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Author: Steve Terry

Steven Terry is the co-founder and current managing partner of TSR Injury Law. His practice consists solely of representing injured people and pursuing justice against wrongdoers. He has handled thousands of injury claims over a 20-plus-year career. Steve continues to exceed his clients' expectations and hold insurance companies responsible for the damage their insured's cause.

MADD Minnesota Sponsor

By Steve Terry |

TSR Injury Law sponsored a recent MADD Minnesota Statewide Recognition Ceremony. As an event sponsor, Steve Terry was asked to speak at this ceremony, which recognized individuals and police departments committed to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving mission. MADD’s mission is to the stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime, and prevent underaged drinking. TSR Injury Law supports the mission of MADD and has been a financial supporter of MADD Minnesota for many years.

About MADD Minnesota

Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a non-profit organization comprised of victims, families, and dedicated citizens who are willing to volunteer of their time and energy to prevent drunk driving in order to reduce the number of:

  • crashes;
  • injuries;
  • deaths; and
  • families torn apart by accidents.

MADD also:

  • provides support to victims;
  • attends victims’ DWI trials and hearings upon request;
  • advocates for stricter drunk driving legislation;
  • conducts public awareness events;
  • provides speakers for community and school events; and
  • implements prevention programs.

Additionally, MADD:

  • offers self-help support groups for victims;
  • helps victims understand the legal process;
  • helps prepare victim impact statements for hearings;
  • provides information and referral for services needed by victims; and
  • provides training programs for victims to empower them to help other victims.

Victim Impact Panels

Victim impact panels provide an opportunity for victims to tell their story and share their feelings of how drunk driving has impacted their lives. These personal stories humanize the crime for offenders and teaches offenders the short and long-term effects of their crime on real people. By telling their stories, victims also hope to influence offenders to become more responsible and accountable for their behaviors. For more information on victim impact panels and when they are scheduled, go to www.maddmn.org.

Contact an Attorney that Supports the Mission of MADD MN

If you have been the victim of a drunk driving accident, contact someone who is involved with, and supports the mission, of MADD. Contact a Minneapolis car accident lawyer from TSR Injury Law, at (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

Speeding Accident Lawsuits

By Steve Terry |

Do you have questions about the circumstances of an accident that was not your fault? An accident that was made worse by excessive speed? We can help.

Speeding is negligence because drivers have a duty to obey traffic laws. Speeding is one of the main causes of vehicle-related accidents.

If you have been injured in a speeding-related car accident that was not your fault, contact a Minneapolis car accident lawyer at (612) TSR-TIME. We will go to work on your case, fighting for just compensation and ensuring that your rights are protected. Our lawyers are aggressive, ethical litigators with years of experience.

Speeding Accident Statistics

Speeding greatly increases the chance of being involved in an accident because driver reaction time is drastically reduced, vehicles may perform differently at high speeds, and the law of physics tells us that the harder you hit something, the more severe the resulting damage and injury.

In 2009, speed contributed to 28% of Minnesota’s fatal accidents. It is written into Minnesota state law that drivers are to use duty of care when operating a vehicle; which includes obeying the speed limit. Statistics compiled by the NHTSA show that speeding among drivers involved in alcohol-related crashes is also common.

The Minnesota State Statute dealing with duty of care and speed limits is 169.14. It is as follows:

Subdivision 1. Duty to Drive with Due Care

No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions. Every driver is responsible for becoming and remaining aware of the actual and potential hazards then existing on the highway and must use due care in operating a vehicle. In every event speed shall be so restricted as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.

In a car accident where the offender was using excessive speed, the victim may be able to obtain compensation for:

  • medical expenses;
  • lost wages;
  • pain and suffering; and/or
  • other applicable damages.

Need Help? Call Us Today

At TSR Injury Law, our legal team will investigate your speed-related accident to establish fault and ultimately prove liability. Our lawyers have decades of combined experience handling car accident cases with excellent results, including a recent car accident settlement for $400,000. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

Criminal and Civil Penalties May Come from Fatal Truck Accident

By Steve Terry |

On May 23, 2012, a semi-truck driver was convicted by a Minnesota judge on one count of misdemeanor careless driving and three counts of criminal vehicular homicide that all stemmed from a fatal accident that had occurred two years earlier almost to the day. Two women were killed in the accident and one of those women was pregnant.

