Personal Injury

TSR Injury Law cares about your discomfort, pain, and fear of the future — and we want to help. If your Bell’s palsy was sustained in a motor vehicle accident due to the negligence of another, you deserve compensation for medical expenses, therapy, lost wages, disfigurement, and pain and suffering. Contact a Minneapolis Bell’s Palsy Lawyer at (612) TSR-TIME. Our lawyers have years of experience. We will work tirelessly to achieve a fair settlement.

Bell’s Palsy

Bell’s palsy is the paralysis of the facial nerve, called the seventh cranial nerve. An injury to the head or neck may lead to inflammation and swelling of the seventh cranial nerve — which may inhibit, damage, or kill the nerve. Bell’s palsy is usually a temporary paralysis; but if the nerve is killed, there is the possibility for some permanent damage.

The facial nerve has six- to seven-thousand nerve fibers that conduct electrical signals from the brain to the facial muscles, controlling contraction. Nerves have the capability to regenerate. If the facial nerve dies, the problem with regeneration is that there is no mechanism that reconnects the nerve fibers to the same muscle. The nerve fibers may actually implant into the wrong muscles of the face. This is referred to as synkinesis.

With synkinesis, the brain will send a signal for a muscle to contract, but since the nerve fiber is connected to a different part of the face, the wrong area will respond. So, if the eye was supposed to close, the eyebrow may raise instead. This may sound insignificant or even humorous, but in reality, it is frustrating, debilitating, and dangerous (in the example, the eye could suffer damage because it did not get protection from the eyelid).

Bell’s Palsy Symptoms

There are many symptoms of Bell’s palsy. Very few cases exhibit all of the symptoms.

• Eye-related symptoms: cannot close eye completely, drooping eyelid, excessive tears, inability to produce tears, tears fail to coat and protect cornea, sensitivity to light
• Mouth-related symptoms: drooping of one side of the mouth, drooling, sense of taste impaired or lost, difficulty eating, drinking and swallowing, difficulty speaking, asymmetrical smile
• Ear-related symptoms: sensitivity to sound, pain in/near ear, balance problems
• Nasal-related symptoms: nose either constantly runny or stuffy, sinus problems
• General symptoms: forehead wrinkles disappear, muscle weakness or paralysis, overall droopy facial appearance, facial swelling, headaches, neck pains, memory problems, facial spasms

There is controversy in how to treat Bell’s palsy. With incomplete paralysis, treatment is usually unnecessary, because spontaneous recovery is common. When the paralysis is more severe, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and therapy are prescribed.

Minneapolis Bell’s Palsy Attorney

Any impairment to the face is very difficult, stressful, and can affect one’s self-esteem and lead to issues with socialization and depression. If this impairment was due to negligence, legal representation could improve the possibility of fair compensation. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form. Our partners have years of experience handling complex medical cases.

TSR Injury Law has extensive experience with pedestrian accident lawsuits involving internal injuries and organ damage. Steve Terry, Chuck Slane, Rich Ruohonen, and Nate Bjerke are skilled, aggressive personal injury lawyers and well-known for their ability to litigate complex medical cases, with settlements into the millions.

Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form. We will carefully investigate your case, hire experts, and determine how the accident occurred and if more than one party was at fault.

Pedestrian Statistics

Pedestrian accident statistics are staggering. Nearly 5,000 pedestrians are killed in pedestrian accidents each year and another 65,000 pedestrians are injured.

Many of the pedestrians accidents are caused by driver negligence. Driver negligence includes:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks
• Driving under the influence
• Careless turns at intersections
• Failure to come to a complete stop

Pedestrian Accidents

Many pedestrian accident injuries include organ damage caused by blunt force. Blunt force injury produces damage by direct impact, rapid deceleration, or rotational forces. Blunt force may compromise blood supply to organs and cause massive soft tissue injury to the abdominal wall. The organs most commonly involved in blunt force trauma are the spleen, liver, and kidneys.

20% of post-injury deaths are related to abdominal injuries associated with blunt or penetrating trauma. It is vital to check for abdominal injury following a pedestrian accident.

Organ Damage Claims in MN

If you have sustained life-changing internal injuries from a pedestrian accident, you need expert legal representation. Our partners have been named Super Lawyers many times by Minnesota Law & Politics. We recently received a 1.5 million dollar verdict in a pedestrian accident. To speak to an injury lawyer near Minneapolis, call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free contact form today.

