A disaster that injures many people at once creates widespread confusion and pain in the community. These mass casualty incidents leave victims and their families facing serious injuries and an uncertain future. If you were harmed in a large-scale accident in Minneapolis or elsewhere in Minnesota, a Minneapolis mass casualty lawyer from our personal injury law firm can help defend your rights and seek justice.
In this Article
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Mass Casualty Accident in Minneapolis?
What Is a Mass Casualty Incident?
A mass casualty incident is a catastrophic event where the number of injured people overwhelms local emergency services and hospitals. The sheer volume of victims exceeds the capacity of first responders to provide immediate medical aid to everyone in need.
These tragedies can occur in many forms, including:
Major transportation accidents: multi-car pile-ups on I-94 or I-35W, bus crashes, or light rail derailments
Structural collapses: failures at construction sites, aging buildings, or public venues
Incidents at public gatherings: fires, explosions, or mass shootings at schools, religious facilities, concerts, or public events
Industrial accidents: chemical spills or explosions at factories, plants, or warehouses
Natural events like earthquakes, hurricanes, severe storms, floods, wildfires, heatwaves, and other disasters
Common Injuries in Mass Casualty Events
The chaotic nature of a mass casualty incident often leads to severe and life-altering injuries for mass casualty and shooting victims. Because immediate medical attention may be delayed, the harm can be even more significant.
Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, crush injuries and internal bleeding, multiple fractures, burns, amputations, lasting psychological trauma (such as PTSD or anxiety), and even death. Documenting all your injuries with a medical professional is crucial. This record creates essential evidence for claims arising out of these events, as well as for wrongful death cases.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Mass Casualty Incident?
Identifying the responsible parties after a large-scale disaster can be complicated, as multiple individuals or entities may share liability. A thorough investigation helps uncover all sources of negligence.
Potentially liable parties in Minnesota may include:
Negligent individuals or companies, which could include a shooter, a reckless driver, a trucking company, or an event organizer
Owners of commercial properties, bars, apartment buildings, or event venues
Contractors and engineers who use substandard materials or an architect who designed an unsafe structure
Product manufacturers of a defective product or (in some states) weapons manufacturers
Government agencies
In some situations, a government body could be at fault. This might be a state agency like the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) or a local entity like the City of Minneapolis. Filing a claim against a government entity in Minnesota involves specific rules and tight deadlines.
Compensation Available for Victims in Minnesota
If you were injured in a mass casualty event, you can pursue financial compensation for the harm you have suffered. The objective is to recover funds that address both your economic and non-economic losses.
Compensation may include medical expenses for past care and medical bills for future care, lost income and reduced earning capacity, damages for pain and suffering, property damage, and (in fatal cases) wrongful death damages for funeral costs and financial support when the family has lost loved ones.
An attorney can evaluate your case to determine the full extent of the damages you may be eligible to recover under Minnesota law.
Minnesota Laws That Relate to Mass Casualty Events
In Minnesota, there are laws that impact wounded victims of mass casualty events.
Statute of Limitations
Per § 541.05, subd. 1(5), you have six years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit for most personal injury cases in Minnesota. Shorter deadlines can apply.
Wrongful Death
When a loved one is killed in a wrongful act, a court-appointed trustee can bring a claim on behalf of the surviving spouse and next of kin. This action generally must be started within three years of the death (§ 573.02).
Comparative Fault
Minnesota follows a “modified comparative fault” rule. You can recover damages as long as your fault is not greater than the fault of the person you are seeking recovery from. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault (§ 604.01).
Claims Against Government Entities
Special rules apply when suing government bodies. For claims against the State of Minnesota, you must provide written notice within 180 days of the injury. A similar 180-day notice rule applies to claims against cities and other municipalities.
Dram Shop Law
The Minnesota dram shop law (the Civil Damage Act) allows people injured by an intoxicated person to sue an alcohol seller who made an illegal sale that contributed to the intoxication.
How a Mass Casualty Lawyer Can Help
After a catastrophic event, you should not have to face the legal process alone. With a deep understanding of Minnesota law and a proven track record of delivering justice for clients, our law firm can manage every aspect of your claim, so you can focus on your recovery. We will investigate the incident, gather evidence (e.g., from reconstruction and medical experts), identify at-fault parties, and handle all communications with insurance companies.
Our firm is prepared to negotiate for a fair settlement that covers all of your losses. If the insurance companies refuse to offer what you deserve, we are ready to pursue litigation to protect your rights in court.
Contact our legal team today for a free consultation to discuss your case. We can review the details of what happened, explain your legal rights under Minnesota law, review your insurance coverage, and help you determine the best path forward.
If you were harmed in a large-scale accident anywhere in Minnesota, a Minneapolis mass casualty lawyer can help defend your rights.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Latisha S.
Great service. They helped me get my money, and everyone was very pleasant even though the health insurance took a while. Everything was on point on Kryder’s side.
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