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Gabe Johnson, an attorney at Schroeder & Mandel, recently represented a delivery truck driver who, after 25 years as an over-the-road truck driver, transitioned to delivery driving. The client was 62 years old and needed bilateral knee replacement surgery from getting in and out of his truck all day every day for 2+ years. On the surface, the case looked like a temporary total disability case, but because the client could NEVER go back to work in the industry, it ended up being a permanent total disability case. The case settled for a substantial sum that would take care of the driver into his retirement—a great outcome.

Trust us when we tell you there are 3 key steps to take if you think your pain is work-related.

1. See your physician

   Your work-related pain and aches are worth discussing with your doctor. If you are unsure whether you need an appointment, email your doctor’s office or bring it up at your next appointment. Tell them about your pain and what you do for work.Get the diagnosis written into your medical record with detail on treatment plans and how your work contributed to this injury. Having these important details in your medical record can help you advocate for reasonable accommodations at work and can increase your eligibility for benefits.

2. Tell your employer

   If your physician says your work causes or aggravates the condition, then you need to report it to your employer. Explain that your doctor is treating an ongoing condition, and you want to report a work-related injury.

   This step is key. Make sure you report the injury within 14 days. Most workers do not provide notice because they don’t know they have an injury. They recognize the aches and pain but are unaware that under Minnesota law this constitutes an injury and that they could have a work-related injury claim. They might tell their doctor they’re having knee pain, low-back pain, etc., or they’ll see a surgeon who recommends surgery—all without ever reporting it to their employer. Insurers almost always deny these claims if the employee didn’t make an official report.

   It is essential to report your injury immediately after seeing a physician who advises you your condition is work-related.

3. Talk to an Attorney

   If your physician recommends additional treatment, surgery, or physical therapy, and you expect to miss more work, you should definitely talk to an attorney.

   Call Gabe Johnson, Schroeder and Mandel’s experienced Workers’ Compensation attorney. Gabe fights for and stands by his clients to secure the settlements that they deserve. He takes great pride in helping people who have been injured on the job because, in his experience, “injured workers want two things: to get better and to get back to work.”

   Gabe will help you submit a claim to your employer’s insurance company. At Schroeder & Mandel, we want you to know you are not doing anything wrong by filing a claim. This is exactly why your employer has insurance. You are doing the right thing by protecting yourself and your family and getting back on the road to recovery.

If you have been experiencing work-related pain, please follow these steps to protect yourself in order to get back to work, back to your family, and back to what you enjoyed doing before you were injured.

We know that there are many levels of benefits available to injured workers, and we can help determine which benefits align with specific situations and treatment plans. We never want anyone to go without a paycheck, so exploring the benefits covered under the Worker’s Compensation Act with information provided by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry regarding wage loss benefits, medical benefits, and vocational rehabilitation benefits available under the work comp system, can make a big difference for many people.

Workers’ compensation attorneys pull all the details together to challenge insurance companies that don’t want to pay out what injured workers are owed.

2. Work comp attorneys know what treatment options are covered by the law.

Attorneys that specialize in workers’ compensation have studied the complex laws that protect injured workers, and we know that they’re entitled to chiropractic treatment. We know that chiropractors can be listed as a patient’s primary healthcare provider and that primary healthcare providers can deem various chiropractic treatments necessary for optimal recovery, including:

• Joint adjustment or manipulation
• Thermal treatment, including deep heating and cooling
• Electrical muscle stimulation
• Mechanical traction
• Acupuncture
• Massage and other manual therapies
• Phoresis, iontophoresis and phonophoresis

These treatments are eligible for an initial 12 weeks of care, which can make a significant impact on the road to recovery. Sometimes, more care is needed, and a work comp attorney can help clients gain access to an additional 12 visits over the course of a year if certain conditions are met.

Imagine how much improvement your patients could make after a year’s worth of treatment. Let’s make it happen together.

3.   Work comp attorneys invest in your patients’ recovery.

The team at Schroeder & Mandel fights for our clients at no cost out of pocket. We get paid when we win benefits, settlements and proper treatment for your patients. Our team has deep experience on both sides of the case. We’ve worked alongside insurance companies, so we have insider knowledge about how the system is designed to benefit corporations, not individuals.

We know what your patients are up against, and we’re on their side. Our goal is to do the heavy lifting and fight the legal battles, so injured workers can reclaim their lives and livelihoods.

Let’s work toward recovery for your work comp patients.

Trust Schroeder & Mandel with the legal side of workers’ compensation, no-fault arbitrations and personal injury benefits, so your patients can access the chiropractic treatment they need for pain. Refer your patients to us for a FREE consultation to discuss any questions pertaining to work-related injuries. We look forward to working together.

