Work-Related Injuries

Sioux Falls Work-Related Injury Lawyer

Work injuries can happen in a split second, leaving you with pain, missed paychecks, and uncertainty about what comes next. Beardsley, Jensen & Lee helps clients in Sioux Falls with work-related injuries caused by workplace accidents, including serious and catastrophic injuries. We explain your options, handle insurer pushback, and protect your claim from start to finish.

If you were hurt on the job, speak with a Sioux Falls work-related injury lawyer who can help protect your rights. Contact Beardsley, Jensen & Lee today for a free consultation about your next steps.

Common Work-Related Injuries

Workplaces involving heavy equipment, physical labor, or outdoor conditions often carry a higher injury risk.

Common injuries include:

Fractures and broken bones: Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or uneven surfaces can cause fractures and extended time off work.
Back and spinal injuries: Heavy lifting, repetitive bending, and falling objects can lead to herniated discs or spinal cord injuries with lasting limitations.
Crush injuries: Heavy equipment can cause severe tissue damage, nerve injury, or amputation, including incidents involving forklift accidents.
Head and traumatic brain injuries: Falling tools, collapsing materials, or slips can cause concussions and brain injuries with long-term effects.
Burns: Welding, hot surfaces, and flammable materials can cause serious burn injuries, including injuries caused by a welding accident.
Repetitive motion injuries: Frequent drilling, hammering, or heavy tool use can lead to tendonitis, joint inflammation, or carpal tunnel syndrome.

Workers’ Compensation In South Dakota

If you are injured while performing your job duties in Sioux Falls, you may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits.

These benefits may include:

Medical treatment related to your injury
A portion of lost wages while you cannot work
Disability benefits if you cannot return to your previous role
Rehabilitation or retraining when needed

Insurance carriers may dispute whether an injury is work-related, delay benefits, or push a return to work too soon. A Sioux Falls workers’ compensation lawyer can help protect your claim, respond to insurer requests, and challenge denials or reductions.

Our team helps ensure injuries are properly reported, medical documentation is complete, and deadlines are met. If you receive care through local providers such as Sanford USD Medical Center or Avera McKennan Hospital, we can use medical records to document restrictions and how the injury affects your ability to work.

After a serious work accident, getting clear legal guidance can make a difference. Contact Beardsley, Jensen & Lee today to discuss your case with a Sioux Falls work-related injury lawyer.

When You May Have Additional Legal Options

Workers’ compensation usually prevents you from suing your employer directly. However, you may have an additional personal injury claim if a third party caused or contributed to the accident, including:

Another contractor or vendor on the job site, including construction accidents
Defective tools or machinery (product liability)
Heavy-equipment incidents such as crane accidents
A job-site incident that qualifies as an industrial accident

A third-party claim can seek damages that workers’ compensation does not cover, including pain and suffering and, in some cases, additional wage loss. These cases require an investigation into how the incident occurred, what safety rules applied, and who had responsibility for the hazard.

Steps To Take After A Work Injury

What you do next can affect your health and your claim:

Report the injury immediately to your supervisor or employer.
Get medical care and follow treatment instructions.
Document the incident (photos, equipment involved, witness names, incident details).
Track symptoms and missed work (dates, restrictions, new limitations).
Avoid signing settlement paperwork or giving recorded statements without legal advice.
Keeping consistent records makes it easier to prove restrictions, wage loss, and the need for continued care.

Understanding Sioux Falls Work Injury Claims Process

After you report the injury and seek treatment, the insurance carrier typically investigates, reviews records, and decides whether to accept or deny the claim. That decision can affect medical care authorization, wage benefits, and return-to-work status.

Even approved claims can lead to disputes over treatment, work restrictions, time off, disability ratings, vocational rehabilitation, or reduced benefits. If your claim involves long-term limitations, disagreements may focus on impairment ratings or whether you qualify for permanent total disability benefits.

Why Choose Beardsley, Jensen & Lee

Representing injured workers in Sioux Falls for decades
Experience with workers’ compensation claims and third-party injury lawsuits
Local knowledge of South Dakota’s workers’ compensation system
Strong advocacy against denials, delays, and benefit reductions, including a wrongful denial of claims
Clear communication so you understand each step
Detailed preparation: records, documentation, and claim strategy tailored to your needs
Familiarity working with employers, insurers, and medical providers across South Dakota

Get Help From a Sioux Falls Work-Related Injury Lawyer

If you were injured on the job, you do not have to handle the claim alone. Beardsley, Jensen & Lee can review your situation, explain your options, and pursue the benefits and compensation available under South Dakota law. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to report a work injury in South Dakota?

You should report a work injury to your employer as soon as possible after the incident. Reporting promptly helps protect your right to workers' compensation benefits and reduces the risk of disputes about when or where the injury occurred.

What benefits can I receive through workers’ compensation?

Workers’ compensation may cover medical treatment, a portion of lost wages while you cannot work, disability benefits, and rehabilitation services. In severe cases involving catastrophic injuries, additional long-term benefits may apply depending on how the injury affects your ability to return to work.

What if my workers’ compensation claim is denied?

A denial does not necessarily end your claim. You may be able to challenge the decision through South Dakota’s workers’ compensation process, especially if the denial involves a wrongful denial of claims or a dispute about whether the injury is work-related.

Can I still receive benefits if the injury happened over time?

Yes. Some work-related injuries develop gradually from repetitive tasks, heavy lifting, or ongoing strain. These claims often require medical documentation that connects the condition to your job duties.

Do I need a lawyer for a workers’ compensation claim?

A lawyer is not required, but legal help can be useful if there are disputes over treatment, work restrictions, or eligibility for benefits such as permanent total disability. An attorney can also help you meet deadlines and submit strong documentation to support your claim.

Workplace injury claims can become complicated quickly, especially when insurers push back. Call (605) 777-7466 to speak with a Sioux Falls work-related injury lawyer about protecting your claim.

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$1,400,000 personal injury settlement arising out of an accident.
$110,000 Settlement Ankle Injury
Our team obtained $110,000 on behalf of a worker who endured an ankle injury.
$11,000 Settlement Ankle Injury
Our team obtained $11,000 on behalf of a worker who injured their ankle at work. The settlement was used to pay for past medical bills.
$300,000 Settlement Arm Fracture
Our team obtained $300,000 on behalf of a client who suffered an arm fracture after being involved in a car crash.
$473,000 Settlement Arm Injury
Our team obtained $473,000 on behalf of a worker who suffered arm injuries as a result of repetitive lifting at work.

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Even before I became a client I was taken care of. It was a long battle but I can honestly say I never felt worried, I knew I had an entire team working for me. It didn't matter at what point we were in the legal process, I was always well protected.

- Shannon H.
This was my second case working with the Beardsley Law Team after an auto collision. They were knowledgeable, professional, and personable and kept me informed every step of the way. They are amazing!

- Deanine R.
Brad Lee and his team are amazing and really stood up for us when we needed it! We always knew what was happening and he always took the time to explain the process and set clear expectations. No question or concern was too small.

- Brad & Tara F.
I was in a severe workplace accident. Became permanently disabled. I lost everything. The team of Beardsley, Jensen & Lee went to bat for me. They answered every question I had. I do not know what I would have done without them.

- Troy H.

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