Minnesota Workers' Comp Attorney for PTSD Claims — Recognized. Experienced. On Your Side.

What happened to you at work was real. So is the injury it left behind. We've been representing Minnesota workers with PTSD claims since 2008 — and we know exactly how hard insurance companies fight to deny them.

The Credential No Local Competitor Can Match

In 2011, Mike Garbow was named Minnesota Lawyer Attorney of the Year specifically for his work representing injured workers with PTSD claims. That recognition wasn't for general workers' compensation practice — it was for this. For the cases that are hardest to prove, most aggressively contested, and most likely to be turned away by other firms.

 

If you're looking for a work-related PTSD attorney in Duluth or anywhere across northern Minnesota, that credential matters. It means Mike has spent nearly two decades doing the work that earned it.

What Minnesota Law Actually Says About PTSD Workers' Comp Claims

PTSD is the only purely psychological injury — with no accompanying physical injury — that Minnesota workers' compensation law explicitly recognizes as a covered condition. That makes it different from most mental health claims, and it comes with specific requirements.

 

To qualify, your PTSD must be diagnosed by a licensed physician or psychologist and meet the diagnostic criteria established by the DSM. The condition must be directly connected to a traumatic event or series of events at work. For first responders — including police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel — Minnesota law provides a legal presumption of coverage, meaning the burden shifts to the insurer to disprove the connection rather than requiring you to prove it.

 

Knowing the law is one thing. Building a case that satisfies it is another. That's where experience counts.

Who Files PTSD Workers' Comp Claims in Minnesota

PTSD claims don't belong to one job or one kind of trauma. We've represented workers across a wide range of industries and roles, including:

 

  • First responders: police officers, firefighters, and EMTs responding to violent incidents, mass casualty events, or repeated traumatic calls
  • Emergency and trauma nurses who carry the weight of patient deaths and crisis situations over years of shifts
  • Home health aides and healthcare workers exposed to cumulative emotional and psychological trauma on the job
  • Construction and mining workers who witnessed a serious injury or fatality at a worksite
  • Workers in any industry who experienced a violent incident, robbery, assault, or other acute workplace trauma

You Don't Have to Explain Yourself to Us

A lot of clients come to us feeling uncertain — not sure if what they experienced "counts," or worried they'll be judged for struggling with something that isn't a broken bone or a torn ligament. That hesitation is common. It makes sense. And it doesn't change the legitimacy of your claim.

 

Psychological injury from workplace trauma is a real injury under Minnesota law. You don't have to minimize what you went through to make it fit a legal definition. We've heard these stories before, and we understand more than you might expect. The first conversation is free, confidential, and entirely on your terms.

Why PTSD Claims Get Denied — and How We Answer

PTSD claims are among the most aggressively contested in Minnesota workers' compensation. Insurers challenge them on causation — arguing the trauma wasn't severe enough, that your condition predates the incident, or that the workplace wasn't the primary contributing cause. These aren't random objections. They're a strategy.

 

We've been countering that strategy for 18 years. We know which arguments insurers make, which medical evidence they'll try to discredit, and how to build a record that holds up at every stage of the process — from the initial claim through any hearings or appeals. You don't have to walk back through what happened alone. We build the case. You focus on getting better.

Our Fee Structure Is Simple

We handle PTSD workers' comp claims on a contingency basis. That means you pay nothing to get started, and we only recover a fee if we recover benefits for you. There are no upfront costs, no hourly billing, and no financial risk to you for making the call.

 

If you don't recover, we don't recover.

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What a PTSD Workers' Comp Claim Can Cover

A successful PTSD workers' comp claim in Minnesota can provide meaningful financial support while you recover. Depending on your situation, recoverable benefits may include:

 

  • Wage replacement benefits if your condition prevents you from working
  • Coverage for mental health treatment, including therapy and psychiatric care
  • Reimbursement for medication costs related to your diagnosis
  • Vocational rehabilitation if your PTSD affects your ability to return to your previous role
  • Permanent partial disability benefits if your condition results in lasting impairment

 

Every case is different. The benefits available to you depend on the specifics of your claim, your diagnosis, and your employment situation. A free case review is the fastest way to understand what you may be entitled to recover.

Common Questions About PTSD Workers' Comp Claims in Minnesota

  • Can I get workers' comp for PTSD in Minnesota even if I wasn't physically injured?

    Yes. Minnesota is one of the few states that explicitly recognizes PTSD as a standalone compensable condition under workers' compensation law — meaning no physical injury is required. Your PTSD must be diagnosed by a licensed physician or psychologist and meet DSM criteria, and it must be connected to a traumatic workplace event or series of events.

  • Does Minnesota law treat first responder PTSD claims differently?

    It does. Minnesota law provides a legal presumption of coverage for first responders — police, fire, and EMS — diagnosed with PTSD. This means the insurer bears the burden of disproving the work connection rather than requiring you to prove it. It's a meaningful legal advantage, and we know how to use it.

  • What if the insurance company says my PTSD is a pre-existing condition?

    This is one of the most common arguments insurers make against PTSD claims, and it's rarely the end of the road. Minnesota workers' comp law covers conditions that are aggravated, accelerated, or combined with a work injury — so even if you had prior mental health history, your claim may still be valid. We've handled these challenges many times.

  • How long do I have to file a PTSD workers' comp claim in Minnesota?

    The general statute of limitations for workers' compensation claims in Minnesota is three years from the date of injury, but no more than six years from the last date of employer wage payment. PTSD claims can be complicated by the fact that the onset of symptoms may be gradual or delayed. If you're unsure whether you're still within the filing window, contact us — the sooner you act, the stronger your position.

  • What does it cost to hire a workers' comp attorney for a PTSD claim?

    Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only collect a fee if we recover benefits for you. There is no cost to schedule a free case review, and no financial obligation to you for having an initial conversation about your situation.