Steve Terry, Chuck Slane, Rich Ruohonen, and Nate Bjerke have years of experience handling broken bone injury cases and will effectively represent you in your accident injury claim. Call 612-TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

Ulna – Radial Fractures

Forearm fractures occur mostly due to car accidents or slip and fall accidents. There are also some cases of blunt trauma breaks in workplace accidents.

For adults, fractures in both the ulna and radius usually requires surgery to stabilize the arm; without surgery there is no way to ensure the bones are properly aligned. Additionally, the bones must be reached through separate incisions on either side of the arm.

Fractures are classified as open or closed fractures. If there is a puncture at the site of the break, it is an open fracture. Open fractures need to be treated immediately by an orthopedic specialist to reduce the possibility of infection. The specialist will perform a neurological examination to assess sensory and motor functions. A vascular examination is necessary, too.

There are classifications of open fractures depending on:

• the size of the puncture
• the amount of contamination
• the amount of soft tissue damage
• whether there is adequate bone coverage
• if there is arterial damage

Very often the extent of the damage is not known until surgery.

Types of Arm Fractures

• Colles fracture describes a break across the ends of both the radius and ulna, which results in a backward and outward position of the hand in relation to the wrist. This is called a hyperextension injury. This is the most common wrist fracture.
• Smith’s fracture is an injury where the end of the radius heads downward toward the palm. This is called a hyperflexion injury and is sometimes called a reverse Colles fracture.
• Barton’s fracture involves the upper edge of the radius and the joint surface, and is usually accompanied by partial displacement, called subluxation, of the wrist with carpal bone displacement.
• Hutchinson fracture refers to an isolated fracture of the radial bone, usually caused by direct trauma to the radial side of the wrist.

Ulnar Radial Fracture Rehabilitation

If you have sustained a fractured ulna or radius, rehabilitation will vary depending on the type of fracture and length of immobilization. Rehabilitation may include both physical therapy and occupational therapy.

The primary emphasis of physical therapy is to restore full range of motion and strength. Physical therapy is also helpful in reducing pain. The intensity of physical therapy is based upon stability of the fracture and wither it was an open or closed fracture. Special attention must be paid to regain the ability to have full palm-up position and full palm-down position. Occupational therapy may be necessary in dominant arm breaks. Hand dominance will influence the degree of disability during recovery.

The bones usually heal within 6 to 12 weeks. It takes longer for bone strength and load bearing capabilities to return. It can take up to several years. It is important to refrain from overloading the fracture site until the bone has regained its full strength.

Minnesota Ulnar Radial Fracture Lawyer

Our Minnesota Ulnar Radial Fracture Attorneys are capable, dynamic litigators with extensive experience. We will do all of the paperwork, handle the insurance companies, and file your claim. Call 612-TSR-TIME or submit our contact form.

We care about people who have been injured and we can help you file a claim to obtain deserved compensation. Call TSR today at 612-TSR-TIME or complete our online form and we’ll get in touch – we are here, waiting to take your call.

Spinal Injury Statistics

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, there are more than 250,000 people in the United States living with a spinal cord injury. There are many more people that are living with other spinal injuries.The Minnesota spinal injury lawyers of TSR Injury Law believe that you should not have to suffer the consequences of an accident that was not your fault. We have helped thousands of people recover millions in compensation.Our partners have been named Minnesota Super Lawyers many times by Minnesota Law & Politics. To contact Steve Terry, Chuck Slane, Rich Ruohonen, or Nate Bjerke about your Minnesota spinal injury case, call 612-TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

Types of Spinal Injury

Our Minnesota spinal injury lawyers have the necessary experience and insight to handle virtually any spinal damage case. We are prepared to do the research, arrange expert testimonials, and handle the litigation for a variety of spinal injury cases. Contact us for more information about:

• Burst Fractures
• Compression Fracture
• Herniated Disc
• Facet Joint Injuries
• Soft Tissue Injury
• Spinal Stenosis
• Paraplegia
• Back Injury
• Radiofrequency Neurotomy (RFN) (treatment for facet joint injuries)
• Spinal Fusion (treatment for herniated discs)
• Laminectomy (treatment for spinal stenosis)