This is a case that shows how a truck accident can result in both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit.

The 38-year-old driver worked for Reinhart Foodservice and began his shift at 10 p.m. on May 23, 2010. This was the evening before the LaCrosse Wisconsin accident that killed the women. He drove all night long, making stops in Owatanna and Austin, Minnesota. At 11:30 a.m., he was northbound on Interstate 35 when he reached down to grab an energy drink from the passenger side floor of the truck. In his testimony, he stated that he took his eyes off the road for no more than 10 seconds when he looked up and saw that traffic was stopped due to road construction delays.

He was traveling at 68mph when his semi-truck slammed into the back of one of the victims’ vehicles, sending her vehicle into the rear of the other victims’ vehicle. The second victim’s car then slammed into the back of another semi-truck that was hauling 12 million bees. The bees were released at the scene of the accident because of the impact and this delayed the rescue efforts.

The judge came to the conclusion that the driver’s testimony regarding how long he took his eyes off of the road was not credible and that he operated his truck in a grossly negligent manner.

In addition to the criminal charges resulting from the accident, the families of the victims brought civil claims against the driver and his employer. The families settled early in 2012.

Chondromalacia Injury Lawsuits

By Steve Terry |

TSR Injury Law is a leading Minnesota personal injury law firm with extensive experience litigating knee injury cases, including chondromalacia.  We care about you and understand the pain involved with this injury. We will give you knowledgeable, aggressive representation. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

What Is Chondromalacia?

Chondromalacia is the softening of the cartilage on the back side of the patella due to misalignment. The misalignment is frequently the result of trauma to the patella, as in a patella fracture, dislocation, menisci damage, or patellar tendon rupture. A misaligned patella rubs on the end of the femur, destroying the cartilage and making it look like crab meat. This not only causes inflammation but moderate to intense pain and grinding in the knee.

Chondromalacia Treatment

The first steps in treating chondromalacia are:

  • rest the knee to lessen the intensity of the chondromalacia pain
  • take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • do physical therapy, especially quadriceps strengthening and hamstring stretching

Alignment is key to minimizing chondromalacia. If the alignment of the patella cannot be improved or corrected with physical therapy, surgery may be necessary. Depending on the type and extent of misalignment, the surgery may be arthroscopic or open.

Surgery for chondromalacia has a high success rate. But there may be complications, including:

  • failure to relieve pain
  • increased pain
  • infection

Minneapolis Chondromalacia Lawyers

Even though chondromalacia is very painful and debilitating, it is marginalized by insurance companies. If you are suffering from chondromalacia from a negligent accident, you need a lawyer who understands chondromalacia and will aggressively defend your rights.

The lawyers at TSR Injury Law know Minnesota law. They know chondromalacia. They will fight for you. Call one of our Chondromalacia lawyers at (612) TSR-TIME or submit free contact form.

Social Host Liability Claims

By Steve Terry |

Despite government attempts to cut down on the rate of underaged drinking, it remains a common problem across the U.S. Minnesota’s social host liability laws try to minimize this problem by holding responsible those adults who provide alcohol to minors.

The laws governing social drinking are not nearly as strict as the laws governing commercial sales of alcohol. Therefore, a much shorter list of people can be liable under Minnesota social host liability laws, as opposed to dram shop laws. A person can be liable if he or she is over 21 and:

  • Sold or gave alcohol to a minor
  • Knowingly allowed minors to consume alcohol on his or her premises

Who Can File a Social Host Liability Claim?

If you have been injured by a minor who was driving under the influence of alcohol, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against the adult who provided the alcohol. Minors who injure themselves or others while intoxicated do not have grounds for a social liability suit.

Need Legal Help?

If you or your child is a minor and has become a victim of an injury after being served alcohol, contact TSR Injury Law at 612-TSR-TIME and speak to one of our Minneapolis personal injury attorneys. We offer a free, no obligation consultation and charge no upfront fees if we take on your case.

TSR Injury Law. Ph: (612) TSR-TIME.

