Mendota Heights, MN Personal Injury Lawyer

Q: What Is The Average Personal Injury Settlement Amount?

Because every case is different, there is no “average” settlement that an injury victim could receive. Each case is fact-dependent. Generally, the more severe the injury, the higher the payout. Also, if multiple people are injured, if someone dies, or if there is evidence of gross negligence where punitive damages are awarded, the settlement, verdict, or award can be higher. To get a better idea of what your case might be worth, contact our personal injury attorneys in Mendota Heights, MN.

Q: What Does “Personal Injury” Mean?

A personal injury claim is typically brought when a person suffers actual bodily or emotional harm caused by another party’s recklessness, negligence, or malice. Bodily injury can be something like broken bones or something as severe as paralysis. To receive damages, a plaintiff must show that they suffered a permanent injury or disfigurement, or incurred costs or financial setbacks because of the defendant’s actions.

Q: How Much Does It Cost To Hire Personal Injury Lawyers In Mendota Heights, MN?

The good news is that Tyroler Injury Law works on contingency, which means that we do not get paid until you get paid. Our legal fees are paid as part of a settlement agreement or jury award. If for some reason your claim is not successful, you owe us nothing.

Q: If I Am Injured In An Accident And Self-Employed, How Are Lost Wages Calculated?

In most cases, pay stubs, and previous tax records, specifically 1099s or W2s, are used to determine past and present loss of income. By proving what you have earned in the past, you can calculate what you are likely losing now. The more years of past tax documents you can show, the better. You can order copies of previous tax returns from the IRS.gov website.

Q: Who Is The Defendant In A Personal Injury Lawsuit?

There can be one, or several defendants, in a personal injury lawsuit. For example, in a truck accident case, potential defendants could include the other driver, their insurance company, the trucking company, and even the truck manufacturer if there is evidence of a manufacturing defect. In a product liability case, the product manufacturer and, in some cases, the distributor could be defendants. In a slip-and-fall accident, the property owner — whether it be a retailer, hotel, amusement park, or concert venue — is typically the defendant. Even though in most cases an insurance company is backing the defendant, in some cases you can sue an insurance company directly and they then become the defendant. Your Mendota Heights personal injury lawyers can explain who the defendants are in your case.

Q: How Long Does A Personal Injury Lawsuit Take?

Each case is different, depending on how many witnesses need to be interviewed, the amount of evidence to be examined, the complexity of the laws involved, who is at fault, and the willingness of the defendant to negotiate. Often, how long the case takes is a direct result of how long it takes the victim to heal. It is always a good idea to wait to resolve your case until after you know exactly what the injuries are and how long and hard the recovery is. Because of this, cases can take a few months to a few years to reach a settlement or jury award. Settlements often happen faster than trials but settling can result in less money. Our Mendota Heights personal injury lawyers will advise you about the potential timeframe for your case.

Q: Will I Have To Testify In Court?

Typically, most personal injury cases are settled out of court, long before they wind up being argued in front of a judge and jury. Therefore, injury victims often do not have to take the stand and testify. However, you may want to be prepared to testify if necessary. As a client, you will have the choice of whether to accept a settlement or move on to litigation. Your personal injury attorney in Mendota Heights, MN, will advise you about your options.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, you may not know whom to turn to for legal advice. A skilled and experienced Mendota Heights, MN, personal injury lawyer should be your first phone call. It is not fair to be burdened with medical bills and lost wages if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. The first step in getting your life back on track is finding out about your legal rights. We can help you do that.

Why Choose Us as Your Mendota Heights Personal Injury Attorney?

Skill, experience, and a track record of success make all the difference.

Choosing the right Mendota Heights, MN, personal injury lawyer is one of the most important decisions you will make. All attorneys are not created equal. Some have more skill, experience, and determination than others. Attorneys Isaac Tyroler and Rachel Sperling Leonard are among the most experienced and brightest.

Isaac Tyroler is compassionate with clients and understands that many have been through very traumatic experiences. At the same time, he is a tough negotiator and aggressive litigator. He takes each case personally and is completely focused on getting his clients the justice they deserve. He is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with an insurance company to negotiate a favorable settlement or litigate a case in front of a judge and jury when necessary. Mr. Tyroler has been practicing law for more than a decade and is admitted to the bar in Minnesota and Wisconsin as well as in the U.S. District Court. He has received the Super Lawyers Rising Star Award multiple times and is a frequent speaker at legal seminars.

Rachel Sperling Leonard is a fourth-generation lawyer who began brainstorming case strategies while sitting around the family dinner table as a child. She specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases, including truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, dog bites, and dog attacks. She also handles sexual assaults, abuse, and other assault cases. Ms. Sperling Leonard is a fierce proponent of the rights of her clients and advocates passionately for both native English and Spanish speakers, as well as native speakers of many other languages.

