Workers' comp attorneys in Minnesota work on contingency — you don't pay out of pocket. This calculator estimates the maximum fee based on the recovery amount and the fee schedule that applies based on your date of injury.
- • Fee schedules vary by date of injury (DOI era)
- • Statutory compensation bases and cumulative fee caps change over time
- • This tool is an estimate and assumes a standard contingent fee (not excess fees)
Updated 10/01/2025
How Much Would an Attorney Cost?
Enter the recovery amount and date of injury to estimate the maximum contingency fee under Minnesota law.
Verification notice
Fee schedules are derived from Minn. Stat. § 176.081, subd. 1 and DLI guidance. The pre-2013 tiered formula and costs/disbursement rules should be independently verified against the Revisor and your fee agreement. This is an estimate only.
Inputs
Only benefits that were genuinely in dispute count. Voluntarily paid benefits are excluded.
Determines which statutory fee schedule applies
Understanding attorney fees in workers' comp
Under Minn. Stat. § 176.081, subd. 1, attorney fees are calculated based on genuinely disputed compensation obtained - not total settlement or total benefits paid. The formula and cap depend on your date of injury.
Costs and disbursements (filing fees, medical records, experts) are separate from the attorney fee. Depending on your fee agreement and the outcome, you may be responsible for costs. Review your fee agreement carefully.
Fee schedule summary
DOI on/after 10/1/2024: 20% of first $275,000; max fee $55,000
DOI 10/1/2013 – 9/30/2024: 20% of first $130,000; max fee $26,000
DOI 10/1/1992 – 9/30/2013: 25% of first $4,000 + 20% of next $60,000; max fee $13,000
Minn. Stat. § 176.081, subd. 1; 2024 c 97 s 4
This is an informational tool, not legal advice. Results depend entirely on the information you enter and may not reflect all statutory exceptions or fact-specific rules. Verify against the underlying statute and consult an attorney for case-specific decisions.
How Minnesota workers’ comp attorney fees work
Contingent fees are based only on benefits that are genuinely disputed and obtained because of the lawyer’s work — not on every dollar in your claim.
For injuries on or after 10/1/2024, the fee is 20% of the first $275,000 of disputed compensation, capped at $55,000.
Earlier injury dates use earlier schedules (for example, 20% of the first $130,000 capped at $26,000 for 10/1/2013–9/30/2024).
Worked example
For a 10/1/2025 injury with $100,000 in disputed, recovered benefits, the fee is 20% × $100,000 = $20,000. For $400,000 disputed, the fee is capped at $55,000.
When to call
Use your result as a screen. Most claims that are on track do not need a lawyer; the ones that are off track usually do.
Green — may be on track
This estimate reflects fees only on disputed, recovered benefits. Save it.
Yellow — worth watching
You entered undisputed benefits — those generally do not count toward the fee. Re-check what is actually in dispute.
Red — good reason to call
You are being quoted a fee on your whole claim or above the statutory cap. Ask for the calculation, then call.