A Driver’s Guide to Motorcycle Hand Signals

Riding a motorcycle is one of life’s purest joys. It’s just you and the open road. Plus, all the other drivers who are generally unfamiliar with how to share the road with motorcyclists. We’ve all seen the “Start Seeing Motorcycles” bumper stickers, but seeing is not enough. Knowing how riders communicate can help drivers anticipate what a single rider or group of riders will do next – and that knowledge may just avoid a catastrophic accident.

Motorcycle riders use these 16 common motorcycle hand signals to communicate with one another. They can also clue drivers into riders’ intentions so that everyone can share the road safely. Note: all signals will be performed with the left arm, as the right hand must stay on the throttle to keep the engine running.

Left Turn – When a rider stretches their left arm out with their palm facing down, it indicates they’ll be turning left ahead. Watch for them to slow down and allow them time and space to complete the turn safely.

Right Turn – A left arm bent upwards at 90º with a clenched fist indicates the rider will be turning right ahead. Again, watch for the rider to slow down and allow them time and space to complete the turn safely.

Stop – Motorcycle brake lights are bright red, but since they’re smaller than a car’s, they can be easier to miss. When a rider extends their left arm bent down at 90º with an open palm, they’re communicating that they’re coming to a stop. Please slow down and come to a complete stop with plenty of space between your vehicle and the bike.

Speed Up – If a rider wants fellow riders in their group to speed up, they’ll raise their left arm upward with their palm facing up. Note: they’re not telling you or other cars to speed up, just the riders in their group. If you see this motion, know the group will start accelerating.

Slow Down – This is another signal riders use to tell their group to adjust speed. In this case, a left arm moving downward with an open palm means the group will be slowing down. When a motorcyclist eases off the throttle, their bike will decelerate without engaging the brake light. If you see this hand signal, know the rider or group will slow down. If you’re following a rider or group, pay attention and match their speed to avoid a rear-end collision.

Follow Me – When people ride together, they maintain order by appointing and following a leader. From time to time, leaders will switch to allow for breaks. If you see a rider raising their left arm with the palm facing forward, a new leader will move to the front of the group. The other riders will allow the leader to take the lead position and may shift to allow for passing.

You Lead/Come – If a rider points directly to a fellow rider’s bike and then points forward, they’re assigning that rider to take the lead. Watch for the new leader to accelerate toward the front of the group. If you want to pass the group, please wait and allow time for this leadership transition to take place before you take action.

Road Hazard – Debris or damage on the road can be extremely dangerous to motorcycles, and riders may have to make quick maneuvers to avoid potholes, rocks, trash or any other road hazards. Riders will point with their left arm to indicate a road hazard to their left or their right foot to indicate a road hazard to their right (because their right hand must remain on the throttle). 

Single File – A left arm raised with the index finger pointed upward tells a group of riders to move to a single file line. If you see this gesture, riders will merge into a single line. Follow from a safe distance and allow this transition to take place before taking any action to pass by the group. 

 Double File – Similar to the single file signal, but with two fingers pointed upwards, this signal tells riders to move to ride two-by-two. They’ll separate into two lines and take up more space on the road. Follow from a safe distance and allow this transition to take place before taking any action to pass by the group.

 Comfort Stop – Riding a motorcycle is incredibly fun and exhilarating, but long rides can get uncomfortable. If someone in a group of riders needs a stretch break, they’ll extend their left arm and move their fist up and down. The group will stop on the shoulder or pull off the road when it’s safe to do so. If you see this signal, know the riders will be slowing down soon.

 Refreshment Stop – Riding is thirsty work, and it’s not easy or safe to drink while riding, though hydration packs with long drinking tubes certainly help! If a rider wants to stop for a drink or snack break, they’ll make a “thumbs up” gesture and point toward their mouth or helmet. If you see this signal, know the riders will be slowing down soon.

Turn Signal On – Fun fact about motorcycles: turn signals don’t turn off automatically the way they do in cars. Riders must turn the signal off manually after completing a turn, but it’s easy to forget. If a rider notices someone has left their turn signal on, they’ll extend their left arm and spread their fingers out repeatedly until the other rider understands.

Pull Off – Waving an upraised left arm with the index finger pointing indicates that a rider will be pulling off the road for something other than a refreshment or comfort stop. The group will take the next exit or pull to the shoulder as soon as it is safe to do so. Allow the group time to slow down and pull off safely.

While all drivers don’t have to be fluent in motorcycle hand signals, knowing the basics and understanding that riders are communicating with each other and fellow drivers helps keep the road safe for everyone. 

When in doubt, give riders space. There’s room on the road for us all.

If you’re a motorcycle rider who has been involved in a crash, don’t hesitate to contact the attorneys at Schroeder & Mandel for a FREE consultation. As motorcyclists and legal experts, we can help you win the settlement you deserve.