Isaac and Rachel will fight tirelessly to achieve the best outcome possible for every client. They are proud of their outstanding case results. To learn more about what their satisfied clients have to say, you can read these client testimonials.

How We Can Help

The skilled Mendota Heights personal injury attorneys at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law can help you put together a strong legal claim that increases your chances of a winning outcome. Here are the tasks we handle when representing injured clients:

Gather evidence including police reports, surveillance videos, electronic communications, photos, medical records, and other relevant materials
Ensure your medical treatment by recommending specialists and other medical professionals
Interview accident witnesses
Conduct an accident scene investigation
Attend depositions with you
Assist in gathering employment verification and documenting lost wages
Hire expert witnesses, if needed, including medical specialists, flooring experts, and accident scene reconstruction experts
Craft and file all necessary written documents with the court
Negotiate aggressively with opposing counsel
Argue your case in court, if necessary.

Our personal injury lawyers in Mendota Heights, MN, will leave no stone unturned when building a powerful case on your behalf.

If you would like to learn more about how we can help, please call us for a free consultation at 651-259-1113. We value our clients and are willing to go above and beyond to provide exceptional service.

Personal Injury FAQs

Personal injury lawyers in Mendota Heights, MN, answer frequently asked questions.

Clients often have similar questions about various aspects of a personal injury lawsuit. These questions can include queries about timing, definitions, dollar amounts, and costs. The following are some answers to frequently asked questions:

What is the average personal injury settlement amount?

What does “personal injury” mean?

How much does it cost to hire personal injury lawyers in Mendota Heights, MN?

If I am injured in an accident and self-employed, how are lost wages calculated?

Who is the defendant in a personal injury lawsuit?

How long does a personal injury lawsuit take?

Will I have to testify in court?

What is “pain and suffering” and how do you measure it?

We understand that the legal system can be confusing and even overwhelming, so we are always happy to answer clients’ questions, so they feel more at ease with the process. If you have questions about your case, do not hesitate to call our personal injury attorneys in Mendota Heights, MN, for a free consultation at 651-259-1113.

Examples of Our Successful Personal Injury Cases

At Tyroler Leonard Injury Law, we believe the proof is in the pudding when it comes to being outstanding personal injury lawyers in Mendota Heights, MN. The following are examples of our victories:

$1,300,000 policy limits settlement for a man with severe injuries in a Minnesota bicycle accident after being run over by a van.
$595,000 Minnesota wrongful death settlement for the family of a man who was killed when he was hit in a crosswalk by a truck that ran a red light.
$200,000 settlement for a girl who was bit on the chest and face by a neighbor’s dog.
$900,000 settlement for a man who was severely injured in a Minnesota car crash and suffered numerous injuries.
$325,000 settlement for the family of a man who was killed on a motorcycle when a semi-truck made an illegal U-turn. the insurer for the truck denied the claim for two years until after numerous depositions, only settling well into litigation.
$750,000 settlement for a man who suffered a brain injury when he slipped on water at a local retailer.
$180,000 Minnesota dog bite settlement for a girl who was attacked and had facial scarring.
$275,000 settlement for a man who fell in a poorly maintained parking lot covered in ice, requiring multiple shoulder surgeries.

At Tyroler Leonard Injury Law, our Mendota Heights personal injury lawyers are proud of our case results. We take each case personally and are determined to win on behalf of our clients.

Different Types of Injuries We See

Personal injury attorneys in Mendota Heights, MN, file legal claims for a variety of injuries.

Several types of injuries fall under the definition of a “personal injury” claim. Personal injury is a practice area in which victims seek financial damages for the harm they have suffered because of someone else’s negligence or recklessness. Some of these accidents and injuries include:

Car Accident, Truck Accident, or Motorcycle Accident
Car accidents, truck accidents, and other vehicle crashes are some of the most frequent personal injury claims we see. That is because crash victims frequently suffer significant injuries.
Work Injury
Getting injured at work is another common type of personal injury claim. Whether falling from scaffolding, getting crushed by machinery, or suffering chemical burns, these on-the-job injuries can have devastating consequences.
Wrongful Death
A wrongful death claim is a type of personal injury in which the victim died due to someone else’s negligence.
Slip-and-Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries typically happen when a victim slips on a wet floor, uneven pavement, or cluttered aisle in a store, hotel, parking lot, amusement park, concert venue, or other public location. Falls often result in fractures, concussions, TBI, bleeding, and other injuries.
Product Liability
Defective products can result in burns, lacerations, choking, and other harm to consumers. Product manufacturers can be held legally liable for injuries due to defects in the products they make.
Brain Injuries
Brain injuries, severe concussions, and other types of head injuries can have severe, life-altering consequences. Injuries can include damage to brain cells, memory loss, cognitive impairment, loss of speech or hearing, reduced motor skills, and a wide variety of other damage.
Dog Bites
Injuries from dog attacks also fall under the personal injury umbrella. Dog owners who fail to properly train or supervise their dogs can be held liable when their canines attack a person, causing injuries or death.