In addition to the pain and suffering these injuries can cause, they often require extensive, costly, and life-long medical treatments. If you are a victim of a spinal injury due to negligence, you may be able to obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Causes of Spinal Damage

Spinal injuries are often caused by fully preventable accidents such as:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Sports Injuries
• Falls

Collisions involving automobiles are responsible for thousands of spinal injuries every year, including facet joint injuries (whiplash), vertebrae fractures, and paralysis.Whiplash is often thought of as a minor injury, but the truth is that severe cases can cause debilitating pain for months or years. The abnormal movements associated with whiplash may result in chronic neck pain, psychological problems, or even permanent disability. More importantly, any injury inflicted on an innocent party is unacceptable. That is why our Minnesota spinal injury lawyers strive for justice for our clients.

Contact Minnesota Spinal Injury Lawyers

We handle our cases with both efficiency and compassion. To discuss what we can do for you, contact us at 612-TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form today – we’re here to help you get the help you deserve.

Tragedy struck 2 workers who were contracted to wash windows for Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital, in St. Louis Park. The two window washers were on their scaffolding, three floors up, near the emergency room entrance, when the scaffolding fell. One man was pronounced dead at the scene the second worker is in serious condition at Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis.

A spokesman for the hospital was not sure if the men had been wearing safety gear. The company the men worked for declined making a statement. Investigators and OSHA were called to the scene. Names have not been released.

Third Party Liability Claim

In a situation like this, it is probably in the best interests of the victims to pursue third party liability claims. Third party liability claims are intricate; therefore, you need experienced legal council to protect your rights and secure fair compensation.

This tragedy falls under two categories of third party liability claims:

• injured on the job while working on property belonging to someone other than your employer
• injured at work due to a defective product or piece of equipment

Prompt attention is imperative to ensure evidence is secured. You have to adhere to strict guidelines or your claim could be jeopardized. Call TSR Injury Law at 612-TSR-TIME or submit our contact form. Our personal injury attorneys know the law and we have a reputation for obtaining excellent settlements in third party liability cases in Minnesota.

A husband and wife were crossing a street in Fond du Lac about 7 a.m., Thursday morning, when they were struck by an SUV that was driven by a 30-year-old Fond du Lac woman.

67-year-old Carolyn Muckerheide, of St. Cloud, Minnesota, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her 74-year-old husband, Eugene, was stabilized at the scene and flown to Theda Clark Medical Center for medical treatment for his serious injuries.

The driver of the SUV and her 2-year-old son were not injured in the accident. Police are continuing to investigate the accident.

There are many complicated legal issues involved in a pedestrian accident. It is critical for you to seek experienced legal representation. The accident needs to be investigated and evidence preserved. This is especially true if it is a matter of wrongful death. Even if the pedestrian was partially at fault in the accident, you may be able to pursue a claim for damages.

Our Minneapolis personal injury lawyers are skilled litigators with years of experience in all types of accidents, including pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, car accidents, and drunk driving accidents. They are consistently named Super Lawyers by Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine and Law & Politics. Partner Chuck Slane is licensed to practice law in Wisconsin and regularly does so. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

Medical negligence occurs when a medical service provider fails to adequately provide the service that she or he is supposed to provide. For example, when a knee surgeon operates on the wrong knee, she has committed medical negligence. When any type of surgeon forgets to remove a surgery tool from within a patient’s body, he has committed medical negligence.

Medical negligence is a serious problem in the United States. For example, a Harvard University study found that in a certain year medical negligence resulted in 80,000 deaths and 234,000 injuries. A recent Institute of Medicine study found that on average 44,000 to 98,000 patients die in hospitals every year due to medical negligence. Moreover, medical negligence claims have remained relatively stable with slight decreases from 90,000 to around 85,000 every year from 1995 to 2000.

Such high numbers should not be very surprising considering the stressful hours that doctors work. Some work through the night, while others work 24-48 hours straight. Moreover, residents are made to work even more than regular doctors. Add the fact that some doctors may be working on multiple patients at once in a hectic environment, and the chances of medical negligence skyrocket.

But doctors are paid high fees to ensure that they perform their work correctly the first time because, as the numbers indicate, their actions make the difference between life and death.

