In Minnesota under the Workers’ Compensation Act the legislature recognizes numerous types of work injuries including specific injuries, Gillette injuries, occupational diseases, and consequential injuries. The case Gillette v. Harold, Inc. established that injuries caused by repetitive minute trauma brought about by the performance of ordinary job duties is compensable under the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Act. (257 Minn. 313 (1960).) These types of injuries may be thought of generally as “wear and tear” injuries or repetitive motion injuries that are cumulative in a larger injury.

In certain limited circumstances, injured workers may bring a civil claim arising out of the incident that caused his or her work injury. These civil claims may include pain and suffering and other types of monetary damages not available under the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation system. The employee may not sue his or her employer for causing his or her injury, but the injured worker may sue a third-party who is at fault, meaning that the other person or entity’s negligence caused the injured worker’s injury. Third-party claims typically arise in work-related motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents, products liability claims, or premise liability claims.

Ron Meuser and Mary Beth Boyce of Meuser Law Office, P.A. are proud to be part of this year’s University of St. Thomas Moot Court Intramural Competition. Each year the University of St. Thomas Law School send students to participate in national moot court, trial advocacy, and negotiations competitions. These competitions offer students an opportunity to focus on their written and oral advocacy skills, which are key skills when practicing law. The intramural competition helps determine which students make the various teams.

On behalf of Meuser Law Office, P.A., we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Officer William Mathews, 47, who was struck and killed by a motorist in the early afternoon on September 8, 2017. Officer Mathews was removing dangerous debris in the roadway when he was hit by an SUV and died of his injuries.