Whether your injuries are moderate or life-threatening, they have clearly interrupted your daily living, caused unanticipated expenses and setbacks, impaired your ability to earn an income, and reduced your quality of life. The legal system has ways of compensating you for all that you have lost.

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Minnesota

In most cases, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is six years in Minnesota.

The 6-year statute of limitations for Minnesota personal injury lawsuits can be found in Minnesota Statutes section 541.05. There are a few scenarios in which the “clock” on the statute of limitations might be delayed. These include:

If the injured person under is the age of 18, then the statute does not run until the latter of 6 years, or the person turns 19 years old.
If the injured person is legally insane, then the clock will not start running until the period of legal disability is over (mental competence is restored). However, this filing deadline will not be extended beyond five (5) years; and once sanity is restored, the suit must be filed within one (1) year. (Minnesota Statutes section 541.15.)

Damages Injury Victims May Be Entitled To

If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to damages. Damages can be both economic and non-economic. They include:

Lost wages
Medical and rehabilitation expenses (current and future)
Loss of future earnings
Loss of consortium
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress (including trauma, humiliation, and disfigurement).

In some instances, there can also be punitive damages in addition to the damages listed above. Punitive damages are awarded by a court when there is evidence of gross negligence by a defendant who knowingly or recklessly placed persons in danger, or if the defendant had a history of safety violations. Punitive damages, as the name implies, are designed to punish a defendant, and prevent any other would-be wrongdoers from being similarly negligent.

How Do You Prove Negligence in a Mendota Heights Personal Injury Lawsuit?

In a personal injury lawsuit, your attorney will need to prove that the other party acted negligently when they caused the accident in which you were injured. A defendant can be a person, a business, an insurance company, a government entity, or any combination of these.

To prove negligence, your attorney will have to prove four elements in your lawsuit. These include:

Duty
The defendant owed the plaintiff a legal “duty of care” to ensure that an environment or location was safe.
Breach
A plaintiff must show that the defendant breached this duty by doing, or failing to do, something that a reasonable person would have done in a comparable situation.
Causation
A plaintiff must show that the defendant’s actions, or inaction, caused the injuries to another person.
Damages
Damages mean that there is a monetary way of compensating a plaintiff for their injuries and property damage.

Even if you are partially at fault for an injury accident, you might still be entitled to financial compensation. Call Tyroler Leonard Injury Law for a free assessment of your claim.

Minnesota Shared-Fault Rules

Mendota Heights, MN, personal injury claims follow a “modified comparative negligence” rule.

Some states, including Minnesota, follow a rule known as modified comparative negligence. This means the law recognizes that in many situations, more than one person may be at fault for an accidental injury. The court or jury will determine the amount of fault that belongs to each party based on the facts in a case. If your share of the fault is 50% or less, you will be entitled to collect some amount of damages for your injury.

Let us look at an example that illustrates this rule. Suppose you are shopping in a grocery store, and you slip and fall on a pool of water that has accumulated from the produce section. You did not see the water because you were busy looking at the produce. Eventually, it is determined that you are 20% at fault for the accident, and the grocery store is 80% at fault. Let us say the total damages for the accident are calculated to be $200,000. Under Minnesota’s comparative fault rule, 20% (the percentage of fault assigned to you) will be subtracted from that $200,000. This means you will collect 80% of the total, or $160,000.

If you have additional questions about the particular facts in your case and how fault might be determined, talk to the skilled and experienced Mendota Heights personal injury lawyers at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law.

Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys in Mendota Heights, MN,
Today

When you or a loved one is seriously injured in an accident, your entire world is turned upside down. Suddenly life is filled with fear and stress. You may be facing a long hospital stay, mounting medical bills, lost wages, and a great deal of uncertainty about your future. The situation is made even worse when your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence. You do not have to face your difficulties alone. Our skilled and experienced personal injury attorneys in Mendota Heights, MN, can fight for your rights and hold the guilty parties accountable. Tyroler Leonard Injury Law has helped countless clients get the justice they deserve. To find out more about how we can help, call us for a free initial consultation at 651-259-1113.

Attorney Isaac Tyroler

Attorney Isaac Tyroler has been a strong advocate for injured people his entire legal career. He has a passion for righting wrongs, and he deeply cares about representing injured clients who may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to navigate the legal system. He is compassionate toward clients and aggressive with insurance companies and defendants. He is on the elected Board of Governors of the Minnesota Association of Justice (MAJ), the top personal injury lawyers’ group in Minnesota. And is currently the chair of MAJ’s legislative committee. [ Attorney Bio ]