Author: Steve M. Christensen

Workers' Compensation
29 Nov by Steve M. Christensen

Experienced South Dakota Workers’ Compensation Attorney

When you have been hurt at work, you need a lawyer who is compassionate and understanding, but who will aggressively and methodically pursue justice on your behalf.

South Dakota's workers' compensation laws are complex, and there is a rigid procedure that must be followed in order to get maximum compensation for your financial losses after a workplace injury. You need an experienced workers' compensation attorney who will help you navigate the workers' comp system quickly and get your claim approved.

At the Christensen Law Offices, we have over 35 years of experience representing injured workers in Western South Dakota and the Black Hills. We understand the South Dakota workers' compensation laws and can help you recover the money you need to take care of yourself and your family.

Workers' Compensation Versus Personal Injury Lawsuits The South Dakota workers' compensation laws treat a workplace injury differently than other types of personal injury. If you have been injured at work, the only way to recover money for your losses is by making a workers' compensation claim. Furthermore, the workers' compensation law identifies the amount you will receive, based on the specific type of injury.

As an example, temporary disability cases are treated differently than permanent disability cases under the workers' compensation system. In general, there is less room to maneuver and negotiate in a workers' compensation case than there may be in a personal injury case based on a non-workplace injury.

The South Dakota Workers' Compensation Process: Why a Lawyer Is Important Don't make the mistake of thinking that your injuries are obvious and that all you need to do is fill out a form to recover for your workplace injury. The process for filing a workers' compensation claim is complex and can be confusing. Your claim can be challenged on many grounds. Your employer may argue that the injury was not work-related or that you had the medical condition before you started your employment. Or, your workers' compensation claim may be approved, but with work restrictions that make it hard to get hired anywhere else.

When you have been injured on the job, you may feel frightened and frustrated. You want to go back to work, but fear you may never be able to go back. You worry that you may lose your job or be reassigned when you return. We understand your concerns.

At the Christensen Law Offices, our entire staff is committed to easing your anxiety and providing a safe place where you know your interests are being protected. We want to help you make good decisions based on practical information and an understanding of the consequences of different options.

Blog Posts
27 Oct by Steve M. Christensen

Experienced South Dakota Elder Law Attorney

At the Christensen Law Offices in Deadwood, we know that planning how your assets will be divided upon your death or how you will pay for nursing home care can be unsettling. We have represented individuals and families throughout Western South Dakota and the Black Hills for over 30 years.

Estate Planning There are many different strategies for protecting and transferring your assets. We will help you understand the difference between a will and a trust, so that you can make an informed decision about which approach meets your needs. We will talk to you about the advantages and disadvantages of the probate process, so that you can determine whether you want to use tools that help you avoid probate.

When you have decided what is best for you, we will prepare all the documents you need to implement your plan, including simple and living wills, trusts and durable powers of attorney.

Elder Law Issues If you are reaching the age of retirement or have loved ones who are, you may have concerns about the issues that affect seniors in America: nursing home care, asset protection, the availability of Medicaid and Medicare. At the Christensen Law Offices, we understand elder law issues and will work closely with you to help plan for the payment of nursing home or convalescent care in a way that minimizes the loss of your personal assets.

When you are trying to decide the best approach for protecting your heirs and dividing your property after your death, you can often feel uneasy and uncertain of how to proceed. If you have a loved one who needs nursing home care, you may worry how you will pay the costs of care and whether your personal assets can be used to defray the expense of assisted living.

We understand how you feel. At the Christensen Law Offices, our entire staff is committed to easing your anxiety and providing a safe place where you know your interests and the interests of your loved ones are being protected. We help you make good decisions based on knowledge and understanding, not on fear.

Family Law & Divorce
28 Aug by Steve M. Christensen

Experienced South Dakota Family Law Attorney

When you have decided to file for divorce or if you are in the middle of a custody or visitation dispute, it can be easy to become overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. You may be afraid that you won't be able to be an effective parent to your children. You may worry that you won't have the financial resources to provide for yourself and your children. We know how you feel.

At the Christensen Law Offices, we understand the stress and anxiety that a divorce or family law dispute can bring. We have represented residents and non-residents throughout Western South Dakota and the Black Hills for over 30 years.

We work with clients at all stages of a divorce or family law dispute, from the initial filing with the court to trial and requests for modification of court orders. If you are thinking about ending a marriage, we can help you understand the differences between divorce, separation and annulment and determine what options are available to you.

Our office handles all types of disputes that arise out of a divorce, including disagreements over the following:

  • Child custody
  • Visitation
  • Child support
  • Alimony or spousal support
  • Property division

In our family law practice, we also review and prepare prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, counsel clients in paternity matters, advise clients in situations involving domestic violence, and represent individuals and couples in adoption proceedings.

When you are in the middle of a divorce or family law problem, you can often feel alone and overwhelmed. We understand the feeling. At the Christensen Law Offices, our entire staff is committed to easing your anxiety and providing a safe place where you know your interests are being protected. We are committed to helping you make good decisions based on knowledge and understanding, not on fear.