When a work-related injury or condition is a substantial factor in causing an employee’s death, the employee’s dependents are entitled to certain benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Act. This is referred to as a “dependency claim.” If an injured worker dies due to a work injury, the injured worker’s spouse, children, or other dependent family members may be entitled to benefits.

Delta provided its flight attendants with new uniforms over the summer of 2018. Unfortunately, after the change to the new uniforms, many employees have become sick. They’ve been experiencing physical symptoms, such as rashes, chaffing, eye issues, nose bleeds, headaches, and even breathing problems. In the past American Airlines struggled with a similar issue when employees began experiencing health problems related to the chemicals present in their uniforms.

1. Am I entitled to rehabilitation benefits?

An employee is entitled to rehabilitation services, or the services of a QRC, if the employee is deemed a “qualified employee.” A qualified employee is:

• permanently precluded or is likely to be permanently precluded from engaging in the employee’s usual and customary occupation or from engaging in the job the employee held at the time of injury;
• cannot reasonably be expected to return to suitable gainful employment with the date-of-injury employer; and
• can reasonably be expected to return to suitable gainful employment through the provision of rehabilitation services, considering the treating physician’s opinion of the employee’s work ability.

Attorneys Ron Meuser and Mary Beth Boyce obtained a successful jury verdict on behalf of their clients in Wright County. Ron and Mary Beth brought a civil claim on behalf of their client who was seriously injured while working as a deputy sheriff. The deputy sheriff was struck by another vehicle while performing law enforcement duties and suffered career ending injuries to the officer’s neck, back, head, and knee. The trial lasted 7 days and required over 9 experts to provide testimony. Meuser Law Office, P.A. successfully obtained a verdict that included monetary damages for wage loss, medical expenses, and pain and suffering in excess of $650,000.