Fatal Car Accident on I-35 Near Forest Lake, MN

By Steve Terry |

A fatal accident occurred Sunday morning about 11 a.m. on I-35 and Highway 8, near Forest Lake, Minnesota (Washington County). A Chevy pick-up truck was northbound when the driver lost control and started to roll. It rolled into a southbound Toyota Camry. The car flipped and landed upside down.

The two people from the car were pronounced dead at the scene. They were James Holland, 45, of Chanhassen and his son, Jude Holland, 4.

The driver of the pick-up truck, Eric Sprouse, 19, was ejected from his truck and sustained critical injuries. He was airlifted to North Memorial Hospital where he later died from his injuries. The passenger, Dustin Covey, 20, sustained non life-threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to Fairview Hospital, Wyoming.

The Minnesota State Patrol, Chisago County Sheriff’s Office, and Forest Lake Police Department were all on the scene. Interstate 35 was completely shutdown for two hours. A medical helicopter landed on the freeway to assist and transported the driver of the truck. Traffic was rerouted to Highway 61. The northbound lanes were reopened about 1 p.m. Southbound lanes were finally cleared and opened about 4 p.m.

Alcohol is not suspected in the accident.

At TSR Injury Law, our Minneapolis auto accident attorneys understand that trauma that accident victims and their families may encounter following a serious crash. We can help to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions and charge no upfront fees if we take on your case.

Free Consultation – Ph: (612) TSR-TIME.

Why A Sanitary Nursing Home Is Important

By Steve Terry |

Unfortunately, not everyone who runs a nursing home is qualified to do so. If someone you care about has been the victim of negligent nursing home staff, call TSR Injury Law at (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free contact form.

The Importance of a Sanitary Environment

At the very least, a nursing home should provide the following for all patients:

  • Clean clothes and bedding
  • Sleeping and eating quarters free of roaches, mice, and other pests
  • Proper measures to prevent the spread of lice
  • Clean floors clear of clutter, liquid, and other slip and fall hazards
  • Staff well-trained in assisting residents with their personal hygiene

Unlike isolated cases of abuse or neglect, unhygienic conditions in nursing care are usually a systemic problem. In other words, they are not a case of one or two reckless nursing home workers. Instead, the problem usually lies with the way the home is managed, from hiring new workers to supervising them, to setting cleanliness standards for the facility.

As a result, filing a legal claim against the home in question is often the only way to adequately address the problem. It will not only help you win fair compensation for your family’s suffering, but it will also protect other residents of that facility. A Minneapolis nursing home abuse lawyer can provide you with important information about this legal process.

Have Some Questions About Nursing Home Conditions?

TSR Injury Law is committed to nursing home residents’ rights. If you need any legal assistance dealing with a negligent facility, contact us at (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form. There are no upfront fees if we take on your case and we only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf.

Free Consultation. Ph: (612) TSR-TIME.

TSR Injury Law Partner Chuck Slane Speaks About Litigating No Fault Claims at MAJ Seminar

By Steve Terry |

TSR Injury Law Partner and Minnesota Top 40 Plaintiff’s Attorney Charles Slane spoke at a Litigation Arbitration Continuing Legal Education Seminar for the Minnesota Association for Justice. The seminar was entitled “No Fault Arbitrations” and was chaired by TSR Injury Law attorney Erik Willer and Jamie Sonsteby.

Bloomington, MN (PRWEB) November 24 — TSR Injury Law Partner and Minnesota Top 40 Plaintiff’s Attorney Charles Slane spoke at a Litigation Arbitration Continuing Legal Education Seminar for the Minnesota Association for Justice, on November 13, 2009. The seminar was chaired by TSR Injury Law attorney Erik Willer and Jamie Sonsteby. These legal education seminars are held to share the knowledge of the profession to improve the quality of advocacy in the state of Minnesota.

The seminar was entitled “No-Fault Arbitrations” and featured 6 speakers. Chuck Slane opened the seminar with the topic “Why and When to Arbitrate, or Not.” Erik Willer gave the final presentation entitled “New Defense Tactics Seeking to Strike Plaintiffs’ Attorneys as Arbitrators.”

