Stephen’s practice currently focuses on workers’ compensation defense, representing employers, insurers, and third-party administrators. Before joining Brown & Carlson in 2024, he built an extensive background advocating for employees as a plaintiff-side workers’ compensation and long-term disability attorney. His experience on both sides of the table provides him with a unique and valuable perspective, enabling him to develop comprehensive, client-focused strategies to deliver effective representation when negotiating settlements or defending claims at hearing.
Quick to synthesize complex information, Stephen’s analytical mindset is a strong asset to his clients. Backed by a quick wit and a good sense of humor, he’s a valued presence both in and out of the courtroom. Outside the office, Stephen enjoys archery and hitting the mountain bike trails—where he coaches young riders, helps maintain local paths, and gets out for a ride whenever he can.
Some Minnesota workers’ compensation practitioners would say that it appears claims of consequential mental health injuries are on the rise. Cynics will say this is done to increase the value of a workers’ compensation claim. More trusting people will say
Attorneys Eric Hayes and Sean Abernathy were able to successfully defeat a penalty claim initiated by a claimant and her attorney. In support of the alleged penalty claim, the employee testified that because her settlement check was late, she was
In 2013, the Minnesota legislature amended the Workers’ Compensation Act to allow claims for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an occupational disease. Since that time, the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Court of Appeals have
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