On 26 December 2013, the Mn Supreme Court reached a 4 against 3 judges' decision in favor of Xcel Energy in the case of injured employee Toni Dykhoff. This verdict has effectively spelled the death knell of many no-fault slip-and-fall injury claims in Minnesota anymore. For corporations can now walk away victorious and employees can lose their work comp, job, insurance, ongoing treatment, health, and well being. The very purpose of Workers' Compensation is at stake for many Minnesotans.
Why is this important?
Largely on the basis of Dykhoff (December 2013), the Work Comp judge decided (June 2014) against my wife Mariani's case of slip-and-fall at St. Cloud Hospital. The Mn Supreme Court should reverse its decision on Dykhoff under pressure from Mn Senate and House of Representatives. The purpose of Work Comp in Mariani's case, too, was not fully served. There is no such thing as a no-fault claim in work related injuries for many Minnesotans anymore. Protections for employees from employers should remain in place or unfair practices will prevail.
