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.

As a lawyer, I’m not going to deny that it’s fun to win a case for many reasons. One, of course, that means our client gets paid, and so we get paid. Two, it’s great to get a good result for a client – our client is happy and we are happy. Maybe if we’re lucky, that happy client will refer us to a friend or colleague who needs a lawyer down the road. Three, in some cases, a win can establish case precedent which can help on future cases. And, four, especially in really contentious cases, difficult cases, or complex cases, there’s no denying that there’s a feeling of satisfaction when you win.

After you do this for long enough, though, sometimes a win can mean something different. Over my years of practice with Meuser Law Office, P.A., I have several cases that stick out to me as special for one reason or another. They’re not always my biggest or hardest cases. Sometimes I just really like the client or there is a complex legal issue that we prevail on. Other times, there was a difficult issue on the case that we overcame.

Great news for Minnesota’s first responders! A bill has been passed by both the House and Senate, and is expected to be signed by the Governor, that adds additional workers’ compensation rights for our state’s first responders who are suffering from mental illness.

House Bill HF 3873 and the companion Bill in the Senate SF3420 have both passed with overwhelming support, and the bill is expected to be signed by Governor Dayton. The portion of the bill as it relates to first responders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will take effect January 1, 2019.

This bill has been in the works for a few years now, but finally had enough support to pass. While it won’t necessarily have a significant impact on people who are currently in the Minnesota workers’ compensation system, we expect that it will make a major difference to those who find themselves struggling with work-related PTSD in the future.

The clock is ticking! Remember, this year’s tax filing deadline is April 17, 2018. If you’re doing your taxes on your own, you may be wondering if you need to report Minnesota workers’ compensation wage loss, permanent partial disability, or a settlement received in 2017. The answer is NO!

You are not required to pay income taxes on your work comp benefits, regardless of whether you received them on a weekly basis or as a lump sum settlement. Minnesota workers’ compensation benefits are considered to be compensation for a personal injury under the Federal Tax Code and are therefore non-taxable.

Other types of benefits that are payable as a result of a work-related injury may also be non-taxable, including PERA Police and Fire Plan or Corrections Plan Duty Disability Benefits, and MSRS State Patrol Plan and Corrections Plan Duty Disability Benefits.