Chuck’s 30-minute presentation addressed the strategies of using rule 68 offers of settlement, collecting penalty interest, and imposing penalties for failing to handle claims in good faith. He shared insight developed from his practice on how to hold insurance carriers accountable when they fail to pay benefits. Specifically, Chuck discussed the benefits of litigating no-fault benefit denials rather than submitting the claim to arbitration.

Chuck Slane is on the board of governors for the Minnesota Association for Justice and is a sought after and frequent lecturer on topics regarding litigation in the personal injury arena. He has extensive trial experience in many different types of personal injury claims including automobile accidents, premises liability, dram shop, wrongful death, and insurance coverage cases.

TSR Injury Law is fast becoming one of the most prominent personal injury law firms in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the state of Minnesota. All three partners are highly regarded speakers and considered experts in litigation and personal injury law. For more information, visit https://www.tsrinjurylaw.com or call Chuck Slane at 612-TSR-TIME for a free consultation. TSR Injury Law has offices at 8300 Norman Center Drive, Suite 1275, Bloomington, Minnesota 55437.

Steve Terry
Chuck Slane
Rich Ruohonen
8300 Norman Center Drive, Suite 1275
Bloomington, Minnesota 55437
612-TSR-TIME
www.tsrinjurylaw.com
terryandslane.com
minnesotapersonal-injurylawyer.com

3 Killed, 1 Injured in Lakeville, MN Head On Collision

By Steve Terry |

Three people from one family were killed Saturday night in a head on collision. The accident occurred about 7 p.m. on County Road 50, near Kenwood Trail, Lakeville.

The crash involved a Hyundai Elantra, driven by Debra Buhmann, and a Chevy Silverado, driven by a 17-year-old from Dundas, Minnesota. It was reported that the Silverado was being driven with its lights off and went over the center line, crashing head on into the Elantra.

The car was carrying three generations from one family; Shirley Iverson, 71, Debra Buhmann, 34, and Alexis Iverson, 8. They all lost their lives in the crash that occurred just miles from their homes. The driver of the pickup truck was airlifted to HCMC, his condition unknown.

Lakeville Police and the Minnesota State Patrol are investigating the accident. Alcohol is not suspected.

What Can The Victims’ Families Do?

In this type of car crash, if the truck was being driven with its lights off, there is a strong case for a wrongful death suit due to negligence. A wrongful death lawsuit must be filed by a family member and brought to court by a trustee. The compensation is limited to financial losses suffered by the surviving family members and includes: loss of companionship; loss of assistance, advice, and protection; and loss of monetary contributions the deceased would have made had they lived.

The laws dealing with a wrongful death suit are complex. Therefore, it is important to retain an experienced, knowledgeable law firm to represent you in your Minnesota wrongful death claim. Our personal injury lawyers have decades of combined experience. We will fight for justice in your case. Contact a Minnesota Wrongful Death Attorney at (612) TSR-TIME.

Minnesota Semi Truck Injury Court Case

By Steve Terry |

Nate Bjerke and Patrick Kranz just tried a case in Hennepin County involving a young woman who was 16 at the time she was hit by a semi-truck 5 years ago. The trucking company and driver did not want to take responsibility for the crash or the injuries they caused, but Nate and Patrick crushed them every step of the way. The jury provided justice after a 5-day trial in the amount of just over $360,000 which was over four times the last offer by the trucking company!! Great job guys!! Could not have done it without the help of their assistant Lynn Mausolf. And congrats to this wonderful young woman!

Congratulations to this wonderful young woman

Minnesota Diffuse Electrical Injury Lawyer

By Steve Terry |

You may be having trouble convincing your doctors and insurance company that you are truly injured because your response to the electrical injury has been unusual. You may even have been accused of lying or malingering.

Ultimately, your compensation depends on the knowledge, ability, and aggressiveness of your attorney. The lawyers at TSR Injury Law have all of that and more — they have compassion with the client, persuasive negotiating skills, and charisma in the courtroom. Contact a Minnesota Diffuse Electrical Injury Lawyer at 612-TSR-TIME. We care and we can help you receive the compensation you deserve. We recently settled a Diffuse Electrical Injury case for $187,000.

