Dear Police Officer,

You need more car insurance! 

Sincerely,
A Lawyer Who Knows

Unfortunately, at Meuser Law Office, P.A. one of the issues we frequently encounter is when a Minnesota police officer, deputy sheriff, or state trooper who suffers a career ending injury does not have enough car insurance to adequately protect themselves.

On behalf of Meuser Law Office, P.A., we extend sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Stillwater state prison corrections officer Joseph B. Gomm. Officer Gomm, 45, was killed by an inmate who is serving a 29-year sentence for second-degree murder, marking the first such death in Minnesota of an on-duty corrections officer.

The day before the assault, Officer Gomm celebrated 16 years on the job and is being remembered by family and co-workers for his kind soul and dedication.

For over a decade, the attorneys at Meuser Law Office, P.A., have been fighting to help our state’s first responders get access to help for work-related mental health conditions – most prominently post-traumatic stress disorder.

We have helped hundreds of police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and corrections officers obtain workers’ compensation benefits, including medical expense, wage loss, and rehabilitation benefits, as well as PERA Duty Disability pension benefits.

Over the last ten years we have slowly, but surely, seen a change in police departments regarding post-traumatic stress disorder. There’s a long way to go, but attitudes towards mental health in police departments seems to be changing. From an anecdotal perspective, there seems to be better support in departments for officers struggling with mental health issues, as well as a push for better early intervention services for officers who have experienced trauma. We are also noticing better awareness of the symptoms and causes of PTSD. Officers are looking out for each other and there is less reluctance and stigma for officers seeking help sooner. That is good news for Minnesota’s police officers.