Accomplished Attorneys

We are pleased to have helped clients in Minnesota since opening in 1992.

Big Firm Authority

Our firm offers the strength of a large firm, but the level of attention you would expect from a small business.

Attention to Detail

Your case gets one lawyer who will guide you from beginning to end.

Cutting Edge

Our firm bring a unique approach to your case that leads to success inside and out of court.

Awards

THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS | TOP 100 LAWYERS

A professional organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from across the country that exemplify superior qualifications as civil plaintiff or criminal defense trial lawyers.

NAIFA

The NAIFA is an organization that advocates for a positive legislative and regulatory environment, enhance business and professional skills, and promote the ethical conduct of our members.

GREATER MANKATO GROWTH

Greater Mankato Growth is committed to Advancing Business for a Stronger Community. Our goal is to support and promote the economic growth and vitality of our members and the regional marketplace.

SUPER LAWYERS

A rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

MSBA

MSBA members are leaders in their communities, participating in statewide programs such as the High School Mock Trial Program and Wills for Heroes. 

Minneapolis Personal Injury Attorney

Trust Knutson + Casey with your case after suffering any type of personal injury in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We are premier hometown attorneys with a long history of successful case results since our start in 1992. Every member of our team is passionate about helping accident victims and giving them a voice in the civil justice system.

Our Minneapolis personal injury attorneys will work hard to make sure you achieve the best possible results for your case, using tailored legal strategies and a personal approach to injury law. Call (507) 344-8888 now to schedule your free consultation.

Quick Access to Personal Injury information 

Why Choose Our Personal Injury Lawyers?

The injury attorneys with Knutson + Casey have defended cases over all the complex aspects, from accident investigation and evidence preservation to claims filing and settlement negotiations with insurance companies. We can handle your claim from beginning to end, answering all of your questions and keeping you updated on the status of your case along the way.

One of our experienced attorneys will be more than happy to investigate your recent accident and personal injuries for signs of someone else’s negligence. Auto accidents, slip and falls, workplace injuries, recreational accidents, dog attacks, defective products, and medical malpractice are common types of accidents that involve another person’s liability. If we find evidence of negligence, we can help you bring your claim within Minnesota’s two-year statute of limitations, or deadline for filing.

Representation from the Minneapolis personal injury attorneys at Knutson + Casey can even the playing field between you and a major insurance company. You can enter into settlement negotiations as an informed participant, instead of just a victim. We’ll teach you the true value of your claim – a number that might be much higher than your initial settlement offer.

Our injury attorneys will aggressively negotiate with the defendant for an amount that’s appropriate for your injuries. If pre-trial negotiations don’t work, we aren’t afraid to take your case to court for fair compensation.

 What are Minnesota’s Personal Injury Laws?

The realm of personal injury law isn’t a cold, distant legal process that won’t affect you – it’s actually one of the most personal experiences an injured person can go through. Personal injury law is intimate and private to the individual. After suffering any type of injury, either from an accident or illness in an incident in Minnesota, you have the power to request financial compensation from the at-fault party.

Civil laws in the state enable you to hold someone else responsible for your injuries and receive payment for all of your related losses.

Personal injury damages can include the following:

Personal injury law might affect you if someone else’s negligence, recklessness, wanton disregard for your safety, or intent to harm injured you in Minneapolis. These are the situations that give rise to personal injury claims.

If someone breached his or her duty of care to you or a loved one, resulting in injuries or wrongful death, surviving victims have the right to pursue full and fair damage recover from the party that caused the damages. Personal injury claims serve to provide reparation to the affected party, as well as punish the perpetrator.

What Should I do After an Injury in Minnesota?

If you suffer a physical injury, contract an illness, or sustain economic losses due to the negligent actions of another party, you can recover your losses through a personal injury claim. However, it’s vital to remember what to do immediately following an accident to improve your chances of succeeding with a personal injury lawsuit.

1. Seek Medical Attention

Your first priority should always be medical care. If you suffered any type of injury, even if it seems mild at first, go see a doctor. Some injuries may not show any noticeable symptoms for a few days and allowing an injury to go untreated for too long can cause serious medical problems.

Additionally, delaying seeking medical care can injure your credibility in a lawsuit or in an insurance claim. A claims adjuster or jury will assume that if you did not feel the need to seek medical attention immediately after your incident, your injuries probably aren’t as bad as you claim. Seek immediate care and secure a copy of your medical report from your doctor. This report will include a list of your injuries as well as your doctor’s prognosis and suggested treatment plan.