Are you or a loved one a victim of medical negligence? Contact the team at TSR Injury Law and speak to a lawyer today. Your initial consultation is free.

A Loretto semi-trailer truck repair business had a blast Monday morning. A 20’ high hole was blown out of the side of the facility in an explosion, sending three employees to North Memorial Medical Center, Robbinsdale, with minor injuries.

According to Medina Police Chief Ed Belland, the workplace accident happened when employees, at Gary’s Diesel Service, attempted to remove the top from a 1,000 gallon fuel tank. The explosion happened at about 11:30 a.m. Monday morning. The building then caught on fire. Firefighters from Loretto, Maple Plain, and Hanover responded to the call and were able to put the blaze out quickly.

There are special safety standards in place for workplaces that have explosive atmospheres. The proper precautionary measures must be up-to-date in addressing the prevention and control of workplace explosions. OSHA, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, has regulations set in place for work environments that contain potentially reactive chemicals.

Workplace Safety

Employees trust that their work place will be a safe work environment. However, accidents do happen, and they can be very dangerous. Material safety data sheets must be posted in the area that contains the explosive products. A list of safety procedures to follow in the event of a chemical mishap must also be posted. The correct fire extinguishers visibly at hand, too. Should the workplace be in violation of these standards, it is at risk of being punished by OSHA.

If you have been injured in a work explosion or accident, call a Minneapolis injury attorney at TSR Injury Law today. Our partners are skilled, aggressive litigators with years of experience in personal injury cases. We also handle cases of negligence, dog bite injuries, premises liability, and product liability.

Homeowner liability accidents are ones that happen on someone else’s property. If you attend a friend’s party and slip and fall, if your child has a serious accident on your neighbor’s trampoline or if your husband drowns in a mate’s pool, all of these instances fall under the homeowner liability laws. If you or someone you love has been injured on someone else’s property, then you may be eligible for financial compensation, either from the homeowner or through their homeowner’s insurance company. Find out more about your legal rights by speaking to a Minnesota accident lawyer as soon as you can.

Free Consultation – Ph: (612) TSR-TIME.

Common Homeowner Liability Claims

Homeowner liability or property liability cases include any serious accident or injury that occurs on someone else’s property. This may include:

• Dog bites and animal attacks
• Trampoline accidents
• Pool drowning and injuries
• Slip and falls due to a slippery area, faulty staircases or poor lighting
• Balcony collapses
• Electrical shocks
• Burn injuries

How Homeowner Liability Insurance Works

Homeowners are required to purchase liability insurance as part as their homeowners’ insurance policy. Renters may also have liability insurance if they have chosen renter’s insurance. If not, then the landlord or owner of the building will have it.

The biggest problem with homeowner liability is that it is not clear cut. Insurance providers may only offer you the bare minimum and may even deny your claim the first time around. Dealing with a claim denial at this time if your life is the last thing you need. Speak to the experts to help you investigate and determine how much you are actually entitled to. We will make sure that there is no difference between your entitlement and your settlement.

Serious accidents that occur at a friend’s house can be hard on your emotionally and physically. You may feel that if you do ask for compensation that you are jeopardizing the friendship. However, you are entitled to compensation. If you are suffering from a serious accident you may be unable to work, to cover the additional medical costs and to continue to pay your own bills. Compensation from a homeowner’s liability case can help you recover damages to pay for:

• Lost wages
• Medical equipment and medication
• Rehabilitation
• Surgery, hospitalization and consultation costs
• And more

You need to put your needs first. Your friend will understand. Homeowners liability insurance is there for a reason- make sure you use it to help you get back on your feet.

Contact a Minnesota Homeowner Liability Lawyer

At TSR Injury Law it is our goal to help you claim the compensation you deserve when faced with a homeowner or property liability case. We will work with you to ensure that the person or company responsible pays the necessary damages. We have the experience to represent you the whole way, even if the case goes to trial. Contact our team of Minneapolis personal injury lawyers today for a free initial consultation at (612) TSR-TIME.

A St. Paul police officer responded to a 911 call about a dog biting someone and he was then bitten himself by the same dog.

Mark Lindquist, suffered puncture wounds to his leg after the dog bite, as well as torn pants and broken glasses.

Lundquist and another officer had responded to the call on Central Avenue on the morning of December 16. The call said that someone had been bitten by a dog.

