Woodbury Legal Blog

It's time to get back outside in Minnesota when the final snow piles melt away and the trees begin to bud. For some this means outdoor hobbies like gardening, walking or bicycling. For the landscaping industry, it means that work is back in full season.

Landscaping is one of the country's most dangerous jobs. Nearly 200 service workers die each year from work-related injuries, which is above the average fatality rate for a job. There are many hazards, including heavy machinery, sharp equipment, working from tall heights or with electrical currents. OSHA provides a great resource for anyone in the industry that details hazards as well as safety procedures.

When workers are injured on the job in Minnesota, they are typically required to rely on workers' compensation benefits to make up for the financial shortfalls and losses that occurred as a result of their injuries. Where workers' compensation benefits just can't cut it, or in cases in which the injury results in a long-term disability, an injured worker may also rely on Social Security Disability Insurance from the federal government - if they qualify.

Social Security Disability benefits are distributed from a trust that all United States workers pay into over the course of their time in the workforce. Usually, a worker must have contributed for 10 years before claiming SSD benefits. In addition, the injury, illness or disability from which the worker suffers must prevent them from being able to work, or it must substantially interfere with their ability to work. Only those with disabilities or debilitating injuries typically qualify for SSDI.

Nursing is a difficult job. You're constantly on the go, helping customers and dealing with sensitive subjects. It's a demanding job that drains both physical and mental energy.

Many nurses already work long hours to meet the needs of their clinic or hospital, and there is no respite coming as the Baby Boom generation ages. There are already hiring shortages in many areas of the country. In addition, the American Nursing Association predicts the US will need another million nurses on the job to keep up with demand.

Injuries are frustrating. They pull people away from daily routine, away from a fully functioning normal life. Depending on the severity of the injury, it might take weeks to get life back to normal. Sometimes life will never be the same.

Injuries are bad enough. Imagine experiencing an injury at work only to have your claim for workers' compensation denied. It happens, and it's extremely frustrating when you're already dealing with the challenges of your injury.