2. Get Contact information

Get the contact information of any establishment manager, pet owner, other individuals involved in an accident, and of possible witnesses to your accident.

3. File a Police Report

Once you have your medical report, you should obtain a copy of the police report related to your injury, if one exists. If you sustained injury in a car accident, there should be a police report. Minnesota law requires drivers to notify the police of any accident that results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. A good rule of thumb is to notify the police about any car accident except for low-speed fender-benders that result in very little damage and no injuries.

4. Speak with an Experienced Minneapolis Personal Injury Attorney

After obtaining copies of your medical report and the police report, your next step should be to hire a reliable and experienced Minneapolis personal injury lawyer to handle your claim. Although you might feel confident in your ability to represent your own interests in a court battle, the reality is that most people will overlook crucial details, miss avenues for additional compensation, or fail to meet the court’s filing deadlines. An attorney will handle a claimant’s legal concerns including court filings, evidence gathering, and building the case.

5. Contact your insurance company

If you’re injuries are from a car accident, you’ll want to give your insurance company a call to file a claim. When doing so, stick to the facts of the accident. We advise you speak with an attorney first, even if only for an initial consultation, to understand your legal options.

How to Submit a Personal Injury Claim in Minnesota

The first step in submitting a personal injury claim in Minnesota is for the plaintiff to file a complaint with the court and serve a copy to the defendant. The defendant may then need to file an answer to the complaint with the court.

Once the defendant receives the complaint, he or she will hire a personal injury attorney and then settlement negotiations typically begin once both sides are ready. The vast majority of personal injury lawsuits never reach the trial phase because it is in both parties’ interests to settle the matter as quickly as possible.

Both sides of the lawsuit will gather evidence to use during settlement negotiations. Depending on the strength of the plaintiff’s claim, the defendant may agree to settle or decide to challenge the plaintiff in a trial. Throughout the negotiations and the pre-trial phase, both sides will share pertinent evidence in the discovery process. Each side can also make requests for depositions or specific answers to questions to gather additional evidence.

If settlement negotiations result in an impasse and the case proceeds to trial, then a jury will assess the facts of the case to determine an appropriate ruling. Either side may appeal a jury’s decision with a higher court, but it’s up to those individual parties to decide whether or not the expense of pursuing an appeal is ultimately worth the trouble.

Minnesota Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury claims

The statute of limitations or time limit for filing a personal injury claim in Minnesota is two years. However, if the claimant’s damages occurred due to negligence, this window extends to six years. In a wrongful death claim, claimants have three years from the date of the death in question.

Medical malpractice claims have a four-year statute of limitations, starting on the date the injury occurred. It’s also important to remember that the statute of limitations may begin on the “date of discovery,” or the date a victim noticed his or her injuries, as some injuries may take time to manifest symptoms.

What are the Elements of a Personal Injury Claim?

According to the Centers for Disease Control research, about 29.4 million people visit the emergency room with unintentional injuries. These injuries may alter your quality of life and lead to unforeseen challenges.

If you have been involved in a car accident, a slip-and-fall, or other incidents due to someone else’s actions (or lack thereof), you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to get compensation. Navigating the legal system alone may be overwhelming; this is why you should get an experienced personal injury attorney who will work to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.

What Is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim is a result of injuries suffered due to negligence of another, which may leave you and your loved ones with lasting consequences. The majority of personal injury cases are settled without a lawsuit. Sometimes, the case may go to trial or reach an agreement through mediation or arbitration. Personal injury cases come in many forms; below are the most common personal injuries:

Auto Accident Injury

The most common type of personal injury claim is auto accident related. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found over 2.2 million injuries and fatalities resulting from motor vehicle accidents in 2020. These types of accidents range from pedestrian and bicycle accidents to drunk driving, speeding, or reckless driving.

Slip-And-Fall Accidents

These are widespread personal injury cases, especially for the elderly. Each year, according to the Centers For Disease Control, 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries, with 800,000 patients hospitalized with head injuries or hip fractures resulting from fall accidents. These may be due to reasons ranging from wet or slippery floors to broken railings.