Symptoms of Diffuse Electrical Injury

A Diffuse Electrical Injury (DEI) presents with an entirely different set of responses to an electric shock than has commonly been accepted. The responses associated with diffuse electrical injury have been validated in the last 15-20 years by the ability to gather statistics online from similar cases around the world.

The symptoms of Diffuse Electrical Injury are random and unpredictable. They include:

  • injury not proportional to the energy of the shock
  • injury not related to the voltage of the contact
  • injury not related to the duration of the contact
  • injury not related to the theoretical path of the current

About Diffuse Electrical Injury

Diffuse electrical injury (DEI) is also referred to as electric shock syndrome or post electric shock syndrome. It is an injury to the body following an electrical contact where the bodily response is neither proportional to the parameters of the shock (voltage, current, duration), nor is the tissue response limited to the theoretical current pathway. The indications of DEI are an assortment of physical complaints that include:

  • tingling
  • weakness
  • pins and needles
  • muscle twitches
  • muscle spasms
  • general fatigue
  • broad diffuse pain

emotional symptoms that include:

  • personality changes
  • depression
  • stress / anxiety
  • anger / temper

and cognitive impairments that include:

  • inability to concentrate
  • slower thinking
  • short term memory loss
  • difficulty thinking clearly

Some results from MRIs are providing evidence that the differences shown on neuropsychological test batteries have an organic basis. These victims are not lying, crazy, or malingering.

Minneapolis Diffuse Electrical Injury Attorney

If you have suffered unusual symptoms following your electrical shock injury, Call TSR Injury Law today at (612) TSR-TIME or submit our contact form. Our partners have years of experience with excellent results.

Minneapolis Bicycle Accident Injury Lawyers

By Steve Terry |

TSR Injury Law is a premier personal injury law firm with extensive experience handling bicycle accident injury lawsuits, and a reputation for excellent settlements, including a verdict for $520,000 in a bicycle accident injury case. We care about you, and truly want to help you obtain justice and compensation for your injury.

Our personal injury lawyers are experts at establishing fault in serious bicycle accidents. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

Common Types of Bicycle Accidents

Bicyclists need to drive more defensively than motor vehicle drivers. They need to know the rules on how to legally and safely share the road with motor vehicles, because so many motor vehicle drivers do not respect a bicyclist and their right to be on the road. The most common types of collisions occur when a motor vehicle driver:

  • ignores the bicyclist and turns directly in front of the cyclist, cutting them off;
  • enters the street from a driveway or parking spot without observing or yielding to the bicyclist;
  • is inattentive, clueless, or unobservant while driving;
  • is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; or
  • fails to yield the right of way to a bicyclist at an intersection. 

Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries

Bicyclists are defenseless against any type of motor vehicle. If a bicyclist is in an accident, the injuries are usually significant. Those injuries include:

  • skull fracture
  • concussion
  • traumatic brain injury
  • coup and contrecoup head injury
  • spinal injury
  • tibial plateau fracture
  • facet joint injury
  • burst fracture of the spine
  • trimalleolar fracture / broken ankle
  • permanent disability 

Minnesota Bicycle Accident Injury Statistics

All drivers on the road have the responsibility to be alert and aware of everyone on the road. Ignorance about Minnesota bicycle laws will not lessen the culpability of the at-fault person if a bicyclist is injured — and many bicyclists are injured or killed every year.

  • Four bicyclists die in a bicycle accident every day.
  • Nearly half of these deaths are children under the age of 16.
  • Another one million children are injured in bicycle accidents every year.
  • Head injuries account for three out of every four serious/fatal bicycle accident injuries.
  • Collisions with motor vehicles is the leading cause of death in bicycle accidents.

Contact a Minneapolis Bicycle Accident Attorney

We will work with the insurance companies, accessing as many policies as possible, and coordinating all of the benefits. We will investigate the accident, consult with qualified bicycle specialists, and seek out the expertise of medical specialists to find every angle to pursue in your case. We will do this with no charge to you until we win your case.

Our Minneapolis bicycle accident injury lawyers are specialists in the field of personal injury law. Our attorneys are thorough, aggressive, and persuasive litigators with a reputation for obtaining excellent settlements and verdicts. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our contact form.