Upon arrival, they found a woman in hysterics because the offending dog was one she was taking care of for the dog’s owner. She had been trying to put the dog back into its kennel when it turned on her and bit her arm, according to the report.

After the bite, someone else put the dog on a leash and took it outside.

When the officers arrived, they saw a 6-year-old girl and a 13-year-old girl walking the dog across the street. The 13-year-old was holding the leash, which was just a piece of nylon rope of around 3 or 4 feet tied to a metal chain. The officers noted that the girl was having difficulty controlling the dog.

Charlie Williamson, the uncle of the girls, told them to take the dog to the officers. This is when Lundquist tried to get information from the girls about what was going on, but they had difficulty doing so.

When Lundquist turned to head back to the house where the bite victim was, the 13-year-old let go of the leash and the dog latched on to Lundquist’s calf. When the dog let go and started to attack again, Lundquist shot and killed the dog.

A witness said in the report that Williamson had told the girl to let the dog go because they had grown tired of the dog.

Williamson has now been charged with aiding and abetting fifth-degree assault, aiding and abetting obstruction of legal process with force, and aiding and abetting an animal attack. If you are bitten by a dog that is owned by another person, you may be eligible to sue for damages. To learn more about your options, contact a Minneapolis dog bite lawyer at TSR Injury Law today for a free evaluation of your claim.

No Upfront Fees. Ph: (612) TSR-TIME.

The medial collateral ligament is located on the inside of the knee. It attaches the femur to the fibula and prevents the knee from bending inward. It is one of four ligaments that support and stabilize the knee.

Minnesota MCL Tear

The MCL can be torn with a direct hit from the side, in slip and fall accidents, car accidents, or truck accidents. This type of injury usually presents with localized pain, swelling, bruising, and possible instability. MCL tears are divided into three grades.

• Grade 1 MCL Tear is an incomplete tear with few symptoms. Rest, ice treatment, and anti-inflammatory medication is recommended. Recovery is about 1-2 weeks.
• Grade 2 MCL Tear is also an incomplete tear but with moderate symptoms. The pain and swelling is worse than a grade 1 MCL tear and the knee feels unstable when turning or pivoting. A hinged knee brace may be recommended for a period of time. It helps to elevate the leg whenever possible to reduce blood flow to the injury. Recovery is about 3-4 weeks.
• Grade 3 MCL Tear is a complete tear of the MCL with significant pain, swelling, and instability. A knee immobilizer is recommended for the first 10 days after injury. This is followed by a hinged knee brace. Right from the beginning the knee needs to be flexed several times a day. Complete recovery is about 3-4 months. Surgery may be recommended if the MCL tear is accompanied by an ACL tear.

MCL Tear Legal Counsel

MCL tears are difficult to value. Many insurance companies minimize this injury and believe surgery is never necessary. It is vital to have a knowledgeable personal injury attorney fighting for your rights. At TSR Injury Law, our partners have years of experience and extensive medical knowledge. At professional personal injury lawyers in Minneapolis, we will aggressively pursue your case. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our contact form.

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A mechanical blade is used to cut a flap in the cornea, leaving a hinge on one side of the cornea. The flap is folded back revealing the midsection of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the corneal cells and the flap is replaced.

Risks and Limitations

Even with the most skilled surgeons you can experience complications and serious consequences, including malfunction of a device or other error, such as cutting a flap of cornea all the way through instead of making a hinge during LASIK surgery, may lead to discontinuation of the procedure or irreversible damage to the eye.

Some complications after surgery are:

According to the FDA, 700,000 LASIK surgeries are performed in the United States each year. 35,000 of the patients are dissatisfied with the outcome and 7,000 people suffer severe complications — including extremely uncomfortable eye dryness, intense eye pain, or varying degrees of blindness. Some patients have even become depressed from the constant pain and committed suicide. Two years after surgery one patient described the pain as “debilitating and unremitting”.

Legal Help For LASIK Victims

Our Minneapolis medical malpractice attorneys are legal experts with extensive experience with malpractice cases. We will answer your questions, deal with the doctors and insurance companies, handle all of the paperwork, and file your claim. Call (612) TSR-TIME to speak to a lawyer today or submit our free contact form and a representative from our firm will contact you shortly.

Free Consultation. Ph: (612) TSR-TIME.