Medical Malpractice

The number of malpractice cases is far more common than you would think, with over 60,000 adverse action and malpractice reports. Injuries from medical malpractice may be life-threatening and range from misdiagnosis and malfunctioning medical devices to anesthesia and surgical errors.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death occurs when a personal injury leads to the death of a loved one. Family members should not have to deal with massive medical bills and funeral expenses due to someone else’s carelessness.

Workplace Injuries

More often than we’d like to think, businesses neglect their workers’ safety, which may lead to life-threatening injuries that can impair the victim’s ability to earn a living. Getting an attorney to get you the best possible compensation will help ease the hefty medical and recovery costs associated with the injury.

4 Elements of a Personal Injury Claim

Personal injury claims often arise from someone else’s negligence. Negligence cases have the following four elements:

Duty of Care

The plaintiff’s attorney must prove that the respondent owed the plaintiff the duty of care in the given situation. For example, a driver has the responsibility to obey traffic laws and endanger the lives of other motorists, pedestrians, and bikers if they don’t.

Breach of Duty

The judge or jury decides if the defendant violated the duty of care. Example: a property owner who fails to fix dangerous conditions on their property, a driver who is speeding, under the influence, or texting, and a medical provider who provides substandard care to a patient.

Causation

The plaintiff’s attorney must show that the defendant’s negligence was the cause in fact and proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries. Cause in fact is found when a plaintiff would not have been injured but for the defendant’s negligence. Proximate cause is found when it is shown that the plaintiff’s injuries were a foreseeable outcome of the defendant’s actions and there was no other intervening cause that actually caused the injuries. 

Damages

The victim must suffer monetary losses. Near misses can be traumatic, but not actionable in a court of law.

Plaintiffs are entitled to damages for their economic (medical, property, etc.) and non-economic (pain and suffering, loss of companionship, etc.) losses. An experienced Minneapolis personal injury lawyer will try to prove your case using the aforementioned elements to obtain the compensation you deserve.

The Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Minnesota

A statute of limitations is a law that restricts the maximum time from the alleged offense date that parties have to initiate legal proceedings. The Minnesota Statutes section 541.07 sets a two-year limit for the commencement of legal proceedings for civil lawsuits. The “clock” starts ticking on the date of the incident. For lawsuits based on negligent conduct, the statute of limitations is six years. 

If you file a personal injury lawsuit once the deadline has passed, the defendant will most certainly file a motion to dismiss the case. The court will grant the motion to dismiss unless a rare exception entitles you to some extra time. Minnesota has identified some scenarios in which the statute of limitations “clock” won’t start running “provided that such period, apart from in the case of infancy, shall not be prolonged for more than five years, nor in any case for more than one year after the disability ceases.”

These exceptions include:

Please note that if two or more exceptions exist simultaneously, the suspension shall last until all are removed.

What Does Compensation for Personal Injuries Look Like in Minnesota?

“Damages”, or compensation is money paid to the plaintiff for a loss or injury. Your personal injury attorney can help communicate the damages you have incurred through:

However, it is important to note that in Minnesota, there is no fixed standard by which damages for personal injuries are determined.

What Damages are You Eligible to Collect From a Personal Injury Claim

If you or a loved one are involved in an accident, the situation may be overwhelming, especially if you have sustained injuries. The aftermath of an; auto accident, bicycle accident, motorcycle accident, a case of a slip-and-fall, or any other accident may be equally as heavy. You don’t deserve to deal with the medical bills, psychological strain, and the long road to a full recovery on your own.

It is your right to get compensation from the party at fault. Although financial compensation will not erase the horror you’ve endured, it will help take some burdens off you. You may be wondering what you should do after being in an accident, who you should talk to, and what to expect. At Knutson + Casey, our legal team of personal injury lawyers is willing and able to provide all the information you may need to make a successful personal injury claim in Minnesota.

How to Tell if You Have a Personal Injury Case

Suppose you’ve been injured due to another person’s recklessness or negligence. In that case, the first step to getting compensation is to file an injury claim against the party liable for the damages.

It’s important not to jump at the first offer they give you. It’s probably lower than the amount you deserve, as they know you want to cash out quickly. Instead, seek the counsel of a Minneapolis personal injury lawyer. Their vast knowledge of the law will allow them to study your case and help you get justified compensation for your injuries and suffering.

