News

Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A. is pleased to announce the addition of attorney Erik R. Overlid. Erik’s focus is with the Auto and Commercial Transportation practice groups. Prior to joining Arthur Chapman, Erik worked with many of the nation’s top insurers in defending a wide variety of actions on both CGL and auto policies, as well as prosecuting subrogation matters. Outside of his insurance practice, Erik also provides cost-effective advice to businesses on non-litigated matters. Erik’s clients appreciate his advice on helping to prevent lawsuits from arising, but also ensuring his clients are prepared if litigation does happen.

Arthur Chapman is pleased to welcome attorney Hannah J. Mohs. Hannah’s practice focuses on Workers Compensation Claims. She has experience working in employer and insurer defense matters including initiation of litigation through appellate work. Her clients appreciate her strong communication skills and attention to details. Hannah graduated from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Outside of helping her clients, Hannah enjoys live music, and escaping the city by hiking and camping.

Arthur Chapman is excited to welcome attorney Aaron Abelleira to the Construction Law Practice Group. Aaron’s practice focuses primarily on Construction Law. He has been involved in the construction industry since graduating from high school. He knows not only the law but also has spent 10 years in the trades as a commercial roofer. He has a passion for researching and writing about legal issues that impact contractors and he has the skills to translate his experience into insights that will help his construction clients.

Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A. is a mid-sized defense law firm located in downtown Minneapolis. This is an opportunity for a hard working attorney to complement a growing medical malpractice team and integrate into a solid book of existing medical malpractice business. This is a great opportunity to ultimately assume a book of business. We seek a highly motivated lateral senior associate with at least three years of medical malpractice, products liability, and/or professional liability law related experience to join our growing litigation practice group. Preferred experience includes deposition and trial experience.

Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A. is a team-oriented firm committed to providing our clients with superior legal services. We are seeking a highly motivated attorney to join our busy insurance defense civil litigation practice. The ideal candidate will possess at least two years of practical experience handling various personal injury files and/or medical malpractice claims. A strong work ethic and the ability to thrive in a team-oriented atmosphere are necessary. We are motivated to attract, recruit, and retain talented employees.

In an August 25, 2021, opinion, the Eighth Circuit affirmed the District Court of North Dakota’s grant of summary judgment to the insurer, holding there was no insurance coverage under a CGL Policy for claims that a debt-collection law firm had wrongfully garnished wages. The court held the claims of “bodily injury” were not caused by an “occurrence” because the law firm’s actions in garnishing wages and communicating with others about the garnishment were intentional.

In a decision filed on August 18, 2021, the Minnesota Supreme Court breathed life into the long-term opioid treatment parameter, reversing the lower courts' determinations that the "rare case" exception applied, thereby determining that the employee's use of long-term opioid pain medication was not compensable. The Supreme Court considered this case for the second time in Johnson v. Darchuks Fabrications, Inc., File No. A20-0963.

Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A. is a mid-sized law firm located in downtown Minneapolis. We seek a highly motivated associate attorney with at least 1+ years of construction law related experience to join our growing construction practice group. Preferred experience in lien law, bond disputes, property development, and contract review. Candidates should have excellent writing skills, and possess a strong attention to detail. A strong work ethic and the ability to thrive in a team-oriented atmosphere are necessary. We are motivated to attract and recruit talented and diverse attorneys. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Spoliation is the “intentional destruction, mutilation, alteration, or concealment of evidence.” Black's Law Dictionary 1409 (7th ed. 1999). Every party or potential litigant to an action has a court-imposed duty to preserve evidence essential to a claim that will likely be litigated. However, not all destruction of evidence is considered spoliation. Here are the top 4 ways to avoid a spoliation claim:

Arthur Chapman is pleased to welcome two attorneys to the Workers Compensation Practice Group.

Arthur Chapman is proud of the 17 attorneys selected as Super Lawyers® or Rising Stars® for 2021. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The patented selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.

OSHA recently released two sets of updated guidance. First, OSHA released an emergency temporary standard (“ETS”) to protect at-risk health care workers from COVID-19. The ETS is a binding and enforceable OSHA standard, but is only applicable to the healthcare industry.

Arthur Chapman was recognized as a 2021 National Standard Star Tribune Top Workplace. This designation places the Firm among an elite group of companies.

Arthur Chapman is proud to be part of the upcoming Women, Diversity & Change [Virtual Summit]. Now more than ever, it is imperative that we become active participants in driving progressive change and equality in the legal community. Attorney Sarah Bushnell is speaking on the Caregiving & Career: Mastering the Balancing Act panel on Wednesday, June 16.

Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A. is a mid-sized law firm seeking an attorney to join our busy Minnesota and Wisconsin Workers’ Compensation Practice Group. We are a team-oriented firm committed to providing our clients with superior legal services. Candidates must be currently licensed in either Minnesota or Wisconsin, and be committed to obtaining a license in the other state. Candidates must also possess a strong work ethic with excellent communication and writing skills. Candidates with workers’ compensation experience preferred. Our firm offers a competitive compensation/benefits package and is dedicated to creating a collegial, diverse workplace. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A. is a mid-sized defense law firm located in downtown Minneapolis. This is an opportunity for a hard working attorney to complement a growing medical malpractice team and integrate into a solid book of existing medical malpractice business. This is a great opportunity to ultimately assume a book of business. We seek a highly motivated lateral associate or junior level partner with at least three years of medical malpractice, products liability, and/or professional liability law related experience to join our growing litigation practice group. Preferred experience includes deposition and trial experience. Candidates should have excellent writing skills, and possess a strong attention to detail. A strong work ethic and the ability to thrive in a team-oriented atmosphere are essential. We are motivated to attract and recruit talented and diverse attorneys. Salary is commensurate with experience.

As occurs in most years, the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council proposed new legislation in 2021, amending the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Act. The legislation was advanced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and it was passed by both legislative houses. It was signed into law by Governor Walz on April 26, 2021. Here is a breakdown of the new legislation:

ACKSP Brief provides regular communications from our attorneys to keep you connected and updated on current legal issues and decisions that impact your businesses and claims handling.

Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A. is a team-oriented firm committed to providing our clients with superior legal services and we are seeking a highly motivated attorney to join our busy civil litigation practice. The ideal candidate will possess anywhere from 5-12 years of practical litigation experience. Candidates should have excellent research and writing skills, possess a strong attention to detail, be resourceful, and be genuinely interested in litigation work. Candidates with both Minnesota and Wisconsin licenses will take preference.

On April 14, 2021, the Minnesota Supreme Court released King’s Cove Marina, LLC v. United Fire & Cas. Co., providing guidance on the Products Completed Operations Hazard (“PCOH”) limit and on Miller-Shugart allocation. In the underlying liability case, the insured, Lambert, entered a Miller-Shugart settlement agreement with the liability plaintiff, King’s Cove. Lambert stipulated to a $2 million dollar judgment being entered against it to be collected from Lambert’s insurer, United Fire. King’s Cove then brought a garnishment action against United Fire, alleging all of the claims in the liability case were for covered damages, and that the Miller-Shugart settlement agreement was enforceable.