print anything.

We can conduct your free initial claim review, assess the merit of your potential claim, and process and get your case forms signed, all without you ever having to leave your home.

This is yet another way TSR Injury Law puts clients first.

Contact Our Trusted Lawyers for Help

We are here to help. Contact our firm to arrange for your free consultation with one of our Minnesota personal injury lawyers today. If you have a valid case and we represent you, there are zero upfront costs to pay, because we do not get paid unless you do.

Our firm has once again taken part in the Toys for Tots toy drive. We donated toys for boys and girls between the ages of three and 18.

We are delighted to continue giving back to the community we serve. Since 1998, our legal team has been advocating for injury victims and their families throughout Minnesota.

The Toys for Tots program has distributed 566 million toys since 1947 and supported 258 million children. Local campaigns to collect toys are the heart of this initiative, which is managed by dedicated United States Marines and local volunteers.

From all of us here at TSR Injury Law, we wish you Happy Holidays.