What Is the Time Limit to File a Minnesota Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Minnesota state allows a standard time limit of six years to go to a civil court and file a lawsuit in the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident. The count starts from the date of the injury.

Keeping this personal injury statute of limitations in mind is essential so that you don’t drag out settlement negotiations. It won’t matter if you have a legitimate claim; your case will be dismissed if you file too late.

Note: Your statute of limitations is two years if the case is due to intentional conduct such as assault or battery.

What Kind of Damages Can You Collect in a Personal Injury Claim?

Damages from a physical injury claim can range from the various injuries one may sustain from any accident to damages. Some of these types of injuries and the respective damages you may claim include:

Physical Injuries

Physical injuries need medical care, whether emergency care, doctor’s visits, or ongoing care. Compensation can be recovered for these medical bills, both past and future. Additionally, physical injuries may inhibit the victim’s ability to work, resulting in lost wages from the time of the incident as well as lost earning capacity, if the accident had a permanent effect that impacted the victim’s ability to do their job.

Mental and Emotional Damages

There is a lot of mental distress associated with a personal injury claim. When filing your compensation claim, the attorney will account for this and include it in the list of damages you want recompense for. The most common of these damages is referred to as pain and suffering.

Property Damage

If your car, bicycle, motorcycle, or any other property was damaged during the accident, you have the right to receive compensation for the losses.

Punitive Damages

When proven that the defendant knowingly injured the plaintiff or was highly reckless, damages are awarded to the plaintiff as punishment for the defendant. This is done to ensure they won’t repeat the act. These can only be awarded in trial and are not common.

A Minneapolis personal injury lawyer will consider your pain and suffering, economic losses, and punitive damages to determine fair compensation.

How Can You Protect Your Rights?

It is your responsibility to ensure anyone who causes you harm and therefore violates your rights is held accountable. Below are a few essential pointers to maximize your chances of a strong case:

If the liable insurance company contacts you, don’t settle for their offer until you’ve consulted with a personal injury lawyer. They can help you get a better offer or represent you in court for fair compensation.

Work With an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Minneapolis, MN

If you or your loved one has been involved in an accident that led to personal injuries in Minneapolis, you need an experienced personal injury attorney to handle your case. The injury attorneys at Knutson + Casey are vastly experienced and prepared to go the extra mile to ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your losses. We have helped thousands in incidents like yours, and we want to help you, too.

Contact the office of Knutson + Casey today at (507) 344-8888 or fill out our contact form to arrange a free consultation with one of our qualified Minneapolis personal injury lawyers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a person have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Minneapolis?

Each state has its own timeframe in which an individual can file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. This is known as the “statute of limitations.” For victims in Minneapolis, there may be a time limit of two years to pursue a personal injury claim, for certain claims. This two-year period begins on the day that the injury occurred. In other cases involving straight negligence, the time limit may be as long as 6 years. It is important to consult with an attorney to determine which time limit applies to your case or situation. Many legal professionals advise that you begin working on your case as early as possible because preparing your case for court may take considerable time.

What are the benefits of hiring a Minneapolis personal injury lawyer?

Retaining the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer provides peace of mind, and ensures that professionals are handling your case, and all the issues that go along with it. An attorney can help you, by providing resources and evidence you would not have otherwise have access to. Attorneys also bring knowledge about relevant laws, and how to work with insurance companies to obtain the proper compensation for your claim. Your personal injury lawyer can bring your case to court if needed, or settle the case early. One of the most important reasons to hire a personal injury lawyer in Minneapolis is to protect your rights when facing insurance companies seeking to protect their bottom line.

Do I need to hire a personal injury attorney?

You are not legally required to work with an attorney when pursuing compensation for a personal injury accident. However, hiring an attorney may be advantageous and give you a better chance at securing the funds you need to cover accident-related expenses. Having a trial-tested personal injury attorney on your side can also give you peace of mind by providing you with expert legal advice to minimize any potential mistakes that might prevent you from obtaining the maximum amount of compensation for your settlement. 

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Case Results

Case

Client contracted Guillain-Barre Syndrome from the flu vaccine.

Result

$2.464 Million

Case

D.H. v. Estate of S.G. and G.G.

Client was struck head-on by a driver with bald tires driving on ice. Client suffered two shattered femurs and other significant injuries. Settled 3 weeks before trial, 2016.

Result

$1.023 Million

Case

G. v. V.

Client was struck from behind by another vehicle, causing her to fracture her back. She had fusion surgery. Liability and damages were disputed by the defendant’s insurance company. The case settled on the day of trial when the judge ruled in our favor on several key issues.

Result

$650,000

Case

Estate of N. v. M.R.

Client and his wife were part of a bike tour from the top of a volcano in Hawaii. The client’s wife went off the edge of the road going down the volcano. She crashed and died. A claim was brought against the tour company. After substantial investigation and discovery, it was learned that the tour company was not licensed to run their business, and had other issues as well. The case settled just after we walked out of mediation, and we were walking down the street in Honolulu.

Result

$550,000

Testimonials

"Highly professional team that gets the job done! Randy, Peter and Diana worked hard for a resolution - they are amazing! Need a good lawyer? I would highly recommend this firm!"

Law Firm Client

"Highly recommend!

I have known and worked with Randy both personally and professionally for the past 10 years. It is very clear that he puts his client's best interests first and foremost. When looking for a lawyer that will work hard, get the job done and represent your best interests, Randy is the guy." -Mark

Law Firm Peer

I would recommend Randy very highly to anyone needing legal counsel. I think what I like the most is that he is not only a very knowledgeable lawyer, but also a very involved community-oriented citizen. And I like that he seems a very good judge of character and human nature. I know that we can never say thank you enough!" -Alyce

Car Accident Client

Meet Our Lawyers

Randy Knutson

Partner

Representing victims of negligence and personal injury, Randy is pleased to serve clients in Minnesota and help them get the recovery they deserve.

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Patrick Casey

Partner

Patrick provides client-centered representation that is geared towards finding the best results for his clients.

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How to Choose an
Injury Lawyer in Minneapolis

You’ve already been through enough – now you have to think about legal matters and selecting a lawyer? At Knutson + Casey in Minneapolis, we make your choice easy. We have decades of experience practicing personal injury law, and are confident in our abilities. Our dedicated attorneys put people first – they sympathize with your case and want to help you fight for just and fair compensation. You’ll meet friendly, caring, and highly knowledgeable lawyers from your very first visit to our local law offices. If you cannot come to our office due to your injuries or other circumstances, we’ll gladly visit your home, hospital, or recovery center to discuss your claim.

What is a Personal Injury in Minneapolis?

Personal injury claims are civil cases that involve damage or harm to a person’s body or mind. Based in tort law, these claims range from intentional torts to unintentional torts that involve negligence and strict liability. It is import to note here that a personal injury claim is based on the fact that a party behaved negligently or had a duty to act responsibly in a given situation and failed to do so. Therefore, an injury claim can be broken down into four distinct parts: A person had a duty of care, such as warning people of hazards on a piece of property or driving responsibly, that duty was breached, either intentionally or negligently, and that breach of duty directly caused someone to suffer real and measurable harm. If these four criteria cannot be proven, then it will be almost impossible to receive damages. Accidents in which no party is at fault do happen, so it is important to understand the basics of a personal injury claim to know whether or not you have grounds to file a claim.

Resolving Injury Claims in Minneapolis

Personal injury claims can reach resolutions through either settlement negotiations or a formal trial. With a good attorney, you can settle most claims without ever having to go to court and still receive fair compensation for damages. If you do need to go to trial, however, the aggressive litigators at Knutson+Casey are prepared to present your case in front of a judge and jury. We aren’t afraid to stand up against major insurance companies, government agencies, and other parties in pursuit of financial compensation for our clients.

Car Accidents

Motorcycle Accidents

Premisis Liability

Truck Accidents

Wrongful Death

Community Involvement

Knutson + Casey supports the brave members of the United States Armed Forces by sponsoring the Minnesota State University Maverick Hockey Veteran of the Game. To nominate an active duty, reserve, or retired service member for recognition, fill out the form below for your chance at 5 tickets to one of the remaining hockey games!

Nominate Here

During the summer Mankato MoonDog’s season, we recognize a standout LEEP athlete each week. The players selected receive tickets to a home game at Franklin Rogers Park where they are announced in-between one of the innings.

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At Knutson + Casey, we have been on both sides of drunk driving cases and know the devastation that a lack of judgment can cause. On July 4th, 2017 we purchased $1,500 worth of Uber credit and distributed it out to Minnesotans for free for a safe ride home at the end of the night.

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